Psychedelic Journey preparation
This safe journey guide is for all seekers and is highly recommended for those who are interested in a DIY journey with a friend or a significant other as a guide.
RESEARCH
Read up on the psychedelic options out there: nature made, man made. Some are more suited to beginners than others. Mushrooms are often referred to as generally, the safest, LSD is for seasoned psychonauts - LSD trip takes a loong time, exhausting you and your guide.
Most psychedelics are schedule 1 drugs, meaning they are illegal. Ketamine is a schedule 3, meaning it is legal and doctors can prescribe it. Field Trip and Mind Bloom offer in-person and online ketamine-assisted psychotherapy that can be covered by insurance.
Click link to THIRD WAVE to read their Ultimate Guide for all major psychedelics. Field Trip offers easy-to-digest research and articles.
Here are some great guides to safe tripping. Read them all!
Zamnesia
EntheoNation
TripSafe.org
Dr Andrew Huberman, a neurobiology professor at Stanford School of Medicine, hosts a podcast where he discusses brain development, function and the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills and cognitive functioning. He has two has long (2hrs+) episodes that dive into psychedelics. All are time-stamped so you can just listen to the parts that interest. Links to the two episodes are below:
The Science of Psychedelics for Mental Health
How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Benefits & Its Risks
Last but not least research step - If you are DIY tripping on man-made stuff: ketamine, LSD, or MDMA please - buy a drug test kit.
2. FIND A journey GUIDE OR A trip SITTER
Taking on a psychedelic journey alone is not a good idea. Either find a coach, therapist or do your research and prep with a friend. Third Wave has a directory to help you find a guide, clinic, or retreat for any psychedelic.
This is a good roundup of How to Be a Good Trip Sitter
Pick your music for the trip, have two or three options ready, and show your sitter how to change it for you. East Forrest album In: Soundtrack for the Psychedelic Practitioner Vol II is a great start.
3. Train your Brain
Taking up a body or breath-based mediation practice in the weeks prior to your trip can be immensely beneficial.
Yoga Nidra techniques are particularly helpful to teach your brain to go with the flow - “flow downstream” as they say. Learning this relaxation technique can help your brain develop and train your "dropping in" circuit, so when the psychotropic effects of the medicines are coming on, your brain is more able to “go with the flow” instead fighting it or sense-making.
Start with this one: Body of Stars Yoga Nidra
Body-based mediations like a body scan are regulating to the nervous system and are a great tool to turn to during your trip if things feel chaotic. Practicing this prior ensures that your mind has “muscle memory” of this practice and can recall it if needed.
Breath-based exploratory meditation is another great tool to turn to during your trip.
Field trip has an app with guided meditations for prep & integration as well as playlists.
4. JOURNAL
Journaling during and after the trip:
Putting pen to paper stimulates the brain and will help you integrate your experience and retain revelations in your memory.
Journaling prior to and after are a must.
First you wanna know where you are aiming to get to - set intentions and deeply explore your motivation behind the changes you are wanting to make / hoping to achieve.
Here are some Journal Prompts for intention setting and exploration prior.
Both Field Trip and Psychedelics Today offer a good pre-printed journal with prompts for pre-, during and post- trip journaling.
Wakeful Travel journal is made particularly for retreat journaling.
