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Welcome to Tricycle Day. We’re the psychedelics newsletter that zigs when they zag. It’s not that we need to be contrarian. We just saw a nice tree. 😍

Despite our best intentions, psychedelics are still fairly fringe.

And come on. If you’re a loyal reader of a niche 3x/week newsletter on this hyper-focused topic, you’re probably not an Average Joe either. (Love you for that.)

But having uncommon interests doesn’t necessarily mean you have a brain with different wiring. Neurodivergent folks (people with ADHD, autism, and other neurological differences), on the other hand, do.

So we asked our network of experienced practitioners: Does neurodivergence affect psychedelic experiences? And if so, how does it show up during a trip?

Here's what they told us about working with different kinds of minds.

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Watch out for overstimulation

If psychedelics already dial up sensory processing, then neurodivergence turns it up to 11. As Amie Brooke explains, neurodivergence can intensify “the brain's existing patterns across many variables such as sensory and cognitive processing, emotional regulation, social needs, and even medication interactions.”

That means neurodivergent minds may become extra sensitive to stimuli during a psychedelic experience. Sara Call advises that “music that feels soothing to others can become overwhelming or distracting, even if it’s a playlist they normally love.” Kari Roe-LaFramboise adds that certain “textures and smells can cause unnecessary distress during a trip.”

But the senses don’t always get loud. Avery Collura points out that “for some neurodivergent people, psychedelics amplify sensory input; for others, they soften overwhelm and create unexpected clarity.” After all, not all neurodivergent people are the same, by definition.

The medicine adapts

Several practitioners explicitly stated that neurodivergence isn’t a problem to be fixed. For context, Wallace Murray points out that neurodivergence is “often seen as a defect when pathologizing or medicalizing.” A more useful framing, he suggests, is to think of it as “part of the unique nervous system and perceptual style the medicine is working with."

Clara Mackinlay gets specific: “ADHD folks may move quickly between insights or sensations, struggle to settle, or feel impulsive to make changes, while autistic clients often experience heightened sensory sensitivity or a more literal, focused internal process.” Oxana Kirsanova notices a similar pattern: “ADHD may bring faster thought patterns or shifting insights before settling into clarity.”

Ben Askins offers a poetic take: “The medicine doesn't judge the circuitry. It dances with it.” Let’s all be more like the medicine, people.

Get personalized support

There’s no question that neurodivergent people can benefit from psychedelics. But a thoughtfully designed setting may be especially important for this population. Sara paints the vision: “With the right setting, familiar comforts, and thoughtful support, neurodivergent people often access profound insights, vivid inner landscapes, and deeply spiritual experiences.”

Avery suggests the experience should be tailored to the client’s needs: “Neurodivergence does not make psychedelic work unsafe. It just means the map might look different.” Clara agrees: “With solid rapport, clear structure, and an attuned guide, neurodivergent people can have incredibly meaningful journeys. Pacing, safety, regulation, and integration support make the biggest difference."

Wallace sums up the approach: “Good psychedelic care includes being curious about how one's brain, body, and sensory system move through the world, and then creating the preparation-to-integration path around that.” That’s a message for anyone, neurodivergent or otherwise.

Our take

Not a single guide said neurodivergence was a hard contraindication for psychedelics.

Good news, huh? We love the inclusive spirit, and generally we agree.

But we’d be remiss if we didn’t address that the term ”neurodivergent” can mean different things to different people. So let’s be specific. While ADHD, autism, OCD, and other forms can be navigated safely with the right preparation, certain conditions (like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) require way more caution.

If you have a personal or family history of psychosis, that’s nothing to take lightly. Talk to a psychedelic-literate healthcare provider before you go rogue.

As for the rest of your neurospicy Cyclists, the medicine doesn't need you to be “normal” (whatever that means). Just be honest about what you need.

Thanks to Jenny L. from Bloemfontein, South Africa 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.