Just returned from my deepest solo journey yet since my friend and mentor introduced me to the spice last summer. The extraction method I used was a simple base extraction (acacia confusa root bark mixed with lye and water, and extracted with toluene, resulting in an amber "goo" ). This was mixed with some crushed B.caapi leaf and vaporized/smoked in an ordinary pipe. I don't have any way to estimate the exact dosage, though.

The familiar somatic effects began almost immediately -- a feeling of partial disconnection from my body and some difficulty coordinating movement, but nothing too extreme. I quickly got into the CEVs that I seem always to get: a very geometric, fractal pattern mostly in white images over black, but with occasional flecks of color. These patterns move about in a series of small circular and twisting movements scattered through the field of vision. OEVs were of the room, viewed through a screen of the same fractal geometric patterns, and a very "cartooney" look. The CEVs, however, were much more vivid than before, and extremely 3-dimensional, whereas previously they were mostly 2-dimensional. I could look around and feel as though I were suspended in a sort of shifting crystal lattice of the fractal patterns. They extended around me in all directions, ranging from close up to very distant, and I could look what appeared to be "down" without any feeling as though I were going to fall through the pattern.

I happened to be playing a soundtrack of thunderstorms, and the sound was very reassuring and comforting. I did, however, for the first time get a bit of auditory effects, in that the soundtrack sounded like it were pulsating, like I was listening to it through the blades of a spinning fan.

I was able to change the visual patterns by simply shaking my head; when I did so, they became very large, like I had somehow gotten much closer to the patterns, then they receded back to their normal distance. Strangely enough, as I was moving toward the end of the experience, I could catch little glimpses down in finer details of the patterns of what looked like small figures of playing cards; mostly face cards, especially kings of the various suits. I have absolutely no idea where these came from. It's the first time I ever saw something like that; I'd like to figure out what that might mean. The visuals began to recede and fade after that as I was emerging from the journey, but at this point I started to feel a presence of some sort. It seemed to enfold me and felt very protective and made me feel more connected both inwardly and also to the universe.

I got a very clear impression that something was saying that I was almost ready for a full experience, but that this was still a sort of preparatory stage. There were also about this same time some feelings of what I would call impish presences, which if they were allowed to approach closer could be extremely irritating, but (I think) not dangerous or overtly malicious. The enfolding presence, however, kept them at a distance and about all they could do was try to mock me a bit. They were easy at this point to ignore.

The journey finally ended and the room returned to normal, but with a lasting feeling of well-being and inner connectedness. I have come to value this feeling, as it seems to be a hallmark of these experiences.

Still, however, it felt very much like this was a sub-breakthrough experience. I hope that whatever was telling me that I was almost ready was correct; maybe next time I can get the actual breakthrough journey that I'd like to go on.

Hi LateJourneyer,

Great experience report! I think I've got a good feel of your trip, which seemed very interesting.

I also enjoy solo journeys, and I almost never have bad experiences, but I think it is generally safer to have a sitter present. However, having the sitter in the room with you can alter the experience and while it can be interesting, I really value the occasional trip alone with myself. What I have found to be a good compromise is to have a sitter present in another room. It is very reassuring when going for a breakthrough, for two good reasons. 1, if something were to happen to you during the trip (stumbling out the room, vomiting...), the sitter would be there to help. 2, if you happened to have a bad experience, you could integrate it by talking it out. Anyway, just my 2 cents.

I agree that this was sub-breakthrough. For me, a breakthrough is when you no longer have a human body and are no longer in the room where your body is. It can involve entities or not (some people have purely abstract breakthroughs), but in your case it seems you would encounter some. Another element that seems constant in my experience is fear. Losing your ego can be quite scary at first. The fear subsides quickly however, in my experience.

My advice for a future breakthrough would be: be prepared to be afraid, and be prepared to let go when fear arises. Also, if possible, have a sitter present. It just makes things a lot safer.

See you somewhere in hyperspace!

Hi, gregor!

Thanks very much for your comments, especially your point about a sitter. I haven't done all that many journeys yet, and I've never yet had a bad experience, but I understand the point. My only problem is that there isn't anybody in my local circle of friends whom I would want to know about the journeys. The friend and mentor who introduced me is from out of town, although I could call him anytime, I believe, if I were having a negative experience. I do agree that a sitter is a good idea, though. I'll have to see if I can find someone that I would feel comfortable taking into my confidence.

I appreciated your comments very much, and I thank you for sharing them with me.

LateJourneyer

Hi LateJourneyer,

Glad I could be of some help!

Personally, I would prefer a sitter who has some experience with psychedelic drugs for a breakthrough trip. Someone who knows what types of mindsets/feelings they can induce. So maybe your best bet is the friend who introduced you. From what I understand, he will be the best to look after you while respecting your experience, and he will be able to share his own. If it isn't possible, I would advise that you find a very open-minded and/or spiritual friend (spiritual people tend to be interested in these journeys) and explaining to them that you need someone to look after you during a very intense experience you want to have. I think if that friend can tolerate marijuana and the likes, it should be okay (you can always use the old "you body produces it naturally" argument hehe). After the trip, you could still call your friend from out of town if you need to discuss some aspects of the experience you feel your sitter would not understand perfectly.

Journey safe.

P. S. I wouldn't worry too much about other solo journeys that are on par dosage-wise with the one you described, as you seem to have had very few negative effects. As long as you remain conscious of your body, everything should be alright.