Since I graduated pharmacy school and have opened my life to possibility, I’ve done my fair share of partying and exploring my consciousness with plants and psychoactive substances! Certain drugs and mind-altering substances can be very rough on the body, the mind, or even affect the connection with one’s soul. One must explore with awareness, if they are to remain in balance and achieve their goals and soul purpose in life.  The intent of this blog post is not to endorse drug usage, nor to recommend an experimental lifestyle full of partying, but to offer and educate on some easier to integrate, gentler on the body / mind botanical allies, which can serve as effective substitutes for harder or stronger substances being used in social settings.

One of the things I’ve learned in my 40 years (to date) is to embody a reasonable pace with mindful exploration. Why push my mind, body, spirit connection too hard?  In my current years I consider myself one who enjoys sustainable partying, selecting the right dosage of plant allies which extends and enhances my social experience, without over withdrawing from my bank account of vitality.  If the purpose of one’s usage of mind-altering substances is to have fun, explore one’s consciousness and connect with others, there are plenty of botanical options for exploration!  Realize set, setting, dosage, intention, and sleep quality at the end of all of it play a role in determining in how you will feel tomorrow – and whether you are sustainably partying. 💜

Here’s a collection of botanical allies which I’ve found to be unique in their pharmacology and effects, with a general overview below.  As a note, one who explores must be responsible for their actions – select the appropriate set & setting for the experience, be graceful with your dosing (especially during your first communion with a plant), and do not drive or operate heavy equipment while exploring your consciousness.

Botanical Allies for Sustainable Partying

Blue Lotus Resin 

This 100x water extract from Organically grown Blue Lotus flowers from Thailand is the most powerful blue lotus extract I’ve ever experienced.  This helps to clarify the mind and bring the user into the present moment.  I note an instant quality of focus & mood elevation – this does not elicit an exaggerated level of euphoria, more a calming expansive head change.  

I experience zero hangover or negative qualities from Blue Lotus Resin usage, which tends to stack well with most mind-expanding substances. I enjoy about a grain of rice to a pea-sized amount orally ingested, or added into a tea as its cooling. We’ve received some reports that this may also be enjoyed vaporized with other herbs through a Volcano as well!

Kava Euphoria

One of my favorite synergy party potions, a great balance of our CO2 Kava Kava with a euphoric blend of essential oils and CO2 extracts. The effects are relaxation in the physical body, energized non-linear focus, a notable enhancement of mood, several hours of energy… all without a crash. There is a joyous euphoria that is not overly intense, which keeps me smiling for about 1-3 hours. I don’t notice a strong “come up” or “come down”, it’s a very smooth transition which feels natural.

Typically I will enjoy 1-2 dropperfuls held under the tongue for 30-60 seconds, and will re-dose every 1-2 hours to extend my party period! I experience little to no hangover beyond feeling underslept if I stay out late dancing and having fun. Kava is not recommended to be mixed with alcohol as that combination may cause additional stress to the liver. Note that the Kava may leave your mouth feeling numb for about 20-30 minutes, a signature of true authentic and potent kava!

Kanna

Kanna is a South African succulent which has a history of indigenous use and intriguing pharmacology in the West. Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) seems to have mild SSRI qualities by downregulating the serontonin transporter, while modulating other neurotransmitters including serotonin and dopamine in the body.

The closest thing I describe Kanna alike to, is a softer, natural and more graceful MDA alternative. The intensity seems to be far less extreme than MDA or MDMA, and is a more sustainable option for partying, offering a much more gentle comedown. At higher or extended duration doses, I feel my body crave some electrolytes (natural salt and/or Magnesium supplementation), but the hangover is much more graceful compared to a drug-enhanced comedown. Kanna typically comes on within about 20-30 minutes in my experience, and lasts about 1-2 hours. The effects are floaty, euphoric, mood enhanced, and colors can become more vibrant. Sometimes I get a bit more energized, other times more relaxed with Kanna.

If one is on antidepressants (ie. MAO-I, SSRI) or taking other serotonin releasing medications, they should be prudent with their dosing and if they choose to experience; start small for concern of serotonin syndrome. One should discuss with their physician or another educated party before experimenting with a combination, which may have dire consequences!

For our Ultrasonic Extracted Kanna Tincture, I’ll typically take about ½ – 2 dropperful held under the tongue for 30-60 seconds, and then swallow. Our Extra Strength 100x Kanna Resin is much more potent and will yield a significant effect – I suggest starting with about a grain of rice. I find a bit less than a pea sized amount is a nice dose to play with to be in the flow & move my body (ie. dancing) for an hour or more!

Damiana

Damiana – if I could describe her expression in a single sentence, I would say she is alike the cousin of cannabis with less cloudiness in the mind.  She’s bright, sensual, while visual colors mildly enhance. Damiana provides a general feeling of euphoria, yields moderate mood enhancement, and is great for both meditation and movement practices.  My most profound dream experience I’ve ever had was with an ounce of our Ultrasonic Damiana tincture and several drops of Ultrasonic Mugwort Tincture (read about it here).  Using Damiana respectfully for years now, I haven’t discovered any negative effects – she lights me up, connects me to my body and enhances my dance or meditation experience.  Damiana is also a great ally to enjoy during love making. 🌹

We offer our classic Ultrasonic Damiana Tincture, which was the first Damiana formulation that I had ever fully felt the magick of Damiana.  I tend to enjoy about 1/2 – 3 dropperfuls, and will re-dose every 1-2 hours, according to the dosage and experience I desire.  Our brand new Damiana Resin has a lovely brightness, notable mood-elevation and really enhances your connectivity to the moment.  The resin is more concentrated and potent, but the tincture is a really beautiful experience and is easy to manage dosing – allowing you to titrate your experience smoothly.  A grain of rice to a pea-sized amount is a great place to start with the Damiana Resin.

I love Damiana in each of her forms, at different times calling in different potency!

Tantric Trilogy (Alchemy Club Members Only)

Tantric Trilogy contains Damiana, Kanna & Cacao, a lovely collection which balances a sensual, heart-opening, body euphoric blast. The effects are plenty potent yet are more subtle than a mind-altering drug – this is my preferred natural substitute to “ecstasy”. The feeling is a bit floaty & tingly in the body, while the heart and emotions soften. This is a very pleasant blend and one of my favorite ways to party sustainably in my 40’s!

Typically I will enjoy ½ – 3 dropperfuls held under the tongue for 30-60 seconds. My wife and I will often rotate between Kava Euphoria, Kanna, and Tantric Trilogy to keep ourselves buzzing beautifully throughout the evening, while being able to transition into sleep smoothly when we feel complete being social.

If I enjoy much Tantric Trilogy or Kanna throughout the evening, sometimes my body will crave some authentic sea salt – my favorite origin salts are Celtic, French & Baja salts. If you stay reasonably hydrated and get enough rest, the day after hangover is minimal. For all-nighters, the hangover is not much beyond your lack of sleep. 🙂

Wild Lettuce

Wild Lettuce is an intriguing plant ally which confers a balance between calming the nervous system, reducing stress, aiding the body with its analgesic qualities, and moderate euphoria. This is a great adjunctive plant ally for mild aches in the body, and women have reported comfort and relaxation during their menstrual cycles. This is a nice add-on for extra relaxation and can be a nice “night cap” when you are ready to transition to sleep.

I’ll typically take about ½ – 2 dropperful held under the tongue for 30-60 seconds, and then swallow. Our Extra Strength 100x Wild Lettuce Resin is much more potent and will yield a significant effect – I suggest starting with about a grain of rice and may extend to about a pea-sized amount.

For those with an addictive tendency, Wild Lettuce has some opiate qualities and might not be ideal for all people. If you have issues with opiates or Kratom, Wild Lettuce is a less potent option, but perhaps consider avoiding if you have a history of abuse or misuse.

Many of the tinctures above are extracted using our novel ultrasonic extraction process. To learn more about this amazing process, click here!

Bitter Orange

Here is a unique offering which I have not been able to effectively research what causes the effective euphoria, but I have been enjoying for over a decade at parties.  Bitter Orange (Citrus aurantium) essential oil confers effects that I experience as a mild euphoric floaty feeling, with a mild heart expansion. Alike to a natural and much more gentle alternative to MDMA, yet the potency may surprise you!  

I would describe this somewhere between a 4 – 6 out of 10 on the “buzziness” scale.  When I enjoy Bitter Orange Oil, I will typically take about 10-15 drops into a capsule and swallow the capsule.  Effects take about an hour to kick in, which will last for about 1-2 hours, and is quite enjoyable.

Sometimes Bitter Orange Oil really moves my digestive system and will lead to a healthy trip to the bathroom. Definitely don’t drive or combine Bitter Orange Oil with operating heavy machinery.  I don’t remain stimulated beyond the 1-2 hour period, and the comedown is relatively gentle for most people. 

Kava Chill

Kava Chill is a great ally to help slow down the mind, wind down the energy and transition into sleep. For an over-stimulated night of partying, Kava Chill helps to turn down the lights and ease the transition into sleep. Sometimes I will combine with some drops of Moon Cycle on the bottoms of my feet, for a powerful blend of aromatic relaxation which helps relax my mind quicker and with more ummmph.

Please note, that Kava Chill and Moon Cycle both should be avoided during pregnancy! Our Ultrasonic Tulsi Tincture or Roman Chamomile would be a better option in this case.

Reflections

Just as in my exploration over the decades exploring a plethora of entheogens, plant medicines, peptides, nutrients, superfoods, supplements and tinctured plant allies, it’s your right given by the Creator to explore your mind, body and spirit connection.  I’ve pushed my edges & boundaries, made mistakes, learned and have grown over my lifetime – one thing I’ve learned: less is more. 

Sometimes to come into this level of awareness we must directly experience & make our own mistakes, while others can learn lessons from other’s mistakes and gain wisdom by listening. One must take responsibility for their actions, decisions and intentions when exploring these plant allies in a community-held or private container.

Try a smaller amount to start off with: you can always take more later, once you become more familiar with a plant potion or botanical extract. Start low and go slow, especially until you build your awareness with how a plant ally can affect your mind, body and consciousness.

If you combine more powerful substances, do so in the right set & setting, after you are more familiar with each of the materials you choose to imbibe. The amount of rest, time you sleep, any supplements or additional boosts you take throughout the experience will all yield the net result of how you feel tomorrow. Sustainable Partying is about embodying the balance between feeling great now AND later – With time, you too will become a pro!

Transitionary Tools for Partying 

Without going too deeply into details about usage, here are some of my favorite supplements to help ease the nervous system after a big experience, reduce toxicity from metabolites (ie. harsher substances) or to help balance neurochemistry after a big journey.  These might be helpful for more intense exploratory experiences, and one should consult a knowledgeable practitioner or physician to optimize their journey protocols.

• YES Lab’s Magnesium
• Activated Charcoal (my favorite is Ozonated Activated Charcoal from Global Healing)
• 5-HTP (Liposomal sublingual)
• Celtic, Purple Bamboo or Baja Salt
• C60+
• Vitamin C (I Prefer full spectrum, botanical type like from Yes Lab)