Psychedelics have been gaining popularity as a tool for personal growth, spiritual exploration, and therapeutic purposes. However, before diving into the world of psychedelics, it's important to build a strong foundation in your relationships, particularly with those closest to you. Here are some tips on how to build a strong relationship foundation before experimenting with psychedelics.
Communication is Key
Communication is the foundation of any relationship, whether it's with your partner, family, or friends. It's important to establish open and honest communication channels before experimenting with psychedelics. This means being able to talk about your thoughts, feelings, and concerns without fear of judgment or rejection. It's also important to listen actively and without interruption to what others have to say. Having clear communication channels can help you navigate any challenges that may arise during your psychedelic experience.
Develop Trust
Trust is essential in any relationship, and it's particularly important when it comes to psychedelics. You need to trust the people you are tripping with and be confident that they will look after you if you have a difficult experience. This means building trust by being reliable, keeping promises, and showing that you have each other's best interests at heart. Take the time to get to know each other and build a bond before experimenting with psychedelics. Otherwise, we run the risk of revealing our most vulnerable self + forming bonds before we have enough information that this person is someone we can trust with our inner most parts of self.
Establish Boundaries
Establishing boundaries is crucial in any relationship, and it's especially important when it comes to psychedelics. Make sure that everyone is on the same page about what is and isn't acceptable during the trip. This includes things like respecting each other's personal space, refraining from judgment, and avoiding triggering topics, + even being on the same page about intention. What if one person wants to step into a romantic relationship + the other person does not. When we are influenced by psychedelics, the concept of “love” expands + we may find ourselves “in love” with someone that we wouldn’t be in a sober mindstate. Establishing clear boundaries can help you avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts during your psychedelic experience.
Practice Compassion
Compassion is the ability to empathize with others and show kindness and understanding towards them. It's essential to practice compassion in your relationships, particularly when experimenting with psychedelics. Psychedelics can bring up a range of emotions and experiences, as well as, become strange + eccentric. It's important FIRST to know our level of emotional availability or even training be able to support each other in the way we both/all need. Do we need to find another person to support if we don’t? Either way, connecting with our own compassion + presence can be crucial in moving through these experiences.
Build a Support Network
Having a support network is essential when experimenting with psychedelics. This means having people you can talk to before and after the experience who can provide guidance and support. Your support network can include friends, family, or even a therapist who is knowledgeable about psychedelics. It's also important to have a plan in place in case of an emergency, such as having a sober person present or knowing where to go for help. Community is an important resource, I believe, for all the mental health challenges in our culture. We attempt to heal through isolation, but I don’t believe that is the answer. We can’t heal as well without the social support of love in community.
Building a strong relationship foundation before experimenting with psychedelics is essential for a safe and positive experience. Communication, trust, boundaries, compassion, and a support network are all important factors to consider. By taking the time to build strong relationships, you can create a supportive and positive environment for your psychedelic experience.
Discover the right facilitator/program for a safe and positive experience with sex, psychedelics, or plant medicine by checking out my guide. Join my upcoming course, Sex Love Psychedelics, to explore how psychedelics can enhance your sex life and relationships. Tune in to the Sex Love Psychedelics Podcast for expert interviews and inspiration to deepen your exploration into passionate sex and healthy chemistry.
Disclaimer: This class is for educational purposes only. We are not providing health advice or recommendations that you engage in illegal activity. This is not intended to provide psychiatric diagnosis, treatment, psychotherapy, psychedelic substances, referrals, or medical advice. Ingesting psychedelic compounds is never completely safe. Adverse effects can occur from ingesting psychedelic drugs, including PTSD or seizures. Please discuss with your medical provider about health fit + any medications that might interfere. These medicines are not safe for all consumers. We are providing harm reduction information to seekers interested in safely working with it. We do not advocate for, endorse, or intend for this report to be used to violate federal law.