PREPARATION TO JOURNEY

Preparation Guide

  1. Principles of Navigation

  2. Entering the Journey with Intention

  3. Creating Your Inner Container (Set)

  4. Preparing Your Temple

  5. Creating Your Outer Container (Setting)

  6. Your Scared Alter

  7. Scared Protection

  8. Turning Inward

  9. The Medicine of Music

  10. Dosing & Your Menstrual Cycle

  11. Finding Your Dose

  12. Choosing Your Support

  13. When the Journey Becomes Challenging

  14. Returning to Yourself

  15. Holding Responsibility

  16. Preparation Checklist

  17. Frequently Asked Questions

  18. Further Exploration

  19. The Afterglow

Principles of Navigation

As you enter a sacred mushroom journey, one of the greatest invitations is to soften your grip on control. While this can feel unfamiliar, the medicine often asks us to trust rather than direct, to listen rather than strive, and to allow rather than resist.

It is natural to want to hold on to what feels comfortable or move away from what feels difficult. Yet, more often than not, the greatest healing is found in the very places we most want to avoid or didn't know existed. The inner terrain can ask us to meet fear, grief, anger, sadness, uncertainty, or long-forgotten parts of ourselves. By facing these experiences with curiosity, love, courage, and openness, we create the conditions for insight, healing, and transformation to unfold.

At times, you may feel your sense of identity begin to loosen, or notice parts of yourself that have long remained hidden. The ego may instinctively try to regain control by analysing, resisting, bargaining, or convincing you to pull away from the experience. This is a deeply human response.

The principle is simple, though not always easy: trust yourself and trust that the intelligence which takes you there will also bring you back safely. Let go, and remain open.

You do not need to force anything to happen or understand everything in the moment. Your role is not to control the journey, but to remain present with whatever unfolds, allowing the experience to reveal what is ready to be seen.

Entering the Journey with Intention

A journey with sacred mushrooms rarely begins when the mushrooms are taken. In many ways, it begins long before, in the quiet moments of reflection, in the questions that arise, and in the gentle sense that something within is calling to be explored.

Before the space is prepared and intentions are set, there is often a quieter unfolding. Preparation is an invitation to slow down, listen inwardly, and begin cultivating a relationship with what is already stirring within you.

Taking time to pause and turn inward allows intention to arise more naturally. It does not need to be elaborate or highly specific. It may emerge as curiosity, a longing to know yourself more deeply, a desire for healing, or a quiet recognition that something within is asking to be seen, felt, released, or remembered.

Your intention may be to soften your relationship with yourself, to let go of fear, grief, shame, guilt, or old stories that no longer serve you. It may be to cultivate forgiveness, deepen self-love, find clarity around a decision, strengthen your connection with Spirit, or open yourself to greater trust, acceptance, and inner peace. Some women come with a clear intention, while others simply arrive with an open heart and a willingness to collaborate with the wisdom of the medicine, allowing it to reveal what is most needed for their healing and growth.

Rather than something that directs the experience, intention is best held lightly. When shaped too tightly by the thinking mind, it can limit what is able to unfold. Instead, it becomes a gentle thread, something to return to rather than something to control. You do not need to have the perfect intention. An honest heart and a willingness to meet whatever arises are often enough.

As you begin preparing, you may also notice your dreams becoming more vivid, symbolic, or emotionally rich. This is not uncommon. Many women find that the preparation itself begins to open an inner dialogue through their dreams. It can be helpful to keep a journal beside your bed and write down whatever you remember upon waking, even if it seems fragmented or doesn't yet make sense. Often the meaning of these dreams only becomes apparent after the journey, when you can look back and recognise the messages, themes, or symbols that were quietly revealing themselves all along.

By listening to the heart, paying attention to your inner world, and creating space for stillness, intention can arise more honestly, beyond the noise of the mind and closer to the deeper wisdom that lives within.

You may wish to reflect on what is drawing you towards this experience, what feels ready to be explored with greater honesty, what you are ready to surrender, or what you are inviting into your life.

In this way, intention becomes less of a destination and more of a compass, gently orienting you towards openness, trust, and a willingness to meet whatever the sacred may reveal.

Creating Your Inner Container (Set)

Preparation is often thought of in practical terms, such as creating a comfortable space or choosing the right time for the experience. While these things are important, preparation also involves tending to what might be called the inner container, the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual space from which the journey will unfold.

Sacred mushrooms do not create something that wasn't already there. Instead, they invite us into a deeper relationship with the landscapes that already exist within us: our memories, emotions, beliefs, patterns, longings, fears, joys, and the truths we may have forgotten or set aside. In this way, the journey becomes a meeting between the medicine and your inner world.

Because of this, the state you bring to the experience can meaningfully influence how it unfolds. This isn't about feeling calm all the time or having everything figured out. It's about arriving with honesty, self-awareness, and a willingness to meet whatever arises with curiosity rather than resistance.

Preparing your inner container may include journalling, meditation, prayer, breathwork, spending time in nature, or simply creating more moments of stillness in the days leading up to your journey. You might also begin noticing recurring thoughts, emotional patterns, relationships that feel unresolved, or places where you are being invited to soften, forgive, or let go. All of these become part of your preparation.

Many women also find themselves naturally drawn towards simplifying life in the days beforehand. Reducing unnecessary stimulation, limiting social media, spending less time in busy environments, and creating space for rest can all help settle the nervous system and make it easier to hear the quieter wisdom within.

It can also be helpful to be mindful about who you share your intentions with. Not everyone understands experiences of this nature, and the opinions, fears, or expectations of others can sometimes influence us more than we realise. For this reason, many people choose to hold this time close, sharing it only with those who feel genuinely supportive. Protecting this inner space allows you to stay connected to your own experience, rather than someone else's perception of it.

Sometimes, one of the most important parts of preparation is recognising that it isn't the right time yet. If your nervous system feels overwhelmed, life feels unusually chaotic, or you sense you're not in the right space to meet the experience with presence and care, there is wisdom in waiting. There is no rush. The medicine isn't going anywhere. Choosing to spend more time tending to yourself, building supportive practices, and gently preparing your inner world is not a step backwards. It is part of the journey itself.

Rather than attempting to control what may unfold, preparation invites openness, trust, and receptivity. The more spacious and supported your inner container becomes, the more freely insight, healing, and remembrance can move through it.

In many ways, a journey with sacred mushrooms is not something that happens to you. It is something that unfolds from within you.

Preparing Your Temple

Your body plays an important role in shaping the experience. In the hours and days leading up to a journey with sacred mushrooms, many women choose to care for themselves with a little more attention and tenderness, preparing the body as the temple through which the experience will unfold.

As women, our bodies are extraordinary. They move through cycles, adapt, heal, nurture, and carry an innate intelligence that has sustained life for generations. They carry the extraordinary blueprint of life, a reminder of the profound wisdom held within the female body. It is little wonder, then, that our bodies ask to be listened to, nourished, and deeply cared for. Preparing your body is not simply about getting ready for a journey. It is an act of honouring the wisdom of the temple you already live within.

During this time, it can be helpful to listen closely to your body. Our bodies are deeply intuitive, often sensing shifts long before the mind fully understands them. The nervous system is constantly responding to the signals we send through our thoughts, actions, and environment. As you approach the experience, your body may begin to attune to the energy of your intention, gently guiding you towards what it needs in preparation.

This may include eating light and nourishing foods, allowing yourself adequate rest, and creating more moments of stillness. Spending time in nature or engaging in gentle movement can also help the body soften and settle, bringing it into a more balanced and receptive state.

Many people also choose to reduce or avoid coffee, alcohol, recreational substances, and highly processed foods in the days leading up to their experience. In doing so, you are gently preparing your body and mind, allowing the nervous system to settle and arrive in a clearer, more grounded state.

Rather than approaching this as restriction, it can be held as a rebalancing. You may find yourself naturally reaching for alternatives that feel more supportive during this time, such as herbal teas, nourishing warm drinks like cacao or hot chocolate, or non-alcoholic beverages that still allow for a sense of ritual and enjoyment. In this way, nothing is being taken away, but rather softened and replaced with choices that support clarity and calm within the body.

When the body feels calm and supported, it becomes easier to enter the experience with presence, openness, and trust. This preparation is more than a routine. It is a quiet act of reverence for yourself, your body, and the sacred experience you are preparing to enter.

Preparing in this way is also an act of self-love. Your body carries stories, memories, emotions, and a wisdom of its own, one that is often waiting to be listened to. The more lovingly you care for it, the more it has the opportunity to support you in return.

These practices are not about rigid rules or perfection. They are an invitation to slow down, listen more deeply, and create the conditions for presence and care. When the body feels respected and supported, we often become more open to what sacred mushrooms may reveal, and to the deeper wisdom that may already be stirring within.

Creating Your Outer Container (Setting)

The space that surrounds an experience with sacred mushrooms can have a quiet but meaningful influence on how it unfolds.

A supportive environment helps the body soften and the nervous system settle. When the space around us feels calm, safe, and undisturbed, it often becomes easier to relax, let go, and meet the experience with greater openness.

For this reason, care is taken to create an environment that feels peaceful, comfortable, and supportive. Gentle lighting, warmth, soft blankets, and a place to rest can all help cultivate a sense of ease. Equally important is the energetic quality of the space itself. The environment becomes part of the experience, woven into its sensory and emotional landscape. A space that feels intentional, cared for, and held with reverence can quietly support what is unfolding.

Creating an outer container also means creating time and space for yourself, not only for the experience itself, but for the gentle landing that follows. This may involve arranging responsibilities in advance so that your attention can remain fully with the experience. Ensuring that children, animals, or others who depend on your care are supported elsewhere can help protect the container and allow you to soften more fully into the process.

The environment is also prepared in a way that minimises unnecessary distractions. Phones are turned off, interruptions are reduced, and time is set aside so that the experience can unfold without needing anything from you. These small acts of preparation gently signal to the mind and body that this is a time for presence, listening, and inward attention.

If you are journeying with a guide or space holder, their role is not to direct or control the experience, but to help create a safe and supportive environment in which it can unfold. Knowing the space is being held in this way can help the body relax and allow for a greater sense of trust in the process.

In this way, the outer container becomes a quiet act of care and reverence, creating the conditions for sacred mushrooms to be met with greater openness, presence, and ease.

Your Sacred Altar

Creating a small sacred altar before your journey is a beautiful way of marking the transition from everyday life into a space of presence, intention, and inner exploration. It doesn't need to be elaborate or follow any tradition. Its purpose is simply to help you slow down, become fully present, and honour the journey you are about to begin.

Many people choose to light a candle as the centre of their altar. The flame can symbolise awareness, the light of consciousness, and the wisdom that already exists within. As it burns, it serves as a gentle reminder to remain open, present, and trusting throughout your journey.

You may also wish to place fresh flowers around the candle, along with a small offering of fruit, water, herbs, or a quiet prayer. These offerings are not about ceremony or obligation, but are gestures of gratitude, humility, and reverence for the intelligence you are about to meet and the wisdom you are inviting into your life.

Allow your altar to be personal. You may feel called to include meaningful objects such as a treasured keepsake, a photograph, a crystal, feathers, or something gathered from nature that helps you feel grounded and connected. There is no right or wrong way to create your altar. What matters most is that it reflects your heart, your intention, and the relationship you are beginning to cultivate with the journey ahead.

Through both my own journeys and the women I have supported, I have come to see that sacred mushroom experiences can feel deeply spiritual. Many women describe sensing the loving presence of Spirit, God, ancestors, guides, guardian angels, nature, or an intelligence greater than themselves. Others experience this as a profound connection with their own inner wisdom or the deeper layers of the psyche.

If this resonates with you, you may wish to pause before your journey, place both hands gently over your heart, and offer yourself into the care of whatever you hold sacred. For some, this is a quiet prayer. For others, it is a simple acknowledgement that they are entering a sacred space with humility, trust, and an open heart.

You might quietly say:

"May I be held in love.
May I be guided by wisdom.
May this journey unfold for my highest good.
May I be protected throughout this experience.
May I meet whatever arises with courage and an open heart."

Sacred Protection

Turning Inward

An eye mask and headphones are simple yet powerful tools that can help deepen the journey. By gently reducing external distractions, they encourage your awareness to turn inward, allowing you to become more present with your inner experience.

An eye mask can help minimise visual stimulation, making it easier to explore the images, emotions, memories, and insights that naturally arise. Headphones create a more immersive space, helping you remain connected to the music while softening the sounds of the outside world. If you have access to noise cancelling headphones, they can be especially helpful in reducing external noise and creating a greater sense of immersion.

You are always free to remove your eye mask or headphones at any time. They are offered as supports, not requirements. Your comfort and sense of safety are always the priority.

The Medicine of Music

Music plays a significant role in shaping the emotional landscape of a journey. It has the ability to gently guide, support, and hold the experience without directing it. Carefully chosen music can encourage relaxation, emotional release, awe, stillness, and a deeper connection to yourself.

For this reason, I recommend listening to a thoughtfully curated playlist rather than random songs or music with distracting lyrics. Instrumental, ambient, and heart centred music often allows the experience to unfold more naturally.

Below you will find the playlist I use during journeys. You are welcome to listen to it during your preparation, become familiar with it beforehand, or use it as the soundtrack for your own experience if it feels aligned with you.

Many women also find it meaningful to return to the same playlist in the days, weeks, or even months after their journey. Music has a remarkable ability to reconnect us with the emotions, insights, and remembering experienced during the journey, allowing its wisdom to continue unfolding long after the experience has ended.

PLAYLIST: SACRED JOURNEY  →

Dosing & Your Menstrual Cycle

Every woman's body is unique, and your menstrual cycle can play a significant role in how you experience sacred mushrooms. Many women notice that the same dose can feel very different depending on where they are in their cycle.

Research in this area is still emerging, yet both early findings and the lived experiences of many women suggest that hormonal changes throughout the month can influence the emotional depth, intensity, and overall quality of a journey. Rather than viewing your cycle as something to work around, it can become another way of listening to your body's wisdom.

Menstruation (Days 1 to 5)
As your body sheds the uterine lining, it is also moving through a natural process of release and renewal. Many women feel more inward, intuitive, emotionally open, and connected to themselves during this time. Sacred mushrooms may gently deepen this experience, inviting emotional release, grief, forgiveness, or a sense of letting go of what no longer serves. For some, this phase can feel deeply spiritual, offering an opportunity to rest, listen, and honour both the wisdom of the body and the cycles of nature.

Follicular Phase (Days 6 to 13)
As estrogen begins to rise, many women experience increased energy, curiosity, creativity, and emotional resilience. This phase often feels supportive for exploration and intention setting. Many women report journeys feeling lighter, clearer, more playful, and filled with curiosity and insight.

Ovulation (Around Day 14)
Estrogen reaches its peak, and many women describe feeling open hearted, connected, and expansive. Journeys during this phase may feel deeply relational and connected to others, nature, or Spirit. Feelings of love, unity, gratitude, and connection can be especially profound for some women.

Luteal Phase (Days 15 to 28)
As progesterone rises and hormones begin to shift towards menstruation, many women become more intuitive, emotionally sensitive, and inward. During the late luteal phase, some women report that sacred mushrooms feel stronger or more emotionally intense, making extra preparation, support, or a slightly lower dose worth considering. This phase can gently illuminate unresolved emotions or patterns that are asking to be seen with compassion.

If this is your first experience, or you're journeying during a phase where you know you're more sensitive, consider beginning with a slightly lower dose. If you are journeying on your own, without the support of an experienced guide, starting with a lower dose is especially encouraged. You can always deepen your relationship with the medicine over time.

Rather than aiming for a particular dose, approach the experience with curiosity and respect for your body's wisdom. Keeping a journal of your cycle, the dose you took, and how the experience unfolded can become a valuable resource, helping you recognise patterns and make more informed decisions in future journeys.

Like the journey itself, building a relationship with sacred mushrooms unfolds over time. There is no perfect phase to journey, only an invitation to listen more deeply to yourself. Your body, your cycle, and your experience are among your greatest guides.

Finding Your Dose

One of the most common questions people ask is, "How much should I take?"

It is an understandable question, but in my experience, it is not the most important one.

A meaningful experience is not created by taking more. A larger dose does not necessarily lead to deeper insights or greater healing. What often matters more is your willingness to soften, trust, and let go of the need to control the experience.

Through my own relationship with sacred mushrooms, I have found that the more I have been able to surrender, the less I have needed. This has been my experience, not a universal truth, but it has taught me that depth is not always found in quantity.

If you are journeying on your own, without an experienced guide or facilitator, there is great wisdom in starting with less. You can always deepen your relationship with the medicine over time, but you can never take less once you have taken more. Beginning with a lower dose allows you to become familiar with how your body, mind, and nervous system respond before exploring further.

You will hear many different opinions about dosing, and that is part of this work. Gather knowledge, stay curious, and remember there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Over time, your relationship with the medicine will become your greatest teacher.

Remember, every body is different. Your sensitivity, previous experience, emotional state, medications, physical health, whether you have eaten, and, for women, where you are in your menstrual cycle can all influence how a dose is experienced.

The ranges below are general guides only. Individual sensitivity varies greatly, and the same dose may feel very different from one person to another.

Microdose

Approximately 0.05–0.3 g

A microdose is intended to be sub-perceptual, meaning you can continue with your day while noticing only subtle shifts in awareness, mood, creativity, or presence. The intention is not to induce a psychedelic experience.

Low Journey Dose

Approximately 0.5–1.5 g

Often chosen by those who are new to sacred mushrooms or those wishing to gently explore the medicine while remaining more connected to their surroundings.

Moderate Journey Dose

Approximately 1.5–3 g

A deeper inward experience where emotions, insights, imagery, and shifts in perception often become more pronounced. Many people choose to journey with a trusted guide, facilitator, or experienced friend within this range.

Deep Journey Dose

Approximately 3–5 g+

A deeply immersive experience that may involve significant shifts in perception, a dissolution of the usual sense of self, and profound emotional, spiritual, or mystical experiences. This is the range often associated with profound therapeutic work and deep inner exploration, particularly when approached with careful preparation and appropriate support.

If this is your first journey with sacred mushrooms, it is highly recommended that you journey with an experienced guide or facilitator when exploring this dose range. Even for those with previous experience, these doses require thoughtful preparation and are best undertaken with experienced support to help create a safe and supportive environment throughout the journey.

A Reminder

Dose is only one part of the experience.

The quality of your preparation, your intention, your environment, the people around you, and your willingness to meet whatever arises often shape the experience just as much as the number of grams you consume.

It is also important to remember that different species of sacred mushrooms can vary significantly in potency. Even within the same species, factors such as age, growing conditions, and storage can influence strength. The dose ranges shared here are based on dried Psilocybe subaeruginosa (P. subs) and should be used as a general guide rather than an exact measure.

There is no perfect dose. There is only the dose that feels right for you, at this moment, approached with patience, respect, and care. Trust your intuition, move slowly, and allow your relationship with the medicine to unfold over time. There is no need to rush.

Choosing Your Support

Whether you choose to journey with a guide or on your own, having the right support can make a meaningful difference to your experience. The depth of your journey may also influence the level of support you choose. While some women feel comfortable exploring lower doses on their own, deeper journeys are often best approached with the presence of an experienced guide or facilitator who can safely hold the space.

Journeying with an experienced guide, someone who has walked this path themselves and developed a respectful relationship with the medicine, can provide reassurance, practical support, and a calm, grounded presence should challenging emotions or unexpected experiences arise. Knowing the space is being held with care can help you feel safe enough to let go, trust yourself, and meet whatever unfolds with openness.

If you choose to journey without a guide, it can be helpful to have a trusted support person available should you need them. Choose someone you feel safe with, ideally someone who has experience with sacred mushrooms or someone who will listen without judgement. Let them know when you plan to journey, and ask if they would be available should you wish to call or check in during or afterwards. Knowing that support is there, even if you never need it, can offer a greater sense of safety and ease.

If you are journeying alone, prepare your space carefully before you begin. Have everything you may need within easy reach, including water, blankets, your eye mask, headphones, journal, and nourishing food for afterwards. Make sure your journey playlist has been downloaded, your headphones are charged, and your phone is on Airplane Mode to minimise interruptions while still remaining available should you need it.

If this is your first journey, or you are working with a new batch or variety of mushrooms, begin with a conservative dose. Building a relationship with the medicine over time allows trust and understanding to develop naturally.

When the Journey Becomes Challenging

Not every moment with sacred mushrooms feels joyful, light, or expansive. At times, emotions, memories, or sensations may arise that feel intense or unfamiliar.

These moments are not necessarily a sign that something has gone wrong. Often, they are invitations to gently meet parts of ourselves that are ready to be seen, felt, understood, healed, or moved through with compassion.

During these moments, it can help to return to your breath. Your breath is always with you, offering a steady anchor when everything else feels uncertain.

If it feels supportive, place one hand on your belly and one on your heart. Take a slow, deep breath into your belly, then gently exhale, allowing your whole body to soften. Repeat a few times, letting each breath remind you that you are safe.

As you breathe, gently return to your intention or silently remind yourself:

I am safe.
I trust myself.
I can soften.

Rather than resisting what is arising, see if you can meet it with curiosity and compassion. The more willing we are to soften our grip, let go of expectations, and trust the unfolding, the more space we create for insight, healing, and remembrance.

This is where we are invited to trust ourselves and trust the intelligence of the sacred mushroom.

If you are journeying with an experienced guide or space holder, they will be there to offer a calm, grounded presence and gentle reassurance if support is needed.

Returning to Yourself

What is often discovered is something far gentler and more familiar, a remembering of the wisdom that has always lived within.

At times, sacred mushrooms can soften long-held beliefs and gently reshape the way we see ourselves and the world around us. New perspectives may emerge, along with a deeper sense of clarity, connection, and understanding.

In the hours and days that follow, there can be a subtle afterglow, a feeling of openness, tenderness, or quiet connection that lingers as the experience begins to settle. This can be a deeply receptive time, inviting us to listen more closely to ourselves and to what may still be unfolding.

Where possible, give yourself the gift of space during the days that follow. Avoid rushing back into a full schedule, constant distractions, or unnecessary busyness. Consider treating this time as a gentle personal retreat, allowing yourself time to rest, reflect, journal, spend time in nature, or simply be with whatever is continuing to unfold. This is also a space where you have access to me for support, reflection, and integration as you begin to make sense of what has been revealed.

As you return to the body, you may feel a natural pull towards grounding. Simple, nourishing food, rest, time in nature, and moments of stillness can all become gentle ways of reconnecting with yourself and the present moment.

Ultimately, these experiences are not about becoming someone new. They are an invitation to return to yourself, to trust your inner knowing, and to remember that what you have been seeking may have been within you all along.

Trust Yourself

Approaching these experiences with care, presence, and thoughtful preparation helps create the conditions for meaningful exploration. Taking time to prepare your inner and outer environment, tending to yourself with kindness and self-care, and meeting the medicine with humility, respect, and an open heart can support a more grounded and receptive experience.

As you read through this guide, remember that you are your own greatest teacher. Your intuition, inner wisdom, and lived experience are your most trusted guides. Take what resonates, leave what doesn't, and allow these suggestions to serve as gentle invitations rather than fixed rules. If something doesn't feel right for you, trust that. Your own knowing matters.

Every journey is unique and often reflects the landscape of our inner world. When approached with patience, openness, and self-awareness, these experiences can become part of an ongoing process of reflection, understanding, remembrance, and personal and spiritual growth, gently reconnecting us with our spiritual nature and our place within the greater mystery.

Preparation Checklist

☐ Reflect on your intention for the journey

☐ Spend time preparing your inner container through reflection or journaling

☐ Create a small daily ritual of stillness in the days leading up to the journey

☐ Care for your body with nourishing food, rest, and time in nature

☐ Avoid coffee, alcohol, and highly processed foods for several days beforehand

☐ Protect your inner space by limiting outside opinions or conversations about the journey

☐ Create your sacred altar with meaningful objects, a candle, flowers, or offerings that feel personally significant to you

☐ Prepare a calm, comfortable, and uninterrupted space for your journey

☐ If journeying without a guide, arrange a trusted support person who knows your plans and is available should you need to check in

☐ Have your eye mask and headphones ready, ensuring your headphones are fully charged

☐ Download your journey playlist so it is available offline

☐ Place your phone on Airplane Mode for the duration of the journey to minimise interruptions and distractions

☐ Have a pen and journal close by in case you feel called to write or capture insights during or after your journey

☐ Have plenty of blankets, pillows, and anything else you may need to stay comfortable as your body temperature fluctuates

☐ Ensure you have the entire day free from responsibilities or interruptions

☐ Speak with your guide and share any questions or concerns

☐ Set aside time after the journey for rest and reflection

☐ Have a selection of nourishing foods ready for after the journey, choosing meals that feel gentle, comforting, and grounding for your body

The Afterglow

The Afterglow is your guide for the 2–4 weeks following your journey. It offers gentle support during the natural space between the journey itself and deeper integration.

ENTER THE AFTERGLOW →

Important Questions

  • There is no single answer to this question. It depends on the nature of your mental health condition, your current wellbeing, any medications you are taking, and your personal and family mental health history.

    Some people living with anxiety, depression, or trauma have found sacred mushrooms to be meaningful as part of their healing journey. However, for others, particularly those with a personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other serious mental health conditions, sacred mushrooms may increase the risk of psychological distress or adverse outcomes.

    If you are currently experiencing a mental health crisis, severe emotional instability, or thoughts of harming yourself, it is important to postpone your journey and seek appropriate professional support.

    If you are unsure whether journeying is appropriate for you, speak with a healthcare professional before proceeding. Waiting until you have clarity is not a setback. It is a thoughtful and compassionate decision that honours your wellbeing.

  • Some medications and supplements can alter the effects of sacred mushrooms or increase the risk of unwanted interactions. For this reason, it is important to understand how anything you are taking may affect your journey before you begin.

    Particular care should be taken if you are taking antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, stimulant medications, or other medicines that affect the brain or nervous system. Some herbal supplements, including St John's Wort and other psychoactive herbs, may also interact with sacred mushrooms.

    Never stop, reduce, or change prescribed medication in preparation for a journey without first speaking with your prescribing doctor or healthcare provider.

    If you are unsure whether a medication or supplement is safe to combine with sacred mushrooms, seek advice from a healthcare professional with knowledge of psychedelic medicine before proceeding. Taking the time to understand potential interactions is an important part of preparing responsibly and caring for your wellbeing.

  • A busy mind is very normal. Preparation practices such as journaling, time in nature, or quiet moments of stillness can help settle the nervous system and create a more grounded inner space.

  • Yes. Experiences that invite deep self-exploration often bring a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. Both feelings are a natural part of approaching something meaningful.

  • Many people find it helpful to keep the evening before the journey calm and simple. Rest, gentle reflection, and avoiding stimulating environments can support a more settled state of mind.

  • Comfortable clothing that allows you to relax easily is recommended. Soft, loose, and familiar clothing can help the body feel at ease during the experience.

  • Emotional expression is a natural part of both the journey and the human experience, and whatever arises is completely normal. Tears, laughter, moments of deep feeling, waves of ecstatic joy, or a wide range of sounds and vocal expressions may naturally emerge as the mind and body process emotion, insight, and understanding. You may find yourself sighing, yawning, humming, singing, whispering, or making sounds that have no words at all. There is no need to judge or suppress them. Trust that your body knows how to express and release what it needs in its own way.

  • That's okay. Letting go is often one of the hardest parts of the journey, and it is not something that can or should be forced.

    If you don't yet feel ready, you can remain in the preparation phase for as long as you need. There is no rush. Taking more time to build trust in yourself, deepen your understanding, and strengthen your inner resources is never time wasted.

    Practices such as meditation, breathwork, mindfulness, and spending time in nature can gently help you become more comfortable with surrender, presence, and meeting the unknown. Over time, these practices cultivate the very qualities that support you during a sacred mushroom journey.

    Trust your own timing. The journey will still be there when you feel ready to meet it with greater openness and willingness.

  • When the day arrives, if something within you feels uncertain or not ready, it is completely okay to pause or not continue. This work is never about pushing or overriding what your body is communicating.

    A supportive guide or facilitator will respect your decision fully, without pressure. Sometimes, choosing not to proceed is part of the process itself, offering its own insight and clarity.

    Trusting your inner signals is an essential part of this path.

  • Many people remember important aspects of the journey clearly, while other parts may feel more symbolic or dreamlike. Journaling or quiet reflection afterwards can help capture insights while they are fresh.

  • Many people report feeling reflective, calm, or contemplative after the experience. Some may also feel emotionally tender or thoughtful as the mind begins to process what has been experienced. Others describe a sense of release, sometimes feeling as though a weight has been lifted. It is also common for people to experience a renewed sense of connection with themselves, with others, with nature, or with the wider universe.

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