DOSE: T+ 0:00	1 hit	smoked	Salvia divinorum	(extract)
T+ 0:10	1 hit	smoked	Salvia divinorum	(extract)

BODY WEIGHT:

190 lb

I had been curious about salvia for some time, and bought some 20x figuring that, although a novice, I would just use minute quantities at first. I had read that many users experience mild or no effects from straight leaf.

In general, I have the constitution and tolerance of an ox, as well as an iron grip on reality. I usually require 'extra' of most substances to get the desired effect. I have used numerous hallucinogens over the years, including acid, psilocybin, and mescaline--not to mention copious quantities of ultra-high-grade cannabis, alcohol an other things. Nothing prepared me for the sheer terror of my (mercifully short) experience with salvia.

Before starting, I read several guides on the web to prepare. When the time came, I set myself up in a darkened room in the evening, sitting on a cushion in the corner on the floor, with a cozy meditation blanket around me. I had my wife on standby at the other side of the room.

The first time around I put a tiny (tiny!) pinch into the bowl, lit up, and held the hit for a few seconds, and closed my eyes (more on that later). Within about 10 seconds i was overcome with a powerful sensation that my body was spinning and my flesh was hot and tearing away. I visualized a series of large spinning stone blades slicing away my flesh like a deli slicer. Somehow, the whole feeling was Meso-American--maybe because I had Oaxaca and Mazatecs on my mind from research. My wife reports that I moved out of my sitting position, and assumed a prone position on the floor (presumably to get away from the blades, but I don't remember doing that). I was terrified and tortured by these blades for what seemed like 20 minutes (but which was only 90-120 seconds). Being an experienced tripper, I was aware somehow of the need to reinsert my real self back into the picture calmly. After a bit, the feeling almost completely subsided, although I could not speak other than to say 'wowwwwww.' About 7 minutes from the start of this episode, I was almost myself, and by 10 minutes, I was almost back to normal.

I read before starting that some people report that salvia visions are much more intense with closed eyes. As a committed researcher, I resolved about 15 minutes later to give the whole thing another try, but with my eyes open. Once again, I took a minute hit, held it, and was whisked away in a few seconds. With my eyes open, I had no specific visions, although I still felt agitated. I seemed to be hurtling out of control through clammy, dark space. This feeling, too, felt like something out of Apocalypto. After a few minutes, the feeling once again subsided.

I felt slightly dazed for a while after my two-hit session, although more or less normal. I did experience a sense of calm as others have reported, but believe (as someone else observed) that much of this 'calm' feeling was really relative, and arose from relief that my ordeal was over. I then slept normally, and awoke feeling only slightly odd.

I cannot see how salvia would ever become a drug of abuse--it's way too powerful and taxing for that. It's definitely not a party drug. All in all, I wasn't happy with the experience, although I'm going to try one more hit tonight (I'm a glutton for punishment, and also want several 'iterations' to confirm my experience). My expectation is that I will then toss out the rest of my stash. I doubt this stuff is for me. My gratuitous advice for would-be travellers: take a very small dose, and keep your eyes open until you're acclimated.

Exp Year: 2008	ExpID: 75513
Gender: Male
Age at time of experience: Not Given
Published: Oct 5, 2019	Views: 652
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Salvia divinorum (44) : Difficult Experiences (5), First Times (2), Small Group (2-9) (17)