How to Prepare for a Deeply Healing, Psychedelic Experience (Ayahuasca or Psilocybin): The Power of Detoxing (a “Dieta”), Mindful Preparation, and Choosing a Safe Place.
Cathy Jonas, EPIC Healing Eugene, at Mountain Rose Herbs in Eugene, Oregon.
As I prepare for my own ayahuasca retreat in Peru, I have been detoxing. In the past, I’ve purchased detox boxes, this year I researched with help of Heather Shelton, our EPIC Healing Eugene herbalist, on how to make my own detox tea. Read on for more information about the value of detoxing and other tips for preparing for a deeply transformation and safe psychedelic journey.
Shipibo Rao Ancestral Healing Center, Peru. (I discovered this small, remote retreat center by visiting the Temple of the Way of Light website, which I trust as they have excellent reviews including by Gabor Mate- trauma specialist. I’ll be going to Shipibo Rao for an immersive two week Master Plant Dieta- December 2024.
As shamans describe the process of preparing the soil for seeds of transformation, each step taken toward cleansing and intention-setting aids in nurturing the personal growth and insights that can arise from the journey.
Preparing for a psychedelic experience, whether with ayahuasca or psilocybin, involves several similar steps aimed at purifying intentions and committing to personal healing. Both pathways offer opportunities to engage in a cleansing process that aligns your mind and body, preparing you to fully embrace the transformative potential of the experience.
The shamanic tradition often emphasizes the importance of a “dieta,” a period of dietary and lifestyle changes designed to purify the body and mind before an ayahuasca retreat. While this formal preparation may not be necessary for a psilocybin experience, incorporating some of these strategies can enrich your journey. By cleansing and setting intentions, you demonstrate a commitment to your healing process, fostering a deeper connection with the plant medicine.
Although it is not essential to detoxify before using psilocybin, doing so can create a clearer mind and body. This clarity allows for a more receptive state, enabling you to engage fully with whatever insights and healing may arise.
Metaphorically, this preparation is akin to walking the path of your experience before you even ingest the substance. Just as a gardener prepares the soil before planting seeds, you can prepare yourself for the work ahead. Engaging in practices that promote mental and physical clarity helps prepare the ground for the seeds of transformation to sprout, nurture, and grow.
Consider integrating activities such as mindfulness, meditation, gentle yoga, or a clean diet into your pre-experience preparation. These practices can support your intention-setting, help minimize distractions, and create a sacred space for your journey. Ultimately, this approach honors both your own healing and the significance of the plant medicine you are about to engage with.
By engaging in these preparations, you are metaphorically walking the path of your experience before ingesting the medicine.
Tea Preparation: 2:1 ration of Burdock Root to Dandelion Root, conservatively add small amount of Licorice Root (can be sweet), boil, hard simmer for 10 minutes. Add in the other herbs, simmer for an hour: Red clover, smaller amount of calendula flowers (can be drying so drink extra water if you add too much). I also add Spearmint and Peppermint Leaves. Put in mason jar(s) in refrigerator, drink at liberty. If too strong, dilute a bit with fresh water. And/or purchase some Yogi Lemon Ginger tea, there’s a lot more in there than just Lemon and ginger. Also a good detox tea by itself or in addition.
Yogi Tea by East West Company - Lemon-Ginger
Steps for Preparation:
Engaging in a thoughtful preparation process can enhance the experience and strengthen your connection with the plant medicine.
Steps for Preparation:
Cleansing Diet: Many traditions recommend a cleansing “dieta” (spiritual and physical diet) prior to an ayahuasca retreat, which typically includes abstaining from certain foods and substances, and even refraining from sexual activity for a period of time to keep your energy aligned within yourself for your highest healing. While none of these “sacrifices” are a requirement for engaging in a psilocybin experiences, by adopting a simplified, nourishing diet and keeping the body as clean as possible can clear the mind and body, making it more receptive to the insights of the journey. It also can feel like you are bringing a deeper level of commitment to your healing and the whole process of preparing for your psychedelic experience.
Mindfulness Practices: Incorporating mindfulness techniques such as meditation, yoga, or breathwork can help center your mind and cultivate a deeper sense of awareness. These practices can facilitate a stronger connection to your intentions and enhance the overall experience.
Setting Intentions: Reflect on what you hope to explore or understand during your experience. Writing down your intentions can solidify your commitment to the process and provide a guiding focus for your journey.
Integration Preparation: Consider how you will integrate the lessons learned during your experience into your daily life. Planning for this can help maintain the insights gained and support ongoing healing.
Creating a Safe Space: Ensuring that your environment is comfortable and supportive is crucial for a positive psilocybin experience. A structured, legalized, and regulated setting can significantly enhance your journey. This often involves choosing a retreat center or a licensed psilocybin service center. Facilities like EPIC Healing Eugene in Oregon provide a safe and nurturing atmosphere where individuals can explore their experiences under professional guidance.
If you are considering international options, countries such as Costa Rica, Peru, Jamaica, or Mexico offer various retreat centers. These locations may provide unique settings and expertise in guiding psychedelic experiences, particular with working with psilocybin or ayahuasca. However, staying within the United States may provide the comfort of familiarity. As regulations evolve, you can find additional legalized service centers in states like Colorado and others that are gradually following suit.
For a more independent journey, gathering a trusted companion as a sitter can be beneficial. This individual can provide support and reassurance throughout your experience. Alternatively, sharing the journey with a group of friends can create a supportive and communal atmosphere.
Preparation is key to enhancing your experience. Incorporating calming elements such as music is highly recommended. Curating a playlist that resonates with you can facilitate relaxation and introspection. Whether in a professional setting or a personal one, creating a supportive environment plays a vital role in your psilocybin experience.
Safety Considerations: When considering international travel for psychedelic experiences or working with underground guides, it is crucial to be aware of safety considerations. Not all shamans and guides adhere to ethical boundaries, and there have been instances of inappropriate behaviors, including sexual misconduct. Although such occurrences may be less common in the context of retreats and guided experiences involving psilocybin, MDMA, and ayahuasca, they do happen, so it is important to research and listen to your intuition.
For those seeking ayahuasca retreats, some reputable options include the Temple of the Way of Light in Peru and Soltara Healing Center in Costa Rica. Researching thoroughly is essential; reading reviews, seeking recommendations from friends, or consulting trusted sources can significantly enhance your safety and overall experience.
In contrast, when engaging in psilocybin services within a regulated framework, such as that offered by licensed service centers like EPIC Healing Eugene, you benefit from mandated safety protocols and professional standards. All facilitators at these centers undergo rigorous training and licensing processes. Many have advanced personal and professional backgrounds in coaching, mental health and medical fields, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for transformative healing experiences.
Choosing to work with a licensed psilocybin service center mitigates many risks associated with unregulated practices and can provide a more secure foundation for your journey.
Connecting with Nature: Spending time in nature before your experience can ground you and enhance your connection to the natural world, which is often a significant aspect of the journey with psychedelics.
Hydration and Rest: Staying well-hydrated and ensuring you are well-rested leading up to your experience is crucial. A clear and rested body can improve receptivity and provide a better foundation for the experience.
Planning for your Integration: Learning about what integration services are offered, including the availability of on-going groups, or other private offerings and services are important to consider, as you are viewing what is included in the service package or retreat admission you are being charged. At EPIC Healing / Radiant Heart, individual preparation and integration is offered, as well as a variety of free on-going Preparation, Integration, and Personal Groups.
As the first licensed Psilocybin Service Center in Oregon and the nation, we emphasize experience, the quality and trusted service we provide, long-term integration, and the supportive community we’re honored to nurture.
Shamans not only use a variety of herbs, barks, roots, and plants for healing, where they are ingested, but also use herbs and flowers as part of a blessing and purification process. These “Floral baths or “Limpia” are often conducted before ayahuasca ceremonies.
At EPIC Healing / Radiant Heart’s September 2024 “Healers of the Heart” Retreat we tried to replicate an aspect of this ritual as a blessing ceremony before the first psilocybin experience and then at the end of the retreat on our integration day. Participants described this as a very special part of their experience. One of the ingredients as “holy basil” from the Amazon. We also added rose petals.
Wishing everyone the best on your heart journey.