Yes sometimes the elves seem to hide, other times they are right in front of you, jumping into your face... I didnt find any big meaning in this, its a varied ecology in hyperspace
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How many mgs are you loading up? Indeed 6-8 hits is vague.. What is your smoking method? Probably you are having a bad smoking method, burning spice, not holding the vapour long enoguh, etc. I highly suggest getting a vaporgenie!
You shouldnt have lye in your product in the first place, regardless of it being foodgrade or not. Do a sodium carb wash if you are affraid of lye remains.
As for 5-meo-dmt, virola theiodora resin is your best bet, but Im not sure how soluble it is in naphtha. And no, dont use noman's tek, use sodium carbonate instead, some people have trouble using hydroxides and 5-meo-dmt, maybe its unstable to them.