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Mushrooms
dose methods: taken orally, generally either by themselves or coated in chocolate. Also can be made into tea.
Dose size: generally between 1/16 to 3/8 oz; 1/8 is usually good for the first time
Other names: shrooms, magic/sacred mushrooms
Duration: 2-6 hours
After effects: you'll generally be tired afterwards, but your mind will continue racing for a good amount of time. If used with spiritual intent, you will generally gain greater appreciation for the natural world.
Dose frequency: I wouldn't advise it more than once every couple of weeks, but it's not entirely unsafe to do it at higher frequencies.
Pre-trip Preparation:
Recreational use prep:
While I feel strongly against using mushrooms just for the sake of getting fucked up, many people do it. Make sure you have somewhere comfortable to sit/lie down [beanbag chairs are wonderful for this], put on some 'trippy' music. Watch milkdrop visualizations or The Wall or just chill on the music. Don't watch anything fucked up (i.e. The Wall) if you've never seen it before. I've heard of people going to shows [concerts] while tripping on mushrooms. Don't do this until you are fairly experienced, as it has a high possibility of scaring the shit out of you.
Spiritual use prep:
As Briareos stated, meditation is necessary to get the most out of the trip. I wouldn't say it's essential as it is with LSD though.
Generally you'll want to be outside. Make sure you know where you want to be, and get there before you start tripping. After dosage, you generally have about 30 minutes to an hour before the effects start to kick in.
Wait until weather conditions are right. Warm and sunny is always good, but a light rain in warm weather can be a very positive experience. If you're in an area where you can see the stars, I highly recommend doing this, though not without a sitter and not until you have some experience, as the darkness can be scary as fuck while tripping. Sunrises and sunsets are probably the best. I'd recommend tripping first in broad daylight, then at sunset, at night watching the stars, and finally at sunrise.
I've found that music is entirely optional, although music with a tribal percussive beat (not talking Sepultura; something along the lines of those Native American artists you can usually find in the 'world music' section) can enhance the trip greatly.
If you're not very well-versed in meditation, bring a notebook or journal around, as your mind will race and you'll be liable to forget some of the revelations you may have. If you have the equipment, by all means, paint while tripping.
CEV's are great, but you should make sure to open your eyes and take in everything around you. "To look at the world through mushrooms is to see it through the eyes of God."
For a truly introspective trip, have (but leave the maintenence to someone else!) a bonfire. If possible, start your trip around sunset in these circumstances. I feel that a location on a beach is ideal for this, but feel free to disagree.
Having a sitter your first time is recommended, especially if you don't have much training in meditation, but not always necessary. It all depends on your surroundings.
Trip no-no's
Especially if you are walking, you may get 'vibes' that a given place is a good or a bad place to be. If you get bad vibes, get the fuck out of there! I strongly believe that there's a reason you don't want to be there that goes beyond just the fact that you're under the influence of hallucinogens.
Don't try to walk stairs, especially if you are at or near peak. You'll know what they are, you just won't have a fucking clue what you're supposed to do about them.
Like with LSD, don't try mindfucking. Likewise, if you're in a group and one guy goes off by themselves, it's because they want to be there. Leave them alone. A lot of people, myself included, don't want to talk much while tripping.
Trip aids:
If you're going to be outside, prepare for the weather. Bring both shorts and a t-shirt as well as long pants and a sweatshirt, as you never know how you're going to feel once the trip starts. If you're going to trip near a body of water, bring dry clothes. Trust me on this one. Also make sure your sitter stays very close to you if you go in the water. Wear sunscreen.
If you're using mushrooms recreationally, keep the warm weather factor in your mind. You'll likely want to go outside, at least for awhile, as confined spaces while tripping are generally not pleasant.
Weed. If you get nauseated after dosing, try taking a hit or two. Don't get fullblown stoned, but just enough to relax you a bit. Doing some during comedown is good as well, and can prolong the trip a bit in some cases. Once again, don't actually get stoned, just enough to feel it slightly.
other:
If you are going to try LSD, I highly recommend mushrooms first. At least that way you have some idea what you're getting yourself into. I've heard people say that mushrooms are the minor league equivalent of LSD. While I disagree and actually prefer mushrooms, I understand their point. Acid is not a good hallucinogen to learn on.
Take a lot of what I said here with a grain of salt. Every person's preferences are different. I've found that what I've listed above are best for me. What works best for you is entirely for you to discover.
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