In my quest for deeper understanding of my own being and spiritual nature, I sometimes take extreme measures. I recently read a book called 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl by Daniel Pinchbeck and following his own shamanic lead, decided to try a visionary herb widely known as Salvia Divinorum. Usually this particular entheogen is smoked and very quickly brings on an intense visionary experience that doesn't last very long but I had heard about a tincture form of the herb known as Emerald Essence that could be taken internally and deliver a much longer and satisfying experience. I had read that one could experience profound insights into the earliest memories and sometimes previous life memories while others have had reality bending experiences similar to LSD or Mushroom trips. Also, unlike nearly all other entheogens, Salvia is still legal in most states and I could simply order it off the web and have it delivered.
Once receiving the small dark bottle, I waited for a time that I could be in the right meditative mind set and have the privacy to under take what I hoped would be a fantastic inner journey. I read all the accompanying literature that came with the product and followed the instructions carefully. You have to keep the tincture in the mouth, under the tongue, for no less than 15 minutes. It's active component Salvironin A can only become active when absorbed through the mucousal lining in the mouth and would become inactive if simply digested. I was warned the tincture might have a intense stinging sensation due to its grain alcohol base, but I wasn't concerned because I both make and take tinctures regularly; however, I don't make them with grain alcohol. The first time I tried the product, I placed three droppers full or shots directly under my tongue. I had planned on doing four but my mouth became so salivated that I couldn't get any more in. While I waited the appropriate amount of time, my mouth did burn quite noticeably. After fifteen minutes, I swallowed the salivated tincture and waited for what was described as a moderate undiluted dose. Unfortunately all I experienced was a sense of drunkenness, I had to lay down, and an extreme pressure in my temporal lobes. There was the faintest hint of hallucinogenic patterns emerging behind my eyes but I almost had to strain to make them out. I waited for the effects to diminish and chalked it up to a false start.
The second time, I pre-poured five droppers full into a shot glass and took it all at once. I waited the appropriate amount of time and decided to spit out the remaining tincture. The sense of drunkenness was much more increased this time. I nearly stumbled to the bathroom while my house swirled around me. I had no sense of balance. I barely remember spitting green into the sink and attempting to wash out my entire mouth to relieve the burning that had somehow gotten focused on the roof of my mouth. I kept thinking one of my roommates would hear me and come to see what was up. I thought I was being so noisy, but no one came. I also thought about calling out for help which is something I've never experienced with a hallucinogen before. I made my way back to my room with much difficulty. I kept loosing little spans of time. It was like watching yourself under a strobe light and all the while I had little balance. I went immediately to my bed and crawled under the covers. I felt an intense pressure again but this time it was on the roof of my mouth. It felt like something was pressing hard against it. I remember my feet were ice cold even though I had on socks and was under two comforters. I kept drifting for moments on end through incomprehensible vistas that were nothing like either LSD or mushrooms. I felt decidedly uncomfortable. I had no profound insights except to not attempt this again. I guess I had the infamous bad trip. Once it finally subsided, it seemed as if only twenty or so minutes had passed but it was actually like two and a half hours. I got up again and wolfed down some ice cream to cool the burnt parts of my mouth and then I returned to bathroom to brush my teeth and try to get some of the tincture stains out. Did I mention that the tincture stains the inside of your mouth green? The roof of my mouth felt numb as if I had burned it on hot food. I was warned of this effect and had experienced it slightly before. It's no big deal and wears off after a day. I went back to bed and slept fitfully for the remainder of the night.
The following morning, this morning, I awoke to a dull headache but otherwise okay. I think I have a Salvia hangover. Ultimately, I'm disappointed that my experience was more disturbing than anything profound. The costs to achieve it were more than I would probably undertake again. And, truthfully, I preferred the effects of smoking the dried leaves much more than what the tincture brought. I suppose if you are a modern day shaman then this experience would be no big deal and perhaps there might be some deep insights to have gained, but for this soul seeker the Salvia tincture journey is over.
