Beyond Understanding, Beyond Reach?
Whether you tripped at a music festival, went deep with a friend on some shrooms, or dabbled with acid during college, these experiences can range from notable to confusing, or even off-putting. Regardless of how you feel about them, it’s important to take time to consolidate these experiences. Each trip offers exactly what we’re meant to encounter, but how do we make sense of these experiences that transcend our regular understanding?
With the emergence of mainstream research and the decriminalization of magic mushrooms in various states, therapies and therapists are now helping people integrate these experiences in meaningful ways.
How Do We Do It?
Although this may seem daunting, the simplest approach is often the best. During a psychedelic experience, our brains enter altered states, enhancing connectivity and communication between different brain regions. This leads to expanded feelings, acting as pointers to our deeper emotions. Whether enjoyable or challenging, these feelings provide an opportunity to decide how we respond and integrate them, opening new avenues of personal growth.
In essence, we choose how we “feel” about these new sensations. By calming our nervous system, we can use these experiences to move beyond our current perspectives.
1. A Deeper Look Inside
Consider why you tripped. Whether you set an intention or took it casually with friends, your mindset and environment (“set” and “setting”) play crucial roles. Reflecting on your state of mind and life circumstances during the trip can help you understand what the experience was teaching you. Often symbolic and experiential rather than intellectual, these lessons require us to suspend disbelief and simply feel without justification. Remember, there are no “bad trips,” only challenging ones that reveal parts of ourselves we might otherwise avoid.
2. Connect with Like-Minded People
Psychedelic experiences are often beyond normal comprehension, making it helpful to connect with others who have had similar journeys. Sharing your experiences with others can aid in integration, much like connecting on a human level. Online forums and in-person groups, such as the Entheogen Integration Circle in New York or Meetup communities in cities like Portland, Boston, and Los Angeles, can provide valuable support. You can also find local integration therapists through MAPS’ online database.
3. Walk Your Mind Before You Run It
Slow and steady is the approach here. Psychedelics take us beyond words, so we need different ways to tap into and express these feelings. Art, movement, dance, bodywork, and anything that helps us tune in can be effective. Journaling during or right after the experience is particularly useful for reflection. By embodying these sensations and revisiting them, we can better consolidate and grow from our experiences.
4. Cultivate Stillness
Meditation and stillness offer numerous benefits, and maintaining such practices can be easier post-psychedelic experience. Start with short sessions if you’re new to meditation, and gradually increase the duration. For seasoned practitioners, deepening your practice can enhance your ability to integrate psychedelic experiences. Preparing with increased meditation before a trip can help you fully immerse and set clear intentions.
5. Consider Consolidating with a Professional
While not everyone may need professional help, it can be highly beneficial. MAPS’ online database is a great resource for finding therapists. If in-person sessions aren’t available, video calls are an option. Clinical trials show that therapy sessions can lead to fuller integration, helping you get the most out of your experiences. Consider this option if you’re struggling to integrate on your own.
