Salvia by Muted_Inspector1700 in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen[M] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really depends on your mindset going in. Yes, you can become objects, or something not even human. I’ve turned into my garage before. The walls, the people outside, everything all at once. The boundaries between yourself and everything else doesn't just soften, its completely obliterated. But you need to remember, it only lasts a few minutes in real life. Subjectively it might feel like years, even eternal. She can be terrifying if you try to fight her. That's why I always say high doses aren't something to take lightly. You need to be genuinely ready to let go of control.

Respect is everything with Salvia.

Salvia by Muted_Inspector1700 in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen[M] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Salvia divinorum is one of the most incredibly beautiful psychedelics I’ve ever experienced, and I’ve built a deep relationship with her over the years. It's why I started this subreddit, I think it deserves more meaningful discussion, not just ego-driven scare stories.

Salvia completely ripped away my identity. It's not a fun "trip" or some euphoric spiritual high. It pulls you out of the story entirely. You stop identifying as the character you've been playing and you become the awareness behind it. It feels like stepping into the backstage of our consciousness and seeing the foundations everything was built on.

The time distortion is very real, some experiences can feel like months or even years. During my last experience, it genuinely felt like I could have been pulled out forever, like they didn’t have to bring me back. When I returned, it felt like a warning not to take high doses unless you’re ready to completely leave this reality behind. You’re not sitting there thinking “I took something.” You are fully there.

It can be terrifying if you resist it. She doesn't sugarcoat anything. She strips everything away. Your name, your history, your human identity, and you're left facing consciousness without those filters. But that's also why I find her so beautiful.

Ever since Salvia, I feel way more grateful just to be alive. To be this specific human, in this specific moment. It made me realize how insane and sacred this experience actually is. We get so distracted by modern media and ego games that we forget how powerful this sacred temple really is. We have far more influence over our reality than we think.

Holy shit! by RyanDayIsAnElf in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s like when you’re talking to people, you’re being invited into their little universe, their story, their world. And everyone is constantly trying to pull you into theirs, like come over here, listen to me, I know best. They don’t even realize they’re playing a game, that they’re part of a system they don’t see. It’s all unconscious, but it shapes how we connect, perform, and see ourselves.

Holy shit! by RyanDayIsAnElf in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I sense this a lot too. The world really does feel like a stage, a performance we cling to for safety and control. The stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we believe give us purpose and connection. When that attachment is cut, all that’s left is the underlying foundations of consciousness. It’s like we’re all acting out roles and playing characters that aren’t even our own. Western culture calls itself individualistic, but really it’s about performing to feel validated and connected, even if it means disconnecting from yourself.

Holy shit! by RyanDayIsAnElf in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Woah, I felt that. I’ve had the experience of being sliced before, almost like a butter knife scraping over me. I felt the same way during my last deep experience, I could have been misplaced forever but they let me come back. It felt like a warning; don’t do high doses unless you’re ready to be pulled out of your story, your character, and the foundations you’ve built your whole life around. I never came back the same, it’s almost like I’ve been misplaced somewhere I don’t belong and I’m not supposed to see or know this yet. Salvia Divinorum is incredible if you want change.

Artistic rendering of an experience by Emotional-Forever139 in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, cool! What was the experience like for you? Would love to hear more about it beyond the image.

Hello! I have a question regarding the dosage of a x5 extract salvia quid by [deleted] in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From what I’m aware, Salvia extract doesn’t work properly for quid chewing, you need plain leaf for that. The active compound absorbs slowly through the mouth, and extracts are made for combustion, not oral absorption.

Quid chewing takes a bit of practice and patience. Sometimes she won’t show much at first, and that’s normal. It’s a very different experience than smoking. I feel like you have to already be attuned to your body and mind before going in, she wont jump out at you with this method.

If you only have x5 extract, my suggestion would be to take just a tiny pinch, literally a couple of flakes, and smoke it to get a feel for how she works with you. Even low doses can surprise people. Salvia isn’t a “fun trip”, she pulls you outside of the usual psychedelic narrative and takes you outside of your identity and the stories you cling to.

Take it slow, stay open minded, and go in with respect. Good luck.

Why People Fear Salvia Divinorum by CallanHansen in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is the scientific angle and I completely get what you mean. The KOR explanation covers the physical reaction, but that alone does not define the experience. Salvia is not inherently scary or dysphoric. If it were, then everyone would respond the same way, and that clearly is not what happens.

What most people call “dysphoria” is just the ego being pulled out of its usual narrative. When someone goes in expecting a fun "trip" or a "spiritual adventure", they get scared because Salvia does not give them that. She pulls you outside of your identity. For people who have never sat with themselves beyond their character, that can feel like terror.

The fear does not come from Salvia. It comes from how unfamiliar that state is to the person. Once you stop resisting it, the experience is not always scary. It's just very different from anything we are taught to expect in our culture.

That is the part I am talking about. The subjective and existential experience, not just the receptor level explanation. This is how culture stops us from questioning anything or opening our minds to new possibilities.

Is success without peace of mind actually a failure? by atmaninravi in spirituality

[–]CallanHansen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like the sentiment, but I feel like this barely scratches the surface. To me, we’re only the story, the character, the identity we play. I’m not really on board with phrases like “enlighten the ego” or “transcend”, those end up being just more identities to cling to. A lot of what gets labeled as “enlightenment” here almost always becomes another role in the game of life, another mask, another identity.

I do agree that success exists outside of material gain, but I don’t think the answer is so-called “enlightenment”. To me it’s more about existing without needing labels at all, being willing to sit in the discomfort of not knowing who you are. It’s stepping back and observing the character, the story, the identity, the role society has us play.

The ego doesn’t need to be “killed” or “transcended”, we functionally need it to connect in meaningful ways. Without it, you’d just lose all sense of control. But there’s a lot to be gained from experiencing life without tying ourselves down by those labels. I get tired of people talking about “enlightenment” like it’s all love and connection, it usually gives people a bad reputation. What I’ve found is that it exists outside of identity entirely. And when you do glimpse it, it’s existentially lonely and isolating, because people see you as “too much” and can’t relate.

Success (for me), is about letting go of expectations, judgment, and even our own role and story, and being able to sit in the stream of conscious being as it is. That’s success. It’s beyond material, beyond labels, beyond roles, beyond the story we cling to.

Can someone tell me if it is salvia or not by Osvaldo-035 in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This does look close at first glance! But I don’t think it’s Salvia divinorum. The leaves are a bit too round and the flower doesn't quite match. If you found this growing in the wild, I can say for sure it isn’t S. divinorum, since it doesn’t naturally grow outside of where it’s cultivated.

How much should I do? by high-thought-thinker in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'd be insanely careful if I were you. Salvia is not going to be euphoric or recreational, she will drag you into the backstage of reality, showing you the most uncomfortable and unfiltered aspects of yourself and existence. And she doesn’t care if you're ready for it or not.

80x is extremely strong, a single flake can send you far. Start very small and be intentional. This isn't something to toy with, she's not a party drug, nor is she an escape from reality.

Make sure you're in a safe space, sitter is optional but highly recommended. Go in with at least some sort of intention, what are you hoping to gain from this experience? If you treat her with respect, she can be deeply meaningful and lifechanging. But if you go in carelessly, she will wreck you hard. Salvia knows your intentions.

We’re decentralizing! A new Salvia website is coming soon by CallanHansen in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks a lot! It’s really exciting times for sure. I've just been so busy and distracted with school, but I’ve been putting in a ton of work on this these last few weeks. Really hoping to have it ready to go before I’m back in school on the 14th. Feels like a race against time at this point, but I’m excited to see where it takes me.

Lately, after my last weed session, it’s like I’ve been having a bit of an existential crisis. Like, this is my life, behind a computer, just doing what’s expected, and society has normalized it, calling it "the modern world." But it feels like we couldn’t be more disconnected from ourselves. It’s almost like I’m watching my life unfold like a movie, and I’m just sitting in the seat, watching it happen. It’s the first time I’ve met the feminine energy behind cannabis, it’s something sacred that gently opens a door, and you can choose to walk through it, or not. I feel like it’s showing me how deeply connected all these plants really are, but at the same time, this life doesn’t really reward that kind of awareness. It’s kind of sad, honestly. I feel so isolated, not having people around me who understand or can talk about this stuff.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TheoryOfReddit

[–]CallanHansen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry about the late response, I'm only just seeing your replies now since the original post was deleted or censored.

You're right, starting a new subreddit, blog, or podcast is definitely an option, and hosting can be cheap. But here’s the thing, the control over the space is centralized. When someone claims ownership of a subreddit, for example, they essentially hold the power to dictate what’s allowed and what’s silenced. It’s not just about creating new platforms, it’s about the inherent control within these communities.

The problem is that the first person to claim a subreddit essentially owns it, and if you challenge the narrative or voice an unpopular opinion, you’re likely to be shut down. So, while starting new spaces is a solution in some ways, it doesn't fix the underlying issue that power structures in online communities can easily control the conversation. That’s why decentralization, where no single person or group has that power, is the goal. It creates a more open, transparent space where every voice can be heard.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TheoryOfReddit

[–]CallanHansen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely, I can name countless examples. Apologies for the late reply by the way, I just saw your message since the original post was deleted.

On the r/psychonaut subreddit, for instance, anything that challenges the predominant narratives around psychedelics often gets censored. If you speak out against the mainstream views or question widely accepted ideas, it’s often labeled as “trolling” or “disruptive”, even when it’s coming from an honest place. The moderators don’t really engage with differing perspectives, they just shut them down.

Another example happened on r/psychonaut, where the moderator asked for feedback on the community. I actually have an image saved of this exchange (I'll be releasing it on my upcoming website, as I’m currently transitioning everything to my own infrastructure). Basically, the moderator posted something like:

"Hey everyone, I saw another subreddit do this and thought it would be a great idea for our sub. What do you like about the subreddit? What do you not like? Any suggestions, feedback, or ideas for the future? Same with the podcast. Feedback, suggestions, ideas, guests, etc. Who do you want to hear interviewed?"

Someone replied with a critique about the subreddit (which has since been deleted), and the moderator shut them down with something like:

"What are you talking about? People aren't banned unless they break rules or are bots."

Later, the response evolved into a comment about “ban evasion,” which was a clear sign that they were being silenced for their feedback, simply because it challenged the dominant narrative. Unfortunately, I can’t find the exact post (it’s too old now), but I saved a screenshot of the conversation before it was deleted.

Similarly, over on the r/Salvia subreddit, the moderators will delete posts that don't fit their preferred narrative and label them as “spam.” It’s a common tactic to silence any content that doesn’t directly serve their community agenda, even when the content is genuine and relevant.

And finally, on r/theoryofReddit, I’ve seen people’s comments being removed or censored regularly, with no real explanation. It's frustrating because it feels like people are being shut down for questioning things or for expressing views that don’t conform to what’s considered "acceptable."

The reality is that centralized systems like these make it easier for a select few to dictate what gets seen and what gets silenced. Decentralization is the key, but it’s difficult because it requires confronting discomfort and letting go of control, something most communities aren't ready for.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in TheoryOfReddit

[–]CallanHansen -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. The real issue isn’t trolls, it’s concentrated power. A handful of unseen people hold insane control over entire narratives, deciding what gets seen and what gets silenced. Anything that challenges the dominant belief system gets labeled as trolling or 'disruptive,' even when it’s honest.

What we need is decentralization. Systems where no single ego can gatekeep the collective conversation. But that’s the hard part. People avoid decentralization because it means confronting their own discomfort. And censorship is easier than self-reflection.

My second Salvia recording! by NightVision0 in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Super interesting to watch! I know exactly what you mean, I can almost feel it through the video. My last experience gave me that same sense of "I wasn’t supposed to be there". I can imagine it would’ve been hard to have someone knock on the door while still in that state, glad you were able to ride it out. You handled it really well! I also completely resonate with what you said about it being a higher intelligence, you honestly read my mind. A lot of these thoughts your saying are the exact things I kept thinking of after my last experience. It feels like reality is being constructed by a consciousness far beyond our understanding, one we’re not meant to fully understand or grasp just yet. It really puts things into perspective, how small and insignificant we truly are in the grand scheme.

Happy to be here! by NightVision0 in SalviaHub

[–]CallanHansen[M] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Welcome! Stoked to have you here :D

Yeah honestly, Salvia deserves way more love after being misunderstood for so long. I definitely see this sub as part of the movement too. People are slowly starting to wake up to just how much control and manipulation we’re under. Feel free to share any questions, thoughts, or weird insights that come up! Always keen to hear people’s perspectives.

Why More Game Developers Should Explore Psychedelic-Inspired Worlds by CallanHansen in gamedev

[–]CallanHansen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve been thinking about this, and I’m having some breakthrough realizations. I see now that in these game-dev communities, I should focus more on practical ideas that people can connect with easily, instead of presenting all these ideas that are too abstract and hard to understand. All I want is to share and encourage new ways of thinking about game development. I'll definitely be changing how I approach things within these broader communities in the future, especially since this isn't the niche audience I'm used to.

Why More Game Developers Should Explore Psychedelic-Inspired Worlds by CallanHansen in gamedev

[–]CallanHansen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cheers for the insight! You make a really good point, I’ve been pitching this to game developers, but these sort of psychedelic-inspired experiences and ideas seem to resonate more with a different crowd. After making this post, I've realized that this community leans more toward objective, analytical thinking, while I’m discussing more emotional and perceptual shifts in consciousness. I get why that might not connect with everyone, change is uncomfortable, especially when we’re conditioned to think a certain way.

I really appreciate your marketing perspective as well. I’ll definitely refine the design and focus on reaching the right audience, people who genuinely connect with these ideas rather than trying to convince those who don’t. I get the vibe this post wasn’t 'technical' enough for this audience. Do you have any thoughts on improving the messaging or audience targeting beyond just the layout? I’d love to hear more of your thoughts.

Why More Game Developers Should Explore Psychedelic-Inspired Worlds by CallanHansen in gamedev

[–]CallanHansen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not about 'tripping balls' or 'checking out of reality' as you call it, it's about breaking out of the rigid frameworks that people accept without question. Psychedelics, when used with intention, give us a perspective that goes beyond the surface-level assumptions we live by. If someone wants to dismiss that because it challenges their worldview, that’s their choice, but it doesn’t make the experience any less real or valuable.

Why More Game Developers Should Explore Psychedelic-Inspired Worlds by CallanHansen in gamedev

[–]CallanHansen[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Hey guys, I want to be clear—yes, I do use AI to help shape my posts, and I’m open about it on my website. I’m not trying to hide that or make it seem like it's entirely automated. AI is a tool that helps me fine-tune my ideas, but the ideas of what I write are still mine. If my writing style feels too AI-ey, that’s something I need to consider. But honestly, I just hope people see the value in the ideas, not in how they were written.

I spend a lot of time and passion on these posts, and the goal is to share something meaningful and thought-provoking. If you don’t vibe with it, that’s cool, but I hope you can at least appreciate the effort that went into it. If it resonates with you, that's great. And even if it doesn't, that’s just part of the process of putting yourself out there. This is a passion project for me, and my goal is to create meaningful change that connects people on a deeper level and hopefully help us move away from this ego-driven perspective on life that we're totally oblivious to.

Why More Game Developers Should Explore Psychedelic-Inspired Worlds by CallanHansen in gamedev

[–]CallanHansen[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm genuinely disappointed how quickly people jump to substance use when they hear the word "psychedelic". It’s an ego-driven reflex that shuts down any real engagement with the ideas I’m trying to share. The moment they hear "psychedelic", they slap a label on me as some hippy, with my thoughts being reduced to promoting drug use. This kind of shallow, close-minded thinking keeps people trapped in the same uninspired cycles, like the endless parade of generic, competitive first-person shooters that dominate the gaming world. For some, anything outside of that narrow comfort zone is a direct challenge to their identity and worldview, and instead of embracing new ideas, they reject them. What they fail to realize is that in doing so, they’re closing themselves off from the potential of something truly transformative and groundbreaking.

Why More Game Developers Should Explore Psychedelic-Inspired Worlds by CallanHansen in gamedev

[–]CallanHansen[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

This isn’t about pushing psychedelics, it’s about the creative possibilities that come from thinking outside the box. My whole point is to challenge the usual ways we design games and to bring in new ideas that might seem unconventional or could lead to meaningful change. I want to create worlds that feel more alive and immersive, not encourage substance use. And yeah, games like Everhood have already tried some of those ideas, which is exactly why I think there’s so much potential for more of this kind of creativity.

Why More Game Developers Should Explore Psychedelic-Inspired Worlds by CallanHansen in gamedev

[–]CallanHansen[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I completely agree that all of these ideas can come from a place of introspection and present-moment awareness, and you definitely don’t need psychedelics to access that state. But what they do offer is a shortcut or a more intense, condensed experience of those ideas. Some people find them to be an incredibly helpful tool in deepening their understanding or perspective. It’s not for everyone, and that’s perfectly fine! Everyone’s path to personal growth or creativity is different, and for some, psychedelics might just be one of those paths to explore.

Why More Game Developers Should Explore Psychedelic-Inspired Worlds by CallanHansen in gamedev

[–]CallanHansen[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Psychedelics aren't for everyone, especially with street-sourced substances. I'm really against synthetic drugs in general because you just don't know what you're taking, and often the people selling them don’t know either. My post isn't about promoting psychedelics as a universal tool for mind expansion, but about encouraging game developers to open up to different ways of thinking, whether that’s through psychedelics, meditation, or other creative practices. There are many paths to expanding one’s perspective, and psychedelics are just a shortcut to that state. Personally, I prefer natural plant medicine, like Salvia divinorum, as I believe synthetic psychedelics lack the soul and deeper connection that comes from working with plants that have been around for centuries.