I want to write specifically about anxiety management during a difficult 3rd plateau experience because I’ve seen very few reports that address this practically.
I had a sitter (essential — without her I don’t know how this would have gone). Dose: 520mg at 65kg ≈ 8mg/kg.
The Problem
About T+2:00 I entered a very dark headspace. The dissociation had become total enough that I couldn’t find my sense of self, and rather than accepting this I fought it. Fighting a 3rd plateau dissociation is like fighting a riptide — you exhaust yourself and it wins anyway.
I became convinced something was physically wrong with me. Heart pounding, shallow breathing, unable to organize a sentence.
What My Sitter Did (That Helped)
She didn’t panic. She spoke slowly and simply: “You took DXM about two hours ago. Your body is fine. I’m here. You’re safe.” She repeated variations of this. She didn’t try to engage me in conversation or distract me with anything complex.
She put on very low-volume ambient music — no lyrics, no strong rhythm. Turned lights down to almost nothing.
What I Did (That Helped)
Stopped trying to think. Let the experience happen. Breathed deliberately and slowly. Reminded myself that I had a sitter who would call 911 if something was actually wrong.
What Helped the Anxiety Pass
Around T+3:30 the anxiety broke and there was a profound shift to complete peace. The last two hours of the peak were genuinely beautiful. I wouldn’t have gotten there without the sitter and without surrendering rather than fighting.
The lesson isn’t “3rd plateau is dangerous.” The lesson is: don’t fight it. You can’t win and fighting makes it much worse. Let go.