Red Flags of Psychedelics
It has been said that psychedelics aren’t illegal because they are dangerous, they are dangerous because they are illegal.
When venturing into the world of psychedelics, safety should be your first priority. Taking psychedelics puts an individual in a vulnerable state, so understanding risks and doing things to mitigate those risks is important.
We’ve gathered six things for you to watch out for when moving into the world of hallucinogens. These are red flags that, when raised, will allow you to ask follow-up questions. In each case, if your concerns are not addressed to your satisfaction, keep talking until you feel better or safely remove yourself.
Watch out for heavy dogma
When preparing for a hallucinogenic journey, your guide might suggest foods to avoid, clothing to wear, and ideas on how to mentally prepare. Suggestions are great. But when someone is saying you MUST do something, that is a red flag. Here are some “musts" that have been shared:
Do not eat meat for two weeks prior to the trip
Do not drink alcohol for one month prior to the trip
Do not have sex for three weeks prior to the trip
Avoid drugs and medicine of any kind prior to the trip
Stop all sugar intake prior to the trip
Etc.
Whether or not you ingest or partake of these things prior to your journey, the psychedelics will be in your body. If you choose to forgo anything to prepare physically or emotionally, great. The concern comes when someone says that you MUST. It just isn’t true.
Be aware of shaman bullies
Shamans, guides, gurus, and healers are important in this space. But they are human. And as such, they have bad nights, they can become self-important, they can inflate their abilities, and they can become bullies. If you see any of this, consider finding a different experience.
A good guide is willing to answer as many questions as you have. They should take the time to put your fears to rest. Some of this can happen days prior to a session and some of this can happen on site. When a shaman doesn’t want to be questioned, this is a red flag.
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A good guide will lay out the plan for the session. They will set expectations and let you know what is your responsibility and what is their responsibility. They should be talking about safety.
A good guide should always be willing to share with you what you are ingesting and in what doses. When a guide wants you to take a “special,” “secret,” or “magic” concoction, this is a red flag. Each psychedelic has a name. Ask for the name and ask what doses you are receiving.
Avoid shaman predators
Psychedelic experiences can be life changing. And because it is so impactful, people can attribute the healing power to the shaman or guide rather than to the medicine. A shaman that encourages this is dangerous.
Interacting with a shaman who does not hold strong boundaries is a red flag. A shaman who is telling you what the divine wants of you is not above board. If YOU want to do something, great. But a shaman telling you the divine wants you to engage in a sexual relationship, or wants you to follow him around the world, or wants you to pay larger and larger sums of money, this is a predator. And you should distance yourself immediately! And do not return.
Listen to yourself
If you are new to this space, you may feel nervousness. That is understandable and expected. Understand the difference between your familiar nervousness and any unease you feel. Nervousness is something you can identify and move through. Conversations with the guide and other participants, talking through the plan, deep breathing, can all alleviate your nervousness. But unease toward behaviors, toward secretiveness, and toward dogma, can be red flags that you should pay attention to.
Local legalities
Some people are more comfortable than others participating in illegal actives. You should know what is legal in your area related to psychedelics. You should understand the risks and determine if you are comfortable taking those risks.
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Trust your guide
Do not take a substance, if you see the red flags discussed here. But, if you trust your guide enough to take the hallucinogen, then trust them to keep you safe throughout your journey. Stay put. A guide that lets you leave is a red flag. A good guide will establish the container and will keep you safe inside of it.
Remember, red flags are warnings. If you see them it doesn’t mean you need to run, it means ask a few more questions. Make sure your autonomy is respected. If the answers you receive bring you peace, great. But if you continue to feel uncomfortable or the discomfort grows, walk away. There are so many good guides in this space. Find those who will connect with you and prioritize your journey.