Preparing for Psychedelic Journeys: Tips for a Fulfilling Experience
Psychedelic experiences can be fun and enlightening, but there are a few foundational things you should know before you begin experimenting. There are several steps you can take in advance to optimize your experience, to increase the likelihood that it will be pleasant and beneficial to you. Psychedelics are powerful substances, and with any such tool, it's not wrong to exercise some degree of caution and care to use them properly. I'd like to present you with some suggestions, tips and best practices to ensure your safety and well-being.
If you are planning to have a psychedelic experience, any responsible approach to psychedelics begins with examining and shaping your set and setting.
Before you begin a psychedelic experience, do a thorough examination of your "set" by asking yourself whether you are experiencing any sort of stress or anxiety, if you have any sort of bodily discomfort, or perhaps some form of emotional or psychological irritation. Take whatever steps are necessary to resolve and eliminate any issues that might contribute to any sense of unease. Under normal conditions, these factors can be a source of negativity, but under the influence of psychedelics, that negative mindset can be greatly amplified. You might consider beginning with some reflection, meditation, or simply doing what you can to cultivate a positive outlook and mindset.
Then take a look around at your physical environment. Do you see any potential safety hazards such as open flames, sharp corners or edges, hard surfaces, anything that might cause injury in case someone loses their balance. Is the space going to be frequently interrupted by people passing through? Is there harsh colors or lighting, potential for loud and disturbing sounds, foul odors, unpleasant air temperatures or quality? Do as much as you can to make the space as comfortable and inviting as you can, then consider the social landscape. Do you trust the people around you? Are they likely to create stress for themselves or others? Do you have an experienced guide you trust to look after you throughout the experience?
Do what you can to prepare a space as optimally as you would like it to be. Make a nest for yourself in every way imaginable. Provide yourself with a mattress or some soft cushions, make sure you are comfortably dressed and have not eaten heavy foods that would cause any digestive issues or irritability, and so on. Create a cozy atmosphere for each of your senses, including what sort of objects or images you would like to look at and what sort of lighting you would like to have when viewing them, you might enjoy having a scented candle or incense burning, or potpourri or your favourite essential oils nearby, think about what sort of sounds you wish to hear, perhaps you might like to prepare a playlist of your favourite songs or ambient music or a guided meditation or the sounds of nature, whether prerecorded or in the wild. You might wish to have a tasty tea prepared, or a light snack. And you might also enjoy having something interesting to touch, maybe something like polished stones, smooth wooden surfaces, soft textiles like your own bedding or clothing, even your own skin (or the skin of a willing friend or partner). After considering what you want to bring into a space, consider also what you may want to remove from it as well, including any potential safety hazards or distractions. You might even prefer to lay through the whole experience in silence, in darkness (or wearing a sleep mask) with no external stimuli, and just let the psychedelics direct the experience inside your own mind and consciousness. Or you may want to have some materials nearby for self-expression, such as some basic writing or art supplies, maybe a musical instrument or space to move and dance. Just make sure that whatever sensory input you include is not too intense or overwhelming.
After you have ensured that your set and setting are suitable, take some time and consider your intentions. It may be that you are simply looking to have a fun time, but one of the superpowers of psychedelics is their ability to create new parameters inside your brain for what is possible. Psychedelics are known to be quite effective at breaking addictions, including substances like alcohol, cigarettes, and even heroin. They can ease anxiety and apprehension for the terminally-ill or others approaching the end of their lives. They are effective at helping find creative solutions to complex problems. In other words, to maximise their potential, it is worthwhile to put intention into setting your intentions for the experience. Perhaps it's best to bring a question you wish to have answered, determine what you wish to focus on, or consider what you wish to bring back with you when you return to your baseline state.
Next, think about what amount of the substance you wish to ingest. If it is your first experience, it may be advisable to start with a threshold dose. Once you begin, it is possible to take more, but not possible to take less than you've already taken. Consider what sort of experience you would like to have, and go into the experience well-informed, having done adequate research on how much to consume in order to produce the desired results. Make sure you are aware of what sort of experiences, good or bad, you are likely to have at each dosage level. Understanding the risks and side effects can be extremely helpful.
As you increase the dosage, you increase the potential for a more intense or profound experience. It may also last for a longer time, or induce more pronounced changes in your perception and awareness of reality, or more dramatically shift your mood and the emotional impact of the experience. It could cause you to have a new understanding of yourself, of nature and the world around you, or it may even cause you to lose any sense of yourself or your world and your reality altogether. But it could also lead to increased anxiety, fear, paranoia and other such negative mental states or processes.
One consideration that cannot be understated is the importance of having the right support you need. Whether you have a solo or group psychedelic experience, it's a good idea to have someone you trust fill a role as a tripsitter, to keep you in some way tethered to reality, who can talk you through any sort of difficulties which may arise, who has an eye on the overall situation to care for your safety and well-being, and to otherwise be available to care for you and enable you to let go of the need to care for yourself, so that you may more fully embrace the experience.
A tripsitter is not only looking after you but also looking after your environment, minimizing external risks or hazards. In this way, they are taking care that what you have chosen as your preferred set and setting remains as you wish it to be, both your internal constitution and your external environment being stewarded and curated to help you have the experience you desire.
Beyond looking after your safety, they also provide you with whatever emotional support you need. Psychedelic experiences can be thrilling, challenging, exhilarating, exhausting, hilarious and intense. At higher doses, you may question reality or dig deeper into your soul than you may have been ready for. Sometimes something unexpected surfaces and needs to be dealt with. A tripsitter is there to help you through whatever comes, to remind you that whatever you're experiencing is temporary, to offer you comforting reassurance that it will all work out for the best. They can remind you of the intentions you set, helping you to stay focused and keep you tethered to reality. They can keep you from making poor decisions that may end up in harm or discomfort. And on a strictly practical level, they can be a physical support, helping you move around safely and escorting you to the bathroom, should you have the need. Furthermore, after the experience is over, they can help you with the critically important Integration Phase, helping you make sense of the experience and guiding you towards the practical application of lessons learned. It is therefore important that you choose a tripsitter who you trust, who can be responsible for you, body and soul, who has the wisdom, patience and experience to support you before, during, and after the experience.
After your experience, it is important to give yourself adequate time and space for rest and reflection. Whether through quiet contemplation, journalling, spending time in nature, talking with your tripsitter (or a friend or a therapist) or whatever it may be, find whatever works for you and make sure you get what you need. Avoid jumping back into your regular routine right away, but let the full experience run its course. It's not over simply because the immediate and noticeable effects of the psychedelic substance has faded away.