How you can enhance the psychedelic experience – without taking more

There are ways to intensify a psychedelic experience without taking more of a substance. Here are three possible ways.

Doing more of a psychoactive substance will invariably lead to larger effects – but also comes with more side effects. Jittering jaws (MDMA), and intense thought loops (psilocybin/LSD) are but two of the negative effects of dosing more. Enhancing your experience with the same dose may prevent some of the negative consequences.

Unfortunately, many are missing out by not creating the right setting.

Designing the right set & setting takes more work than expected.

Whilst preparing for my own psychedelic experiences, I’ve often forgotten to adequately take care of the following:

• Preparing my mind – being busy with work up to an hour before a trip
• Plan the music – winging it doesn’t always work
• Knowing the environment – where am I?

Enhancing the psychedelic experience – without taking more – can be down. Here are three initial steps you can take.

Step 1: Finetune the music to the trip – prepare the playlist

“Music could convey love, carry listeners to other realms, be something to “hold,” inspire, and elicit a deep sense of embodied transformation.”

Music during psychedelic experiences – especially therapy – is key to shaping where your thoughts go. Though everyone has their own preferences – instrumental music (e.g. Beethoven) is often chosen in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

By preparing a playlist – and not zapping around whilst under the influence – you can design the general direction where it will take you.

One great experience I had with music was listening to ‘The Dark Side of the Moon.’ A group thinking deeply about music – that you should check out – is Wavepaths, which has just opened up its listening experience.

Step 2: Clear your mind – meditate before & during

We are all busy, but by not clearing our minds, we miss out on possibly the best way to get more out of the same dose.

An experienced meditator, AI researcher, & fervent tweeter Nick Cammarata states: “Meditation has killed every casual drug for me …. I barely even do psychedelics but I’d guess I need like 1/5th dose to have an experience.”

Someone nervous about their first MDMA trip may only start feeling effects after 1,5-2 hours. By getting to know your mind through meditation – both acutely and by practising meditation daily – one is able to not get in the way of yourself.

Studies with meditators show they have more equanimous trips, a higher chance of a mystical experience, and improved well-being afterwards.

Step 3: Design your environment – shape where you are

The best experiences I’ve had were in my own house – after transforming the living room into a space made for the experience.

Not only does changing up your space break you free from your day-to-day life (see the previous point), it also gives you a context to place your trip in (as does music).

Outside of your house, designing a setting can still be possible. Bring a favourite object to a retreat or clinic. Or if you’re at a festival – know where you can find a calm space.

Designing your (mind)set & setting through music, meditation and environment are three ways you can get more out of a trip without taking more.