3 main reasons at the core of "bad" psychedelic experiences.

✨ 1. Lack of safety
“Safety does not mean the absence of a threat. Safety means the availability of connection.” – Stephen Porges.

One of the first things I've learnt as a therapist is how to create safety by being attuned to the participant, radically present, and regulated myself. This is a must for whoever is present during ceremony; Be it a guide or a friend.

Safety in the psychedelic space is also created with a well-thought out set and setting. People often report that the medicine facilitated about 20% of the transformative experience, while the safe and comfortable physical space combined with one's mindset was responsible for the remaining 80% of the outcome.

✨ 2. Lack of preparation
While it is impossible to fully prepare one on everything they can expect during a psychedelic journey, familiarizing them with the physiological and psychological effects of different medicines at different dosages, as well as the process, setting, and flow of the day definitely helps!

Depending on the medicine consumed, there are best practices in terms of mental, physical and spiritual preparation one can engage in for week to months in advance. - As a client of mine once said, “I realized that the best preparation for Ayahuasca, was 2 years in therapy.”

Psychedelics are powerful tools for self-awareness, healing, and personal growth, yet they don't have to be everyone's first option. A good practice before high-doses of psychedelics is to familiarize oneself with their own psyche through meditation, journaling, yoga, and other modalities, as well as accessing trance states through breathwork and/or hypnosis.

✨ 3. Lack of Medical Pre-screening
While psychedelics can be profoundly meaningful once-in-a lifetime experiences, not everyone is physically or mentally fit to use them (at least without prior work). Participants with certain medical conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder - often undiagnosed) that unknowingly join retreats, migh end up having disturbing experiences that can last for months. Before you surrender your mind, body and psyche to a substance and facilitator, make sure to undergo a thorough screening process to verify that you are fit for the experience.

💫 P.S.: Not that there ever is a "bad" psychedelic experience. As Dr. William Richards once said, “Aim in finding meaning instead of labelling it a ‘bad trip’. Think: ‘I can learn from this’

Embrace everything in the human experience.”

Do you know of any other reasons behind negative psychedelic experiences? Would love to learn from your insights!