Artsy Shot: Being the Flow
A contribution by Alexander and Kate
(This blog post is also available as a YouTube video.)
Executive Summary
This article will give you an idea of how an LSD trip generally progresses and what to expect during its five wonderful phases: We start rolling, slowly but surely take off, reach a breathtaking peak, then descend, and finally land back on the ground of reality – the description "tripping" really hits the nail on the head!
Please note: This article is a spin-off from our Acid 101 (LSD Guide). If you’ve already devoured that one, feel free to quench your thirst for knowledge with another of our articles – how about our Microdosing 101, for example?
What is (LSD) Phase here?!
One of the most common questions we are asked – especially by curious individuals without LSD experience – is: What is an LSD trip like? How can one imagine it? Every experience is undoubtedly unique, even for experienced psychonauts. Nevertheless, there are phases that, in our opinion, most trips go through, and we don't want to withhold these from you. Having a rough idea of what to expect during the LSD trip phases can certainly facilitate one's travel planning and execution. Because if you only realize after taking it that an LSD peak lasts longer than twelve hours, it can certainly be overwhelming or even frightening. With this in mind, we hereby present the five phases of an LSD trip in a compact form.
It is important to emphasize that for the purposes of this article, we are referring to the "normal dose," i.e., ~150 µg, which is often affectionately referred to simply as a trip or macrodosing by experts. This happens to correspond (coincidentally or intentionally?) to the dosage of most commercially available LSD blotters. (Quick refresher: Blotters are pieces of paper onto which liquid LSD is dropped for easier dosing and more efficient distribution). Experiences with other dosages can differ massively – for better or worse, but we will publish other blog posts on this at a later date.
To make the fantastic phases of an LSD trip more comprehensible and easier to imagine, we use plenty of aviation metaphors. Especially since you will probably be able to relate to the comparison quite well if you have ever tasted the forbidden fruit yourself.
☝🏻 Disclaimer: Please note our risk warnings.
"Rolling Out" (the first hour of the LSD trip phase)
Most people (mathematicians tend to say µ ± 2σ ≈ 95%) feel the first effects of LSD around 20 to 40 minutes after ingestion. Before that, we sometimes feel a tingling sensation of nervousness due to the latent fear of doing something dangerous or forbidden, and thus wrong. This fear soon gives way to a quiet premonition that something epic and important is about to happen. During this LSD trip phase, the following phenomena occur:
- We perceive colors more intensely.
- It can happen that we get lost in small details.
- Sometimes we feel nausea, which usually disappears after ten, but rarely more than 20 minutes, and which we can alleviate by taking deep breaths.
We then become increasingly calm, finally opening the door to the next LSD trip phase.
"Takeoff" (the second hour)
After 60 to 90 minutes, we generally feel the effects of LSD quite clearly: colors become even more intense, sounds more resonant, we become more attentive, and the last remnants of nervousness completely fade. Our perception becomes increasingly overwhelming, and it becomes more and more difficult to go about normal daily activities. At the latest after 90 minutes, most people feel an urge to lie down.
Similar to flights on an airplane, the rule now is: fasten your seatbelts, because we are taking off. It is advisable at this point to put on some previously prepared music and close your eyes. Melodies are perceived more fully than usual, and it may already be possible to see things that are not there in a sober state of the LSD trip phase. Now it really begins! We are at full speed, reaching our cruising altitude (the LSD peak time).
"Peak" (hour three to five; i.e., the next three hours)
It's best to spend the peak, lovingly referred to as the LSD-Peak in English, lying down and with a good eye mask*. Good music is rarely a bad idea. During this LSD trip phase, you will experience the following:
- Our motor skills significantly decrease, so otherwise trivial activities like eating or drinking can become difficult.
- Anyone who is still sitting with wide-open eyes and resisting lying down and just letting go is either fighting the dark forces of inner resistance or has consumed a dose that is too low (for them) – people are different.
- Those who bring the necessary trust and have no fear of flying, on the other hand, are probably now in the incredible depths of their subconscious – or on a journey to an unknown world.
- We feel as if we are truly hearing music for the first time; it is quite possible that we have fabulous visions with closed eyes; and we feel as if we are damn far away from our normal life.
- Everyday things like work, weekdays, or money, but also more complex concepts like time, space, and perception seem abstract or, it feels, no longer make sense.
The filters through which we navigate the world and our lives, such as social norms or etiquette, personal values or beliefs, laws, and the like, are shed during the LSD trip phases, and we perceive ourselves, the world, and the universe as we truly are. And it also feels pointless to try to put the peak of the LSD trip into more words, because: Words are not enough. ✨
"Descent" (hour six to ten; i.e., the next five hours)
As soon as we feel sober for the first time, we begin our descent. This often happens when we need to use the restroom or feel the tingling urge to get up from our previously lying position, only to find that we have lost altitude. The impression that one is sober again comes and goes (spoiler: we are not). Now begins the part where one can (and should!) work on oneself and one's problems. Why is that? Our subconscious is practically turned inside out during this LSD trip phase, and you can conveniently rewire your brain structures. But what happens in the LSD trip phase of descent?
- We think, feel, dance, laugh, and cry a lot.
- It's best to take lots of notes, as attention spans are short (think of a goldfish).
- Challenging moments can arise, which we either confront, which is our recommendation, or which we remove from our acute awareness using the goldfish method (aka distraction).
- Sometimes we also fall victim to targeted goldfish attacks by our brain when we try to open previously thought-to-be-locked doors in our subconscious. Because: our subconscious intentionally locked these doors at an earlier time to protect itself (mind is strong). Such attacks and LSD side effects can be seriously unpleasant and/or overwhelming, and in some cases even overpowering.
In most of our thoughts resides an enormous, but often apparent, importance, and it is quite possible (and completely normal) that we feel a strong inner restlessness. Solving any problems brought along during the LSD trip phases often proves surprisingly easy because we see them from a fresh perspective. Walks – especially in nature – can help us clear our heads. And as soon as we begin to feel a deep exhaustion that replaces the drive of thought and action we had until then, we know that the tires are rolled out and we are transitioning from descent to landing.
"Landing" (hour ten until [more or less] sober; usually around two to five more hours)
All good things come to an end. This is no different with LSD trip phases. The effects described above gradually disappear after the LSD peak. We regain control of our motor skills and the familiar filters with which we see, perceive, and judge or condemn our colorful world are reactivated. We come down; in English, it's called the comedown.
For some, this is relaxed and accompanied by deep satisfaction. For others, it can feel quite overwhelming, like the first day of work after a very long vacation. In any case, the journey is now over, we can unbuckle again and leave the plane. It is advisable to review what has been seen, what has happened, and what has been experienced, and to begin processing it. Journaling is excellent for these purposes. After the LSD trip phases, we rest, preferably with sleep – because it has been a long journey.
Outro
LSD trips can be compared quite well to conventional airplane trips. In this article, we presented the possible phases of a trip. Thanks to our itinerary, you hopefully won't feel or fear heading into a black hole on your next LSD adventure – regardless of whether that would be good or bad. And if you are now even more interested in a psychedelic journey, there are a number of aspects you should definitely consider. These include, for example, the so-called Five Musketeers: Intention, Set, Setting, Dosage, and Integration. For optimal travel preparation, we therefore warmly recommend our basic article Acid 101 (LSD Guide). The time invested in it is worth it – we promise!
🙏🏻 Feedback: Did you like this article or find it helpful? Do you have praise, criticism, or other feedback? Then we would be immensely grateful for an email to mail@psychedelika.club or a review on Google.
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