Pre-Flight Checklist for Psilocybin Experiences

Set — Your Mindset

Your internal psychological state — your "set" — is one of the two most influential factors in shaping a psilocybin experience. Research from Johns Hopkins, NYU, and Imperial College London consistently shows that pre-session psychological preparation correlates with positive outcomes. Work through the following before committing to a session date.

• ✓ I have a clear intention for this experience — I know what I am hoping to explore or understand
• ✓ I am not in acute emotional crisis, severe grief, or the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event
• ✓ I have resolved or arrived at acceptance regarding major recent stressors where possible
• ✓ I have no personal or close family history of psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar I disorder
• ✓ I am not currently taking SSRIs, MAOIs, lithium, or other medications that interact with psilocybin — I have checked this with a qualified healthcare provider
• ✓ I feel emotionally stable, curious, and willing — not fearful, pressured, or using psilocybin to escape a current crisis
• ✓ I have spent time journaling or meditating on my intentions in the days leading up to this session
• ✓ I am choosing to do this of my own free will without social pressure from others

Setting — Your Physical Environment

The physical environment — the "setting" — shapes mood, safety, and the arc of the experience. An ideal setting is private, comfortable, and free from interruptions. You should feel safe and at ease in the space before taking anything. If a location doesn't feel right, postpone until you can access a more appropriate space.

• ✓ The location is private and will remain undisturbed for at least 8 hours
• ✓ I have access to both indoor and outdoor space if desired (a garden or safe outdoor area is a bonus)
• ✓ The space is clean, tidy, and familiar — clutter or unfamiliar environments can increase anxiety
• ✓ Lighting is adjustable: I have access to dimmers, curtains, candles, or lamps to change the mood
• ✓ I have prepared a comfortable place to lie down with blankets, cushions, and pillows
• ✓ Music system or headphones are ready with a prepared playlist (4–6 hours of music)
• ✓ No unexpected visitors, deliveries, or obligations are anticipated during the session window
• ✓ Phone notifications are off or on Do Not Disturb, with exceptions only for my tripsitter
• ✓ Any pets are secured or cared for so they do not create unexpected interruptions

Sitter and Support Network

A tripsitter is a sober, trusted person who is available — in person or on call — during your session. At higher doses, having someone physically present is strongly recommended. A sitter does not need to be an expert; they need to be calm, compassionate, and non-reactive. Their role is to keep you physically safe and to offer reassurance if needed — not to direct your experience.

• ✓ A trusted, sober tripsitter knows about the session and has confirmed their availability
• ✓ I have shared my dose plan, timing, and location with my sitter
• ✓ My sitter and I have agreed on a check-in schedule (e.g., every 60–90 minutes)
• ✓ Emergency contacts are saved and accessible on my phone and written on paper
• ✓ My sitter has read basic tripsitting guidance (resources available at Zendo Project or MAPS)
• ✓ I know how to reach a psychedelic crisis line if needed (e.g., Fireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE)
• ✓ My sitter knows not to call emergency services unless there is a clear medical emergency

Supplies

Gathering the right supplies in advance prevents disruption during the session. You do not want to be searching for a blanket or a bucket two hours into a macrodose. Prepare everything the night before and keep supplies within easy reach.

• ✓ Water bottle (at least 1 litre) nearby and refilled
• ✓ Light snacks available for after the peak — fruits, crackers, something gentle
• ✓ A bucket or bag placed discreetly nearby in case of nausea
• ✓ Blankets and comfortable, loose-fitting clothing already set out
• ✓ Journal and pen placed nearby for notes or drawings during or after the session
• ✓ Eye mask or blindfold available for inward, eyes-closed portions of the journey
• ✓ Phone is fully charged; charger is plugged in nearby
• ✓ No driving is planned for at least 12 hours after dosing
• ✓ Any medication I might need (e.g., antacids for nausea) is accessible but will not interfere with the experience

Day-Of Preparation

The hours immediately before a psilocybin session set the tone for what follows. Arrive at your session window calm, hydrated, and focused. Avoid rushing. Give yourself at least an hour of quiet time before your planned dosing time to settle into the space and revisit your intentions.

• ✓ I have fasted lightly for 4–6 hours — a small meal or snack 2–3 hours ago is fine, but no heavy food
• ✓ I am well-hydrated — I have been drinking water throughout the day
• ✓ I have not consumed alcohol in the past 24 hours
• ✓ I have not used cannabis in the past 24 hours (cannabis can significantly intensify and destabilise the experience)
• ✓ I have weighed my dose accurately on a 0.01g precision scale
• ✓ I have chosen and prepared my consumption method (tea, capsule, direct, etc.)
• ✓ I have written my intentions in my journal and read them aloud
• ✓ I know my planned start time and have cleared the next 6–8 hours entirely
• ✓ I have told at least one trusted person what I am doing today and when to expect contact from me

Five Domains at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I really need a tripsitter?

At doses above 2g, having a sober tripsitter is strongly recommended. At higher doses (3g+), it is considered essential by most harm reduction frameworks. A tripsitter does not direct the experience — they ensure your physical safety, provide calm reassurance if anxiety peaks, and help you re-orient if you become confused or distressed. Solo high-dose experiences carry significantly higher risk of accidental injury or panic responses.

2. Should I fast before taking psilocybin?

A light fast of 4–6 hours is generally recommended. This means avoiding heavy meals, not complete starvation. Eating a very light snack (fruit, crackers) 2–3 hours before can reduce nausea without significantly blunting the experience. A very full stomach delays and unpredictably alters onset. A completely empty stomach increases nausea risk, particularly for those prone to digestive sensitivity.

3. Can I use cannabis during the experience?

Cannabis is not recommended during a psilocybin session, especially for inexperienced users. Cannabis significantly amplifies and extends psychedelic effects, can rapidly escalate anxiety, and makes it harder to maintain psychological grounding. Many difficult or overwhelming psilocybin experiences are associated with concurrent cannabis use. If you do choose to use cannabis, introduce it only after the peak has clearly passed, and use a very small amount.

4. What medications interact with psilocybin?

SSRIs and SNRIs (common antidepressants) may significantly blunt psilocybin effects and in some cases produce unpredictable interactions. MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) can cause dangerous intensification. Lithium combined with psilocybin has been associated with seizure risk. Antipsychotics typically block the experience entirely. Stimulants increase cardiovascular strain. This list is not exhaustive — always disclose all current medications to a healthcare professional before considering psilocybin.

5. How do I prepare a good playlist?

A psychedelic session playlist typically runs 4–6 hours and follows the arc of the experience: calm, instrumental music to begin (30–60 min); deeper, more expansive music as effects build; emotive or orchestral music around the peak (1–3 hours); gradually lighter and more hopeful music as the experience resolves. Popular resources include the Johns Hopkins psilocybin research playlist (available on Spotify) or the Imperial College London "Wavepaths" playlist. Avoid music with lyrics during the peak, as they can dominate the experience.

6. Is it okay to take psilocybin at home alone?

At very low doses (threshold or microdose), many experienced users consume alone without significant risk. At moderate to high doses, solo use is not recommended, particularly for those with limited experience. If you do choose to use psilocybin alone at any meaningful dose, ensure someone knows what you are doing and when to check on you, keep your environment very safe and free of hazards, and have a crisis line number visible and accessible.

7. What time of day is best to start?

Morning starts (9–11am) are generally preferred because the main effects will resolve well before nightfall, giving you evening daylight hours for integration and rest. Starting in the afternoon risks the active phase extending into night, which can be disorienting for some people. Avoid starting late in the day unless you specifically intend a night experience and have experience with nocturnal psychedelic sessions.

8. How should I handle unexpected visitors during a session?

Prevention is the best approach — lock the front door, silence the doorbell if possible, and put a note outside if necessary (e.g., "do not disturb, resting"). If someone does arrive unexpectedly, your tripsitter should handle any interaction. If you are alone, do not answer the door during the active phase of the experience. Most situations can wait. Prepare by informing anyone who might realistically visit that you will be unavailable all day.

9. What should I write in my pre-experience journal?

Useful pre-experience journaling prompts include: What do I hope to gain or understand from this experience? What am I most afraid of? What aspects of my life feel stuck or unclear? What would it feel like to fully forgive myself or someone else? Are there patterns I am ready to release? Writing these answers 1–3 days before the session — not immediately before — gives the mind time to begin processing and arriving at greater openness.

10. How long should I clear my schedule for?

Clear a minimum of 8 hours for the session itself, plus ideally the entire following day for integration. Active effects from a moderate to high psilocybin dose last 4–6 hours, but the afterglow and emotional processing continue for 12–24 hours. Many people find they need quiet, unstructured time the day after to process and rest. Do not schedule work, social commitments, or demanding responsibilities for the session day or the following morning.