I don't have 10 years to go sit in a cave.
And regardless, I have never met anyone who meditates that has felt the intense levels of "otherness" I am looking for.
A friend used to say they didn't need drugs to experience, for instance, LSD-like effects - personally I think that's bollocks.
In a perfect world, yes, I would meditate and need nothing else, but I live in the 20th century, and I want something that can help me NOW.
I appreciate the sentiment, but people always just say "meditation" as an answer for everything. Some of us don't have the discipline or time to spend the required amount of time to make this work.
Adam, if you think meditation will take 10 years to do, you should read up on it some more. I've had lots of success with it, as have others on this board. I believe you can experience NEAR-psychadelic states without drugs, but drugs are NOT good for the sole purpose of meditation...unless you are participating in psychotherapy with Dr. Cohen and some LSD.
But if it instant "otherness" you are looking for, drugs would be your easiest path. Unless you mean "one-ness"
If you think you don't have the time or discipline for meditation, you are the person who should try it most - You will never get the same results from a cranial stimulation device that you will meditation. I know that might seem boring :(