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Writer's pictureShelley DeMarco

10 Ways To Prepare For A Psychedelic Journey

Updated: Oct 10, 2023


Most of my clients initially have never experienced psychedelics before. I always want to make sure that people are optimally prepared for any work they do with these powerful compounds. Education is very important.


Why is it important to prepare for a psychedelic journey?

Psychedelic drugs are a powerful class of substances that can have profound effects on the mind, body, and spirit. While psychedelic experiences can be incredibly rewarding, they can also be challenging and overwhelming. That's why it's important to prepare for a psychedelic journey before you embark on one.

Here are some of the reasons why psychedelic preparation is so important:

  • To set intentions. What do you hope to gain from your psychedelic experience? Do you want to explore your creativity, heal from trauma, or gain deeper insights into yourself and the world around you? Having clear intentions can help you to navigate your trip and get the most out of it.

  • To learn about the risks and benefits. Psychedelics are generally safe, but they can cause side effects such as anxiety, nausea, and paranoia. It's important to be aware of the potential risks and benefits before you take psychedelics. Additionally, realizing this can be part of the journey but can usually pass will be helpful.

  • To create a safe and supportive environment. Psychedelic experiences can be intense and unpredictable. It's important to trip in a safe and supportive environment where you feel comfortable and relaxed. This may mean tripping with a trusted friend or family member, or in a supervised setting such as a psychedelic retreat.

  • To integrate your experience. After your psychedelic journey, it's important to take some time to process and integrate your experience into your daily life. This may involve journaling, talking to a psychedelic integration specialist or coach, therapist, or participating in a support group. Typically with our micro retreats, we have sessions wkth our participants before, after and individually.

Here are 10 ways to prepare for a psychedelic journey:


  1. Watch How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan - I think if there is nothing else you watch, this is the best introduction to psychedelics and how they can help people heal, optimize and grow.

  2. Watch the Dosed Movies - These movies are focused on individual stories of people who found immense change and healing through their use of psychedelics. I particularly loved Dosed 2.

  3. Do your research. Learn as much as you can about the psychedelic compound you plan to take, its effects, and the potential risks and benefits.

  4. Set intentions. What do you hope to gain from your psychedelic experience?

  5. Create a safe and supportive environment. Choose a place where you feel comfortable and relaxed. Find a micro retreat or custom individual experience with a heart centered practitioner. Ideally you should work with that person for a while before the experience so you feel comfortable, develop trust and your guide knows what you need and are looking for in your journey.

  6. Prepare your body and mind. Avoid cannabis, caffeine and alcohol for a few days or more leading up to your trip. Eat a healthy diet and get enough sleep. Additionally, know that if you are medication such as SSRIs you will want to speak to your healthcare practitioner about titrating off those medications.

  7. Know what the flow of the experience will be. Understanding how the day will go will help you feel more at ease.

  8. Have a plan for integration. Think about how you will process and integrate your experience into your daily life. Work with your guide if they do integration or find a psychedelic integration specialist who can help you with specific activities that will help you incorporate the experience into your life.

  9. Read articles, listen to podcasts and watch some youtube videos on psychedelics. Some of my personal favorites are below.

  10. Keep an open mind. Every experience is different and each person’s experience can vary. Even what can be perceived as a challenging journey has extraordinary value and regardless of the actual journey, the neurogenesis that occurs after is incredible in instilling new habits as you change and grow.

By preparing for your psychedelic journey, you can increase your chances of having a positive and rewarding experience.

Here are some additional tips on preparing for a psychedelic journey that may be helpful:

  • Talk to someone who has experience with psychedelics. This could be a friend, family member, coach, therapist, or guide. They can share their insights and experiences with you, and help you to prepare for your own journey.

  • Meditate or practice other mindfulness exercises. This can help you to train your mind to be more present and aware. This can be especially helpful during a psychedelic journey, when your thoughts and emotions may be amplified.

  • Create a sacred space for your journey. This could be a physical space, such as a meditation room or altar, or a metaphorical space, such as a playlist of music or a collection of quotes and affirmations. Creating a sacred space can help you to prepare for and set the tone for your journey. I very much recommend a micro retreat or personalized experience for your first journey. This will help you feel safe, curate a the likelihood of a positive experience and provide support during the process.

Remember, psychedelic preparation is an important part of the journey. By taking the time to prepare, you can increase your chances of having a positive and rewarding experience.


Additional resources on Psychedelics and their use:


Articles:

The Trip Treatment by Michael Pollan


Podcasts:

I greatly appreciate the work Andrew Huberman has put into explaining how psychedelics work and their benefits - here are some of his podcasts on psychedelics that I recommend:


Tim Ferriss was instrumental in helping get the positive effects of psychedelics known and helping to create a resurgence of interest in psychedelics.

Here are some of my favorites of his podcasts:


Miscellaneous Videos:


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