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Welcome to Tricycle Day. We’re the psychedelics newsletter that can see clearly now the ego’s gone. We can see all connectedness in our way. Let’s make it a bright, bright, sunshine-y day, Cyclists. 🌞

You have to admit it’s a little ironic that immediately after taking a substance famous for creating wild visuals, we’re instructed to cover our eyes.

It’s sorta like ordering a cheeseburger and only allowing yourself to sniff it. (Counting calories, are we?)

Yet pretty much every clinical protocol insists eye masks are essential to the process.

So for today’s newsletter, we asked our network of practitioners: What's the rationale behind using eye masks during psilocybin sessions? Couldn't open-eye exploration be equally therapeutic?

Here's what they had to say.

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Go inside

The most common rationale for eye masks is they redirect attention from the external to the internal. As John Moos explains, “When we shut down our senses that dominate how we process the material world, we allow our minds to connect to regions of the brain in novel ways, deepening our experiencing of our subconscious.”

Wallace Murray argues “the eye mask is essential because it turns awareness inward, quiets external distractions, and allows the psyche's own imagery and emotions to surface.” Falcon Stephan frames it as a matter of intentionality: “This tool helps you to focus and provide a spotlight on oneself” while “open-eye exploration brings a lot of external stimuli, which can be a diversion from doing inner work.”

Ben Askins (as usual) puts it more colorfully: “Eye masks silence the circus. Close the eyes, drop the story, and watch the ego dissolve like cotton candy in a monsoon.” Sweet.

Follow the science

Beyond anecdotal support, there's research backing the use of eye masks in therapeutic settings. Jodie NewDelman points to evidence “that reducing external stimuli enhances introspection,” citing research from Robin Carhart-Harris. She elaborates that “psychedelics increase neural entropy, especially when visual input is minimized.”

Bradley Cooke highlights that “the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics have been established in clinical studies in which an eye mask and headphones are worn by the participant.” Amie Brooke echoes this point, explaining that eye masks “are preferred in clinical and structured settings” because they “support better therapeutic results.”

Jonathan Schecter offers a practical observation: “It only takes one attempt at meditation to discover how much of our awareness is consumed by visual stimuli. If the goal is a therapeutic session, minimizing external visual input is key.”

But both have their place

While some practitioners were adamant about eye shades, others were more flexible. Summer MacCool breaks it down into stages of the journey: “Eyes closed cultivate surrender and self-trust; eyes open help ground and embody what was revealed, allowing the medicine's teachings to be lived, not just seen.”

Scott Dean agrees: “Eye-mask time helps you dive inward. Open-eye time helps you come back. Both serve the journey. We use each when it supports the intention of the moment.” Laura Watson describes using the mask as “a tool for purposeful transition: it helps us experience and practice taking ourselves in and out of immersive inner work. This is a great integration skill to learn.”

Kari Roe-LaFramboise keeps it simple: “There can be very beautiful and meaningful experiences when you are internally focused (eye mask on) and with open-eye exploration. There can be beauty, healing, and profundity with both.”

Our take

Okay, riddle us this…

Why do clinical protocols insist on blocking visual input with eye masks while simultaneously pumping auditory input through headphones? If external stimuli are such a distraction for the eyes, why do the ears get a free pass?

The yoga tradition might have something to say about this. Between the outward practices (e.g., the poses and breathing) and the inward ones (the progressive stages of meditation), there's a middle step called pratyahara, or “sensory withdrawal.” If the goal is discovering your true nature, then we’d agree, turning down the external noise makes sense.

Then again, maybe you already know who you are. Maybe what you're seeking is fresh perspective on the world around you. In that case, go ahead. Ditch the shades and feast your senses on the wonder around you.

As usual, the “right” choice starts with clarifying your intention. After all, beauty, whether you’re looking inside or outside, is in the eye of the beholder.

Thanks to Harper M. from Augusta, ME 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.