What to expect from a psilocybin ceremony
A psilocybin ceremony is a significant step, and for most people a slightly nerve-racking one. So what actually happens, from the moment you arrive to the days that follow? This walks through the three stages: preparing, the ceremony itself, and what comes after.
Preparation: set and setting
It starts with the intake call. We go through your intention, your health, any medication you take and anything that would make this unsuitable for you. That call is there for safety, but it also helps you arrive with a clear question rather than a vague hope.
Your state of mind, which this field calls your set, and your surroundings, the setting, shape a large part of what the day becomes. That is why there is a quiet room arranged for it and people present who have done this many times. What that preparation involves in practice is set out under preparing for a ceremony.
Arriving and settling in
On the day itself there is no rush. There is time to land, to meet the facilitators, to see the room and to get your intention clear one more time. When everyone is ready, you take the psilocybin truffles, with the dose matched to you rather than to the packet.
During the ceremony
It comes on gradually, usually inside an hour. Music, an eye mask and quiet guidance help you turn inward. Emotions, memories and insights surface. Some of it feels light and connecting, some of it is heavier, and both belong to it. The heavier stretches are often where the work actually happens.
A facilitator is present the entire time, without steering you. How deep you go is yours to decide. There are drinks and fresh fruit through the day, and it closes with a prepared meal together.
Afterwards: integration
The days after a ceremony matter at least as much as the day itself. This is where an experience either settles into your life or fades into a nice memory. Around three weeks later we call you, which is the point at which most people can say what has actually stayed with them.
Plan the following day quietly. Not because anything is wrong with you, but because the processing continues and it goes more easily with a clear head.
Tips for a good experience
- Arrive rested, and no alcohol, drugs or caffeine in the 48 hours beforehand
- Wear clothing you feel comfortable in
- Come open to what arrives, without forcing a particular outcome
- Bring an eye mask or earplugs if that helps you
- Keep the next day free so you can let it settle
Frequently asked questions
Will I be aware the whole time? Yes. You stay yourself, and you can speak to a facilitator at any point.
What if it becomes difficult? Intense stretches belong to it and are often the valuable part. A facilitator helps you move through rather than cutting it short.
How will I feel afterwards? That differs. Many people describe feeling open, quiet or clear. Some are tired, some are the opposite. The follow-up call is there to talk it through.
Travelling here for it
Many of the people who book this are flying in, because a guided ceremony is not possible where they live. The day runs until roughly 20:00 and you will not be driving afterwards, so the practical side is worth reading before you book a flight: coming here from abroad.
Ready to experience it?
Upcoming group dates are in the calendar, and what a day involves is set out under the psilocybin ceremony. If you would rather do this alone or with one other person, see private, duo or small group.