MAARTEN'S STORY: How Psychedelics Caused the Death of My Ego

Key insight: Happiness is the realization that nothing needs to be different than it is right now.

This is an excerpt of an article by Maarten Verkoren published at Huxley.

As a writer, in previous essays Maarten explored the nature and mechanics of psychedelics, alongside his personal observations on microdosing. He had been looking forward to an encounter with a macro-dose, a full experience utilizing truffles containing psilocybin.

How Psychedelics Caused the Death of My Ego

In this narrative, I intend to document how this journey unfolded, what manifested within my consciousness, and what the subsequent effects have been over both the short and long term. This account is based on immediate personal experience, followed by a deliberate effort to place these observations into perspective and interpret their meaning.

It is not my intention to advise or urge anyone to utilize psychedelic substances. That remains a decision one must arrive at entirely on one’s own. However, should you choose to take this path, I strongly recommend doing so with rigorous preparation and proper guidance, and furthermore, making a conscious effort to integrate your experiences afterward. Such exploration can be undertaken at a specialized facility, or if a smaller scale appeals to your temperament, you might enlist a knowledgeable guide or sitter to accompany you through the experience.

Another Reality Through Psychedelics

Jakobien van der Weijden of the Microdosing Institute possesses extensive experience in guiding these ceremonies. My preliminary conversations with her were thorough and reassuring. When the day of the ceremony arrived, I felt completely at peace and prepared, a psychological state that contributes fundamentally to navigating the experience with trust.

As I looked around, I experienced an intense sensory awareness of nature, the sounds, and the movements inherent to that space. It felt as though this reality had always been present, and I was merely allowed to participate in it for a moment.

Read the full article (for free) at Huxley