🫠 Ask a Guide Anything

Welcome to Tricycle Day. We're the psychedelics newsletter that’s always up for a challenge. We prefer side quests, though. ⚔️

There are no bad trips. Only challenging ones.

Or so they say.

Whether or not that’s actually true, no one’s denying that things can get preeeetty uncomfortable when you eat a few grams of mushrooms and hand your subconscious a megaphone.

The good news is, this is where the magic happens… if you can take the heat.

So for today’s newsletter, we asked our network of licensed psilocybin facilitators: What can I do in the moment when a journey turns difficult?

They share their tips and tricks below.

You could train to be a psychedelic facilitator with people who’ve read the research.

Or, ya know, you could learn from the people who ran it.

Memoru Center's co-founders bring 60+ years of combined experience, including senior roles in MAPS' MDMA clinical trials and faculty positions at Naropa.

Now MCVHA is enrolling the next cohort of its 150-hour, Colorado-approved facilitator training program.

And unlike other trainings, this one's structured around close mentorship and contemplative traditions.

Applications close Sep 8. Scholarships are available.

The first move when things go sideways is to get rooted in your body. Masha Steiner-Renoir offers a few easy interventions: “Slow, intentional breathing, feeling the support of the ground beneath you, or placing a hand over your heart can help regulate the nervous system and create a greater sense of safety.”

Nicole Ehrbar keeps it even simpler: “When a journey turns difficult, it can be helpful to tune into your breath and pause. This single act can create just enough space to meet the moment differently.”

And if your body still won’t settle, try doing less. Char McKendrick says “the way through is by allowing ourselves to fully be with it, feeling the difficulty and discomfort in their raw form.”

There’s a mental component too. While you can’t think your way out of a spiral, you can choose how to meet the moment. Kate Schroeder swaps the question: “Rather than asking, ‘How do I make this stop?’ try asking, ‘What is this experience asking me to notice?’ or ‘What happens if I become just 5% more curious?’”

Ever the reframer, Clayton Ickes gives us a reason to be excited about the rough patches: “Difficult is not the same as bad. The difficult material in a psychedelic journey is often the most fruitful. The darkest caves hold the most treasure.” 

Look, it still might be brutal. But at least it’s not forever. Terry Turner offers some comforting words: “However difficult, strange or exalted an experience is, you will come back and you will come all the way back today!” His mantra, “this too shall pass,” is truly undefeated.

Yes, your journey is your own. But that doesn’t mean you have to face every challenge alone. Benjamin Dancer urges clients not to withdraw: “When things are difficult, that's the time to connect with your facilitator. Some of the greatest healing happens at this moment of connection.”

Lora Benson describes how facilitators respond in such moments. First, she normalizes: “This discomfort is not a mistake; it's where the medicine is working.” Then she becomes an anchor. “As a calm facilitator, my nervous system helps regulate theirs.” 

Asking for help is never a sign of weakness. But according to Mikki Vogt, there are situations where it’s especially important to speak up: “If you're experiencing confusion about your surroundings, feel physically unsafe, have persistent thoughts of harming yourself or others, or your guide is concerned about your medical or psychological wellbeing, those are important moments to communicate openly and accept support.” 

We’ve got three more suggestions. Take 'em or leave 'em.

Turn and face the strange. You came into this experience with questions, right? Is it possible what you’re experiencing is pointing to an answer?

Let go. Say you’re convinced you’re dying. Hmmm, why not explore what death is? Granted, surrender is a whole skill unto itself. (Here’s how to develop it.)

Change your scenery. Skip the song, open your eyes, relocate, etc. Whatever it takes to get some new stimuli in the mix. Now, this tactic is effective, so it can be tempting to abuse it if you’re avoiding something. (Don’t do it!)

As the old Chinese proverb goes, good medicine tastes bitter. Good thing we brought orange juice.

Thanks to Sophia C. from Oregon for submitting this week’s question. 🫠

🫣 Correction: Last Friday, we incorrectly implied that outdoor sessions were forbidden in the regulated model. Not the case! We’ve since updated the article. Thanks to Tasia Poinsatte for pointing out the error.

Reply to this email to shoot your shot. If it’s a juicy one, we may select it for a future issue.

That’s all for today, Cyclists! Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help.

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.