Or, perhaps, entering it. Life is merely a construct, whether that construct exists solely within our collective consciousness, or individually, or on a cluster of computers that we’re plugged into while being harvested for energy makes little difference. Perception of this construct is individual, what one person sees and perceives is wholly unique to them, while you may find someone else who agrees with another’s description or view, it will never be an exact copy. It’s one of the many things that makes life interesting, and the very reason that psychology is such a difficult field to categorize, the purpose being to attempt to slot everyone into pigeon holes, based upon a certain set of criteria, and then use that knowledge to ‘fix’ them. I digress.

There are few things pleasurable or interesting that are not controlled heavily by governments, or by societal expectations. Salvia Divinorum (lit. Sage of the Seers), is a member of the Sage genus and the Mint family; it is one such currently uncontrolled thing. Salvia was relatively unheard of until recently - I’m sure the internet helped with this somewhat - existing only in small, cultivated patches in Oaxaca, Mexico, and has been used by Mazatec Shamans for what I can only assume must be millenia. Militant religious groups - among others - around the world are currently pressing government bodies to add Salvia Divinorum to the list of ‘good things that we don’t want anyone to have because it allows them to escape from what we decide their reality should be’… in English, they want to make it illegal to use and/or possess this plant.

My interest in Salvia Divinorum and its primary constituent, Salvinorin A, is an extension of my fascination with the world of the arcane.

There are some things I should note, Salvinorin A is not a party drug, it is not something that you pop as a pill, it is much more than that; the plant itself, only exists today because of the Mazatec people who cultivate and tend to it; as such, it deserves much respect, and should be revered. I highly recommend reading about the beliefs of the Mazatec people in regard to this herb before trying it yourself. I can also recommend The Salvia Divinorum User’s Guide as a great source of information to get started with.

I ordered a 10ml bottle of tincture, flavored with peppermint to mask the odorous taste, and in the two days it took to arrive, did a lot more research on the best setting and frame of mind to be in while taking it, along with traditional ceremonies performed prior and after. When it finally did arrive, I must admit that I was over-excited; this is most certainly not something which will give you benefits without respect given. I tried 5ml (according to the dosage guide that came with it, this is a very high dose), in the middle of the day, and beyond feeling a little heavy in myself, experienced nothing.

Tonight, having learned much from my botched attempt, I meditated for an hour, and then - with a slight assumption that the tincture must be weak - took the remaining 5ml. I was unsure what to expect, I find that no-matter how much you read online, as I said earlier, everyone is unique. Laying on my bed, what felt like an eternity passed, and I felt myself slowly losing contact with my physical body, strange visions drew themselves on my eyelids, impossible to focus or describe. My ability to judge time completely left me, in my head, I would have assumed a mere 15 minutes had passed, at most, in actuality, it was nearer an hour. Unfortunately, my reason for knowing this was due to not having turned my cell off - it rang, twice, so I ended up being dragged out of my trance and had to answer it.

At this point, I had assumed from everything that I had read, that what I had experienced in that time would be all I would experience. Most people speak of the effects not lasting more than about 30-45 minutes, so having turned my phones off, I lay back down and resigned myself to a botched experience.

All I really remember, waking up 2 1/2 hours later, is a feeling which I can describe only as having my existence attached to a dimmer switch, and someone slowly fading me down to insignificance. Waking up, I felt dazed and confused, as if I had just regained consciousness after a general anaesthetic and after a few minutes, my brain slowly re-engaged with my muscles and I was able to step out onto my balcony for air and a cigarette. Standing there, gazing out across the sodium horizon, a feeling of peace washed over me, the demons that had been plaguing me badly for the past few months have gone, and I can think clearly again. Many people say that an experience in which you remember nothing afterwards is not desirable, or useful; in my humble opinion, I got what I desired - the two things I had asked for while meditating.

My plan is to buy a Salvia Divinorum plant, to cultivate and care for myself, and later, have a milder experience in which I can learn things about my subconscious and possibly make my demons disappear permanently. I can’t help but feel my respect for the old ways is justified.