what to know before a psychedelic trip: an informational thread

i am in no way endorsing or promoting the use of psychedelics. they are used and are going to be used— so i am simply putting this out here for educational purposes & harm reduction. psychedelics have the potential to be healing tools if used properly and with intentions.

the term “psychedelics” refers to entheogenic substances that alter your consciousness and perception by stimulating or suppressing the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. while there are many substances that fall under the category “psychedelics”,

this thread will be focused on the 2 of the 4 “classic psychedelics”, LSD and psilocybin. the other two are DMT and mescaline. each substance has their own unique effects and vary in intensity from one another and from person to person. the way you react to a substance may be

very different from how someone else reacts. contrary to popular belief, weight/BMI does not effect psychedelics the way it does other drugs— as your reaction to psychedelics largely depends on your own personal brain chemistry.

before choosing a psychedelic to take, i recommend reading trip reports on the substance as well as making sure you are not taking any medication that would interact badly with the substance.

general tips for preparation:

try to eat very light the day you choose to trip— fruit, vegetables, salads, and smoothies would be good options— though some choose to dose on a completely empty stomach.

plan your day around the trip. different psychedelics last for different durations of earth time, so make sure you are planning accordingly. make sure you trip somewhere safe. it’s probably not the best idea to be in an unfamiliar environment the first time you trip.

make sure you are planning to trip with a trusted trip sitter, preferably someone who has experience with psychedelics themselves as it may be difficult for someone who has never taken them to help you or understand what you are experiencing.

try not to have any expectations going into a psychedelic experience. expectations are harmful, as they prevent you from being fully present in each moment. enjoy the journey and do not fight it or try to make it go “your way”. one of the most important parts of a trip is

surrendering and allowing yourself to accept whatever comes your way. trust that you are safe and protected. our psychedelic experiences are often a reflection of our own mental state— meaning that if you are scared you will have a negative experience, you most likely will.

it is important to understand the power that both mindset and setting have on psychedelic trips. the majority of “bad trips” come from issues regarding one or both of these aspects— and can easily be eliminated. if you are uncomfortable & anxious about it, don’t trip!

it’s completely fine to have apprehension about taking psychedelics, and if someone doesn’t respect that you aren’t ready or choose not to do them, it’s very telling about their character.

prepare music, art supplies, or anything else you’d like to do while tripping before you take them. don’t box yourself in, see everything you’ve prepared as options. a lot of the time, especially on your first trip, you will be too mesmerized by the world around you to care about

doing any sort of activities. you may end up staring at the wall for the entirety of your trip, and that’s just as beautiful. if you do feel comfortable going outside, i recommend doing so— as it can feel like entering another realm to explore.

SET INTENTIONS!! what are you trying to get out of your psychedelic experience? setting intentions is different from setting expectations. are you tripping to have fun? to connect deeply with others? to practice divination? to confront your shadow? to dissolve your ego?

dosages:

DMT - 10-15 mg (low dose), 50-60 mg (breakthrough dose)

LSD - 100 ug (standard dose), 500+ ug (heroic dose)

Psilocybin - 3.5 g (standard dose), 5+ g (heroic dose)

the structure of a psychedelic trip:

all psychedelics follow the same general structure which is characterized by a come up, peak, and come down.

the come up:

depending on the substance you have ingested and the dose, the onset and intensity of hallucinogenic effects varies:

DMT - 45 seconds when smoked, 30-45 mins if using ayahuasca

LSD - 20-90 minutes

Psilocybin - 10-90 minutes

during the come up you may feel nauseous, disoriented, and start to experience visual, auditory, tactile, and olfactory hallucinations. these include walls and objects seeming to “breathe” or flow, color enhancement, feelings of empathy, unity, and deja vu.

music may begin to sound different and inexplicable, and you may lose start to lose touch with your physical surroundings at this point.

the peak:

the peak of a trip is usually characterized by intense hallucinatory experiences— and at a high enough dose the user may experience ego death, complete loss of touch with reality, astral projection, meeting entities, mystical experiences, and spiritual understanding.

the come down:

the come down is the time in which you can begin to integrate your experiences and the things you have learned into your life. this integration process extends after the trip, but it’s a wonderful time for reflection and to appreciate reality setting back in.