The devastating risk of irresponsible psychedelic use in an overstimulated world

Not so long ago from an evolutionary perspective, we were spending most of our days roaming around in nature, interacting with our communities on a face-to-face basis, coming together regularly to share and be in connection. Things were relatively simple in terms of the amount of information and sensory input we had to digest.

We did not feel responsible for the whole world’s problems, because we were blissfully unaware of them.

Circumstances change, and the world is changing at an extremely fast pace. The human genome however, takes thousands of years to adapt to changes in the external environment. Our genetics are not able to keep up with this pace of evolution. We are evolving faster than our genes can cope with, much faster.

So, how does this relate to psychedelics?

The psychedelic experience often fosters a deep resonance with nature, and to a person’s core emotional self. When engaged with in the middle of a modern, hectic and digitalised lifestyle, the risk of adverse reactions increases significantly, and has the potential be devastating. Devastating for the individual, and devastating for the world of psychedelic healing at large.

Society and the media tend to attribute blame onto the psychedelic substance for any adverse events, without taking a glimpse at the lifestyle of the person involved.

Whatever is going on for a person in the time before a psychedelic journey, will likely manifest in the experience. So, watch a horror film the night before, the likelihood is you will have a horrifying experience. Completely stressed out with work or toxic relationship dynamics…… you will likely have a stressed out and toxic psychedelic experience.

These experiences can factor as huge, transformative events in a person’s lifespan. Akin to getting married, having a baby or losing a loved one; they can hold a similar level of significance. When prepared for and integrated appropriately, they can offer profound opportunities for change and healing. When engaged with in a frivolous fashion, they can have dire consequences to an individual, and to the psychedelic culture at large.

Psychedelics when used responsibly are very low risk. It is irresponsible use that is almost always the cause of problems.

How should you prepare?

My advice would be to take some holiday time before your journey, switch off from the modern world and go nomadic for a while. Stop inputting, or at the very least take control over the stimulus you are allowing in. In an ideal world, I would encourage you to avoid television, social media and hyper-communication.

I would advise this for a minimum of five days before your experience, and to start winding down two weeks before. If you can’t do this, just do your best. Instead, start outputting…… your own ideas, creativity, journalling, art, music. Get out in nature. See what arises from within you, and who you really are when you are not engaging with other people’s ideas.

To a certain extent the process of the journey begins when you commit to undertaking it, as your unconscious mind begins to make plans. This accelerates when you enter the preparation period. During this time you can begin to metaphorically journey within yourself, connect with the medicine on a spiritual level, and hopefully you will start to feel. You can really solidify and honour your intentions during this time.

When engaging in this work in a considered manner, it may not be necessary to undertake lots of psychedelic journeys, you may feel enough benefit from just one experience: done well. This, I believe, may be the most conscientious way to work with psychedelics.

There may be a time that you wish to come back and have another experience. I would advise you to be mindful of the excessive, dopamine-fuelled and fast-paced treadmill of the Western and modern world when making your decision. Instead, do it when it feels right, when you have done everything you can to integrate your last experience, and you are truly ready.

How should you integrate your experience?

Post-psychedelic journey, try to preserve a nomadic and conscientious way of living for as long as possible. The human brain remains incredibly malleable and adaptable to change post-psychedelic, so it is a fantastic time to lay down the foundations of new healthy habits. This period of neuroplasticity can be extended if you develop a regular breathwork or meditation practice.

Oftentimes, life changes that are made during the integration process will bear much more significance in a person’s life than the experience of the psychedelic journey itself.

Relationships will have an impact on you during this pivotal time. You are likely to feel vulnerable and have heightened sensitivity, so nurture is key. Try to find compassionate, non-judgemental people to talk to who are interested in, and open-minded about the psychedelic experience. Attending therapy can transform the integration process, if you work with a therapist who understands spiritual emergence, and the psychedelic process.

Embodied and somatic practices can prove hugely beneficial, in helping you to remain grounded and anchored. Physical or somatic therapies, dance, yoga, exercise, saunas, swimming and massage, for example. Any experience in which you are focused intently inwards on your bodily sensations, and out of the thinking mind can help.

The integration process when done well, never really ends. It is a continuous unfolding of the new you, and it can be a joy to engage in. You may feel overwhelmed at times, as you adjust to the person you are becoming and grieve for what you have lost. This is normal and to be expected. Try to stay grounded, whilst continuing to engage with the everyday tasks of being an ordinary human being. It can be counterproductive to become too consumed with the mystical and the transcendent.

And, finally…..

Maybe, after working with psychedelics you might decide to live your life in a simpler fashion. Maybe, you will choose to disconnect from the overstimulated world in which we inhabit. To look after your mind, body and spirit instead. To treat yourself in the same way a good parent would treat an overstimulated infant.

This is the journey of self-care, growth and evolution…. or perhaps devolution.

I believe that this life is a spiritual journey, and you are the only guide who can truly give yourself the medicine that you need.