In the past month I have drank ayahuasca 5 times with varying dosage. All were the "traditional" psychotria/caapi brew. I have noticed some peculiarities when not under the influence, which I will list here as well as concerns I have about them as far as my mental health goes. I am not absolutely terrified but I am somewhat concerned about some of this. I'm still open to drinking again.

-Increased intensity of both hypnagogia and vivid dreams. My dreams have been more vivid than in a long time and when falling asleep the hypnagogic state borderlined on psychedelic in of itself a few times. Leads me to believe that DMT or harmalas may have a role in dreaming.

-Randomly smelling/tasting Ayahausca when not around it. I've heard about this from others so it doesn't come as a surprise but still, a very odd feeling.

-Remants of the "carrier wave" buzzing noise. I swear I still hear the "Ayahausca noise" faintly in the distance. It just sounds like someone mowing a lawn in the distance but I heard it even in the middle of the night. This is of concern because I am kind of worried that could precede a psychotic break, but it may also be some sort of sound sensitivity induced by the Ayahausca. It did seem to make me very sensitive to sound and maybe it has something to do with waves in the air? A little bit disconcerting but I'm not like, hearing voices or anything

Are these normal? What do you think?

Take a break and get some professional help.

All of that is pretty normal, much of which I experience also, particularly hynagogia, vivid dreams, tasting spice in my mucus, and sometimes the buzzing or ringing.

Psychedelics with their neurogenic properties tends to make the nervous system more sensitive.

One love

Normal. Tasting the molecule in mucus and smelling it in certain places (like a specific brand of rice I like to use) is quite peculiar. I didn't know others get that too!

Hyperspace and dreamspace intersect for sure. I often get the feeling I get in my dreams when under ayahuasca and I have had some dreams with features like that of the hyperspace. I remember particularly the one where I met the Goddess, but she placed something in my mouth and sent me out from her realm to wake up in an ordinary dream state.

Overall increased sensitivity, including sensitivity to the carrier wave (or is it just ringing of ears or are they the same thing?) is very normal.

The frequency of your use seems a bit high though. There is usually work you need to do in your everyday life between the sessions. Don't neglect that!

Hmm, well I'm glad to know I'm not alone. I really do believe that Ayahuasca does connect you to a spirit world, essentially. And with frequent use it might increase that connection even when off of it. I do feel like my intention has changed since the first sitting though. At first it was only about self-improvement. And of course, it still is because improving myself is the driving force of my psychedelic use. But I found that my intention has kind of.... Developed. With each trip I kind of learned something new about the experience and the plant; the way it responds to sound, the way it changes with your thinking, and other variables. As I saw how drastically it can change with tweaking of these variables, I have became fascinated with the possibilities. I feel like the number of experiences one can have on it truly is endless. As a result I developed a desire to get to know the plant, perhaps more than the average person who just goes to a retreat once a year. I feel a sort of calling to it, like a challenge that while hard if I can overcome it and truly understand this plant, my life will be enriched and I can help other people enrich their lives? Like a warriors path almost. A shamanic call to action? It's hard to describe, but that's why I chose to take it more frequently. I might elaborate later in a longer post

As above, normal. And why I don't overuse psychedelics. After a minor shroom binge I was seeing chromatic abberations around sharp edges for a week or two. It will all subside if you cease use for a while.

You should tread carefully here. You need a balanced skill set to progress and you need to have your life in order. Otherwise you can get lost in the visions and lack the necessary sobriety to assess the ideas you receive. If you haven't already, I recommend practicing meditation. It teaches you to be present in yourself and just observe what is going around. Learning to distinguish what is valuable and what is fools gold takes practice and requires inner growth.

Hi ControlledChaos,

sometimes it is good to take a step back and let the things experienced sink in.

When I travel often, it feels like the membrane between everyday realty and DMT realms gets thinner and thinner each time.
Like for example the strong sensation that there are other worlds hidden behind this reality, while doing a mundane everyday thing. That for me is a strong sign to take it easy and that it's about time to integrate.

I experienced something like that not too long ago. While hiking I got lost in thought and suddenly it felt like I was dreaming, a very similar feeling I get from DMT or mushrooms. I could also picture an entity that I saw the night before very clearly in front of my inner eye. While this was a beautiful experience in itself, it also made me aware that it's time to take a break. It's easy to get lost, if one ventures too far out.

One thing I would like to add. I observed the more frequent I use mushrooms, the less I am in awe, the less I am euphoric, the less I am in the experience. The magic fades. I am not sure whether this is happening with Aya too?

How do I know when it is time to sit with the medicine? Should I be practicing having the visions, or is that the point of meditation? If I am to go forward in this practice without losing touch with this world, how do I go forward?

Generally knowing when to go back in requires some introspection and intuition. Meditation can come in a variety of forms, but one thing that it can help with is observing yourself from the inside which allows you to reflect on your outward actions based on currently existing thought structures and frameworks. This practice allows you to augment them. Meditation is very helpful with and can actually help speed up integration.

And it's okay to lose touch with that world from time to time because despite what one may clean from being in that space for a brief periods in our life, we're still required to live this life.

If you want to help with integration while staying in touch you could practice the experience at lighter doses but with the goal and intent to integrate and understanding. The intention setting and consistency is very key in practices such as these.

One love

Ah, I think I worded it wrong. How I meant to say it was how can I go forward with practicing with the medicine and possibly other plant medicines and still be in touch with the world I live in?

There is a zen koan that says:
Before enlightenment chop wood, carry water.
After enlightenment chop wood, carry water.

That is, live your everyday life, take care of your duties and your loved ones. As your awareness grows you begin to do it with more care and more love.

Many people stray from the path when they go after the spiritual high. There are many things in the hyperspace that should not be taken at face value. It's very important to make your own mind about the experiences. How does this align with my values? What kind of fruit does it bring forth? There are many kinds of energies in the hyperspace. Some dark, some light and they come in all hues. You need to practice discretion both in the spiritual realm as in every day life. That takes time and requires some life experience. You won't miss anything if you take it slow. The experience will be more profound when you have taken your time to grow and prepare for the next ceremony and you have less risk of being lead astray.

The hyperspace will teach you, though, and so will other people in how to put into use the knowledge you get.

I second everything my good friend shared here. You will notice aspects and areas of your life where the lessons and overall impact of a journey can be applied. Heavier, more intense journeys will typically take longer to assimilate and integrate for a while until you become more and more familiar with psychedelics. It's a practice. Doing it seriously is a lifestyle.

In some instances, this is like living a double life. You may come across fantastical visions and information that there isn't much pragmatic use for in your everyday life. It's important to be able to identify them appropriately.

One love