herbs-teas-binaurals-other stuff...

[l0stang3lz]

Dear all, I hope I don't post an already answered question. If I do, please reply with links.

I am interested to know about herbs, substances, or other ways that worked for you in attaining or helping attain an OBE.

I tried a Arthemisia Absinthium(said to help with more vivid dreams) tea last night, but nothing happened. Maybe I was too tired.   

I also tried a "mind awake-body asleep" technique on more occasions. No luck so far. 

Last week I started with binaurals but it may be too early for any succes.

Please post any methods, no matter how hilarious, awkward or strange, that worked for you. Many thanx!

[kurtykurt42]

Teas: Such as green tea as well as caffeine are good for keeping you awake while performing deep trance.

Herbs: There are a lot of herbs to choose from, I personally have tried a few. Ripped Mahuang is an energy supplement with Ma Huang extract (ephedra) it gives you a big boost in energy. Multi-Vitamins are also very good. You should check out these books by Scott Cunningham: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic.

Binaurals: I personally hate silence so i always use different settings of the BWG, and just recently started using Holosync. Some people like it quite and some don't, I don't really know if it actually aligns your brain waves like it claims but i like it.

Other: The "mind awake-body asleep" technique is the fundamental technique for deep trance. You want your body to be very relaxed and your mind to be 100% focused. Your diet is also very important. I was very big into bodybuilding a few years ago so I spent a lot of time learning about nutrition. You should be eating 3-5 small meals a day with good carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes, etc. and include good proteins such as chicken breasts, steaks and ham. Astral projection is similar to any other sport. You have to constantly practice and remain disciplined. Supplements will help you get there but there is no secret other than hard work.

[nickspry]

Hi,
as far as substances go, nothing is more effective than Galantamine/choline combination - in my experience at least.  It's not very effective if you take it before going to bed though, you need to wake after 4 or 5 hours and take it before a projection attempt. It makes the conscious transition into OBE much easier, though the experiences can be extremely vivid and a bit alarming sometimes.
Melatonin or 5HTP can be quite good too (not both together though), and should be taken before bed. These work by inhibiting REM sleep in the first part of the night. When these wear off, the brain tries to make up for the REM sleep it has missed by intensifying and lengthening the next REM phases. Great for lucid dreaming and OBE's. This technique can be combined with the Galantamine/Choline method to increase effectiveness.
The only herb which has helped me to project is Mugwort, which when it works, is very effective. It does seem to vary a lot in strength though so if you use it,  persevere and try it from a few different suppliers. Again, it's best taken after several hours sleep and it shouldn't be used every night as it contains small amounts of Thujone which is toxic. This isn't a problem if used once or twice a week, but if you were to use it every night for long periods it's possible that the thujone could build up in your system, and could cause problems. Like many other substances it tends to lose its effectiveness if used too often anyway.
Hope this is useful.

[l0stang3lz]

I have quite a few ideas but I need time for them...

For example I have heard that Artemisia Absinthium(it is not illegal) which is more commonly known as Wormwood (I think) is good at amplifying the vividness of the dreams. IDK if that also facilitates lucidity or OBE. I drunk a tea made from it but maybe I was too tired to remember anything. I generally don't remember dreams. On the Erowid Vault they say that an extract from this plant might have stronger effecs, but tread well, the active substances from AA might be poisonous! Also contains Thujone!

Another thing I found out on the net is the flying ointments which are recepies used from ancient times by the witches. Didn't tried though.

There is also Salvia Divinorum, but for many of you might be illegal. Didn't try yet.

I heard of Mugwort but never tried, I dont even know if I can find it around here. A good place to start searching for is a tea shop, but they are so confused by the botanical names of the plants, and the popular names are even more confusing.

Nickspray please let me know how did you actually take Mugwort. Was it tea? Smoking it?

[kurtykurt42]

I tried Salvia Divinorum a few times. Mazatec healers used to smoke it regularly so that they could travel into the supernatural, it was used in a ceremonial manner to induce a visionary trance state. The effect only lasts about 5-10 minutes and is different each time. I tried it after doing my AP preparation and then went into deep trance and then hit the bong. I didn't AP any of the times i took it but it felt like something was grabbing me and other times like they were talking to me. I remember seeing an organism and i was able to zoom in on it and see smaller and smaller pieces until i saw all of the atoms pieced together. At the time i felt like "eureka, I know the answers to the universe!". Then the drug wore off and i realized it wasn't that important...

[nickspry]

In reply to the question about Mugwort by l0stang3lz, I use the mugwort as a tea, (1 teaspoon mugwort per cup).
Mugwort grows almost everywhere but there are a few different varieties so identification can be tricky. It's very cheap to buy dried mugwort from online herbal suppliers though.

[Sisyphus]

visiting a herbal shop tmw that mugwort is on my list as well as various types of incense

[Sisyphus]

got the mugwort and frankincense, a new incense burner inc charcoal blocks.  When i mentioned astral projection she gave me some sort of home made incense concoction.  So i'll see if if its any good - will maybe try tonight  fingers crossed..

[Sisyphus]

okay not sure i did this right but i just had incence burning and i had the mugwort beside my pillow.  I wouldnt say i had an obe unfortunately but certainly smt weird though - at some point i was kindoff burning hot inside??  and i couldnt move really - i thought there was vibrations but they werent very strong so i dunno.  My awareness of my physical body was hrmm very very low - it seemed like my breathing was on automatic pilot etc.  My head/mind was a litle sore..more "heavy" but it was weird kind of heat inside i dunno.

The good new is that i perhaps was a the mind awake body asleep stage - my awareness was strong and not tired at all

but what should i do with the mugwort?  leave it beside my pillow?? 

[nickspry]

That's one way. Some say it works like that, but it's never done much for me unless I make it into tea or smoke it (make sure it's pure dried mugwort). Tea is best in my opinion.