Tripping Alone: Navigating Solo Psychedelic Experiences Safely

Key Takeaways

• • Solo psychedelic experiences require individuals to balance the inherent right to explore consciousness with the critical responsibility of ensuring their safety by understanding substance effects.

• • Beginning with “museum doses,” which are moderate yet controlled amounts, can facilitate a meaningful and insightful journey through one’s psyche, mitigating the risk of overwhelming experiences.

• • Essential preparations for a solo psychedelic journey include creating a safe physical space, prioritizing hydration and nutrition, and establishing support systems to enhance the overall experience and ensure well-being.

• • Psychedelic Passage: Your Psychedelic Concierge — The easy, legal way to find trustworthy psilocybin guides, facilitators and psychedelic-assisted therapy near you in the United States.

The Solo Psychedelic Experience: A Fundamental Right & Responsibility

At the heart of the psychedelic experience lies the fundamental human right to explore one’s own consciousness. This exploration, inherently personal and intimate, often leads individuals to the choice of tripping alone. 

Solo psychedelic trips hold a unique place in the spectrum of consciousness exploration, regarded by many as sacred and profound. The choice to trip alone is a testament to one’s autonomy over their mental and spiritual journey. 

However, with this right comes a considerable responsibility – the responsibility to ensure safety, to understand the substance’s effects, and to approach the experience with a mindset geared towards growth and healing.

The Call for Harm Reduction & Benefit Maximization

The discourse on solo tripping is incomplete without addressing the essential principles of harm reduction and benefit maximization. These principles serve as twin pillars supporting the safe exploration of psychedelics. 

Harm reduction encompasses all measures to minimize the negative consequences of drug use, focusing on practical strategies rather than abstinence-based ideologies. On the flip side, benefit maximization advocates for optimizing the positive outcomes of psychedelic experiences.

The Benefits of a “Museum Dose”

Solo tripping, especially for novices, can navigate these principles by starting with lower dosages, known colloquially within the psychedelics community as “museum doses”. 

A museum dose is more than a microdose, but less than a macrodose, around 1-1.5 grams of dried mushrooms. There is still the possibility of having a deeply emotional or trauma-releasing experience, but you have more control than you would on a macrodose.

“If a big, let’s say, mushroom experience was like a three day backpacking trip where you’re bringing all your stuff with you, you’re backpacking, you’re out there, you’re immersed, you’re staying multiple times, campfires, all of that.

Then maybe a museum experience is more like a day hike, where you got a little bit of water, maybe a lunch, maybe a pack and you’re just planning on being out there for three, four, five, six hours.”

Think of it like you’re going to a museum exhibit. You pay for your ticket and you can go in and walk around, immersing yourself and interacting with that world. 

You can just as easily come out of the experience, swing by the proverbial gift shop and even take a memento with you on your way out before moving on with your day.

This approach allows for a meaningful, albeit more manageable, exploration of one’s psyche, reducing the risk of overwhelming experiences while still garnering profound insights.

Dosage Frequency of Psilocybin, LSD, Ketamine and MDMA

Every substance and its dosage-dependent effects should be well understood before planning out an intentional psychedelic experience. Psilocybin’s biological load and recovery time is typically much less than LSD, Ketamine or MDMA. 

A rest time of at least 2-6 weeks is acceptable in between psilocybin museum doses, while taking LSD results in longer experiences that can lead to brain fog that necessitates a longer recovery time.

Ketamine dosing at clinics is typically spread out to every 3-4 weeks, but this substance is particularly habit forming and should be treated as such. 

MDMA has the biggest wear on body and mind and needs the most recovery time, at least 3-4 months with some people saying 6 months. 

Navigating New Experiences: Solo Versus Guided Support

For some, the journey to mastering solo trips might come through personal determination and intrinsic motivation. 

For others, it might stem from observing experienced individuals or learning from the collective wisdom of the psychedelic community. Oftentimes a combination of both is key.

These two anecdotes of Jimmy’s life experiences act as metaphors for tackling psychedelics for the first time, and show us that in cultivating a relationship with yourself, you can reach great heights. 

Jimmy describes his long journey of learning to swim. He recalls many, many experiences of other people trying to teach him how to swim from lifeguards to best friends to partners.

“Throughout my life, there have been so many people who tried to teach me how to swim, like at least 20 different times. So many people tried to teach me how to swim. Couldn’t figure it out. Couldn’t tread water, couldn’t swim. Inhaled a lot of water into my lungs through that process.”

At 31 years old, Jimmy and our other co-founder, Nicholas Levich, were learning to paddleboard in California when Jimmy slipped off the board and it started floating away. He knew if he went to get help the paddleboard would float much farther away.

In this moment of need and self determination, Jimmy suddenly starts to swim over to retrieve it and realizes he’s actually swimming on his own. In this case it took a solo experience for Jimmy to learn how to swim.

In another example, Jimmy is learning how to ride a bike at 28 years old. He describes being in his back alley trying to learn solo without anyone seeing him when a group of 10 year olds start riding their bikes down the alley. 

As he tossed his bike over the fence to avoid his embarrassment, he observed how smoothly they rode their bikes past him and in that moment something clicked for him.

While the embarrassment of trying to learn was hindering him, it took the observation of others riding for him to understand it and be able to ride himself.

The dichotomy of these two stories show that learning something new is a dynamic process that is extremely contextual. There’s no one-fits-all learning style, and the right style for you can change with a number of factors.

Logistical Preparations: Creating a Safe and Comfortable Space

One of the most critical aspects of preparing for a solo psychedelic experience is setting up a physical environment that is safe, comfortable, and conducive to a positive journey. 

Jimmy Nguyen suggests the setup of a mat or cushion on the floor, surrounded by ample pillows, to allow free movement without the risk of injury. This setup helps ensure that if you need to move or lie down during your trip, you can do so safely. 

Keeping essential items within arm’s reach, such as water, snacks, and the ability to control lighting, minimizes the need to navigate potentially complex tasks during the trip. 

Remember, even simple tasks like drinking water can become challenging under the influence of psychedelics. Therefore, having everything you need close by can significantly enhance your comfort and safety.

Time

Time can be a great tether to reality, but not a clock in the corner of the room that constantly glares at you, but perhaps a watch you can pick up to check the time if need be.

Hydration & Nutrition

With LSD and MDMA it’s good practice to hydrate throughout the journey but overall and especially with psilocybin, hydrating in the 24 hours leading up to an experience can prepare your body without having a full bladder come trip time. 

You may want to prepare simple foods to eat during the comedown when you’re not fully tripping but there’s still an altered state of consciousness. 

Jimmy notes that lighter foods can prolong the effects of the psychedelic while heavier, savory foods can help ground you in your body post-trip.

Cellphones

Jimmy’s favorite way to deal with his cell phone is to keep it on at an audible volume or vibrate, but in another room. We highly caution against putting your phone on airplane mode, do not disturb or turning your phone off.

You want to be able to easily call for help without having full executive function in the instance you need physical or emotional support.

Another reason to keep your phone on and not on do not disturb or airplane mode is Siri. If your phone is in another room and you need assistance you may be able to call out to Siri and have your phone call someone for you. 

Music

Music can profoundly influence the psychedelic experience, acting as a guide through the emotional and cognitive landscapes you explore.

If your phone is tucked away that would mean you need a different device to play music. You’ll want something you can easily skip songs on. 

Longer music playlists with longer musical pieces within them that line up with the longer arcs and pulsating effect of psychedelics, especially psilocybin which has an undulating effect in 35-40 minute arcs.

Some music apps have tools to make your experience more fluid. Spotify’s crossfade feature ensures a seamless transition between tracks. Its volume balancing feature makes music at different volumes coincide with each other to avoid abrupt mood changes.

The downside of curating your own playlist is that it’s likely music you’ve heard before. One caveat is that sometimes a facilitator can intuitively pick a song you’ve probably never heard before based on how the journey is unfolding, which can elevate your experience.

Avoiding Decision Fatigue

An important aspect of solo journeying is to try to make as little real-time decisions as possible. Oftentimes the executive dysfunction makes even trivial decisions such as whether to lay down or sit up, or putting on a sweatshirt or not, much more difficult.

To avoid this you can make as many decisions as possible beforehand to set yourself up for an uninterrupted, immersive experience. 

What Can We Learn From Indigenous Practices? You Can Still Have Support When Journeying Solo

Vision and medicine quests in indigenous cultures are often done solo, where you go into nature for 5-7 days, fasting and usually not doing a psychedelic substance but still in a hallucinatory state.

Even though it’s a solo experience, there’s a basecamp or community waiting for your return and they agree to be your energetic keepers. 

This means they will eat for you, rest for you, and support you through the ether. So even though you’re alone, you know you have a support system.

“In a lot of indigenous wisdom, particularly here in North America, there is this sense of being held by your community, even though you are journeying solo. 

I think that’s really important here, to the degree that you have supporters, to the degree that people know that you’re journeying on this day.

And maybe they’re sending some prayers or some well wishes, I think that stuff goes a long way. And I also think that that’s helpful from a tangible, like strategic component.”

Learning from indigenous cultures and translating it into western society, It’s good practice to have an emergency contact who knows what time you ingested your dose, and has an agreed upon check in time where they reach out to you or vice versa. 

You and your emergency contact can work out an agreement prior to the journey that could look something like this: 

Check in time: 10 p.m. In the event the journeyer fails to reach out to the emergency contact, the emergency contact has the journeyer’s prior consent to call them 3 times. 

If contact has not been made after 3 attempts, the emergency contact then has the journeyer’s prior consent to physically come over and check on them. 

Having a game plan similar to this one in place can really help minimize the risk in solo journeying.

The Importance of Support During Preparation & Integration 

Journeying solo is one thing, but trying to do everything alone you can find yourself in an echo chamber absent of the diverse perspectives, support, and collaboration that make us human.

We can see from the studies surrounding social restrictions of COVID-19 what happens to our mental health when we’re starved of social relationships. Having meaningful connections to those around us helps us ground ourselves. 

Recommended Reading: How to Ask Friends & Family for Psychedelic Therapy Support

Psychedelics are no exception, and by involving another person at least during pre- and post-trip you can give yourself the best chance for having a conducive psychedelic experience. 

Psychological Preparations: Setting Intentions and Navigating Challenges

Beyond the physical space, preparing your mind for the journey is equally important. Setting clear intentions for your trip can provide a directional beacon for your experience, helping you navigate through the psychedelic space with purpose. 

Whether seeking healing, insight, or growth, a well-defined intent acts as a catalyst for a meaningful encounter with your inner self.

Integration: The Keystone of Psychedelic Experiences

Integration, the process of weaving insights from a psychedelic experience into daily life, is perhaps where the true healing and growth occurs.

Engaging in prep and integration work with someone enables you to process and make sense of your experience. They by no means have to be a mental health expert, it’s the love and acceptance of another person that truly has an impact.

Sharing your story, emotions, and insights with a supportive and non-judgmental friend or guide can amplify the benefits and lessons learned during your solo journey.

Ultimately, by integrating principles of harm reduction, benefit maximization, and thoughtful dosage consideration, individuals give themselves the best chance at having a safe and engaging psychedelic experience.

If deciding to journey solo, establishing support systems in the preparation and integration phases can enrich and illuminate the transformative potential of your solo psychedelic experience.

Explore The Spectrum of Autonomy & Communal Support

Embracing the fundamental human right to delve into one’s psyche, we acknowledge the dual nature of this privilege: the freedom to explore and the duty to do so with mindfulness and respect.

• • Will Music Really Affect My Psychedelic Journey? You may be surprised to discover how music shapes psychedelic experiences, and what guides think the best tunes are for turning on, tuning out and dropping out.

• • What If I Don’t Need Healing But Am Still Psychedelic-Curious? Find out the benefits of psychedelics when you’re already feeling good like work optimization, mindfulness and creativity. 

• • Exploring the Role of Pets in Guided Psychedelic Sessions: Delve into considerations surrounding pets’ presence during therapeutic psychedelic experiences and their impact on the overall environment.

• • “Learn From My Mistakes”: Read up on the most common mistakes to avoid, and our top safety practices for the therapeutic use of psychedelics.

• • On The Topic Of Harm Reduction: Dive into an informed discussion on risks and consequences associated with psychedelics with our Co-Founder Nick Levich.

• • Reevaluating Potency and Purpose: Engage with the debate on whether the heroic dose minimizes the value of the journey, offering a reflection on dosage, intention, and the essence of psychedelic exploration.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can individuals balance the fundamental right to explore their consciousness with the responsibility for safety during solo psychedelic experiences?

When balancing the right to explore consciousness with safety responsibilities during solo psychedelic experiences, individuals can adopt harm reduction techniques to minimize risks associated with drug use. 

Understanding the effects of the substances being consumed is crucial for informed decision-making and ensuring a positive outcome. 

Approaching the experience with a mindset focused on personal growth and healing can help individuals navigate the profound yet potentially intense effects of the journey.

2. What benefits can be derived from starting with museum doses” in solo psychedelic trips, and how do they differ from microdosing or macrodosing?

“Museum doses” offer a unique balance in solo psychedelic trips, providing a dosage that is higher than a microdose but lower than a macrodose. 

This dosage range allows individuals to experience the effects of the substance more profoundly while maintaining a level of control over the experience. 

Contrary to microdosing, which involves sub-perceptual doses for daily functioning, museum doses provide a more immersive journey without the intensity of a full-blown trip.

3. How can individuals approach logistical preparations to create a safe and comfortable space for a solo psychedelic experience?

Logistical preparations for creating a safe and comfortable space in solo psychedelic experiences involve setting up a physical environment that promotes relaxation and safety. 

This can include creating a designated area with cushions and pillows for movement and comfort, ensuring essential items like water and snacks are easily accessible to support physical needs during the trip, and making decisions beforehand to minimize real-time decision-making and potential confusion during the experience.

4. Can music choice significantly impact the psychedelic experience, and how can individuals optimize their music selection?

Music selection can significantly impact the psychedelic journey, acting as a guide through emotional and cognitive landscapes.

Choosing longer playlists with tracks that complement the natural peaks and valleys of the psychedelic experience can enhance the trip’s depth and richness. 

Some apps like Spotify offer features such as crossfade and volume balancing to ensure a seamless and immersive musical experience.

5. Why is having a support system, even during solo journeys, emphasized in the article, and how can individuals implement this practice effectively?

Having a support system, even in solo journeys, is emphasized as it provides an anchor and safety net for individuals exploring their consciousness. 

Drawing from indigenous practices where even solo endeavors have communal support waiting upon return, having an agreed-upon emergency contact and support structures can offer reassurance and assistance in case of need. 
This practice ensures that individuals engaging in solo psychedelic experiences can feel supported and grounded throughout their journey.