Recognize that psychedelics carry a significantly higher potential for harm than meditation, making proper guidance and screening essential before engaging with them. Do not enter without proper guidance or screening.
A responsible guide or practitioner will screen participants for conditions like anxiety or panic disorder and choose an appropriate physical setting and medicine dosage to mitigate risks. Ensure the physical setting is safe and supportive, like a cozy living room, not an enclosed space.
Before a psychedelic experience, cultivate an open mindset rather than approaching it with fear or resistance, as your mental state significantly influences the experience. A mindset of desperation to heal can also be a powerful asset.
Cultivate a meditation or yoga practice, as the ability to let go and be with difficult experiences without freaking out is incredibly valuable during higher-dose psychedelic journeys. This practice provides essential tools for navigating intense states.
Understand that the integration period after a psychedelic experience is as crucial as the experience itself for lasting benefit. Dedicate time to process, review, and reflect on the experience, ideally with support, rather than immediately returning to daily routines.
Before considering psychedelics, clearly define your intention, whether it’s for exploration, spiritual growth, or addressing a specific mental health condition. This clarity will help guide your choices regarding medicine and approach.
Involve a trusted person, such as a psychiatrist, therapist, or another reliable individual, in your psychedelic process. Do not attempt to navigate these experiences by yourself.
Conduct extensive reading and research on psychedelics, including books and experiences, and consult mental health professionals and meditation teachers you trust for advice and potential referrals. Be discerning about who you listen to.
Select a guide or therapist whose worldview aligns with yours and whom you deeply trust, especially when in a vulnerable state. Your sense of trust in the guide is paramount, regardless of their specific beliefs.
If you have reservations or are new to psychedelics, consider starting with microdosing or low doses under therapeutic guidance to gradually build confidence and acclimate to the experience.
Before an experience, proactively discuss and establish clear boundaries with your facilitator or guide regarding physical touch, as you may not be able to consent in the moment.
During a psychedelic experience, especially a challenging one, practice non-resistance by letting go and floating downstream, as fighting the experience can contribute to a ‘bad trip’.
Pay attention to your gut feelings about different psychedelic experiences; if a description excites you, explore it, but if it evokes strong reluctance or fear, listen to that intuition and proceed with caution or reconsider.
Be aware that the psychedelic field is still in its early stages of development, akin to a ‘Wild West’ phase, meaning there’s a mix of quality and motives among practitioners, so exercise buyer beware.
If you choose to obtain substances independently, ensure you are very certain of the source and test them if possible, as current regulations make transparency difficult.
For those seeking a less intense or ‘softer’ psychedelic experience, MDMA is often described as showing ’love’ and having lower odds of a difficult experience compared to compounds like LSD or psilocybin.
While legally accessible in many places, be mindful that ketamine carries an addictive capacity and overdose risk, unlike MDMA, and can be taken daily.
Understand that you do not have to use psychedelics to be a committed, growth-oriented, or spiritual person, and you can achieve personal improvement or spiritual goals through other means.
Do not use the topic of psychedelics as another reason to engage in self-criticism, whether you choose to explore them or not.
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