Hi there
Apologies for the delayed response - this whole COVID thing has made my work life much busier. Getting better now.
Regarding some additional info - I got into psychedelics during a bit of a tough time for myself. Lots of change, lots of stress and I wasn't handling it well. I had panic attacks and an undiagnosed anxiety disorder. I also have a history of moderate depression.
I stumbled upon the idea that psychedelics can help with depression / anxiety and decided to try it. In hindsight, it was a completely reckless decision because now I understand their true power, but knowing what I know now, I don't regret it one bit. In any event, I did shrooms first and it was life changing. I cried for about 4-5 hours and 'woke up' covered in snot from crying. Could barely breathe. It was the most cathartic experience i've ever had and I really needed it.
Since then, i've done another 2 big hits of shrooms (5g+) and microdose occasionally. I've also done some weed but never really got into it (for some reason it gives me anxiety 3-4 days after I take it, but it's great in the moment).
I got into DMT a few months after my first shroom experience. Drove out to the middle of nowhere to find an acacia and used an A/B extraction method from here combined with a youtube video. Ok result for first time. Smoked a little to work out if I did it right. Got some kind of effect (and nothing nasty), so I did a full hit a week later (that was this experience).
I've recently had an MDMA experience as well - helped a lot with my anxiety too and recently had a BIG breakthrough experience using my extract. Holy cow. Will post about that one later.
I tend to take all my trips by myself, indoors. Shrooms with blindfold in bed to avoid distractions. MDMA also in the house but I wander around a little as i'm less worried about freaking out. After my DMT breakthrough, I've learned I am completely incapacitated on DMT - literally leave my body and this dimension/universe, so not worried about distractions etc.
Before I take any of these substances, I do about an hour of mediation (which I do daily now) and really ensure I have a clear headspace for at LEAST 2 weeks. Set. Setting.
I also try to integrate things I've experienced. I've been reading a lot about religion/philosophy/psychology to work out what just happened. It helps me work through stuff.
Anyway, looking forward to hanging out here more
Hope you're well!