Psychedelic integration therapy aims to help you make sense of your psychedelic experiences. From planning and preparing for your experience to deep-diving into the nuances of your ‘trip’, psychedelic integration therapy can help you live a life richer in meaning, purpose and self-understanding.
Below is a harm-reduction and logistical guide for preparing for and undergoing a therapeutic psychedelic experience.
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 than an individual brings into a psychedelic experience. The set is the mental state a person brings to the experience, like thoughts, mood and expectations. The setting is the physical and social environment.
Please note – I do not provide psychoactive substances, nor do I recommend their use. However, if you intend to journey into altered states of consciousness, I offer psychedelic integration therapy to those seeking assistance to plan for and integrate their experiences.
“Turn off your mind, relax and float downstream
It is not dying.”
Tomorrow Never Knows – The Beatles
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 ANY 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 ANY 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 ANY 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 ANY 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 ANY TELEVISION OR USE SOCIAL MEDIA.
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