Hi everyone,

I've lurked here a fair bit, and have finally joined. I just wanted to give a quick introduction, as it relates to the nexus.

I feel that there is SO much more to life/everything then just the physical world we are in. I haven't found a way to describe it very well yet, but I think psychedelics, when used responsibly, can help us expand our exploration of ourselves and our universe. The more we are able to listen the more we can learn, and it's like psychedelics can amplify our hearing.

My first few psychedelic experiences were recreational, but I quickly felt that they had a different role to play. I think back and am glad I didn't manage to get myself into any trouble. But, I suspect the spirt/essence/power/? of most of these substances is fairly understanding of naivety, within reason. I'm sure they would have pointed it out MUCH more firmly if I hadn't gotten the point, however.

I was first introduced to DMT one summer when I was in college. I had never heard of this stuff before, but a friend of mine had some. A brownish powder sprinkled on a chilum of bud. He told me it was a super intense trip for like 10 minutes. To relax, let it take effect, and enjoy it. Don't get scared, it will feel like a long time. He lit it for me and I was instantly tripping. We were outside his house, next to a stream, on a sunny afternoon. I will never forget when it first took effect, I was staring at a single blade of grass, and it began to vibrate and emit all these beautiful shades of green, and other colors that weren't green but felt green. I heard his voice from what felt like light years away, saying "look around". It was an indescribable work of art. It was clearly not a breakthrough experience, but I was instantly captivated by it. I had my first breakthrough experience that summer as well.

I went through a period of time (years) with no dmt in my life, very few psychedellics in general. Recently-ish, primarily due to contemplation surrounding various aspects of my life, they have both come back in a very positive way. I have hit an interesting roadblock. At first I thought I might be imagining it, but then I did some googling and such and found out it has happened to others....I can't feel the mental effects of DMT. No trip. I know what it is, that I'm consuming it correctly, etc. I can feel the distinct smoke in my lungs, I can taste it, my lips feel numb-ish and funny, my pupils are enormous...but I haven't gone anywhere

What happens is there's a slight delay as compared to the usual instant onset (very small though, not even a second) and I see the VERY start of OEV's, where edges begin to vibrate and new patterns and colors start to appear. RIGHT as they begin, before they're even cool looking, I feel this sudden mental shift, it's as if I am on the road to hyperspace, so to speak, and all of the sudden I am on the road away, without ever having arrived. It felt very deliberate. I've had that happen 3 times now, and I suspect I need to do some contemplating. I think I'm going to try to remember as many details of my first breakthrough (at the time I had no idea what that was, what hyperspace was, etc so I didn't take notes or anything. I didn't even know DMT could do that). Obviously NOT a smart way to be using such a substance, but as I said it took me a few trips to understand their significance. I think in that instance DMT took care of me, because while I wasn't expecting such an experience and didn't understand it, I wasn't afraid. It definitly wasn't bad. But, I keep mentally comming back to it, so perhaps there's something there.

Looking forward to getting to know the community here, and continuing to grow!