2 Weeks Before the Session

These guidelines will begin to prepare your body and mind for the session. Self-care will need to take center stage in your life. Some users of psychedelic medicine choose to extend their preparation period for up to 2-3 weeks before the session. Thorough preparation is common when you look at the ancestral uses of psychedelic substances in indigenous populations. Since they've used some of these substances for thousands of years, it's safe to say they know why preparation is essential. Consider this training for the marathon to come! You would never want to go to a marathon without the proper fuel and exercise beforehand. Here are a few examples of preparation from indegenous traditions.

For example, in the Amazonian shamanic traditions, particularly involving Ayahuasca, preparation is considered as crucial as the ceremony itself. Shamans emphasize the importance of 'dietas,' a term that refers to a diet but encompasses much more. It includes abstaining from certain foods, sexual activity, and often involves isolation from the community. This preparation is believed to cleanse the body, heighten sensitivity to the spiritual realm, and foster a deeper connection with the plant spirit. The dieta can last for days or weeks and is integral to the healing potential of the psychedelic experience. (Source: Encounters with the Amazon's Sacred Vine by Eduardo Luna.)

1 Week Before

• No alcohol, weed, or other psychedelics at least 1 week before
• No sex (including with oneself) 5 days before. It’s helpful to go into a session knowing what is yours, and this sets a boundary for you to go inward. You can relate to your partner through loving touch, massage, and with gentle, nonsexual cuddles.
• Decrease violent media, social media intake, and whatever kind of media you may find triggering (news, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
• No caffeine 24 hours before and 24 hours after session
• For a few days before, avoid meat (if your health allows it), and stick to eating lightly like soups, cooked vegetables, and fruits. Drink plenty of water, avoid coffee or strong black tea, alcohol, fried spicy or overly sweet foods
• Being in nature is important. The session is not just psychological and physically, but arguably it impacts your connection to everything around you. Spend time outdoors in whatever form you can in the days leading up to the session.
• Sleep 7 to 8 hours for three days before and after a journey and take naps if you feel tired from activities. If you don’t come in well-rested, you might spend some of your session asleep!
• Buy melatonin and magnesium for post session to help you with sleep.
• Have food readily available for when you get home.