Hey there - I have been reading threads from this forum for years, but just recently decided to make an account.... I post under this screen name on a few forums.
My experience with plant medicines and altered states started around 14, but didnt really have a spiritual focus till I was 20 and had a near death experience (I am 29 at this writing). I almost drowned in the ocean until a spirit saved me after an OBE. Soon after that I started having wild visions and insights with psychoactives and that kinda led me down a long path to where I am today....
When I first started experimenting with different substances after my NDE I ended up curing my depression over the course of a couple years. I saw the benefit of psychedelics pretty quick - they changed my life. Eventually I kept hearing that meditation was better, so I stopped all substance use for 3 years to meditate everyday..... At the end of the 3 years I tried mushrooms again in the woods and learned more about myself in that few hours then I did during the 3 years meditating, so I came back to plant medicines with a new respect.
I used to work with any psychedelic I could find but the last few years have really started to focus more on plants specifically and what some might call "shamanic" practices. I go to Peru every year right now to work with Wachuma and Ayahuasca, and I work with different plants at home as well. I do my own personal ceremonies and ceremonies with curanderos and shamans. I also write books, and my most recent is about how to work with Plant Medicines safely on your own, and how to create effective rituals with plants. (not sure if it is ok to share the book, and it would also reveal my personal info, so I will leave it out of the post unless people seem to think it is allowable)
I also really like dieta - dieting different plants that arent psychoactive. I do this in the Amazon, as well as with local plants at home. Only dieted 4 plants so far, but should be connecting with number 5 soon!
Plants I usually work with:
Ayahuasca, Wachuma, Salvia, mushrooms, amanita, mapacho, cannabis
I used to smoke a lot of DMT.... Spent a few years really focused on it and I tried a few different varieties (mostly mimosa based or toad based). I havent in a couple years though (there is DMT in the Ayahuasca I drink though!). I have also smoked changa a few times. I like both DMT and changa, but I just found more benefit from Wachuma and Ayahuasca then the smoked DMT varieties..... (everyone's different right?)
Looking forward to connecting more with everyone! Looking forward to learning more, getting inspired, and hopefully sharing some of my experience as well!
I am always open about sharing more information, so feel free to ask me about anything. In attempts to stay with the "share less personal information" advice I am trying to be a bit vague about some things, but I am comfortable sharing anything normally. If it doesnt seem appropriate for forum posts feel free to send me a PM as well =)