As one of the first states to decriminalize psilocybin, California continues to lead the way in showing unwavering support for the transformative power of psychedelics.
In May 2023, a significant milestone was achieved when the California State Senate passed Senate Bill 58. This bill grants those 21 and older the right to possess and prepare natural psychedelics, such as psilocybin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline.
Adding to this progress, an additional assembly bill was passed that enables licensed healthcare professionals to administer these psychedelics within licensed facilities for veterans who suffer from PTSD.
While we wait for the approval from the State Assembly, let’s go over what psychedelic therapy is and explore how it differs from traditional talk therapy. We will also introduce the essential participants in your journey and what roles they play in creating a perfect experience for you.
Although psychedelic therapy isn’t legally accessible in Irvine just yet, rest assured we will provide you with the areas we service in California, along with how you can find a psychedelic guide in Irvine.
Download Our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide
For harm-reduction purposes, we provide links to online psilocybin vendors, local stores, delivery services, and spore vendors for growing your own medicine at home.
Psychedelic Therapy vs. Traditional Therapy
The number of mental health diagnoses is on the rise each year, leading more and more Americans to seek treatment, such as medication and traditional talk therapy.
The normalization of mental health treatment over the past few years has made it more accessible and encouraged open discussions about struggles with mental health.
In addition to medication, such as antidepressants, combining treatment with talk therapy yields the best results. The goal of talk therapy, or psychotherapy, is to allow the individual to identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
During talk therapy, you work closely with a therapist or counselor, discussing your feelings and concerns. They will guide you through the process of working through these issues, equipping you with tools to manage your emotions effectively.
While talk therapy is a widely sought treatment for mental health disorders, psychedelic therapy is also gaining recognition for addressing similar issues. Both talk therapy and psychedelic therapy share the same end goals, but the paths they take to achieve them are very different.
The main difference between psychedelic therapy and talk therapy is, of course, psychedelics. In psychedelic therapy, you consume a psychedelic substance, and with the help of your psychedelic therapist, you integrate your psychedelic experience into your life.
Psychedelic therapists are not fundamentally different from regular therapists, but the difference lies in the incorporation of psychedelics into their practice. They possess the same medical licensure as any other therapist, along with certifications tailored to working with psychedelics.
Psychedelic therapy involves three stages: preparation, the session itself, and integration. Embracing each of these stages is crucial to unlock the full and lasting benefits of the therapeutic experience.
During the preparation stage, your psychedelic therapist conducts a health screening to ensure that psychedelic therapy is the right option for you. Here, they will review your medical history and inform you of any potential risks you may encounter throughout the journey.
They will also assist you in setting an intention, or goal, to guide your experience. Your intention can be anything you want, whether that’s seeking relief from a health condition or becoming a better version of yourself.
The next stage is where you consume the psychedelic medicine, and your psychedelic therapist is there to provide in-person support and assistance if needed. They help you stay focused on your intention and guide you back on track if your focus begins to shift.
After the psychedelic experience, you’ll work with your psychedelic therapist in the integration stage, where you’ll discuss what you’ve experienced, how you felt, and what you’ve learned. Your therapist will teach you how to apply these experiences to your everyday life.
During therapy, you are vulnerable, making it essential to work with someone you are comfortable with. Establishing a deep relationship with your psychedelic therapist throughout your journey allows you to surrender to the experience fully.
Psychedelic experiences have the potential to be the most meaningful encounters of your life. Therefore, considering the qualities you should look for in a psychedelic therapist, such as trust, is important.
Additionally, it’s important to note that a psychedelic guide or facilitator can also facilitate psychedelic therapy, as they share similar roles to a psychedelic therapist. The only difference between a guide and a therapist is where their expertise stems from.
Navigating the legal landscape of psychedelics and psychedelic therapy in California may be difficult when searching for a psychedelic therapist. However, you still have the opportunity to embark on a therapeutic psychedelic experience with the help of a psychedelic guide.
The Role of Set and Setting in Psychedelic Therapy
During a psychedelic experience, you become the most vulnerable version of yourself, and the power of the medicine is greatly influenced by your mindset and environment.
Now, let’s dive into the psychedelic therapy process in more detail and the role your psychedelic guide or therapist plays.
In the preparation stage, your guide prioritizes the importance of set and setting for your psychedelic journey. They make sure that these elements are just right before you embark on the actual psychedelic experience.
Along with the health screening, your guide assesses your state of mind for the experience, which is referred to as ‘set.’ For instance, if you’ve recently experienced trauma or negative emotions, your guide may suggest waiting for the experience until you’re in a better mindset.
Using psychedelics with a troubled mindset can increase the likelihood of encountering a challenging experience, or ‘bad trip,’ as these substances can intensify emotions and bring forth repressed fears.
Therefore, your guide takes every measure to ensure your safety throughout the process, providing harm-reduction tools and establishing safeguards if needed.
Set also includes your expectations for the experience. Some may anticipate a mind-blowing experience that completely solves all of their problems. However, individual experiences can vary, so your guide will help you set realistic expectations for your unique journey.
Additionally, your guide will work with you to prepare a comforting environment for your psychedelic experience, or in other words, the ‘setting.’ A soothing and secure environment is crucial to eliminating unnecessary worries during the experience.
Many journeyers prefer to have their experience in their own homes, where they feel most at ease. In addition, your psychedelic guide pays attention to all the little details in the environment, such as providing appropriate lighting, soothing music, and comforting objects.
They also prepare for every situation, providing additional blankets, pillows, extra clothes, water, towels, and garbage cans should the need arise.
Setting also involves who is present during your journey. Whiles it’s typically just you and your guide(s), some may wish to have loved ones or pets present as well.
However, having loved ones around may prevent you from fully expressing your emotions during your experience due to an internal fear of judgment. As a result, it’s recommended not to have loved ones present during the experience.
While psychedelics can open your mind to new thoughts and emotions, the overall nature of the experience is influenced by the set and setting practices established before the journey begins.
Where to Find Legal Psychedelic Experiences in Irvine, 2023
It’s crucial to find psychedelic therapy completely tailored to your needs. In Irvine, you have two legal options available to you to embark on a transformative psychedelic experience: ketamine clinics and guided psychedelic journeys with Psychedelic Passage.
1. Ketamine Clinics
Ketamine therapy has proven to be a valuable treatment for various mental health disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety, as it has shown to be more effective in treating these disorders compared to other current treatments.
Despite the rapid onset of ketamine’s effects, the complete healing process takes time. However, it’s important to understand that ketamine therapy is not a standalone solution and requires additional talk therapy and integration to achieve lasting benefits.
In addition, ketamine therapy is primarily offered in specialized clinics, where the psychedelic experience must be supervised by licensed professionals within a licensed facility.
However, many individuals find the clinical environment uncomfortable and unfamiliar, which can hinder their ability to fully immerse themselves in the therapeutic process.
Before locating a ketamine clinic near you, it’s important to read up on all the pros and cons regarding ketamine therapy, ensuring you are well-informed before embarking on your healing journey.
2. Guided Psychedelic Journeys With Psychedelic Passage
We understand how easy it is to feel overwhelmed when beginning your psychedelic journey, which is why we at Psychedelic Passage are here to help. Our mission is to provide you with the necessary resources and support systems for your transformative journey.
We connect you with our network of psychedelic guides located across the country, providing you the opportunity to embark on this transformative experience regardless of where you’re located.
Because you are in control of your healing journey, you are able to choose which psychedelic medicine you’d like to work with. Our network of guides have experience working with a wide range of psychedelics, so they can assist you in choosing the right medicine if needed.
Our 5-week program is designed for personal transformation and includes the following:
2 Preparation Sessions
As you start your psychedelic journey, your dedicated psychedelic guide will conduct a health screening to ensure your suitability for the experience, where they will review your medical history.
They will also take the time to thoroughly explain the psychedelic therapy process and address any questions that may arise. To make it more convenient for you, these sessions are conducted over Zoom, allowing you to engage comfortably from wherever you please.
Additionally, your guide will help you set an intention for your journey. Or, in other words, what are you looking to get out of this experience?
8-Hours of Trip-Sitting
You will coordinate a date, time, and location for your psychedelic experience with your psychedelic guide, who will be there in person, providing support as you navigate the psychedelic world firsthand.
Your guide will be there to provide comfort and assist in any way you need, as maintaining your well-being and safety are their top priorities.
2 Integration Sessions
Following your psychedelic session, your psychedelic guide will continue to support you on your journey of integration and work with you to help you understand your experience and integrate what you’ve learned into your life. These sessions are also conducted over Zoom for your convenience.
Additional Resources
During the preparation and integration stages, you will receive resources that can be accessed through written materials or workshops. Additionally, microdosing resources will also be available to you.
Microdose Coaching
You are able to schedule virtual microdosing coaching sessions with your psychedelic guide, who will be able to answer any questions you have and help you set up a microdosing schedule.
Text and Email Support
If you have any questions or concerns, you will have access to text and email support, where you will receive a response within one business day.
Connect With Psychedelic Guides From Every Major Irvine Area
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- Woodbridge
- Woodbury
- Westpark
- Turtle Rock
- Northwood
- Cypress Village
- Quail Hill
- Shady Canyon
- Turtle Ridge
- Rancho San Joaquin
- Oak Creek
- Orchard Hills
- El Camino Real
- Walnut Village
- University Town Center
Speak With a Psychedelic Guide Today
Navigating psychedelic therapy in the current legal landscape can feel daunting as laws and regulations continue to change. Starting the process of healing may seem intimidating, which is why we are here to help.
Connect with one of our knowledgeable psychedelic concierges by booking a consultation call, where they will gladly address your questions about psychedelics and the psychedelic therapy process. They will also offer guidance on sourcing medicine and testing its purity and potency.
We also invite you to check out our resources page, where we are constantly adding new psychedelic-related topics. If you have an idea for a topic, let us know! As always, stay safe and embrace the journey!
