Psychedelics 101

The brain is incredibly efficient at making predictions. So much so, that what you expect to observe and experience is exactly what you observe and experience, regardless of what’s actually happening. This amazing ability has its origins in our evolution, when a lightning fast answer to “What’s that noise?” literally meant the difference between becoming the tiger’s lunch or survival.

These predictions, these informed guesses the brain makes with just the tiniest bit of sensory input fleshed out with historical data, both real and imagined, occur in what neuroscientists have termed the default mode network. This network involves several different brain structures, but in essence, they work together and are most active when you’re not focused on any specific task, which is how the network got its name - “default”. In depression and anxiety, as well as in clinical conditions such as PTSD, the brain “defaults” to what’s “known” based on previous experience - even if what’s “known” depends on just a single, incredibly salient experience. This is where your automatic thoughts come from, the ugly ones that arise, unbidden, to affirm life’s “lessons” … I’m alone, I’m tired, I’m unworthy, I’m afraid, I’m unlovable, there’s never enough, I’m never enough…the paths that have become so well-worn through habitual, unconscious use.

Psychedelics have the unique characteristic of disrupting your default mode network. They act like a giant kaleidoscope on your default mode existence, moving the pieces around, shuffling the network, and allowing you to make brand new, unexpected, healing, and deeply transformational connections.

Set, Setting and Skill:

The three building blocks of a transformational psychedelic journey:

  • SET

    Set refers to your mindset. Psychedelic medicine acts as an amplifier of whichever thoughts and sensations might be most present for you at the moment. Together, we’ll ensure you’re well prepared to enter your medicine session with the optimal mindset for your needs.

  • SETTING

    Traditionally, the use of psychedelic medicines was confined to certain ritualized places and settings. In the West, we forgot about the importance of this for a while, which resulted in much unnecessary discomfort. For your transformational journey, we’ll co-create a special, sacred setting.

  • SKILL

    Psychedelic medicine is powerful medicine. Whereas most are very safe, they are not for everybody, and they are not inherently risk-free. I bring my in-depth clinical training and extensive real world experience which together can vastly increase your chances of a successful journey.