Of course it does. I don't think many would argue with that. But in what way?

To contextualise. Im preparing for my second aya experience. First experience was 160g caapi + 30mg freebase dmt. The dmt was intentionally low and the general advice I have received for 'round two' is to up the dmt. Which I am considering. But it also got me thinking, is this the best way to approach the aya experience? Is it the only way?

My experience with other drugs is that the more one takes them the less one needs to take to have the same level experience. Its as if ones body/mind tunes into the drug and knows what to look for, expect, and reacts accordingly as if one was on auto-pilot. I think this is that case with shaman. They are tuned in so that all they need is a little dose. I also assume they are the heaviest users.

One way of looking at this process would be that initially one blasts oneself with the drug as one does not know what to look for (which is not necessarily a bad thing) and relies on the volume of active ingredient to 'light the way'. In subsequent journeys one knows that path and needs less light to journey. You are now a psychonaught and can navigate this 'other' space. Some peeps learn quicker than others.

For me this quick process may be the 'lazy' path. I dont mean lazy negatively. But rather as in relying on the chemicals to do all the hard lifting while you take the easy ride.

Another method might be for the user to work harder initially to tune into the experience while keeping a low and constant dose over many experiences. I can imagine that initially this is might be hard to swallow as my (western) society tends to desire and follow a faster/quicker/more/now mentality. Easily obtained peak experiences and visual fireworks to report to our friends (AND OURSELVES) are what it is often about.

I think both paths are valid. Interestingly in eastern religion it is more or less accepted that there are many ways to the top of the metaphorical mountain. One could circle the peak, slowly spiraling up towards the summit taking many lives, or alternatively, take the more strenuous, steeper and quicker route straight to the top now.

But maybe we should focus less on the peak (both literal and metaphorical) and more on the path (journey). Ultimately (I believe) we can never reach the peak (there is not such thing), - all there is to do is enjoy the journey. I think the quiet and the slow route can give a deeper experience over a long period. Granted there wont be as much to report and when there is it might seem to not be that interesting. Its like a quiet and secret awakening.

So, back to the dose question - I think that I am going to stay low for a while and see, not were aya takes me but were I can take it, as dose does matter.

--- just remembered a relevant quote:

Dosis facit venenum. (the dose makes the poison)
Paracelsus (1493-1541)

After-thought regarding homeopathy. I think homeopathy goes to the other extreme. The dose is so low there is no medicine to work with. Everything relies on the 'patient' with no help form the medicine. Then again there is placebo, but that is another can of worms that can be opened elsewhere.

Nice headline ;P

I think I understand you.

I agree.

But to comment further, you mentioned the 'lazy way'.

Let's think of the unlazy way, though.

Some type of disciplinary/religious or spiritual structure...?

Meditation, practicing love and kindness - 'good karma', treating your body with respect - no synthetics, all healthy/natural/organic diet, balancing body and mind, creating harmony in your life...

Right?

There's a lot of little things that you can do to make small doses mean more - all of the above are a start.

I think it's a cool way to look at it.

Many interesting questions this is my working paradigms::

1. I work with high doses and oral only, the reason is that low doses are un effective for the true spiritual doses, in the sense that they mildly cut your inner monologue and actually reinforce your ego. It is opposite of street drugs that more is not good, psychedelics have to get to ego death or close to it, trips 4 or 5 level.

2. This approach may be difficult since it may bring out a lots of junk and result in "bad trips". If one doesn't have some prior path as therapy or meditation ( in technical term not sitting on your own and not working with a teacher) the integration process may be difficult, or impossible and thus one may decide not to,continue work with plants or change them to more enjoyable ones.

3. For this reason it is best to do Ibogaine flood first, and after a month or two to do pharma, it will be much better than jumping right to pharma.

Low amount of plants are used in many new churches as with Iboga and Aya, which posits practitioners in very vulnerable position and are prone to religious indoctrination, the mind is slightly scratched on the surface and mind is not here not there and it intellectualise, which is exactly what religion wants us to do. Once in the heavy journey this is totally impossible.

Jox. I agree with you - sometimes needs that really hard push to go where one didn't know existed or where one was too scared to go. I still like the idea of mixing it up. Even if its just for experimentation. Watch this space.

Question: How often do you take Ibogaine? Sounds like a lot of work and processing especially followed by aya :-) Nice idea though...

Ibogaine me and my partner did once two years ago and micro dosed iboga for about 6 months. I will do it again soon. The price is only problem, but if you extract it is ok.