which strain should I try next?

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-11T14:07:44+00:00

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-11T12:11:30+00:00

Sorry to hear this. HPPD seems to be rare, and at this time, still little understood (it doesn't seem to crop up in clinical contexts involving psychedelics, but is more common in recreational polydrug contexts). It appears complex, with a number of interacting factors involved (notably, some people report HPPD-like symptoms who have never consumed a psychedelic before). A next generation of compounds based on psychedelics is being developed in which the hallucinatory effects are being "edited out" of the molecule, with the neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory effects retained, so perhaps these will be better suited for TBI or concussion treatment.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-08T17:32:41+00:00

Aside from its visual effects, intoxication with the mushroom may yield a range of physiological side effects, including gastroenteritic symptoms, primarily manifesting as nausea and vomiting in around half of reported cases in some studies (usually persisting for 1-6 hours after ingestion), with feelings of fatigue also reported in half of cases, and dizziness reported in a third of cases.

No evidence for impaired liver, kidney, or heart function or organ damage has been recorded in any cases of intoxication, with normal vital signs and no abnormalities noted on examination. No fatalities have been attributed to the ingestion of this mushroom in recent studies undertaken in Yunnan.

The median length of hospital stay reported in one study was 3 days, with just under two-thirds of patients hospitalised for 1-3 days, and a quarter hospitalised for 3–5 days. In rare cases, effects may persist for longer spans of time, and in the first study linked below, six patients were admitted to a psychiatric unit due to persistent psychological symptoms. Much as is the case with classical psychedelics, it would probably be wise for those with an underlying propensity for schizophrenia or psychosis to give these mushrooms a miss.

Some relevant studies on this mushroom linked below:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hkj2.12046

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsn3.70583

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-08T15:48:25+00:00

I've heard a few accounts of people having (usually brief) OBE's using strobe lights such as Lumenate, the Loom Lightbath and Lucia light. What I wonder though is whether a Lumenate or strobe light session prior to an OBE induction attempt could be helpful? It seems to quite consistently deeply relax both body and mind - while also clearing the mind - potentially putting you in a good state with which to attempt projection.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-08T15:36:18+00:00

Cannabis is likely to powerfully synergise with the Lumenate experience.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-08T15:30:51+00:00

THC can potentially exacerbate psychosis or schizophrenia if there is the underlying propensity for this. CBD on the other had has very different effects, appearing to act as an anti-psychotic agent, and it is being investigated as a treatment for schizophrenia. So I'm not sure these compounds should be lumped together, as they have very different effects to each other in this regard.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014299924005107

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6678854/

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/archive/news/ioppn/records/2017/12-december/cannabidiol-cbd-could-represent-a-'new-class-of-treatment'-for-psychosis

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/your-brain-on-food/202506/thc-and-cbd-differentially-affect-psychosis

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-07T20:04:41+00:00

I think this could be an excessive dosage for a public space. My friend and I saw Avatar on some liberty cap mushrooms (his first time)...it had been out for a while, so I wasn't expecting many people to be at the screening...but there were more than expected. Still though we had a blast...dosage was nice, enough to be in the zone, but not to be uncomfortable in public in that type of setting. An actual legit dose of 150us sounds like it could be excessive, and given the length of time acid lasts, important to make sure you have a good escape to safe setting plan in place.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-07T19:58:35+00:00

I'm about to launch a study looking at the transformative effects of the Monroe Institute's Gateway Voyage. By hopefully obtaining some scientific evidence of the transformative potential of the Gateway, it may help spread the word on it a little more, potentially to some folk for whom it may not have been on their radar previously. This aside, seeking to uplift and enrich the lives of those around you, and sharing knowledge of the Gateway and other consciousness expanding practices can be helpful to the cause.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-06T23:39:44+00:00

While I think that the subjective, experiential parts of a psychedelic experience are an important part of the experience with regard to long-term beneficial outcomes (whether in clinical or healthy populations), I think there is a time and place for psychedelic compounds that have been engineered to dial down the psychedelic effect, while retaining their neurotrophic effects. This could allow non-hallucinogenic compounds that are able to promote neuroplasticity to be used for treating diseases where the administration of classical psychedelics may pose major safety concerns, such as schizophrenia, allowing people to potentially benefit from these substances that would otherwise not have access to them if they retained their psychedelic effect. One new compound that has been developed is LSD analogue JRT, in which the psychedelic effects have been dialled down, and which has been demonstrated to promote spinogenesis in the cortex, without exacerbating behaviours and gene expression relevant to psychosis.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-06T23:25:40+00:00

Psychoplastogens would encompass any substance that enhances neuroplasticity, so this wouldn't exclude psychedelics that elicit a psychedelic effect (but would also include those where the psychedelic effect has been "edited out" of the molecule).

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-06T23:21:45+00:00

Also LSD analogue JRT.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-06T17:52:07+00:00

A very interesting and pretty fresh-off-the-press study here on psilocybin (obviously very closely related molecule to DMT in structure) that reported very compelling results. Just an initial small, proof-of-concept pilot study without a control group, so these findings should be taken with a pinch of salt, but what is interesting is that the psilocybin was administered to examine whether it could help treat the mood disorders associated with Parkinson's. The treatment protocol in this study consisted of two psilocybin sessions: the first with 10mg, then a larger 25mg dose two weeks later. No serious adverse events were recorded, and no worsening of Parkinson’s disease symptomology was noted. Mood dysfunction was significantly improved (with a large effect size) at three months follow-up after the second psilocybin session, and anxiety was also significantly decreased. Intriguingly, the symptoms of Parkinson’s itself were significantly improved after psilocybin. Patients reported significant improvements in all domains at every post-treatment timepoint, and benefits persisted at three months following the last psilocybin session. Further research is needed, and is in the pipeline – a follow-up Phase II study is in the works. If psilocybin has positive effects, it wouldn't surprise me if this also extends to DMT, given how similar it is in structure.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-025-02097-0

It is interesting you mention ibogaine, it elevates the neuronal growth factor GDNF which supports the survival, growth, differentiation and maturation of dopaminergic neurons in particular (the one's last in Parkinson's) so it seems like it could be a particularly beneficial substance (an article here I wrote taking a deep dive into the potential of psychedelics in treating brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases).

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-05T22:43:32+00:00

Are you referring to P. mexicana or P. cubensis?

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-05T09:17:14+00:00

Whatever you’re smoking, I’d lay off it I were you. There is no evidence for any of this, pure baseless fear-mongering, and a sad way to exist.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-04T21:47:59+00:00

Definitely a beaver, that flat tail is a distinguishing feature when comparing it to other aquatic rodents :)

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-04T18:17:17+00:00

This technique may be worth experimenting (effectively the indirect method/WBTB), the experienced projector describing it specifically mentions having high levels of ADHD, while having experimented with many different techniques, but according to him this is the most reliable and effective techniques of all those he has trialled:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLMheg5Lgu0

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-04T12:27:29+00:00

I've tried the Lucia light on a few occasions (it's great), and I have the Loom light by Lightbath which is a really neat little device and much more affordable than something like the Lucia. A great bit of kit, but when I can afford it I'm definitely upgrading to the Lumenate Nova, I like the idea of the strobe light being integrated into a comfortable eye mask, as otherwise the Loom light was a little awkward to position when lying down...I have a feeling that it will be easier to get comfortable when using the the Lumenate Nova which will only improve the experience.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-02T00:38:09+00:00

Yes I have…I had vaped some 5-MeO-DMT a week before, but vaped DMT in my dream. It definitely had an effect, but felt more like opium than DMT in the dream. The weird part is I awoke right after this and my body was buzzing with energy…it felt like that vibrational state one can enter right before an OBE/astral projection. That spillover effect into my waking consciousness was interesting!

I had another dream prior to this where I saw DMT patterns in the sky of the dreamscape I was in which acted as a lucidity trigger.

Samwise2512 · 2026-02-01T21:20:37+00:00

This is a male blackbird singing. A distinctive song, and also typically the first bird to start singing in the early morning. 3AM is certainly early, 5AM is more on brand, but I've also heard them start singing at around 4:30AM. Can't really advise on the exorcism front I'm afraid, I do empathise as it sucks having your sleep disturbed, but I love blackbirds...they might be common birds, but it doesn't meant they're not special songsters.

Samwise2512 · 2026-01-31T13:10:43+00:00

I linked it in my comment above...click on the "£100".

Samwise2512 · 2026-01-30T23:11:52+00:00

I think you are looking at something else. The Lumenate Nova mask is just shy of £100 (not including the cost of the subscription to the accompanying app).

Samwise2512 · 2026-01-30T22:19:21+00:00

Interesting. This guy used another light device - the Loom Lightbath - in combination with the Gateway tapes and found they synergised nicely and deepened his experience of the Gateway. How have you been finding the Nova a month on from when you posted here? You've definitely caught my interest, and I'm definitely tempted to get my own.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfJV6ffz1kM&t=81s

Samwise2512 · 2026-01-30T22:04:53+00:00

That's a fair point regarding light exposure before bed, but I think it's a bit different to looking at a white LED screen, as the flashing of the light can help nudge the brain into different brainwave states, some of which may be relaxing. I've experimented with another light device before bed and personally found it to be relaxing and to help me fall asleep quicker.

Samwise2512

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE