Many people enter their first psychedelic experience with some trepidation, since it is so different from their everyday experience. But with preparation, even your first psychedelic experience can be incredibly profound and change your mental and emotional state dramatically.

Preparation is also important to make sure that you have a positive experience. While there is something to be learned from any experience, even negative or challenging ones, it can be a lot to process for your first experience if you have not been prepared adequately. We recommend you work with a qualified professional through the preparation process as well as the psychedelic experience itself to ensure an optimal session [1].

Clear steps to take to prepare

Here are some quick tips you can use as a checklist before your first psychedelic experience:

1. Do your research: Learn about the substance you plan to take, its effects, and potential risks. We offer resources such as Curio AI (currently limited) and Curio Learn to learn about each substance.
2. Work with a qualified professional: This is important to make sure you pay attention to items specifically relevant to you and your circumstances. For example, you may need to change your medications, a process which can sometimes require months.
3. Take care of your physical health: Get enough sleep, eat a healthy meal beforehand, and stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or other substances that could affect your experience. A qualified professional should advise you on specifics for the substance you’re working with.
4. Take care of your mental health: Breathing exercises, meditation, and avoiding negative stimuli in the period leading up to your psychedelic session can be helpful for preparing your mindset (the “set” in “set and setting” you may have heard about for psychedelic experiences).
5. Choose a safe and comfortable setting: Find a calm and familiar environment where you feel relaxed and at ease. It's best to be with trusted friends or a guide/sitter who can help you if needed. You may choose specific details like mementos, items of emotional significance, sounds/music, scents, and lighting (or eye masks) to support your experience. It’s also recommended to wear comfortable clothing and choose a comfortable place (couch, cushion, bed) for your experience.
6. Prepare mentally and emotionally: Set intentions for your experience and consider any emotions or thoughts that may arise. Meditation, journaling, or therapy can help you prepare. You can also work with a coach, therapist, or other facilitator to do this.
7. Plan for after the session: Leave some time for rest and reflection after your experience. Consider journaling or discussing your experience with a trusted friend, coach, or therapist.

Different psychedelics need special preparation

There are also specific preparation steps for certain substances which your qualified professional should be able to advise you on. For example, with ketamine it is recommended to fast for 3-4 hours prior to the session, with only a few sips of water. This is to prevent nausea or discomfort, as well as limit the need to use the bathroom during the experience.

For certain spiritual ceremonies, you may also be instructed to go through specific preparation steps to align with specific cultural practices. It is important to make sure you get feedback from a medical professional as well about the ceremony and special diets or extreme actions to make sure they are ok given your specific medical circumstances. For example, some traditional ayahuasca ceremonies include intentional vomiting which may not be healthy for some individuals.

In conclusion

It's important to note that psychedelic experiences can be unpredictable and vary from person to person. While preparation can help mitigate risks, it's still important to approach psychedelics with caution and respect.

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References

1. Psychedelic Therapy Information - UC Berkeley BCSP. UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics. Published February 21, 2023. Accessed March 9, 2023. https://psychedelics.berkeley.edu/therapy/

Cover photo by Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash

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