Psilocybin Safety Guidelines
A friendly guide to microdoses, museum doses, and full journeys — built around respect, clarity, and staying grounded.
Set & Setting Matter
Sober Trip Sitter
Integration Is Everything
Start Low, Go Slow
Set & Setting Matter
Sober Trip Sitter
Integration Is Everything
Psilocybin can be a beautiful tool for creativity, healing, and self-discovery — but it deserves respect. These guidelines help you prepare your mind, body, and environment so you can approach your experience with clarity, safety, and intention.
What follows are best practices for staying grounded, not a clinical protocol. Treat the information as a starting point, and adapt it to what you know about yourself.
Dosing Guidelines
Everyone’s sensitivity is unique. Begin at the low end, especially with new batches or stronger varieties like Penis Envy.
0.05g – 0.3g dried
Microdose
Subtle shifts in mood, focus, and creativity. No visuals or intoxication — you should feel fully functional.
- Often used in 1-day-on, 2-days-off protocols
- Best paired with journaling or routine tracking
0.3g – 1g dried
Museum Dose
Light perceptual shifts and enhanced appreciation for art, music, and nature. Gentle introspection while staying grounded.
- Low-pressure setting recommended
- Not intended for driving or complex tasks
1g – 3.5g dried
Macrodose
Strong visuals and emotional exploration. Not functional — should only be done in a safe, uninterrupted space.
- Best with a trusted sober sitter or guide
- Plan a full day plus recovery time
5g+ dried
Heroic Dose
Very intense; deep ego dissolution is possible. Not recommended without experienced professional support.
- Reserved for advanced, supported journeys
- Requires deliberate preparation and aftercare
Setting Intentions
Intentions don’t control the experience — they guide its direction. Taking a few minutes before a session to name what you’re curious about can reshape the entire journey.
Before your session, ask yourself:
- What am I curious about?
- What am I ready to release?
- What clarity am I seeking?
- What emotional state am I bringing in?
Write it down or say it out loud. If things get intense mid-experience, you can gently return to the compass: “I am safe. This will pass. I can return to my intention.”
Pre-Experience Preparation
Treat this like prepping for a mental and emotional marathon. What you do in the days leading up matters as much as the session itself.
24 Hours Before
The Day Before
- Eat lighter, cleaner meals
- Reduce alcohol, cannabis, and heavy stimulants
- Hydrate well throughout the day
- Aim for quality, full-night sleep
Day Of
Eat Light & Early
- Light meal 2–3 hours before dosing
- Smoothies, fruit, toast, or oatmeal
- Avoid heavy, greasy, or very fatty meals
- Hydrate — but don’t overdo it
Optional Support
Gentle Nutrients
General wellness supports — not medical recommendations:
- Magnesium — calm muscle tension
- Omega-3s — overall brain health
- B-complex — mood support
- Electrolytes — hydration balance
During Your Experience
Once the experience begins, keep things simple. Your body and nervous system are doing most of the work — your job is to stay soft and listen.
Hydration & food: sip water or herbal tea. Skip energy drinks. Most people avoid solid food during the peak; later, fruit, nuts, crackers, or broth work beautifully.
Movement: gentle stretching, slow walking, or resting in a cozy, familiar space — whatever your body asks for.
Music & sensory input: calming, instrumental playlists and nature sounds help. Avoid chaotic, aggressive, or overly lyrical music during peaks.
Substances & Medications to Avoid
Mixing substances increases risk. If you’re on prescriptions, consult a clinician before changing anything.
Medications
Prescription Interactions
- SSRIs / SNRIs — may blunt or alter effects
- MAOIs — potentially dangerous interactions
- Lithium — increased seizure risk
- Stimulants (Adderall, cocaine, meth)
- Tramadol
- Antipsychotic medications
Recreational
Other Substances
- Alcohol — nausea and emotional blunting
- Cannabis — can intensify anxiety for some
- Psychedelic stacking — unpredictable
- High caffeine — adds jitter and anxiety
When Not to Use Psychedelics
Psilocybin isn’t for everyone, and it isn’t for every moment. Skip use if any of the following apply:
- Personal or family history of psychosis, schizophrenia, or bipolar I
- Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Severe untreated depression with self-harm ideation
- Current mania, panic disorder, or extreme emotional instability
Creating a Safe Setting
Your environment shapes your experience. A thoughtful space removes friction and lets the journey unfold naturally.
Your space should feel:
- Cozy, comfortable, and familiar
- Calm and clutter-free
- Temperature-controlled
- Stocked with blankets, water, soft lighting, and music
A good trip sitter is:
- Sober — no exceptions
- Calm, grounded, and reassuring
- Someone you trust completely
- Able to provide practical and emotional support
- Not emotionally invested in your outcome
Integration & Aftercare
The experience doesn’t end when the visuals fade — it transforms over time. Integration is where insight becomes change.
First Hours
Right After
- Drink water
- Eat nourishing, grounding food
- Rest deeply — let the body settle
24 – 72 Hours
The Soft Days
- Journal the insights and images
- Gentle movement, stretching, or time in nature
- Avoid overstimulation and noise
- Share with a trusted friend or integration partner
Long Term
Living the Lessons
- Meditation or breathwork
- Therapy or integration coaching
- Creative expression — art, writing, music
- Habit-building rooted in what you learned
When to Seek Help
Trust your gut. Seek support if you or someone else experiences any of the following:
- Persistent confusion after the experience ends
- Signs of psychosis — paranoia, delusions, losing touch with reality
- Suicidal thoughts
- Severe agitation that won’t settle
- Seizure or other medical emergency
