What should I look for when choosing a psychedelic facilitator or guide?

Although psilocybin has a relatively low-risk safety profile with minimal side effects, a low risk of addiction, and minimal risk of adverse reactivity, it is not without risks. Set and setting significantly influence the response to psychedelic drugs (“set” is an individual’s mindset and “setting” refers to their physical and social environment), and must be treated as a carefully curated and controlled component of successful psilocybin therapy. Before engaging in psychedelic therapy, ensure sufficient mechanisms have been put in place for safety practices and ethical standards to protect individuals from harm and provide optimal support should an experience be negative. Psychedelic facilitators should be held to the same high standards as traditional therapists, and it’s just as critical to finding a facilitator whom you feel comfortable and secure with.

 

If you choose to seek out a local facilitator, take the time to familiarize yourself with your facilitator, including the discussion of treatment approaches and setting boundaries, and to look for any red flags that could compromise the integrity of a psychedelic facilitator or guide, including lack of experience, inflated ego, violations of confidentiality, ineffective communication, defensiveness when given feedback, and lack of boundaries. Finally, since integration (the process of integrating the insights of a psychedelic experience into daily life) is a critical component of successful psychedelic therapy and harm reduction, discuss integration practices and approaches with your facilitator, including support should your experience lead to negative or difficult emotions.

 

Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider before undertaking a new health care regime. Unlimited Sciences does not give or substitute for medical advice. The products and services discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Please click here to read our full disclaimer.