General checklist ahead of psychedelic therapy

To make it easier, we’ve made a general list of checkmarks before considering psychedelic therapy:

• 1. Are you using lithium? (Medication for bipolar disorder).

  If yes:

  Lithium can't be combined with psychedelics. Bipolar disorder increases the risk of experiencing adverse effects post-psychedelic journey.     

• 2. Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?

  If yes:

  Postpone the psychedelic journey after birth has been given or breastfeeding has ended.

• 3. Are you on antipsychotics or anxiety-relieving drugs?

  If yes:

  Communicate with your trip-sitter, who will survey whether there is a risk of interactions.

• 4. Do you have heart problems?

  If yes:

  Communicate with your doctor. If you can handle sexual intercourse and other arousing activities, then you will also be able to handle a psychedelic journey.

• 5. Are you taking antidepressants? (SSRI/SNRI)

  If yes:

  SSRI/SNRI can reduce the effect of psychedelic substances but is not in general considered dangerous. The dosage might need to be increased by 30-50%. Antidepressants and MDMA can't be combined. 

• 6. Do you take medications that must be taken at specific times?

  If yes:

  Please talk with your trip sitter, as we will remind you and assist you with this during your psychedelic journey. 

• 7. Do you have allergies? (In terms of food or other substances).

  If yes:

  Please inform your trip sitter about this before your session.          

• 8. Have you experienced episodes of psychosis throughout your life?

  If yes:

  Increased risk of adverse effects. Psychedelics are, on a general level, not to be recommended. If you still want to proceed, the dosage should be low. Awareness of set & setting and control of other factors are critical.    

• 9. Have someone in your family experienced psychosis episodes throughout their life?

  If yes:

  Statistically increased risk of adverse effects. Set & setting and thoughtful preparations are more important than usual. 

• 10. Do you often experience panic attacks?

  If yes:

  Talk with your trip sitter. Thoughtful preparations and tranquility around the session are essential.

• 11. Do you have health anxiety or major unrest regarding the body's processes? (Such as pulse, breath, emotions & sensations?).

  If yes:

  Please talk with your trip sitter when this state can make it harder to let go and surrender the psychedelic effects. Thoughtful preparations and tranquility are essential.        

• 12. Are you frightened by the unknown, the dark, or the thought of cosmic or spiritual conditions?

  If yes:

  Talk with your trip sitter. It is important to disclose and prepare for what you might experience within a psychedelic journey and what those experiences typically can mean for you.   

• 13. Do you have previously "bad trips" or challenging experiences with psychedelics? Or have you experienced something difficult integrating post-experience?

  If yes:

  Talk with your trip sitter so these elements can be integrated before diving into another psychedelic journey.

• 14. Do you feel ready in general for a psychedelic journey?

  You should feel ready to proceed before entering a psychedelic journey.   

• 15. Do you feel that this is the right day to proceed with a psychedelic journey?

  Your daily shape is essential. You should feel ready for the psychedelic journey.

• 16. Do you feel safe in the current situation? (The choice of location, trip sitter, etc.).

  The location should feel comfortable and provide a secure environment for you. You must also feel the trip sitter is the right person to guide you through this experience.        

• 17. Unrest and nervousness

  If yes:

  Everyone experiencing a psychedelic session for the first time will usually have a certain degree of unrest. The trip sitter will handle this element during the initial conversation.