Introducing people to psychedelics

[Aetherius Rimor]

I'm curious what people's opinions are on the matter.

Here is my view and process. Anyone who wishes to explore them and asks me for guidance, I generally have a process that I require they adhere to, or I have no interest in assisting them in their journey.

Generally, I like to talk to a person. Find out what they've done before, to get some idea on how much of a "shock" the experience will be. I've had friends who have only tried DMT, who wanted to try LSD for instance. Those people, I was less concerned with explaining how the changes to reality would be, and more focused on explaining to them that it won't be over in 15 minutes, that they should prepare a day with no stressful activities and no obligations, and always start on a "low dose" to ensure they don't get overwhelmed. I pass on things other people have told me, like having a safe place you can be alone with silence, or having a wide array of music available to suit whatever desires you may have.

When it comes to dosages (I know a very touchy topic, so I won't get to detailed), I always recommend a threshold dosage, and a gradual step up on different occassions. I've had people debate with me on this, saying they want the full experience, but I refuse to sit or guide anyone who won't follow a very cautious/respectful path in this endeavor.

Everyone I sit for (purposefully, rather than trying to help someone who I happen to be around when they bit off more than they could chew), I never trip with them the first time, or any other time I don't feel comfortable with their abilities and we're not in a safe environment. I'm extremely excited just to watch them explore their own new reality, and that high is enough for me.

I also like to explain to the best of my ability what will happen, and give tips.

One friend of mine, who was talking about all the chaos going around him in his senses/mental perceptions on LSD at one point, I told him to repeat some words that I mentally focused on when I was having a very intense trip. "Exterior chaos, inner peace". That helped him during his peak on the first time he tried.

I also have a rule against any "scary" music/movies, which I will never break; and I reserve the fun of "mind fucking" with word play for those I know enjoy it, and never on the first few times.

A favorite "mind fuck" that I like to tell people, is "Did you know you can't put dish washing soap in the dish washer?". (You use Dish Detergent... I learned this one the hard way).

Anyone else have rules/guidelines they follow when introducing people who are seeking, and who you feel comfortable sitting for and guiding through this?

 

[StrangeCharm]

Oh, man, no scary movies is a good one. My older brother (who is kind of a jerk) and a small group of his friends introduced another friend to the 'Faces of Death' movie series (video/audio recordings of actual human and animal deaths) while the dude was on a large amount of LSD. He flipped out quickly. As someone who refuses to watch those kind of 'movies' I thought that was a pretty horrible thing to do to someone. Now that I'm thinking about it, I must know a lot of jerks -- like the girl who glitter-bombed some poor guy and it got all over his face and in his eyes, or the guy who dosed another guy and had him watch The Passion of the Christ.
I think when I was younger I was more into 'doing drugs' so I had drug using/abusing friends, rather than people looking for a spiritual/ecstatic/beautiful/whatever experience. Come to think of it, now that I'm older I still don't have many of those kinds of friends -- I think that's why I'm here.

 

[Aetherius Rimor]

Some movies are actually interesting. I know the first time I saw Rango, was when I was on mushrooms, and my friends said it was a great trip movie.

I was approaching the peak when the movie started, and as the tank fell off the car, and everything went into slow motion, and then it crashed, I had the greatest moment of empathy with the character in the movie. I truly felt the feeling of his entire world being destroyed, everything he had ever known, and a great sadness/loss of purpose in life that'd I mentally knew the character would be going through. (Being able to attribute the feeling of loss to the movies character, and not yourself would be essential obviously).

And throughout the movie, it is a journey of him finding himself, and saving a town. Great movie, if you find watching movies while tripping an enjoyable experience.

 

[meatsim]

I agree with your way of introducing people to psychedelics, Aetherius. I happen to have introduced several family members (both young and old) with no prior experience or knowledge whatsoever onto pharmahuasca. I dealt with this task in a very respectful way, trying to convey that a psychedelic experience is a spiritual one, not a recreational one, having many conversations about the effects and possible outcomes in the weeks leading up to the experience, as well as doing my very best to create a pleasant environment (setting) when the time had come.

I also make sure to remove as much of what I think of as the "junkie elements" from the experience (white powder, rizzla papers etc) and replacing with as much seremonial stuff as possible (e.g. serving healthy looking capsules from a nice tray, using candles, blankets). And of course start easy on the dose. Most people will have many years ahead of them to experiment, so why rush for a breakthrough?

 

[StrangeCharm]

I really enjoyed Rango as well. As a Fear and Loathing lover I couldn’t help but see aspects of Hunter Thompson in the Rango character.
I like to watch movies during the comedown phase of a trip. One of my ‘recent’ favorites is Paprika, and Hayao Miyazaki movies are always great. I seem to mostly veer towards animated movies, possibly because they’re a bit easier for me to mentally digest.

 

[Aetherius Rimor]

I really enjoyed Rango as well. As a Fear and Loathing lover I couldn’t help but see aspects of Hunter Thompson in the Rango character.

I remember seeing Rango fall on the Fear and Loathing guys windshield near the beginning of the movie, and thinking it was some sort of joke in that the creators must have known that the whole identity crisis/finding yourself in the movie was very appealing to those who explore drugs.

 

[Fizzy]

I think you already know pretty well how to introduce people to psychedelics. Another good thing might be to let people read through 'The psychedelic experience'.

If they never had any experience whatsoever I usually tell them to ask me questions first, so that I can get to know their expectations and explain everything a lot better. Also, getting rid of misinformation is a lot easier this way.

I actually would love to give people some free LSD at festivals. The only thing that stopped me yet from doing so is the concern of maybe not knowing the people long enough to prepare them well. I just want them to have a great time

lots of love!

 

[meatsim]

Another relevant book suggestion: The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide

 

[Walter D. Roy]

Very good procedure, whoever you helped must have had a wonderful experience. One thing I think would be helpful though is have them sit down and write out what they would like to achieve in doing this, gives it a sense of purpose.