This idea came up after several Salvia trips where I realized I needed a safer environment to trip in. I found out about "primal boxes" (small soundproof and padded rooms used for emotional release therapy) and wanted to bring the concept to a tripping room.

The main entheogen of focus is for Salvia Divinorum, although I think this would work excellent for other psychedelics--especially at heroic doses. I've had many experiences with Salvia, and the issue of of set and setting is crucial. The main factors being:

-intruding light (even the fainted light sources can be extremely irritating and disruptive)
-noises from neighbors, traffic and household appliances
-being heard by said neighbors if I become vocal (singing, crying, screaming, primal releases)
-security--being able to lock the door, and/or have a sitter outside making I won't be intruded upon
-and most importantly to me; a sense of being physically safe from harming myself if I move around

Last year I built a prototype out of 1/2" plywood, 2x2 and 2x4s, pallets, construction foam insulation and memory foam (practically everything I found free on the side of the road or on craigslist!)
The dimensions were about 4' wide, 8' long and 5' high. I lined the interior with hard construction insulation foam, then about 4 inches of memory foam all around. It wasn't perfectly soundproof, but it worked and kept me feeling pretty cocooned and safe from harm when I flailed and rolled around. It's pretty awesome on Salvia in absolute darkness. This version wasn't ventilated, but it was kept outside, and it was usually pretty chilly anyway, so I brought in a blanket to warm up if I needed it.

The next prototype was built with better craftsmanship, thicker 3/4" plywood, lined with higher quality dense foam and had a quiet ventilation system I made. It was 4'x4'x7' a bit quieter inside. It was successful at blocking out and in quite a bit of sound, although I had a time when I felt the urge to pound extremely hard on the foam walls inside as I was coming to terms with some deep rooted anger. It felt great and it held up fine--the pounding was just still audible to other roommates in the house. I also used it with Spice once too, which was amazing-allowing a long, gentle and vivid comedown without interruption.

My dream is to build a much larger setup, the size of a room, obviously the bigger the better, but at least 8x8x8 so one could move around and assume a variety of positions if needed.

Id like it to be actually completely soundproof in and outside (be able to vocalize, pound and throw oneself against the padded walls if need be and not be heard outside)

Properly soundproofed ventilation and heat

Curved corners along bottom and where walls meet so all edges are rounded and padded, so your body doesn't end up kinked up into awkward corners (which is something Id find myself doing during my trips)

Basically a secure tripping vault.


Anyone ever build something like this and/or have any comments or ideas?


Ive attached a few photos of the prototypes here: The first one is the original prototype, the rest are the second version which wasn't lined with memory foam.

Very nice job. Wish I had time and patience to build one. I was very interested in floating tanks for some time. http://www.thefloatroom.com.au.Theres even one in Hotel near my location. I was trying to arrange a trip in it but finally I gave up. Wish I had one in home though

WOW this is awesome

I really like building stuff and people who build. Did you ever try meditating in there ?
I'm not sure if it would be my first choice for dmt but it does inspire me to try something similar one day.

Finally I would advise you to test your foam for burning properties, in such a closed environment a small fire could cause some serious problems, death.

You should try a Mindfold, total darkness with eyes open=



Also, you can get custom ear mold taken for -30db earplugs and then use ear muffs on top of those to make smoething like -60db

Silence doesn't sound like silence though, there is a peculiar enigmatic vibration that you are vaguely aware of until you remove muffs and come back to sound again.

Yes I've meditated inside, very pleasant and easy to stay focused.

I've done Spice in it once and I found it to be fantastic for
it allowed a long, uninterrupted experience--especially extending the length, amount of visuals and pleasantness of the come down.

I definitely hear you about fire safety. Me personally I chew Salvia leaf. I also use a GVG with a torch lighter that has an auto closing lid as soon as you release your thumb off the button. So in not too concerned currently.




Actually, I've had a mindfold for a couple years! I love it! The main reason for opting for a deprivation room is for physical safety and because I would move around sometimes during trips and move the blindfold off my eyes by accident.
I like your idea about adding earmuffs along with earplugs. And yes, the sounds of absolute silence are sublime to me!

That reminds me of an idea I had when I was high once to do an experiment with extended periods of silence. So much of our thoughts are pollution from sounds and voices we hear or have heard. Taking a break from the sounds of our culture could be a powerfully refreshing setting for new mindsets. Also for musical creativity... it's hard to diverge from familiar sounds and rhythms. If somehow you could take a break from all sound for a month, I wonder what your mind would be listening to then.

I have noticed that after spending half the day in silence, I have a slightly altered perception of sound for about half an hour when I remove ear plugs & muffs.

I would describe it as removing the filtering of the content of the sound from the usual ascribed associations. Say if I talk to my Mum after being in silence, I hear the tones of her voice in a richer format. Its more vibrant. I would say the monotony of continuous noise throughout the day forces us to dampen interpenetration to reduce overload...

Cool, make sure to do good oxygen airflow to keep that cortex engaged!

Very interesting idea.

You may find that the outer construction of your area as well as what it is placed on has a great effect on internal noise. Ensuring that the construction its self is of very solid build will also help keep and unwanted sounds, vibrations and possible resonance from outer intrusions.

I believe you can get decibel meters as an app on most smartphones now....that may be of some use to you.