Im sure many of you have experienced the wonder of DMT without a "breakthrough". I am also in this boat. I have smoked very pure spice in excess of 30mg per sitting and had an amazing experience. But I have never experienced anything that seemed like a breakthrough. No machine elves, no greys, no alternate realities. I believe this is mainly because i dont close my eyes.

My past experience with psychedelics have been so visually oriented that I just never thought to close my eyes. Tonight I will (cant wait, been dying to see a machine elf).

My question is, when you did make a breakthrough what was it that was the key factor? the purity of the spice? the method of smoking? the setting? the music (i plan on taking my journey listening to traditional icaros tonight)? Please help I am anxious to get "there".

The key factor to me would be the smoking method and the dose. Although a really unfocused and noisy mind can unhinge the whole experience, regardless of these, and leave you in a confusing tornado swarm of disembodied hyperspatial sensations and visions with no coherency. This has only happened a few times when i resisted letting go..and not much was brought back from the experience besides a "WTF" and a very humbling comedown.

I also find that working at suspending all expectations and surrendering that nagging need to know allows the experience to open up in new ways.

I really wouldn't focus on seeing "machine elves" or "greys"..or anything in particular.. McKenna even said that the machine elf thing was not what they "are", and that this is more like a lie- since what they "are" can't be converted into english..and that these are just words that he used while trying to describe and talk about his experience.

Just Smoalk Moar dmt, close those eyes, let go, and smile :]

Minimize expectations take it as it comes .
Develop a method that works for you .
Music can be distracting I never use it anymore .
Too many moments decending into deep zone and having to
Rip headphones off of head. Icaros are nice but recorded
From a different moment in time having no
relevance to the present moment if that makes any sense.

I started my journeys expecting elves etc.
What I've ended up with is far more amazing and fantastic
Than anything I expected.

I worked for quite a while before a true breakthrough.
Caapi tea had a lot to do with it .

Really its a host if factors mainly set setting.
Then the purity if spice.
Carrier herb I use mullein exclusively.
Keep refining all factors

thanks guys, these are very good points to consider. Im traveling tonight very excited.