Although it seems like some of the hype around the so-called psychedelic renaissance may be dying down, psychedelic-assisted therapy certainly seems like it’s here to stay. Whether you’re seeking mental exploration as a psychonaut (someone who explores altered states of consciousness), spiritual fulfillment, or emotional/physical healing, psychedelics could be pivotal to your transformation. HOWEVER, before jumping into an experience, there are many important factors to consider. My dear friends and colleagues at Psychedelic Passage have done a great job elucidating the masses about safe psychedelic use, so I won’t reinvent the wheel (definitely go check out their site; it’s fantastic); but, I will plug another service I think is beneficial, and not currently offered by Psychedelic Passage.

Psychedelic therapy should be a bespoke service, taking time to understand a person before helping them design the best experience for them. Considerations such as:

intentions for the experience
fears
past experiences with psychedelics and other therapies
trauma history
levels of trust, and what helps them feel safe
techniques that work/don’t work for them

I’m often surprised how many guides I hear about who don’t even ask for basic medical information, which can be downright dangerous to neglect, such as:

pre-existing heart conditions
high blood pressure
psychiatric history
prevalence of psychosis/schizophrenia/bipolar/mania in themselves AND their biological family
other medications AND any vitamins, herbs, or supplements, which also can have an effect on a psychedelic
sensitivity to medications (do they often need to take more or less than the prescribed dose)

Imagine reading about psychedelics without having any prior knowledge about them. Where would you begin? How do you find the substances? How much do you take? What kind of setting would be best for what you want to get out of it? Do you even know what you want to get out of it?

This is where the Psychedelic Sommelier comes in.

Imagine a wine sommelier who tells you which wine would pair best with your meal … except for psychedelics. You tell the sommelier what results you want, eg:

a reduction in anxiety/PTSD/OCD
to be less afraid of death/dying
a way to reconnect with my romantic partner
to be kinder to myself
to find a healthy way to feel anger
to let go of the past

The Psychedelic Sommelier would spend time learning about you and your intentions, and would advise you on:

which substance to take
how much to take
in which environment
which items/activities/inquiries could be beneficial
how to integrate afterwards

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. For tips on safety, comfort, and efficacy, check out The Psychedelic Sommelier.