"Method" was not-illegal in PL psychedelic drug (2CP). It was used at two connected larps, "Kto Ty?" and "Geas: The Pilgrimage", with different effect.
At "Kto Ty", tribal larp, it was used during the night fire among players forming an in-game tribe. Larp's design was aimed to create bonds between participants and induce an empowering feeling of belonging to some community. It was more or less achieved - which is important for result of psychodelic. Result was not very intense, varying from modified mood, to visual hallucinations, which were perceived as funny / amusing. Generally, it resonated with positive group atmosphere and enhanced the mood and (probably) bonds.After-game feedback from players was very positive, tough not focused on drugs. Generally - it was perceived as nice add-on, transgressive element, but not very big deal.
At "Pilgrimage" results were much more intense. Maybe players had different tollerance, or it was result of somehow different mindset, but couple of them experienced trips, other had more complex hallucinations. Drug was taken after rather long period of play (28 hours for one group of players, 14 for second). Whats remarkable, hallucinations were mostly diegetical. They were including:
- hearing the ghost of character's ancestor
- seeing fictional, diegetical god
- beeing possesed by in-game spirits
- seeing fictional persons from character's past
- seeing character from "Kto Ty?", played by player which were not present at "Pilgrimage".
However, bad trips occurred, also in-game based. Mindset of Pilgrimage players were less "positive", especially for the tribe part. From this group of players we received worse feedback for whole larp, mostly because our design mistakes. After taking psd they experience intense, in-game, but partially scary visions. Trips of players from pilgrims group were less intense, also diegetic, and perceived as empowering.
Conclusion was that psds have potential of giving larp experience whole new level, and are heavily relying on mindset induced by larp. Mindset needs to be intense and convicing to generate diegetical content of trips, and positive and empowering to avoid bad trips.
Empowering elements of larp design which we used were:
- feeling of community, touching spiritual level ("Kto Ty" tribe)
- focus on individual spirituality, morality and faith ("Pilgrimage" pilgrims)
We failed at replicating communal aspect of tribe at Pilgrimage, which resulted in bad trips.
At our website you will find in English:
- feedback of two Pilgrimage players from Tribe
- feedback of one pilgrim
- relation from "Kto Ty?", based on, and consisting, feedback of 9 players.