5 Tips for First-Timer Psychonauts
By Lorena Nascimento
Welcome aboard, psychonaut! Come with intention, work on your set, settings, and take your pick. Let’s talk about harm reduction for first-timers in five steps.
First, what is harm reduction? It is a set of ideas and interventions that seek to reduce the harms associated with drug use without requiring abstinence or stigmatizing use. Examples of harm reduction include being familiar with the effects of the substance you want to try, testing drugs before consumption to know their concentration and exposure to fentanyl, and being aware of the impacts of drug combinations. Harm reduction practices increase the chances of a positive psychedelic trip.
Second, set yourself up. Who are you? How old are you? How are you feeling? Why do you want to try psychedelics? What is your intention for the trip? How much can your body and mind handle? Are you taking any medication? Do you have any medical preconditions? Psychedelics can cause dissociation from consensus reality, which will impact how your inner self perceives the world for a couple of hours. Be aware of your identity, mental, and physical conditions without psychedelics. Then, you can better notice the impacts of psychedelics on your mind and body.
Third, what is your setting? What are your surroundings? Is it cold or hot? Are you in a safe space? Are psychedelics legal in your region? Will there be law enforcement around you? The settings of your environment can influence your journey. For example, taking mushrooms on a hike can make the colors more intense. But be prepared with a shovel if you want to poop in the woods, as mushrooms can mess with your stomach. Or it can be sexy to take acid at a dance party with your lover. And you might want to take the next day off to integrate, as you can feel very mellow afterwards. Integration can include journaling, using a weighted blanket, wearing compression socks and sunglasses, practicing movement such as yoga. Or other garment and wellbeing practices that can ground your mind and nurture your body.
Fourth, know your drugs. Learn about the substance. Talk to friends or facilitators who are familiar with your psychedelic of choice. Know what to expect, recommended dosage for beginners, and possible side effects. On your first time trying a new psychedelic, the recommendation is to take it easy and have a lower dosage. Test your drugs or get them from reliable sources that are accountable to testing. Understand that some substances do not mix well with others, as displayed in the table below (adapted from Uno Vulpo, MD).
Fifth, come with intention and be yourself. There are dozens of psychedelic substances, and each of them acts differently in your body and mind. Are you seeking inner connection? Do you want to spice up your relationship? Do you need to dissociate from a traumatic experience? Are you looking for a fun night in the city? No one knows everything about psychedelics, but psychedelics can reveal a lot about you. Your intentions, set, settings, and drug dosage will lead the way. Plant medicine is part of nature just like humans. You can build a relationship with entheogens by learning their physiology, chemical composition, history of cultivation, and ancestral values. These substances can guide you through personal emotions, ancestrality, and body movements. It can take time to get comfortable and normalize experiences with psychedelics.
Tell someone about your journey and have a safe buddy. Be responsible by reading, listening, and talking about drug use in your kinship. We break the taboo when we normalize conversation about psychedelics. Trust the timing of your life and enjoy the ride.
