Humbleness, a warm welcome to the nexus! There are lots of good people here, we are all eager to share information from one another. I have learned a great deal here as well. I have experienced aya before as well but never got the full effects before the purge, but i also undersand hesitation as well, but if your willing to try aya again give it a go and have an intention planned for the trip. No blind trips unless you need to discover something hidden IMO. Freebase is what i commonly use for a trip but i would love to try aya again for sure.
Any questions people here at the nexus are more than happy to help.
Good luck and best wishes!