I just use a regular bic lighter and a cheap glass pipe, and i experienced effects the first time i smoked the stuff,(my only experiences being on 10x standardized, never tried the unfortified leaves or weaker extracts) but i didnt break through, which is level 5 or 6, until i really wanted to. A bic lighter/cheap pipe works fine for me, just keep the flame on the material, even if the plant material is all burned, and hold your hit in for about 20-30 seconds. works everytime for me.
If i want to, i can take 1 big hit of the 10x and have a level 6, total ego-loss/blackout experience. I did last night actually, but i passed out "normally" during the experience, as i was also on 12 mg klonopin, and didn't even remember smoking salvia until i woke up this morning. I either have a really good extract, or im just fairly sensitive to the stuff.
Setting IS important, it's preferable for me to have no light, but music sounds really interesting on salvia at level 3-4 experiences, so i always keep some light ambient music on,(Aphex Twin-Stone in Focus comes to mind for Salvia) but i've broken through in broad daylight when i wasnt even trying to break through, so this report, at least imo, DEFINATELY isn't bullshit. Salvia is some strong stuff.
The first few times i smoked it, i did feel a female pressence, but lately, it's been more of what i see as random strange entities, and i've seen something similar to the "smelves" that get mentioned so much on the lycaeum forums, working in some sort of factory filled with gears and other equipment.
It's hard to talk about salvia without rambling, because theres just so much to try and explain. On 1 level 4 experience, which didnt completely obliterate my ego, but gave me very intense visuals, i was in my room with the lights off, and these white balls of energy were coming towards me off of my bed, and i swear i could feel each and every one of them being absorbed into my body. I even felt surges of energy and a "punching" sensation as each "ball" hit me. Usually salvia takes some energy away from me, but this experience seemed to force energy IN me, and i felt very stimulated after that particular experience. Odd and interesting stuff, salvia is.
I also agree with Leg to NOT get stoned before attempting to break through, as when im even a little high off weed, the smallest toke of 10x will black me out, unpleasantly.
Also, Church, if you ever wanna try salvia again, buy some weaker stuff than you smoked before, as i find level 3-4 experiences to actually be quite pleasurable. My ego is still there, i remember smoking the stuff, i'm just REALLY high for about 20 minutes, and getting very odd visuals for about 10. Music i find nescessary, but try to keep it low volume. At sub-blackout levels, i just find myself extremely stoney, sorta like a nang, lasts alot longer, and i just laugh maniacially for no reason whatsoever.
El fin ramble, and good report.