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Mental Mitigation
Zolpidem & Heroin
Citation:   apoptosis. "Mental Mitigation: An Experience with Zolpidem & Heroin (exp82917)". Erowid.org. Aug 12, 2015. erowid.org/exp/82917

 
DOSE:
T+ 0:00
15 mg insufflated Heroin (powder / crystals)
  T+ 0:15 5 mg   Pharms - Zolpidem  
  T+ 0:45 5 mg   Pharms - Zolpidem  
  T+ 1:00 1 smoked Tobacco - Cigarettes  
BODY WEIGHT: 150 lb
I was traveling out to the bay area in California to visit family for the holidays. Before leaving, I had acquired some diacetylmorphine from a friend to use for the plane trip there. While waiting at the terminal for my flight, I had insufflated several rounds of the powder until my plane came. The plane ride was just over four hours, but upon arrival, I was greeted to a relatively warm California. I caught up with my parents at the airport and we returned to their house, where during dinner, my mother told me that she had been experiencing sleeping problems. She showed me her prescription for 5mg Zolpidem, and there were only two remaining. She told me that they were rather ineffective because of her increasing tolerance to them. After dinner, my parents retired to their bedrooms and I had decided to do a final bump of diacetylmorphine for the night before allowing myself to pass out. However, my mother had left her Zolpidem out, and I decided to try it, as I had not done so before. I also have issues with getting to bed at a reasonable time so I decided this may also help.

T-0:00- 15mg diacetylmorphine administered. Warmth overcoming, and soothing sensations

0:15- 5mg Zolpidem administered.

0:30- Early onset of Zolpidem evident. Slight visual distortions, aberrations, geometrical patterns become interesting to observe (however no movement). Motor skills are slightly affected, comparable to having a 'light buzz' of alcohol. Generally comfortable, in a state of low to neutral anxiety.

0:45- 5mg Zolpidem administered. Symptoms describes as above are slightly more exacerbated by the concurrent effects of the diacetylmorphine, but also by the increasing bioavailabity of my first Zolpidem administration.

1:00- I feel as what I would assume to be the peak of this experience. I am quite comfortable and in a low anxiety state. My vision is slightly distorted and lights seem to gather my attention easily. The light exudes its rays more prominently and they capture my gaze, as I try to analyze what is making them slightly more interesting. I am currently outside enjoying a cigarette, and the street lamps seem to glow in a similar fashion of what one may seen on a psychedelic trip. The rays strike strongly and the objects they light become slightly more interesting. There is an odd stillness in the night, which seemed to be manifested in the trees. The palm trees are still in the night, and the seasonal trees are still shedding the last of their foliage, but there seems to be a lack of movement in this scene. The stillness of the night seems to fit my mood perfectly, at this very moment. A gentle breeze blows through this calming atmosphere while I drag on my cigarette. I stroll around the terrace with calculated movements, as to not accidently throw off my balance, which I feel could easily be done if not careful.

1:20- I return back to my house and sit back down on my leather sofa. It is quite comfortable, and any anxiety I was feeling throughout the day because of the 9+ hours of flying and being at the airport is now gone. I turn on my iPod to a favorite CD. It carries its essence, however the rather 'Baroque'-ness of the album is a little toned down, I would assume, due to the Zolpidem. However, it is still a very relaxing state. On occasion, I glance up from my laptop briskly to see that my jacket piled up on the loveseat isn't someone sitting there. I have been having these sensations, or minor halluciations, of people being here, when I am the only one awake. It appears that the Zolpidem alters certain mental schemas or visual processing selectivity, which may differ from benzodiazepines. Whereas the benzos may lower attention to details, Zolpidem seems, to an extent, to heighten attention to certain details.

1:35- I feel as if this experience has peaked. I am slightly drowsy, however, not to an extent that would allow me to fall asleep at this moment.

The Verdict:

This being my first experience with ambien, having not read any other accounts prior, I would have to rate ambien as an 'interesting' drug. It does not relate very closely to classical benzodiazepines in terms of its effects or chemical structure, but I can see very nuanced similarities. Both compounds are sedative-like, however ambien seems to sedate, second to the visual aberrations that I actually found to be more profound and interesting. However, the most interesting thing about the ambien is that it just does not simply 'sedate'. It did produce active, coherent thoughts moreso than I would have had on, say alprazolam.
Most may find the visual distortions, hallucinations a little more interesting.

Exp Year: 2009ExpID: 82917
Gender: Male 
Age at time of experience: 22
Published: Aug 12, 2015Views: 5,126
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Pharms - Zolpidem (143), Heroin (27) : Combinations (3), Alone (16)

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Experience Reports are the writings and opinions of the authors who submit them. Some of the activities described are dangerous and/or illegal and none are recommended by Erowid Center.


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