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Are you eager to embark on a solo shroom tripping journey?

Doing magic mushrooms alone can be an exceptionally powerful and enlightening experience – However, navigating the aspect of hyperspace isn’t always as easy as one may think or expect.

While various individuals may associate taking magic mushrooms / shrooms with having fun and creating memorable social experiences, others connect their psychedelic experience with journeying under the care of their community, a spiritual group, or guide.

However, here’s the question - Is being a part of a group absolutely necessary? Here is everything you need to know about the art of solo shroom tripping and what you can expect.

Solo Tripping on Magic Mushrooms

Let’s get this out of the way and into the open right away – There is NO ‘right or wrong way’ to have a psychedelic experience, irrespective of others’ opinions or what they may think or say (both within and outside of the psychedelic community).

In fact, you yourself may even have your own reservations, hesitations, and pre-formed perceptions (and sometimes even fears) regarding doing magic mushrooms or psychedelics on your own. First off, it’s important to know that it is completely normal – so you are okay!

Tripping on magic mushrooms or shrooms by yourself can sound both intimidating and scary at first, especially if you’ve never done it before. To be honest, I’d be shocked if it didn’t. You’re stepping into a whole new world, it’s only normal for you to feel some degree of fear and uncertainty, stumble a little, find your footing, and eventually / ultimately adjust.

Tripping solo / embarking on your magic mushroom experience and journey alone is an entirely unique experience than tripping with friends. To be clear, it’s not ‘right or wrong’ in ANY way, it’s simply different. That’s all!

When doing magic mushrooms on your own, you are fully in the driver’s seat. You are in total control of your own psychedelic journey. And who knows, it might just be one of the best, most insightful, powerful, and enlightening psychedelic trips you’ve ever had.

Doing Magic Mushrooms Alone: Should I or Shouldn’t I?

According to Chaia Moon, a mindset and integration consultant and owner of Chaia Moon Multiverse, who frequently guides psychedelic journeys, deciding whether or not to do shrooms alone should be thoughtfully considered.

When embarking on your own personal psychedelic journey, you will experience intense introspection, a great deal of inward thinking, as well as dive deeper, uncover, and unearth your deepest thoughts, desires, feelings, and expectations.

If you’re interested in exploring consciousness in this way, it is important to ask yourself the following questions:
    •    What am I hoping to learn from my solo trip?
    •    Which tools and practices can I draw on to help centre and ground myself during my journey?

When should you NOT do shrooms solo?

If this is your first time taking shrooms / magic mushrooms, abide by the following mantra - Start low and go slow! With this in mind, several people find that microdosing is the perfect place to start. Not only does microdosing enable you to acclimate to the subtler side of magic mushroom / psilocybin’s altered states, it gives you the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the vast and diverse range of magic mushrooms.

Once you’ve gained experience with microdosing, your body and mind may be more ready and equipped for a low or moderate dose.

If you are in the midst or the aftermath of a major life event, such as marriage, divorce, becoming a parent, or losing a loved one, it is strongly advised that you do not take psychedelics / magic mushrooms on your own. In any of these cases, Chaia Moon (mindset and integration consultant and owner of Chaia Moon Multiverse) recommends waiting at least 90 days before taking and/or journeying with any psychedelics. She further backs her recommendation by stating that, “The nervous system is more vigilant at this time, and thus your body first needs to regulate and settle down.”

By tripping / taking magic mushrooms / psychedelics when your body is in ‘fight or flight’ mode, in a state of crisis, experiencing trauma, or going through a major transition, significantly heightens the risk of you enduring a particularly challenging psychedelic experience, which could ultimately leave you feeling more unsettled.

Instead, during that time, Moon recommends seeking other forms of support, such as talk therapy, or working with a psychedelics guide who can help you get to a more settled state of mind and body before you embark on a trip.

Additionally, it’s important to have support in your psychedelic journey if you have a personal or family history of addiction, psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, or severe anxiety. Having a mental health diagnosis does not preclude the possibility of tripping alone, says Moon, but it’s best done when you’re in a stable and healthy state of mind and body.
If you take any prescription medications or other substances, it’s essential to check with a medical practitioner for contraindications or potential interactions.

What is it like doing Magic Mushrooms on your own?

Many psychedelic users have had positive experiences with using magic mushrooms alone. In fact, significant people, such as Terence McKenna, suggest that taking psilocybin in isolation provides a better experience in its entirety.

It’s no secret that every single person has a distinct experience with shrooms / magic mushrooms / psilocybin. That’s the beauty and magic of it – no person is the same – and therefore no person will have the same experience.

At the right dose, psilocybin will significantly alter your perceptions - including, but not limited to, your physical senses, your sense of time, your environment, your relationships, and even yourself.
Among countless other things, you may see and experience ordinary objects and familiar environments in an entirely new light, experience a heightened sense of euphoria and enlightenment, enhanced creativity, elevated spiritual or mystical experiences, as well as a greater degree of insight and deep introspection.
 

What are the benefits of doing Magic Mushrooms alone?

Countless magic mushroom users have had positive experiences with using mushrooms alone. In fact, some people, such as Terence McKenna, suggest that taking psilocybin in isolation provides a better experience.

Here are merely a few incredible and diverse benefits of doing magic mushrooms alone:
    •    One of the top benefits of doing magic mushrooms on your own is accessibility. When tripping solo, there is no need to coordinate your schedule with fellow trippers, groups, or guides. You are in total control of choosing the day and time that works best for you.
    •    If you’re a person who enjoys and seeks solitude - or you’re someone with social anxiety - tripping solo might feel like a comfortable and supportive way to journey inwards.
    •    According to Chaia Moon, if you’re experienced with magic mushrooms / psychedelics you may experience your solo trip to be incredibly healing and cathartic. “Seeing yourself safely through a trip can feel empowering,” - Chaia Moon. She goes on to explain that, using your tools and managing your way through a trip can significantly increase your self-trust. “To get through that otherworldly journey, and where it takes you,” she says, “it’s almost like a triumph.”
    •    Tripping alone means that your experience and psychedelic journey won’t be influenced by that of others in your space. In addition to other trippers, even well-intentioned guides can sometimes get in the way of your intended process. According to Chaia Moon, “So much more comes out and can potentially be unleashed with a solo trip, because it’s just you.”
    •    A solo psychedelic trip gives you the opportunity to free your mind and completely let go. It is by far the best quality time you can give yourself.
    •    For many magic mushroom users, a solo psychedelic journey leads to a more enjoyable and “productive” trip.
    •    Tripping on psilocybin alone removes the fear of being watched or judged by others, allowing for a more relaxed, and pleasurable experience.
    •    If you do however feel better, safer, and more comfortable with a trip sitter around while tripping solo – that’s completely fine too. This is YOUR experience after all! Your trip sitter doesn’t necessarily need to be in the room with you either. You can trip solo in one room, in earshot of someone who can step in and help at any time if necessary.

How do you prepare to do shrooms alone?

Those who choose to trip alone have greater safety concerns to consider: how do you ensure that you can access help should trouble arise? How do you ensure that you don’t get lost if you’re away from home? How do you ensure that you can stay emotionally safe during a challenging experience? These are all extremely important and valid questions.

Preparing to do shrooms alone is similar to preparing to do shrooms with friends or tripping in a group setting – However there are a few caveats to consider, including:
    •    Set & Setting: When choosing to trip solo or embark on your own psychedelic journey, location is everything! Not to mention your current mindset. “Set” refers to your mood and frame of being, and “setting” references your environment and, if applicable, the people you’re with (which, if you’re solo is null & void). Set and setting can have a significant impact on your psychedelic trip – both good and bad.
 

Here are a few things / tips to keep in mind, all of which are incredibly helpful and valuable, as you embark on your solo shroom trip adventure:
    •    Choose a day when you’re feeling healthy, well-rested, in good spirits, and in a positive mindset.
    •    It is always a good idea to have back-up in place – just in case! Whether you choose to tell a trusted friend, trip sitter, or guide, it ensures that someone will be available if you do require support or assistance of any kind.
    •    Make sure you are in a safe, comfortable, and familiar environment (this is crucial) without any unexpected distractions or unwanted disturbances / interferences.
    •    Gather any supplies or aids that may be useful or inspiring on your journey.
    •    Eat a light meal a couple of hours before your psychedelic journey.
    •    Have plenty of water and light snacks on hand.
    •    Put all your electronics, including your cell phone on silent. This ensures that you won’t be disturbed or distracted during your psychedelic trip.
    •    Finally, it is important to ensure that you have easy access to emergency services should the need arise.
Here are some additional guidelines and tips to help you prepare for your solo psychedelic journey and to ensure you have an enjoyable and positive solo psilocybin experience:
    •    Get into a good mindset before you begin
    •    Be intentional about your setting
    •    Clear your schedule completely to avoid any interruptions or distractions
    •    Inform someone you trust about your plans
    •    Know the exact dose you are supposed to take

Moving ‘through’ your solo shroom trip

Setting a clear intention is an important and helpful practice before embarking on a psychedelic trip. Setting an intention involves reflecting on what you hope to gain or experience from your solo shroom trip / personal psychedelic experience.

Sara Ouimette, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Oakland, California who is also a trained psychedelics guide, blogs on issues around journeying and integration. As you move through the psychedelic experience,” writes Ouimette, “feel your senses through your body. Feel your feelings and let them move through you however they want to express themselves. Allow whatever arises and then let it go using movement, voice, or breath. Pay attention to new insights and listen to the wisdom, making it a part of you.”
 

How do you deal with challenging solo trips?

As mentioned before, every person has an entirely different experience with taking shrooms / magic mushrooms / psilocybin. In addition to the countless benefits of doing magic mushrooms alone or in a group, there are also challenges. Magic mushroom trips can trigger uncomfortable experiences and sensations such as nausea, fear, paranoia, disorientation, and physical discomfort.
If you do encounter any of these challenging sensations while tripping solo, it helps (in fact, it is vital) to have a range of helpful tools and valuable techniques at the ready to assist and aid you.

Some of these tools & techniques include, but are not limited to:
    •    Breathwork
    •    Meditation & mindfulness techniques
    •    Yoga
    •    Positive self-talk
    •    Journaling

Sara Ouimette recommends that in order to deal with / meet challenging moments effectively and pro-actively when tripping solo you should be re-cantering in / within your physical body, while observing – but not becoming attached to – whatever sensations that may arise or feelings you may be experiencing. For instance if fear starts to creep into your experience, you can (as stated by Ouimette) “breathe deeply and allow whatever you are feeling to move through you, shaking your body or making any sounds that feel natural or intuitive.”

If you do experience challenges and obstacles and find yourself in the midst of a difficult solo trip, don’t hesitate to seek support from someone experienced in psychedelic journeying, whether it’s a previous trip sitter, guide, or a non-judgmental friend, all of which can be incredibly helpful confidants.

In Conclusion…

It is important to take time off before, during, and after your trip. In addition to a period of restorative sleep - to return to baseline - according to Chaia Moon, it is a great idea to take the day after your trip to rest and recover.

Once you’ve recuperated, it is both essential and highly cathartic to reflect on your trip, noting any insights, peak experiences, challenges, or questions that may have come up throughout your journey.

Journaling or talking through these issues with a good friend, a trusted guide, or a therapist - also known as integrating your psychedelic experience - may help you grow and prepare for your next trip.