“The psychedelic experience is not the healing. The psychedelic experience is the revelation of what needs to be healed. The healing is the work that follows."
Dr. Gabor Maté
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How to integrate psychedelic experiences
Making the most out of your journey...no matter the dose size
What I can tell you from several years of working with people in the professional psychedelic world here in Colorado, USA, with undeniable certainty is…
People who learn how to integrate psychedelic experiences have exponentially more profound transformations compared to those who don’t.
Benefits of psychedelic integration
What the heck is integration, anyway, you ask? And why should you do it?
My mentor, Kristina Hunter, a woman spearhead in the professional psychedelic orbit, explained to me:
Integration is how you turn a psychedelic experience from being a cool, meaningful experience you will never forget, into one which transforms your life.
Integration is how you turn a psychedelic experience from being a cool, meaningful experience you will never forget, into one which transforms your life.
Kristina Hunter, mentor
How to integrate psychedelic experiences
Integration actually begins during your very reverent preparation process (if you are doing a mid-dose or macro-dose journey).
But once your journey ends, the real work truly begins.
The majority of your psychedelic journey will be in integration.
This isn't a one-week thing; integration can last years and lifetimes.
Integration is where “the work” is
Now this might be a disappointment for some of you who expect to take any dose of psilocybin mushrooms and quickly be cured of all your problems...without having to do any of the work.
There will no doubt be some form of benefit from psilocybin for you no matter what...
Whether it's:
- the science-proven fact the medicine is working quietly beneath the surface and healing your nervous system, or
- feeling subtle positive shifts in your mood,
- boosts in your creativity, or
- having a not-so-subtle experience which spearhead's massive healing in your life
But if you are struggling with any form of mental unwellness, or dis-ease, you are likely frustrated with modern medicine's limitations and cryptic agendas.
You are probably desperate to change something about your life.
That's how you found yourself in the healing psychedelic world...and on this site reading this article.
Nothing happens by chance.
If some of this, or a lot of this, sound like you...
Take a deep breath, let the "stress" of having to do work go...and lean into the medicine and the process...a process which has been in place for thousands of years for healing with our ancestors.
The "work" will be well the effort...you might even enjoy yourself.
Think of it like this...
The mushrooms and the reverent preparation were only the walkway up to the door.
The mushrooms are the tool—the key to open the door.
Integration is walking through that door and redecorating the entire house.
Those first couple of days after a journey are precious.
Your mind is still very open, and insights feel crystal clear.
You'll likely feel more sensitive and aware during this first week, so be gentle with yourself. If you can, try to keep your schedule light and give yourself space.
Psychedelic integration resources
In the professional psychedelic world, it is agreed upon by the majority that journaling is the best way to integrate psychedelic experiences.
Specifically, stream-of-consciousness journaling.
This is where you write everything that comes to mind, as fast as you can, not minding any spelling or grammar or even punctuation…
I know a big test for you perfectionist types out there!
But it's a very empowering and freeing practice, no doubt…
Write down everything for 3 pages or 30 minutes or whatever comes to mind.
And I mean everything. Don’t hold anything back.
Notice how you feel after you read your journal back.
What do you look for when you journal?
Notice threads.
What are threads?
Threads are repeating thoughts, words, themes, patterns, worries, occurrences, synchronicities… anything that repeats itself is a pattern worth exploring.
Highlight these threads in your journal with a highlighter.
Get curious about them if you don’t know the deeper meaning tying them together.
Click here to grab the journal I love and have used for years.
Or, I created a prompted stream-of-consciousness journal specific for microdosing, shown here.
Get yours by clicking here now.
Stream-of-consciousness journalling is writing down everything that comes to mind, and I mean everything, not paying attention to spelling, grammar, or punctuation (I know, challenging for us perfectionist types).
Write without disruption for 3 pages, or 30 minutes, or whatever limit you wish.
If you purchase a produce through the links on this page, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. I was not paid to review these products, and I did not receive it as a freebie. I'm suggesting it to you because I own it and love it, and I think you would, too. For more info, please see this policy.
As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
A great co-practice with stream-of-consciousness journaling is meditation. This is the science-proven way to best become aware of, well… everything…
Psilocybin, even microdosing, will surely uncover anything you are not aware of.
That’s how it works… it digs deeper into the psyche than any other modality, says my teacher, Francòise Bourzat.
Coupling meditation with journaling is a sure quick-fire way to bring so much more grounding awareness, meaning, and depth to any psychedelic experience… and your life!
If you are not into meditation, you can do other intentional mind-body practices like:
- Yoga (particularly hot yoga, known for it's healing properties)
- Qi gong
- Breath work
- Pilates
- Walking
- Mindfulness
- Acupuncture
- Swimming
More powerful ways to integrate psychedelic experiences
intuitive art/painting/music playing
ecstatic dance
sound healing
Check out these beautiful singing bowls.
chakras
This is the chakra bible for self-healing.
nature immersions
Never underestimate the power of simply spending time in nature; it helps you stay connected to the awareness you gained.
(We did all of those at our women’s retreat)
Get out of your head for true healing
Even though a primary focus in the mental health realm is talk therapy, talk therapy is very limiting in our healing, especially with trauma.
Why, you ask?
Because we are very primal in our healing.
Have you ever noticed what wild animals do in nature after an intense fight or stressful event?
They “shake it off”.
Once of the best ways to heal is by “shaking”.
Just shaking our bodies for several minutes, in a very intuitive manner resets our nervous system from “fight or flight” to “rest and digest”.
Shake, shake, shake.
However feels natural.
Don’t worry about how you look (nobody should be watching) or if you feel weird.
Get out of your head and get into your body.
Healing in community like our ancestors did
Making sense of your experience takes time, especially if you encountered mystical or symbolic elements.
You might find yourself wanting to change long-standing habits, heal relationships, or head in a new life direction.
These changes affect everything.
This is why you shouldn't try to go it alone.
Participating in some sort of community for healing is an incredibly powerful way to integrate.
Hearing other people’s healing journeys is a way for us to hear our Higher Power speak to us.
We often hear our own stories through other people who are willing to do the work.
I found this in the mighty 12-step recovery rooms.
The 12-step process works very well with psilocybin in that it is a true DEEP DIVE into YOU.
Finding others on similar paths helps you feel less alone and gives you people to learn from.
If you have a history of trauma
Or even if you don’t, integrating can mean working with a therapist—preferably a psilocybin-friendly one.
With all of this “work”… the threads and roots of the threads will become obvious to you.
If not, just keep writing, writing, writing, and integrate with multiple modalities.
Watch out for a few common pitfalls
Don't rush your integration or dismiss powerful insights as "just the mushrooms."
Avoid isolating yourself, and be careful not to use spiritual concepts to bypass difficult emotions that need to be felt.
So how do you know it's working?
You'll notice real changes in your life.
Maybe you'll handle stress better, feel more connected in your relationships, or experience less anxiety.
You might find yourself being more creative or feeling clearer about your purpose.
Many people find themselves naturally making healthier choices and communicating more openly.
Your healing journey is uniquely yours. This process of deep excavation with psilocybin, coupled with several integration modalities, will “show you” where your work is.
Trust and surrender.
Allow for time and space to hear the messages.
They will arrive when you are ready.
Remember, integration takes as long as it takes—sometimes months or years—and that's perfectly okay.
Growing your own medicine
One of my favorite ways to integrate is growing your own medicine for healing.
It connects you to the entire cycle of growth and transformation.
You're embarking on a profound journey.
Take it one step at a time, and be patient with yourself along the way.
Happy healing!
Interested in growing your own mushrooms?
Grab my book!
What you'll learn in this quick read:
- how to safely start microdosing mushrooms
- how to integrate for transformational change
- how to grow POTENT MUSHROOMS and BIG CROPS
Buy my book here and get started today!
What are you waiting for?
If you purchase a product through the links on this page, I receive a small commission at no cost to you. I was not paid to review these products, and I did not receive them as freebies. I'm suggesting it to you because I own it and love it, and I think you would, too. For more info, please see this policy.
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.