Your Psilocybin Mushroom Companion by Michelle Janikian

Author:Michelle Janikian
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Publisher: Ulysses Press
Published: 2019-03-12T16:00:00+00:00

91 Stamets, “1035: Joe Rogan Experience”

92 Johnson, et al., “An Online Survey of Tobacco.”

93 Garcia-Romeu, et al, “Cessation and Reduction in Alcohol Consumption.”

94 Pisano, et al., “The Association of Psychedelic Use.”

95 Lyons and Carhart-Harris, “Increased Nature Relatedness.”

Chapter 9

HOW TO NAVIGATE THE SPACE

Trust. Let Go. Be Open.

—Bill Richards, Sacred Knowledge

Navigating the psychedelic experience isn’t always intuitive and takes some practice and skills. Getting comfortable in the space can be the hardest part, as it is so dramatically different from everyday life that it can be overwhelming or frightening. But according to researchers, the most important thing you can do is to approach the experience with an accepting attitude and open mind.96 Similarly, while you’re actually under the influence of a psychedelic, the most important navigation skill is to relax. It sounds simple—too easy, even—but relinquishing your control to the substance, to not resist its powers and just let go and see where it takes you, can be challenging. In fact, you might not even realize you’re resisting the effects, which is another reason why I recommend tripping on lower doses first. It will give you time to get used to the physical and mental sensations and learn how to “let go” before moving on to more intense experiences.

In one of the first trip manuals, The Psychedelic Experience, published in 1964, the main recommendation for tripping successfully still holds true: “Whenever in doubt, turn off your mind, relax, float downstream.” In fact, every psychedelic expert who has written on the subject has given this same advice in their own words. Rick Strassman, author of DMT: The Spirit Molecule, and the first scientist to resume psychedelic research since prohibition, advises something very similar: “It is only through letting go that we find ourselves making the most progress… this surrender is the crux of a successful journey.”97

Similarly, in The Psychedelic Explorers’ Guide, James Fadiman gives more specifics on how to surrender: “Observe what is going on inside your mind and body, but do not try to control the flow of images and sensations. Allow your mind to take its natural course; relax and observe as your thoughts unfold without any effort. Affirm that all experiences are welcome.”98 Fadiman’s advice is crucial because it not only recommends relaxing and surrendering to the experience, but it reminds us that we shouldn’t try to control every thought, and just accept and welcome them as they come. However, while you’re tripping, this can be difficult because your mind will constantly try to rationalize everything.

This happened to me very recently on a high-dose trip. I was having profound realizations about the nature of my life and personality, but even with 4 grams of mushrooms in my system, my mind was still trying to figure out and rationalize all of my insights. I had to keep reminding myself that midtrip wasn’t the time to figure out all the details. Even though I had realized all these things about myself, I didn’t need to make a plan that instant about how I was going to change all these aspects of my life.

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