Navigating Psychedelics: Lessons on Self-Care & Integration

Navigating Psychedelics: Lessons on Self-Care & Integration is a self-study course that aims to help individuals who have had psychedelic experiences, whether recreational or intended for healing, to prepare for and make the most of their experience through various harm reduction approaches, integration techniques, and a theoretical framework for working with difficult experiences and bad trips.

The course, which can be accessed at any time, is led by experienced professionals and includes video lectures that provide actionable lessons and steps that can be easily implemented before, during, and after a psychedelic experience. The course is designed for anyone who has had a hard time integrating a psychedelic experience, is experiencing residual effects or symptoms, is interested in taking their first psychedelic trip, or is a care provider working with clients who have had life-changing experiences.

This course is a culmination of years of experience, learning, and wisdom that the creators, of Psychedelics Today, wish they had when they first started exploring the topic.

Navigating Psychedelics is a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of understanding and navigating the psychedelic field. In Week 1, students will learn about the etymology of the word “psychedelic” and the different classes of psychoactive substances, as well as the effects of psychedelics, the difference between tryptamines and phenethylamines, and how psychedelic substances affect the brain. Week 2 focuses on past and current psychedelic research, including which medicines are being researched for particular disorders.

In Week 3, students will learn about harm reduction tips and techniques for staying safe, such as testing your substances and creating a safe set and setting. Week 4 delves into the psychedelic experience through the theories and framework of Stanislav Grof, and provides tips and advice for navigating difficult experiences. Week 5 is dedicated to self-care and integration, where students will learn how to ground from the psychedelic experience, explore what the term integration means, and learn integration tips and practices.

In Week 6, students will learn about the risks and contraindications of psychedelics and psychedelic therapy, as well as how to assess the safety of clients who may be disclosing potential use or attending ceremonies. Students will also explore the topic of spiritual emergence and emergency, and reflect upon how their own beliefs about psychedelics may or may not affect their work with clients.