hi and thanks for the "welcome"....
to respond to your questions - yes, i've been reading and re-reading things like the FAQ and the WIKI and "slowly" is indeed my approach. This is why i keep re-reading, because it does seem somewhat daunting, and even a bit scary - what with using chemicals and all. ALthough i must say - i like the idea of doing it myself. I've never really been that "into" things from a lab. Back in the day i always preferred mushrooms or peyote to lsd or synthetic mescaline or psylocybin.
Thanks for your perspective - i have noticed that quite a few on here have no chemistry background - that's one of the things keeping me from thinking it's just too hard. Knowing that others have done it successfully who have no more knowledge of chemistry than i do.
RE "learning" - hopefully one never stops learning or thinks he knows enough. Whether that's here, or in any endeavor. Learning is good in and of itself!
Regarding your comment about salvia - i actually don't think it's my kind of experience either.... i've only done it 3 times and each time - it just seemed to be too much physical discomfort associated with the experience. could be just me, as i mentioned - my wife has no such issues.
I have considered trying ayahuasca or the analogs... in fact, i may even have the ingredients right here. But i have a little trepidation (ok - fear!) about having an experience that lasts for hours vs a shorter time. Not saying i've completely discounted the idea - but it requires more thought. For instance - i live with about 40 parrots - i wonder sometimes if the noise they make could be a negative during an aya experience? I am a firm believer in "set and setting" so i would need to make sure the birds are not going to need my attention and that they would also be somewhat "quiet" during the time i am "away".... if that makes any sense to you.
so yes - i do have plans on trying other psychedelics (and not planning on doing salvia again for a while - like i said, some integration is necessary after my last time).
i recenty managed to get my hands on something called "magic truffles", i have a nice San Pedro growing in my front yard - although he's so beautiful i am hesitant to chop him up just for me
And i do have every intention of trying one of the tecs, and fairly soon at that. I just want to read them again a dozen or so more times. I am trying to figure out which one is the most foolproof....
thank you for the offer of assistance - of course before i post any questions, i would search the site for answers - it seems that you all have covered pretty much everything already.