BEFORE & AFTER

 Understand the medicine you are taking. Know its source, the dosage, and educate yourself about how it may affect your mind and body. 

This is about more than safety—it’s about building a respectful relationship with the medicine itself. 

The more you know, the more intentional your journey can be. 

 Take some time to reflect on what’s calling you to this experience right now. 

Are you ready to explore deep healing, growth, or transformation? 

Do you feel resourced and ready for a potentially challenging experience? Do you have support set up afterwards?

Preparation shapes the path—before, during, and after. 

Set (Mindset):  Preparing emotionally and mentally is essential for a meaningful and supportive journey. Reflect on what you’re seeking (ie. healing, insight, release, or connection) and set a clear intention to guide the experience. Ground yourself with supportive tools like calming music, cozy blankets, or breathwork practices to help regulate your nervous system. Working with a therapist or experienced guide in advance can also help you cultivate the most aligned mindset for your journey.

Setting: Choose a calm, clean, distraction-free space where you feel completely safe and supported—ideally your home or another familiar environment.

 Have an assortment of fresh, vibrant foods on hand—think juicy fruits, grounding veggies, and other light, healthy snacks.

During and after your journey, nourishing your body with whole, colorful foods can help regulate your system, replenish vitamins, and enhance your sensory experience.

 Create a playlist of instrumental music that flows gently and supports your inner journey. Consider classical, ambient, nature sounds, or binaural beats. Electronic music without lyrics can also be a great choice. There are curated playlists made specifically for these types of experiences, such as Jon Hopkins’ Music for Psychedelic Therapy or MAPS’ Music for MDMA Therapy.

You can also play your own music—have your instruments tuned, set up, and ready for your experience. For a deeper inward journey, listen with noise-cancelling headphones and wear an eye mask to limit external distractions.

 These medicines often awaken a deep sense of connection to the Earth and the Universe. 

Prepare your space with a view of nature, access to fresh air, or even just a glimpse of the night sky. Let the natural world hold you—whether you're in a forest, on a porch, or by a window in your home. 

 Do your best to limit external inputs that could distract or negatively influence your experience. Avoid TV, internet, and cell phones, especially anything with commercials, ads, or fast-paced content. These can be jarring or emotionally disruptive, especially in a heightened state.

It’s also best to avoid media with storylines or plots, which can pull your mind into confusing or unhelpful narratives. Instead, choose non-linear visuals or art that support an inward focus.

 The way you consume mushrooms will influence the onset, duration, and overall feel of the experience. When eating them raw, psilocybin is converted into psilocin in your stomach, which can sometimes cause nausea and create a longer, more “wavy” psychoactive effect.

An alternative is the lemon tek method. To do this, finely grind the mushrooms and soak them in freshly squeezed lemon juice, stirring occasionally to keep them fully covered. After about 20 minutes, strain out the mushroom material. Drink the lemon juice on its own, or mix it into tea. The acidity of the lemon helps break down psilocybin into psilocin before digestion, which often leads to a quicker onset (about 15–30 minutes) and a shorter overall duration. Many people describe the experience as clearer and less wavy compared to eating raw mushrooms.