Below is a harm-reduction guide for preparing for and undergoing therapeutic psychedelic experiences with psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD, ayahuasca, and MDMA.
One of the most determinant factors in having a ‘good trip’ is ‘set and setting.’ Set and setting describe the physical, mental, social, and environmental context an individual brings into a psychedelic experience. The set is a person’s mental state related to the experience, like thoughts, mood, and expectations. The setting being the physical and social environment.
“Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream
It is not dying.”
Tomorrow Never Knows – The Beatles
Information and Harm-Reduction Sessions
I offer online information and harm-reduction sessions where we will discuss:
- Intention setting and your ‘set’
- Preparing your space – your ‘setting’
- Harm reduction strategies
- What to eat before, during and after
- Music selection
- What to wear
- How to navigate challenging experiences – ‘bad trips’
- Aftercare and integration
- As well as any questions you may have.
Book an Information Session or Schedule a Free 10-minute Phone Consultation
The Days Before
- Start thinking about and setting your intentions for your experience.
- Create a mind-map of ideas/concepts to explore.
- Meditate.
- Light exercise.
- Sleep.
- Ensure that you’re well hydrated. Water, coconut water, non-caffeinated teas.
- Ensure that you have a few snacks for your journey — fruit, nuts, (good) chocolate.
- Prepare a music playlist. Classical, ‘world music,’ music without lyrics is best.
The Night Before
- Tidy the room you will be in for your experience. Get your mind-map, journal, pillow, blanket, eye-mask, music and headphones ready.
- Prepare the bathroom. Ensure you have enough toilet paper, a face cloth, a towel for a shower.
- Prepare snacks for during your journey and a light dinner for afterwards.
- Prepare cups/mugs/bottles for drinks you may want during your experience.
- Lay a yoga mat down for during your experience. You may feel like stretching your body.
- Try to get a good night’s sleep.
- DO NOT WATCH TELEVISION OR USE SOCIAL MEDIA.
The Day of – Before
- Meditate.
- Eat a light breakfast at least 3 hours before beginning your journey.
- Ensure that you’re hydrated.
- Wear comfortable, layer-able clothing.
- Go over your intentions.
- DO NOT WATCH TELEVISION OR USE SOCIAL MEDIA. Try to limit external stimuli. The idea is that you turn inward.
The Day of – During
- Don’t push/pull yourself in any direction. Should you feel like you want to go over the mind-map, do it. If you wish to put your eye-mask and headphones on, do it.
- If you feel like it, talk to your sitter.
- If you’re able, try meditation. Sit with ANY feelings that may come up. As best you can, try not to get in your own way. Let the experience flow.
- If you feel like it, journal.
- Stay hydrated.
- DO NOT WATCH TELEVISION OR USE SOCIAL MEDIA.
The Day of – After
- Eat something. You may not feel like it, but it will be a good idea to get nutrients into you. Soup, toast, fruit, nothing too heavy. No caffeine.
- If you’re up for it, go for a walk outside.
- DO NOT WATCH TELEVISION OR USE SOCIAL MEDIA.
The Day After
- Meditate.
- Journal.
- Go outside, walk.
- Let the experience sink in. Try not to force anything.
- DO NOT WATCH TELEVISION OR USE SOCIAL MEDIA.
Book an Information Session or Schedule a Free 10-minute Phone Consultation
