With my recent semester at school underway, I have read many books/articles pertaining to technology and its integration and contribution/modifying behaviour towards society. With this fascinating book, I have been slowly loosing sleep over mind-manifesting ideas and revelations that the book presents and i was tired of it. Quite literally. I have used Kava previously to help with this "stay-up-till-3am" habit, but since I had run out a while ago, I needed to find an alternative. I've heard many good things about Valerian (other then it stinks like my gym bag) and went to my local health store to go get some.

The pills that I purchased were a 5:1 extract, which made each pill equal to 1 gram. Being that I always like to sample a new substance before using more, i only took one pill that night. And boy did it ever work well! (some substances im a bit of a light weight with)

9:00pm[+0:00]

I swallowed the pill and continued on with my readings that i had due the next day. I was not sure how long before it would kick in (i was on a fairly empty stomach) so i was aiming for an hour before bed.

[+0:20]

I started to notice that I had a harder time realizing what I was reading. Not to say i couldn't see what i was reading, but that the connections that i usually make with everyday life and this book were slowly becoming mute. I was happy that the plant was working so well and just as quick as Kava.

[+0:30]

My crazy thoughts were officially gone! (for that night) I could no longer grasp and piece together the books meaning so I hopped onto my computer and loaded up my IPod with some shamanic chanting music that i had found on the internet earlier.

[+1:00] TURN ON

I felt actually tired enough to attempt sleep! (Another reason I'm using Valerian is to help get back into a better sleep pattern) Got into my bed and plugged in my ear buds and turned on my IPod. I listened to my new selection of songs and find one that i like. The song went along nicely with rain tapping on my window that night.

[+1:20] TUNE IN

I felt greatly at ease and thought it would be a good opportunity to try some "meditation". I focused on slowing down my breathing and felt the gentle waves of music going against my breathing, or rather that i was going against something that had rhythm while i did not. I synchronized my breathing to the beat of the song and then i was lost...

[+1: ??] DROP OUT

I slowly worked myself into a trance (without realizing it) and feel incredibly at peace with my mind. I have tried a few times with meditation but have never "successfully" in my mind... well... done anything because my mind would always interrupts once i just get settled with a stupid thought. The trance continued for some time and i must have "gained a level" with my spiritual eye cause all of a sudden i felt a huge "surge of electricity" slither up my spine. yes, slither. It wasn't like one of those surges that I will get on a come up from mushrooms (fast and random), this was one single surge that was by far the last thing i was expecting from one single Valerian pill and a good tune. I broke out of my trance state after this, which is was a little disappointed about.

[DREAM LAND]

My dreams that night are a bit foggy but the only part i remember clearly was one where I was looking at myself, from what it seemed like, on the OTHER side of a mirror. You know, like in those movies where there's someone behind there that looks just like you but in a different dimension... well that was me. I was looking at myself and my (other me) eyes were extremely dilated and i looked happy. That's when the other "real" me turned to leave the bathroom where the mirror was but the dilated eyes didn't follow my body. When the other "real" me turn his head, the eyes moved onto the side of his face and morphed and stretched to fit his check. I started at his strange black hole pupil that was staring at me and it eventually "sucked" me into the darkness of the pupil.

That was the only dream i can recall, surprised i even had one cause i rarely do.

[The morning after]

Woke up the next morning feeling ready to get on with my day (rarely happens, i like sleeping) and had a good sense of well being (whether through the Valerian or just sleep) until about lunch time.

Thanks for reading. I will be using Valerian again to continue with my "sleep pattern change". Not sure where else to put this report so mods go ahead and move it if you feel fit.

Pce,
ElusiveMind

Yes the valerian is great stuff. I have been using it for years (on and off). Find it stress relieving but not sedating.
It makes me feel organized and easy and so adds to my overal happiness. Also it is very good sleeping or meditation aid.
Never noticed any dream effects though..

Maybe try it with (none smoked) psychedelics to more easily (faster) get through the layers of personal dialogue.
Why didnt i think of that before? I have to try this..

There have been a fair number of reports on Erowid that have used Valerian, melatonin, and vitamin B-6 combinations so help with dreams. Want to try this combination some time. Let me know how yours exploration goes.

Ya, I found it to be mildly sedating but mainly because of the somewhat "dreaminess" effect it gave me, I felt it was a good time to hit the hay.

You have a cat?

My cat goes insane when i give him some valerian.
He will start obsesivly rolling around on the pill, not eating it.
Funny to watch. he really likes it