Navigating the Psychedelic Journey: Seven Key Factors for a Transformative Experience
Embarking on a psychedelic journey can be a profound and life-changing experience. However, the outcome of such an expedition is influenced by various factors. At Confluence Retreats, we integrate the latest neuroscience research to create a safe and transformational psilocybin retreat. Here are the seven factors that play a pivotal role in shaping your psychedelic experience and how we implement them at Confluence Retreats.
1. Preparation
At Confluence Retreats, thorough preparation is paramount to ensure your safety and readiness for a profound psychedelic experience. We begin with a health and safety screener to assess your suitability. You'll have the opportunity for a free exploration call with a guide to discuss your intentions, questions, and concerns. Once your retreat is confirmed, we offer preparation group calls and provide you with a guide on how to prepare, ensuring you feel fully equipped for the journey ahead.
2. Type of Psychedelic
Our guests engage in their psychedelic experience with psilocybin mushrooms. These mushrooms can induce profound effects, including body sensations, deep emotional insights, and mystical experiences.
3. Dose
The duration and intensity of the psychedelic trip can vary depending on the dose and your sensitivity. For introspective journeys, we often use a 25mg dose of psilocybin, which is equivalent to doses used in clinical trials. However, we collaborate with you to determine the ideal dose for your retreat, taking your input into account.
4. How to Consume
During our retreats, participants consume mushroom tea infused with fresh ginger. This preparation not only settles the stomach but also minimizes physical discomfort and enhances the earthy flavor of the mushrooms.
5. Set
Creating the right mindset is crucial for a positive psychedelic experience. At Confluence Retreats, we facilitate a group tea ceremony to help participants feel calm, safe, and introspective, fostering an ideal mental state.
6. Setting
Our carefully designed environment and supportive guides create an ideal setting for your psychedelic journey. We enhance the profound nature of the experience by conducting group ceremonies with music and mind-folding, enabling you to delve deep within and engage in meaningful self-work.
7. Integration
Integration is a vital component of your psychedelic journey. During and after our retreats, we provide ongoing support through coaching and sharing circles. We encourage you to practice self-care both before and after the experience to embody and apply your newfound insights. Techniques such as free-writing, breathwork, solo nature walks, and mindfulness meditation can aid in integration.
Oregon's Legal Psilocybin Initiative (Measure 109)
Oregon's pioneering Legal Psilocybin Initiative, known as Measure 109, marks a significant leap forward in the realm of psychedelic policy. This initiative legalizes supervised medical psilocybin use, opening new avenues for exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. By acknowledging the importance of a supportive and controlled environment, Oregon is at the forefront of facilitating responsible and transformative psychedelic experiences. Measure 109 reflects a growing awareness of the positive impact psychedelics can have when used in a structured and safe context, furthering the integration of these substances into modern healthcare and personal growth practices.
The infographic is inspired by research conducted by Lawrence & Carhart-Harris, in 2019.
Note: this article is based on a blog that originally appeared on the Synthesis Institute’s website here.