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Welcome to Tricycle Day. We're the psychedelics newsletter that neither sets it nor forgets it. We’d rather ride the waves as they come. 🤙

By now, you’ve probably heard the terms “set and setting” tossed around.

For the uninitiated, “set” refers to your internal state of mind and “setting” refers to your external surroundings. Together, this pair is widely considered to be among the most influential factors determining the quality of a psychedelic experience.

So if you want things to go well, it's important to get them right. No pressure or anything.

For today’s newsletter, we asked our network of experienced practitioners: What are the most important elements of a supportive set and setting?

They share their priorities and rationale below.

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Safety first

Practically every guide said your sense of safety is non-negotiable. Summer MacCool explains that “a supportive set and setting begins with safety—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Choose an environment where you feel fully comfortable to let go, with people who honor your process and hold nonjudgmental space.”

Safety does more than comfort you, though. As Avery Collura explains, “every journey begins with the nervous system. Choose a space where your body can soften.” When your body registers safety, you can surrender more deeply to the experience.

And it’s not all about external factors, either. Safety also comes from having confidence in your own internal resources. Denise Rue shares that “adequate preparation is an integral aspect of set,” including “training in distress tolerance and emotional regulation skills that enable the client to ride the waves of discomfort that may arise.” Bradley Cooke adds that “practice with meditation is important for one's mindset. So is treating the experience with the reverence and the significance it deserves.”

Intention, not expectation

Intention was a close runner-up in the set-and-setting power rankings. But as the guides consistently pointed out, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. An intention can ground you, but it’s important to stay open to various outcomes. Louis Belleau advises: “Have a clear intention, but hold it lightly.” A delicate balance indeed.

Kiki Jacobson elaborates on the nuance: “A supportive mindset might involve a clear intention without becoming psychologically inflexible with your expectations. Rather than controlling the experience, the goal is to orient it with care.” Wallace Murray adds that “intention gives the experience coherence.” A through line can help with meaning-making.

Ben Askins captures the spirit beautifully: “Remove distractions, add intention, and keep an exit for the ego if it panics. The perfect setting is one where nothing needs to be perfect for the truth to emerge.”

Mind your environment

Now, let’s address setting (your physical environment) directly. Eliza Collins gets practical: “Since psychedelics can create an intense sensory experience, I recommend being intentional with light, sound, and scent when preparing your setting.” She suggests being able to adjust these elements on the fly since preferences can shift during the journey.

Music came up as an especially important element. Kari Roe-LaFramboise recommends “having a good music setup where you don't have to worry about changing songs” and that your playlist be “a little longer than the planned duration of your journey.” As Gerald Joseph notes, “music can directly influence a psychedelic journey,” so take great care when curating your playlist.

Kendra Branch invites a few more considerations. Your space should be “quiet, private, and energetically clean” and offer “comfortable seating, soft lighting, blankets, and tissues.” You might even include “natural elements (plants, stones, or fresh air) to anchor yourself.” And since what’s not present is equally important, she recommends removing all distractions, such as “phones, harsh lights, loud noises, and personal responsibilities.” Children and pets count, by the way.

Our take

This is a big topic for a small newsletter.

We could devote a whole issue to any one of these elements. (In fact, we already wrote one on curating your playlist and another on adjusting your diet. And don’t miss our deep dive on the role of scent.)

Suffice it to say, set and setting are multifaceted and endlessly nuanced.

If there’s a hill we’re going to die on, though, it’s this. Beyond cultivating that foundational sense of safety, the most valuable quality you can bring to your mindset is curiosity.

When you approach the experience with wonder rather than agenda, you create space for insights you couldn't have predicted. And those are often the ones that make the biggest impact.

Come to think of it, that’s probably a good philosophy for life in general, huh?

Thanks to Taylor H. from Salt Lake City, UT 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.