the guidebook
Image courtesy of the New York Times
Deciding on a psychedelic journey is a big deal. It has massive potential and preparing properly is important for the best possible results.
6 keys to a great journey:
1- The medicine matters
There is a wide variety of different psychedelics out there and not all of it is ideal for this kind of inner work. Ideally, you have some trusted psilocybin mushrooms to journey with but if you don’t— we have partners who can provide some for you so please don’t be shy to reach out here and we can help get you some discreetly.
2- Prepare the body and mind
If you're currently doing any focused self-work, this is the perfect setting to go deeper and get more clarity and space for self healing. And also the deeper the non-ordinary state you're entering the more important it is to keep a daily practice that deepens your ability to be in grounded stillness. Meditate and/or do yoga and eat clean leading up to the journey, and as a follow up.
3- Consider it sound meditation
Using psychedelics as we’re interacting with people can be amazing but what we’ve found is that going inward with the right soundscape and truly listening to that sound can facilitate an even more transformational result.
Here’s an overview of what that means and more detail below:
Prioritizing the sound, making the it the focal point of the experience
Going inward, eye closed with an eye mask on, ideally laying down
Practicing the kind of deep listening that will lead to a deeper journey
Be committed to working with the music to move through whatever comes up.
More about the recommended posture:
We recommend laying down in savasana which is the yoga pose that opens the body to receive more. It asks us to lay down with hands to each side and palms opened up to the sky. You might intuitively move around as the journey evolves but see if you can at least start with savasana and come back to it along with a deep intentional breath if you feel restless at any point.
More about prioritizing the sound:
We also recommend using an eye mask which helps the auditory cortex take in even more of the sound which can ultimately lead to a deeper experience and more profound results. Using good headphones (not AirPods) or speakers is also recommended. And ideally you’re making the space to be in your own experience, undistracted, for at least 5 hours in a private room so it can be truly meditative.
More about facilitating deeper self healing:
Do your best to be in stillness, whether it’s in savasana or maybe sitting in the lotus position but go in knowing that you might experience some challenging feelings and there’s truth in the saying “we need to feel it to heal it”. Being fully engaged in deep listening with the music can help alchemize those feelings.
4- Create the right conditions
It is a potentially life changing experience but the key to getting that kind of result is treating it that way. How you prepare for it matters so avoiding other stimulants like social media, cigarettes, alcohol, sugar, spices, meat, coffee, and any other mind altering substances or medications for at least 48 hours leading into the experience and ideally the 48 hours afterwards as well is important.
A vegetarian diet is recommended during the two days before it. Then on the day, try to go into it with an empty stomach so fasting for a few hours before the experience is recommended to get the most out of the mushrooms. We recommend having a light meal like salad with a simple dressing or a few baked potatoes about 3 hours before the journey.
Before taking the psilocybin, give yourself a moment to settle your nervous system and clear any restless energy with breathwork, gentle yoga or tai chi. Then afterwards, we recommend not making any plans and ideally getting into nature with your journal the day after to capture any insights you want to move forward with.
5- Get a guide and these tools
If you have a good friend who is game to be a “trip sitter” that could be a good idea as long as you’ll feel free to fully process any emotions that arise with them there and they can be mindful of honoring that. Obviously, you’re welcome to apply for our next community journey or contact us about a private journey.
Here’s what we recommend for in the journey:
Deeper intentional breathing. If you get restless, the breath is helpful to come back to.
The simplicity of self massage. If tensions arise, a loving touch goes a long way.
S.A.T.A. (Surrender, Allow, Trust and Accept). Be with what is knowing it will pass.
Following the sound. Again, treating this as a sound meditation makes a difference.
Your intention. Coming back to what you are working on can be extremely helpful.
6 — The power of your intention
Please journal and take your time reflecting on the following prompts. We recommend getting clear about your intention going in and coming back to that throughout the experience can be helpful as well. Then afterward, ideally you can work with an integration coach or your therapist to make sure you “land the plane”.
Part I: Letting Go
What unhealthy patterns do you want to release? What fears or limited beliefs have been getting in the way of your progress and sharing love more fully with others? What’s in the way of more self-love? What aspects of yourself or your life do you not full accept? What prevents you from accepting them? Who would you like to forgive and why? Where in your life do these emotions and behaviors show up and why: repression, denial, shame, rejection, guilt, judgement and separation? Where in your life are you not speaking your truth and what holds you back from doing that?
Part II: The Welcoming
Where would you like to feel more love and acceptance in your life? Where could you give more devotion and commitment? What are you devoted to? What do you give your heart fully to? If fear were absent, how would you live your life differently? What would it look like? Most importantly, how would it feel? What kind of future do you envision? Be as specific as possible.
Important health and safety information
Before considering a psychedelic journey, it is important that you are in a stable place both mentally and physically. We do not recommend participating if you:
are currently pregnant or taking certain medications, including SSRIs, MAO inhibitors, benzodiazepines, or medications that may interact with psychedelic substances, such as some medications for high blood pressure. Never stop prescribed medication without consulting your doctor.
have a personal history of psychosis or schizophrenia, or have been advised by a healthcare professional that you may be at increased risk of these conditions.
have significant physical health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of stroke, severe kidney disease, epilepsy, or certain serious neurological disorders.
Some mental health experiences can be complex and difficult to distinguish without professional assessment. While intense emotional experiences or trauma responses may sometimes be mistaken for other conditions, it is not appropriate to self-diagnose. If you have a history of serious mental health concerns—including conditions such as borderline personality disorder—or are unsure whether a psychedelic journey is suitable for you, we strongly recommend consulting a qualified healthcare professional familiar with your medical history before participating. If you are working with psychedelic substances under the guidance of a licensed medical or mental health professional, they can help assess whether it is appropriate and how to reduce potential risks.
If you have any doubts about your physical or mental health, or about possible interactions with medications, please consult your doctor or pharmacist before considering a psychedelic experience.
In conclusion
Similar to how our phones can occasionally use an upgrade, we can use an upgrade too so I’m glad you’re leaning in and going deeper. We recommend approaching this as an inward journey to feel a new level of harmony within yourself. From this space, we are able to disconnect from physical, mental, emotional and habitual thought patterns to make room for new ways of being and real transformation from the inside out.
Journey well my friend!
