Growing up most of us watched those drug-fueled coming of age films where friends tripped balls in the woods and found themselves. Unfortunately for us, finding these ‘life-changing’ psychedelics wasn’t easy in a country that holds morality firm at the waist.
It’s 2020 and young people aren’t as held back as before, the result is an open-minded generation breathing life to the drug culture in Nigeria. A community living experiences through psychedelics and other mind-altering drugs.
Psychedelic drugs, also known as hallucinogenic drugs or simply hallucinogens, are a group of substances that are usually used recreationally to change and enhance sensory perceptions, thought processes, and energy levels, and to facilitate spiritual experiences. They include chemicals, such as LSD, and plants, such as peyote.
Disclaimer: We’re not recommending doing drugs, but with increased access to psychedelics, we would like the curious people to trip safely.
People take psychedelics for different reasons; in modern times it’s been used to treat alcoholism, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. It’s also been a way to open oneself to new things, and to achieve an enlightened state of mind. Some may take hallucinogenic drugs simply to escape life’s troubles or to relieve boredom.
Hallucinogens are sometimes used in spiritual pursuits to produce mystical “visions” or simply to induce a detachment from reality in order to be closer to mythical beings. Writers, poets, artists, and creatives, in general, have used hallucinogens and other drugs through the decades to find inspiration.
Hallucinogens can be found in some plants and mushrooms or can be synthesized in labs like LSD and Ecstacy.
How They Work
Research suggests that hallucinogens work, at least partially, by temporarily disrupting communication between chemical systems throughout the brain and spinal cord. Some hallucinogens interfere with the action of the brain chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect mood, sensory perception, sleep, hunger, body temperature, sexual behaviour, and muscle control. Other hallucinogens interfere with the action of the brain chemical glutamate.
If you’re ready to embark on a psychedelic trip for the first time, there are some do’s and don’t’s. We’ve listed a few guidelines for tripping on some hallucinogens so you can have as close to the most amazing trip of your life. We also got people to share their experiences.
Side Bar – If you are depressed, excessively annoyed at the world, sick, or solely interested in forgetting about your problems and having a good time, do not take psychedelic drugs. LSD-like substances, including psilocybin, are mental magnifying glasses, and if you already feel like shit you will merely spend the trip grovelling in your own insignificance and feeling even worse.
Magic Mushrooms.
Magic mushrooms contain a naturally occurring type of hallucinogen, called psilocybin, which is found in certain fungi. There is a wide variety of hallucinogenic mushrooms. It’s best taken indoors in a cozy type feel, it can be a single or shared experience just make sure you’re in a safe space that can allow you trip to your heart’s desire.
How To Dose
- Micro-Dosing 0.2 – 0.5 grams: is a sub-perceptual amount of mushrooms. Take this every 2-3 days to boost creativity or feel less anxious.
- 0.8 – 1g: Known as a basic level, excellent to get familiar with the substance.
- 1 – 1.5 g: Consistent sensorial accentuation, colours becoming brighter and a light body high.
- 1.5 – 3 g: Trip Level 3 is great for beginners who want to jump in the “real” psychedelic experience, without overdoing the dosage.
- 3 – 5 g: Total loss of contact with reality. Intense hallucinations. Great distortion of the perception of space and time.
Mood & Feel
The effects of Magic Mushrooms may include euphoria, altered thought processes and sense of time, sensory enhancement, synesthesia, visual hallucinations, spiritual or mystical feelings, ego death, and even out of body sensations. It has also been shown to provide long term benefit to psychological conditions like depression or OCD, positively alter moral values like empathy, and strengthen the connection with nature or the universe as a whole.
“I felt like I was levitating and falling at the same time, like I could be alive for a long time without using my eyes. The moments felt like it would last forever, I was praying I don’t snap and lose my mind completely. The paranoia. I had a conversation with my reflection and started questioning my reality and shit. Think I also had a lucid dream that night and woke up biting my pillow.” — Trickster
Ecstasy
Ecstasy, MDMA or ‘Molly’ is a psychedelic with hallucinogenic effects that are less pronounced, and the mood-enhancing and stimulant effects are more noticeable to the user than some other psychedelics. It packs a kick and is best taken when going out or an activity that requires a lot of energy and drive.
The appearance of ecstasy varies considerably with there being a wide range of coloured pills and capsules often marked with designs and logos. This can result in some ecstasy pills getting nicknames e.g Mitsubishi’s, Tesla’s, Teddy bears, and Superman pills.
How To Dose
- It comes in pills or powder so depending on what you get, be rational especially if it’s your first time.
- The pills come in different sizes and Grams so that’ll help you know what to take.
- A quarter pill is best for starters then you build your tolerance from there. (Depending on the size of the pill, if it’s really small you can try half)
Mood & Feel
Physical effects include pupil dilation, jaw tightening and an increase in body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate. As with amphetamine, there is often a loss of appetite. Mental effects may include an initial rushing feeling followed by a combination of feeling energetic and yet calm. Loss of anger, empathy with other people and an enhanced sense of communication are common. Sometimes you might experience a heightened sense of your surroundings, greater appreciation of music and increased sexual and sensual experience.
“The first time I took molly I kinda overdosed so for the first one hour I was super active. My friends and I spent 150k at some random mall cause we were all fucking hyper and kept taking shit off the racks then I puked right outside the mall. I eventually got my shit together and the trip became really bliss. In that moment I was super locked in and focused, I just wanted to do shit and exert energy. The next time I took molly was at at concert, Lemon Curd I think, some years back and that was a trip too. The music, the atmosphere, everything felt so surreal and I could rave as hard. I’m so sure this is the shit Travis is on when he performs.” – Ichigo West.
Acid
Lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD, is a chemically synthesized hallucinogen, developed from ergot, a kind of mold that grows on the rye grain.
How To Dose
Acid is a colorless, odorless liquid. For consumption, acid typically drips the liquid onto absorbent, colorful paper squares called blotter papers. Each blotter paper can have several “tabs.” One tab is usually enough to induce a trip.
Mood & Feel
An acid trip can last from 8 to 12 hours. An effect of LSD is distortions in time perception, which can make the experience feel even longer. Some users say they feel as though the trip could last forever. When the moods of the user and those around them are buoyant or contented, the LSD experience can be highly enjoyable. However, a trip can also be extremely unsettling if moods are low and thoughts take a sombre, or even macabre, turn.
“My first acid trip was very revealing, I had conversations with myself that I’d been avoiding for a while and I felt at peace with myself and like I didn’t have to fight with myself anymore. I had so much energy and I could see the motion of things like they were recorded in 60fps for a while. It was a great trip for a first time and I definitely would like to try it again.” — Verbalraccoon