🧘 Set & Setting Guide

✓ Good Mindset Indicators

• Feeling generally positive - baseline good mood
• Curious and open - ready to explore inner landscape
• Accepting attitude - "whatever happens is okay"
• Clear intentions - know why you're doing this
• Trust in the process - willing to surrender control
• Psychologically stable - no acute mental health crisis
• Well-rested - good sleep the night before
• No major stressors - no looming deadlines or conflicts

✗ Red Flags (Postpone Your Trip)

• ❌ Acute anxiety or depression spike
• ❌ Recent traumatic event (within weeks)
• ❌ Major life crisis ongoing
• ❌ Feeling pressured by others to trip
• ❌ Using to escape problems
• ❌ Unresolved conflicts with trip partners
• ❌ Sleep-deprived or physically ill
• ❌ Afraid or very apprehensive

Intentions provide direction and purpose. They're not rigid goals but gentle guideposts.

How to Set Intentions

1. Reflect beforehand - Why are you taking psychedelics today?
2. Write them down - Journal your intentions clearly
3. Keep them flexible - "I'm open to..." rather than "I must..."
4. Review before dosing - Remind yourself as you begin

Example Intentions

• "I intend to explore my creativity and find new inspiration"
• "I'm open to insights about my relationship patterns"
• "I seek healing and release from past trauma"
• "I want to experience connection with nature/universe"
• "I'm curious to understand my anxiety from a new perspective"
• "I intend to simply be present and observe what arises"

Days Before

• ☐ Set clear intentions
• ☐ Clear your schedule (no obligations for 24+ hours)
• ☐ Reduce stressors where possible
• ☐ Get good sleep for several nights
• ☐ Reduce alcohol/substances in days prior
• ☐ Read trip reports or preparation materials
• ☐ Meditation or mindfulness practice

Day Of

• ☐ Light, healthy breakfast (then fast 4-6 hours before dosing)
• ☐ Gentle exercise or yoga
• ☐ Shower and wear comfortable clothes
• ☐ Review intentions
• ☐ Check in with emotional state - feel ready?
• ☐ Inform trusted person of your plans

Just Before Dosing

• ☐ Bathroom break
• ☐ Turn off phone or put on airplane mode
• ☐ Brief meditation or grounding exercise
• ☐ Express gratitude for the opportunity
• ☐ Take several deep breaths

✓ Ideal Environments

• Your home/trusted space - familiar, safe, comfortable
• Private retreat/cabin - secluded, peaceful
• Trusted friend's house - where you feel welcome
• Nature setting - IF private, safe, with sober guide
• Therapeutic setting - with trained facilitator

✗ Avoid These Settings

• ❌ Public places (parks, streets, events)
• ❌ Parties or festivals (for deeper experiences)
• ❌ Anywhere you could be interrupted/discovered
• ❌ Unfamiliar locations
• ❌ Places with strangers present
• ❌ Anywhere you need to hide your state
• ❌ Hotels or temporary lodging (unless very comfortable)

Essential Preparations

• Clean and organize - clutter creates mental clutter
• Comfortable temperature - adjust heating/cooling beforehand
• Comfortable furniture - bed, couch, cushions, blankets
• Bathroom access - close and private
• Water and light snacks - within easy reach
• Bucket or bag - in case of nausea
• Lighting options - dimmable, candles, fairy lights
• Music ready - playlists prepared
• Lock doors - prevent interruptions

Optional Enhancements

• Fresh flowers or plants
• Incense or essential oils (subtle scents)
• Art supplies (paints, paper, clay)
• Journal and pen
• Eye mask for darkness
• Soft textures (blankets, pillows)
• Crystals or sacred objects (if meaningful to you)

Lighting dramatically affects mood and visuals.

Recommended Lighting

• Soft, warm light - avoid harsh overhead lights
• Dimmable lamps - control intensity
• Candles - create calming ambiance (use safely)
• Fairy lights/string lights - gentle, playful
• Salt lamps - warm glow
• Natural sunlight - during day trips (curtains for control)

Avoid

• Fluorescent or LED white lights
• Flashing or strobe lights
• Too-bright environments (can be overwhelming)
• Complete darkness initially (can be disorienting)

Music profoundly shapes the emotional tone. Prepare playlists beforehand.

Music Guidelines

• Instrumental preferred - lyrics can be distracting/confusing
• Smooth transitions - avoid jarring changes
• Emotional range - allow for different moods
• Familiar but not over-played - comforting without boredom
• Length - 4-6 hour playlists minimum
• Volume control - easy access to adjust

Recommended Genres

• Ambient/drone (Stars of the Lid, Brian Eno)
• Classical (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven)
• World music (Indian ragas, Native American flute)
• Psychedelic/space rock (Pink Floyd, Shpongle)
• Nature sounds (rain, ocean, forest)
• Specially designed psychedelic playlists

Avoid

• Heavy metal or aggressive music
• Anxious or dark-themed music
• News, podcasts, talk radio
• Music associated with negative memories
• Anything too complex or stimulating

A sober, trusted person present throughout your journey.

Qualities of a Good Trip Sitter

• Trustworthy - you feel safe and comfortable with them
• Calm presence - doesn't panic or project anxiety
• Experience - ideally has tripped before (understands the state)
• Non-judgmental - accepts whatever you experience
• Attentive but not intrusive - available without hovering
• Sober commitment - will stay sober the entire time
• Emergency capable - can call for help if truly needed

Trip Sitter Guidelines

For the sitter:

• Stay sober - no alcohol or substances
• Be present but quiet unless needed
• Respond to requests promptly
• Don't judge or try to "fix" challenging moments
• Remind them "You're safe, this will pass" if needed
• Have emergency numbers ready (just in case)
• Respect their experience - don't take it personally if they want space

Solo Trips (with sitter present)

Pros:

• Deep introspection possible
• No social performance needed
• Full control over environment
• Can be completely authentic

Cons:

• Can feel lonely or isolated
• No shared experience to ground you
• May amplify difficult emotions

Group Trips (2-4 trusted people)

Pros:

• Shared bonding experience
• Social support if things get challenging
• Laughter and playfulness
• Reality checks available

Cons:

• Less personal introspection
• Group dynamics can be tricky
• One person's bad trip affects everyone
• Compromise on music/activities needed

Schedule Considerations

• Clear entire day - NO obligations for 24 hours after dosing
• Weekend or days off - not before work/school
• Morning start - dose around 10am-noon (finish before dark)
• Following day free - for rest and integration
• Avoid anniversaries - of traumatic events

Physical Preparation

• Fast 4-6 hours - empty stomach for best absorption, less nausea
• Stay hydrated - drink water throughout day
• Light snacks available - fruit, crackers (for after peak)
• Comfortable clothes - soft, non-restrictive
• Bathroom ready - toilet paper, towels, etc.

Technology & Communication

• Turn off phone - or airplane mode
• No social media - extremely bad idea while tripping
• Inform one trusted person - of your plans (for safety)
• Disable notifications - no interruptions
• No work emails - completely disconnect

Pre-Flight Checklist

SET (Mindset):

• ☐ Feeling generally positive and stable
• ☐ Clear intentions set
• ☐ Open and accepting attitude
• ☐ Well-rested (good sleep)
• ☐ No major stressors
• ☐ Trust in the process

SETTING (Environment):

• ☐ Safe, private location
• ☐ Comfortable temperature
• ☐ Soft lighting prepared
• ☐ Music playlists ready
• ☐ Water and snacks available
• ☐ Bathroom accessible
• ☐ Phone off/silenced
• ☐ Trusted sitter present (or available)
• ☐ Schedule clear for 24+ hours
• ☐ Emergency contacts accessible (for sitter)