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Welcome to Tricycle Day. We're the psychedelics newsletter that’s as consistent as a strict microdosing protocol. 3 days on, 4 days off, every single week. So which issue is your favorite: Wed, Fri, or Sun? Shoot us a reply and let us know. 🙏

We’ve all seen that guy who’s in and out of ceremony every weekend. No judgment here, but when someone claims to be healing repressed trauma as often as they do their laundry, you can’t help but wonder whether the medicine is really helping.

When it comes to timing your journeys, “spiritual bypassing” is one trap to watch out for. But there’s also tolerance to be mindful of, or simply the risk of overwhelming your system with more than it can process.

So we asked our network of experienced practitioners: What's the ideal frequency for psychedelic journeys? How can I tell when it's time to sit with medicine again?

Here's what they said about finding your personal rhythm.

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Trust your inner compass

The overwhelming consensus among practitioners is that there's no universal timeline. Rather, your intuition is your best guide. Jo Ross explains it simply: "I find it's quite intuitive, not a one-size-fits-all. Some will have their first journey and immediately know they want another, and some immediately know it will be a while."

Denise Rue tells us how to tune into our inner guidance: "Most folks who are working with psychedelic medicines feel an internal call when it's time to dose. This requires deep and honest listening to an inner wisdom, which reveals itself through quiet reflection, journaling, time in nature, or the creative arts."

Angela Balboa offers her own framework for discernment: "I know it's time when there is a calm knowing—an internal voice that tells me there is wisdom that wants to come through in medicine. If there is any urgency for an 'answer' or a 'fix' to a crisis, I know it’s not time."

Integration comes first

Nearly every practitioner voiced that your last journey should be integrated before you consider another. Ryan Chanatry suggests, "The first question I recommend asking yourself is whether you have fully examined and integrated what surfaced from your last journey. If you have, then spend time with your intuition, noticing whether there is any resistance between your body and mind."

Louis Belleau recommends checking your motivations: "The best compass is not craving, but readiness and integrity. Are you integrating what the last journey revealed? Are you being called to deepen, not escape? When psychedelics feel like an ally, not a crutch or a fix, you'll know it's time."

Garet Free explains how an accountability partner or coach can keep you honest: "Accountability after a journey is necessary, so that you complete the circle before turning to the medicine again. Once you start to find alignment in life, you will likely feel comfortable slowing down and sitting with medicine only once every six months to a year."

Context and medicine matter

Several practitioners noted that frequency depends heavily on the specific substance and setting. John Moos explains, "For medicines like MDMA, it is generally advised to wait 4-6 weeks to allow the neurotransmitters in your brain to replenish. There are different formats that encourage a more frequent exposure to journeys, such as a retreat, where you may sit with a medicine 3-4 times in a week."

Kari Roe-LaFramboise offers some treatment-specific guidance: "If you are using ketamine as part of a treatment plan for depression, it can and often should be done weekly for several weeks. If you are working with MDMA, you need to be really cautious about how often you sit with it."

Clara Mackinlay highlights how trauma can affect timing: "Ayahuasca can open deep trauma material and often requires months or even years of integration, while ketamine or psilocybin in therapeutic settings may be gentler and more flexible. For those with complex trauma, frequent high-dose journeys—especially without trauma-informed support—can overwhelm the nervous system and backfire."

Our take

The philosopher Alan Watts famously said about psychedelics, "if you get the message, hang up the phone." Generally, we’d agree. Psychedelics are best thought of as tools, not destinations.

But with all due respect to Mr. Watts, life is dynamic. As you move through different seasons, face new challenges, and evolve as a person, you may find yourself ready for new messages. (*Ring, ring*) ☎️

The meta-skill then is to develop such a refined relationship with yourself that you can discern when medicine is truly calling, versus when you're seeking an escape, rushing the process, or distracting yourself from Doing The Work™️. Because as we’ve said a million times before, the space between journeys is almost always where the real growth happens.

Thanks to JLH for submitting this week’s question. 🫠

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UNTIL NEXT TIME

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.