quote=rootsie Welcome cbdcure!
One thing IME that makes a big difference, is holding it in for as long as you can. And/or letting it out when you have that feeling like, "ok... that's good... don't need any more than that!"
I would also recommend
NOT using in conjunction with harmalas for your first time (or any MAOI). It can, on some occasions and in some circumstances, have an unpredictable effect on the intensity and duration of the trip.
And finally, there's nothing wrong with having expectations... in fact, I don't believe it's possible to not have them, about anything. Better to bring them into the light, examine them, question them, think up even better ones! What is it that you really want? Why do you want it? Are you currently getting a "hidden payback" for not having that in your life? Setting conscious intentions is a powerful thing. Own it.
^^This
There is no doubt that psychedelic or other substances present dangers for us more so than the regular user. When I first took DMT it was after I had eaten mushrooms some months before. Since years before that time though I have always been taking prescription medications together like Celexa and Wellbutrin as prescribed. Like you I didn't want to talk to a doctor for the first time years ago and when a Psychologist told me she felt I had symptoms of bi-polar I refused it and stopped seeing her. I then kept seeing Psychiatrists for anxiety and depression and wasn't until I had a full blown manic episode in December 2012 where I very regrettably put many lives at risk, not too mention my own. I changed Psychiatrists to a more prominent one who had more experience with patients who have had 'psychotic episodes' (I don't like that term but whatever). We tried several bi-polar medications in conjunction with the others I was regularly taking. We tried Geodon, Abilify, Seoquil, Ziprasidone and I felt better with them but always had some side-effect like head pressure or difficulty thinking or feeling detached from my car when driving. Keep in mind that everyone's brain chemistry are like fingerprints and are all unique, so what works for some will not work for others and vice-versa.
The latest most revolutionary bi-polar medication to come out is Saphris and unnaturally has good feedback from the majority of users. I don't get majorly depressed or manic and generally feel pretty chill. I don't have the side effects with this medication as I did with the others and I take 10mg every night, it also helps me sleep so that's nice. All drugs have positive and negative effects. With Saphris there can be an increase in insulin levels and slight average increase in body weight of ~10 lbs so regular exercise and good diet are critical, as they are for anyone's mental health anyway. If you have any questions about any SSRI medications feel free to ask I'll be as honest as possible. With bi-polar though it is a very serious condition and really should not go untreated, you're putting yourself and possibly others at risk- I'm not saying that you're going to do something or are not stable just cover your bases is all as I personally found out the hard way.
Many people who are always seeking out MDMA (Ecstasy) or constantly binge drink and call it 'partying' likely could benefit from some form of SSRI as its less dangerous, consistent, and quality tested federally and they may have some issues they're avoiding. If you do decide to try a bi-polar medication and don't know where to start I would talk with a doctor about Seroquil. A friend that recommended it to me liked it a lot and he was constantly in a good mood. I liked it a lot too, more than Saphris I'm currently taking, but unfortunately had a slight side-effect of some kind of pressure in my head that wasn't like a headache or anything I just wasn't able to get past it, everyone's different remember so it may work for you. I used to do a lot of partying in college and wanted to try everything at least once while I was young and naive. I played around with herb, MDMA, Ketamine, Meth, Cocaine, Mescaline, LSD, Mushrooms, Research Chemicals, Oxy, Percocet, Vicodin, and possibly others and fortunately found that I do not have an addictive personality and have no desire to do any of them at the moment and haven't for over a year and have been married for about the same time. The wifey keeps me balanced and grounded even though I feel she is too restraining sometimes I know she is just looking out for my best safety and should consider myself lucky. With the prescriptions I take now I generally feel pretty alright and have some I can take as needed instead of doing something like smoking or more serious MDMA. If you have any questions as to what all I take, the dosages, and what they are for or do, just feel free to ask
People like us with mental illnesses are constantly told not to take any substance other than prescribed medication for various reasons like exacerbating our condition. I can completely understand wanting to check out 'hyperspace' however. As a DMT trip usually lasts no more than 5-10 minutes and leaves you with a little energized/body high effect you can maximize the odds of a positive experience by being in a comfortable/secure environment with hopefully someone who's done it before. I've done it many times and usually go to a black void where I am confronted with what's called the 'veil' of varying neon fast moving electrical charge strands woven together. Beyond that I sense a benevolent and very powerful entity examining me and my intentions. I lost all sense of myself and who I was and felt that nothing mattered other than that I existed. If you experience similar ego death on your trip I fear without medication you may find putting the pieces back together particularly difficult so please be careful and be safe for at least a week afterwards. I have also seen a completely different planet with nothing but lush tropical forests and huge waterfalls putting out rainbows in the mist. On one trip I was told that this is the lowest realm and most undesirable for other beings, but there is much that can be learned here. So keep an open mindset, respect and best intentions, and just wanting to learn what you can and absolutely do not have any other substances in your system when taking it, not even alcohol as they will taint your experience.
Best Wishes,
Ben Frank