Sublingual Absorption - does it work?
Anjatalker: In my experience, using the buccal/sublingual technique properly does not require much higher doses than when eating the seeds. However, as there are many factors to consider, and given the fact that you do not describe your case in closer detail it is impossible for me (or anyone else for that matter) to say exactly what contributed to the apparent lack of success. I reckon, as you apparently took a fairly strong dose of potent seeds (I assume you have previously had good effects with seeds from the same batch), that the problem originates in your technique of administration.
Firstly, it is essential that the seeds are pulverised completely, the finer the better. If you have the means to turn the seeds into fine dust - then do it!
Secondly, - and this may sound strange - but the buccal/sublingual administration is most effective on an empty stomach. The cleaner your body is at the time of administration, the faster it seems it can absorb the alkaloids! If you are hungry, eating will not detract from the trip once you have begun the journey. Actually, in some cases I have found eating at about 2-3 hours into the trip to contribute positively to the effects!
Thirdly, it is equally important to prepare the oral cavity before a buccal/sublingual administration. I do not know what procedure you use, but I do this by:
1) Cleansing the mouth and increasing the blood circulation locally:
Brush your teeth, tongue and gums and the inside of your cheeks hard and thoroughly with a toothbrush and toothpaste to increase blood circulation and to remove dead cells and mucous layers.
2) Damaging gums to facilitate uptake:
Rinse mouth with a mouthwash tonic consisting for example of 6 centilitres of chemically pure 96% ethanol alcohol and 2 centilitres of undiluted mouthwash containing menthol. The mouthwash should be swirled around all areas of your mouth for approximately one minute or more. Note that this procedure is excruciatingly painful and a somewhat milder alcohol, eg. 40% vodka can also be used. Another mild but equally effective method of damaging the superficial layers of the gums and mouth is to chew into a big piece of fresh pineapple and then let it sit, wedged between the gums and cheeks for approximately 10 minutes or so. An enzyme in the pineapple will break down the superficial cellular layers inside the mouth. When a painful throbbing heat can be felt it is time to spit the pineapple out and thoroughly rinse the mouth. I have heard of people using diluted lye for this purpose. It works, but I would strongly recommend against it!
A short comment on orange juice and acidifying: Over the years I have come across all kinds of ideas of “drawing out” LSA and the other ergot alkaloids with orange juice and the like. Personally I have never used acidifying liquids (eg. orange juice, citric acid or ascorbic acid solutions) to lower pH values, nor have I soaked the HBWR seed dust. Frankly, I have never understood what that talk is all about! I just dampen the dust with a drop or two of regular warm water and then take it, and it works for me.
Spread little more than half of the moistened seed dust evenly across the gums of both upper and lower jaws, and place the remains under the tongue. Keep your tongue slightly pulled back to decrease salivation as excess salivation will only dilute the alkaloids and detract from the uptake. Keep it in for 20 minutes or so. Spit out. Within an hour you should be able to detect mydriasis developing.
If you use good A. nervosa seeds, have taken a large enough dose, and have followed the above instructions but still do not experience any effects, then something is very wrong as the above method works well for me and my mates.
If you decide to give my method a try, do write back and let me know how it worked out. Some people seem to require larger doses when taking A. nervosa seeds sublingually. Given that this has never been the case for me I have always written such problems off as either bad seeds or bad technique, however, I am curious, could this case prove otherwise?
Pleasant journey,
//pete_johns