Last thursday, about 4 weeks after my first experience with AL-LAD, I tried it for the second time. Due to the first one @ 150 ug being slightly underwhelming, I took 300 ug this time in precisely the same way (10 minutes SL, then swallowing the 2 midget stamps on an empty stomach).
Within 20 minutes I already felt the first signs, much faster than the first time. Things started to feel increasingly difficult.
At T+1 I had reached the peak, which was a lot stronger than I had anticipated. It was this lowered anticipation that made the whole experience a little bit difficult. My own fault to have put my mind in this set. It's a good thing that this material is so benign and forgiving; was it to be LSD I would probably have spiralled into a pretty bad trip. Benzos were at hand, but I decided against taking them: it wasn't THAT bad.
The peak was a very strong +3: perception of time wasn't altered, but time just completely seized to exist, as did space. OEV's and CEV's were inevitably in-my-face, all over. The character of the peak was serious as opposed to the joyful one in my first encounter, because of the unexpected strength. Much introspection and headfucks. Now that this compound was in full force, the difference with LSD seemed a lot less. Still, not much of a bodyload, even the GI discomfort I had the first time around wasn't really there now. There where my first encounter was a 'mild ride', this was definitely more along the lines of a 'wild rodeo inside a rollercoaster ride'.
The peak lasted from T+1 to T+3. Coincidentally in this time frame the song All Along The Watchtower also came along (I just saw it mentioned here, I was listening to Electric Ladyland, which is a trip in itself, followed by Hendrix @ Woodstock, which is as 'acidic' as guitar playing gets).
After the peak there was some sort of plateau that lasted for 2 or 3 hours. This was more fun, more controllable and a few laughs were to be had.
At the end of this I smoked a little MJ a couple of times to try and bring some of the visuals back. At T+8 the predominant feeling got erotic. At T+9.5 I fell asleep. The next day I felt great (again), not drained, no hangover, even though the trip was strong. I had enough energy to do some planned activities.
My 150 ug AL-LAD experience resembled an approximate 75 ug LSD experience. This 300 ug experience seemed to parallel a 300+ ug acid trip.
I'm not sure why this is or if anybody here feels similar about this altogether. Maybe AL-LAD has a higher threshold than LSD and/or a slightly different dose-response curve. Maybe these particular AL-LAD sheets aren't laid very evenly. Maybe it's the meds I've been taking since the first time (Terbinafine, I've noticed some opioids seem slightly potentiated by this). Maybe it's just set/setting (although I don't think it is in this case).
Comparison with LSD visuals:
The AL-LAD visuals were softer, rounder, more vague. Patterns from my monitor flowed more into the world/complete field of vision (radiation/shimmers/waves/ripples). A lot of morphing and warping and breathing was going on, about the same as with acid. Colours were a lot of rose, violet and pastel green.
Advantages of AL-LAD over LSD:
- Shorter duration
- Possibility of sleeping well, afterwards
- Cleaner, no hangover and great afterglow
Advantages of LSD over AL-LAD:
- Longer duration
- The 'sinistry', the mischief
- More depth
It is hard to choose a favourite. They each have their own character, I would choose one depending on what I would want to accomplish. I mean, I really like the depth and mischief of LSD. But those advantages of AL-LAD are to be reckoned with. I might favour those in the end.
Anyway, in two weeks time I'll be taking 150 ug again, this time at a concert.