1. Set and setting are key.
Ensure you are in a comfortable, familiar environment with trustworthy people. Being in the right mindset and surroundings can significantly impact your experience.
Psychedelics amplify whatever is already going on inside you and around you. A calm, safe set and setting allows you to open up to the experience fully. An uncomfortable or chaotic environment can lead to a “bad trip.”
2. Start with a low dose.
Take a smaller amount of the psychedelic, especially for your first few times, than a full dose. You can always take more next time.
Taking too much when you’re inexperienced can be overwhelming. Start small to get used to the effects and work your way up.
3. Have an experienced guide or tripsitter.
Have at least one sober, trusted person to watch over you and provide reassurance.
A guide can help minimize risk, handle emergencies, and remind you that you’re just on a drug and will return to normal. Their calm energy is invaluable.
4. Surrender to the experience.
Don’t try to control the trip or resist unpleasant feelings. Let go and allow the psychedelic to take you on its journey.
Fighting the psychedelic can lead to a bad time. By accepting whatever comes up, you can flow with the experience more positively. Surrendering takes practice but allows profound insights.
5. Connect with nature.
Being outdoors in a natural setting like a backyard, park, or beach can be glorious. Nature can induce a sense of awe.
Nature has a calming effect and can stimulate the senses and imagination. Fresh air and the beauty of the natural world often enhance the psychedelic journey.
6. Make a playlist.
Curate your favourite tunes ahead of time for listening during the trip. Music can profoundly shape your experience.
The right playlist can provide comfort, spark creativity, and give your trip a memorable soundtrack. Avoid jarring noises and pick music that evokes joy.
7. Express yourself creatively.
Have art supplies on hand for drawing, painting, or journaling. Create and let your imagination flow.
Psychedelics can enhance creativity and open you to new ideas. Embrace the urge to be creative and channel the experience into art, writing, or other projects.
8. Remain hydrated and avoid heavy foods.
Drink plenty of water and avoid eating a large meal before or during the trip. Stay light.
Some psychedelics can dull appetite and cause nausea on an overly full stomach. Hydration relieves headaches and grogginess. Hunger and thirst can also amplify anxiety.
9. Consider an eye mask and headphones.
Using these can help turn attention inward for a more immersive experience.
By blocking external stimuli, eye masks and headphones allow you to better focus on your inner landscape. The trip may feel more profound and visual.
10. Stay relaxed and go with the flow.
When challenging moments arise, focus on breathing, let go of fear, and remember this, too, shall pass.
With the right mindset, you can turn difficult emotions into opportunities for insight and growth. Challenging journeys often give the most significant rewards.
While psychedelics offer transformative potential, they also require caution and care.
An experienced guide can provide essential support. FLO coaching offers specialized psychedelic trip guidance, integration, and self-discovery sessions before, during, and after your journeys.
With proper set, setting, intention, and integration, psychedelics can catalyze healing, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for life. Approach these powerful substances respectfully, and let them open you to wonder.
