So, you’re first mushroom trip, huh? I’m very excited for you. This has the potential to be a glorious, deeply impactful experience. However, it also has the potential to suck very, very badly. In order to avoid the latter, there are some steps you can take to ensure this trip is the first of many soul-enriching psychedelic journeys.
Let it be sternly noted though that every body, mind, and circumstance is different. Exercise your best judgment when embarking on this journey. Psilocybin can be a beautiful, powerful, and transformative medicine. Just like any medicine, it can be mishandled, over-indulged in, and generally abused. It is also a medicine that dates back hundreds of years, and although it is commonly used in not-so-sacred settings, it is strongly encouraged to treat psilocybin (as well as your body) with respect.
How To Have The Best First Mushroom Trip
The first thing you must understand going into your first trip: if you have any kind of anxiety, stress, or fear of what the mushrooms will do when you’re on them, then you need to address that before you start. You should reframe your perspective to see them as a tool and a medicine. Truly, that’s what they are. If it helps you to do research (like reading this article), then by all means do all of your research. For example, you can look into this specific study that says psilocybin has helped people with PTSD. Or this study that says it helps with depression. There are so many validated testimonials out there about the healing capabilities of psilocybin.
Now that’s all out of the way, here are some ways to amplify your first mushroom trip experience.
Make sure you’re in a good environment. By good environment, I mean a safe and comfortable environment. That includes the people around you as well. If you typically don’t enjoy being around people, then you probably shouldn’t be around people when you’re on mushrooms. If you enjoy being active and going out – don’t interact with other humans extensively. Your trip will be much more enjoyable if your interactions are limited to your trusted buddies.
If you are going to go out into the world, make sure that you are not putting yourself in a position where you’ll have to have serious conversations or appear sober. And definitely do not drive. I highly recommend walking through a forest, going on a gentle hike or doing arts and crafts in a park. Even just hanging out in a backyard. Wherever you go, make sure you have a designated driver, you don’t have to worry about responsibilities and there’s no stress or obligation to have to “be an adult” at any point.
Set aside ample time for this experience. Some mushroom trips can last more than 5 hours, so get your shifts covered, cancel your appointments or plan ahead. This could easily take up your whole day.
Have a playlist ready. This may be one of the most important parts. You’ll want to listen to sounds that complement the inner peace and love you’ll be feeling. I recommend Khruangbin or Jack Jonhson, two spiritually tapped in artists who inspire reflection, contentment and wonder.
Have a game plan if things go south. Some common things people do in preparation is have a safe, secluded space where you can collect yourself, relax, and decompress. This could be the shower, your bedroom, or just off in another room from the group. If you’d like to read more ideas, go here.
Wear comfortable clothes. You may be sensitive to textures, and you’ll want to feel free to move your body without having an outfit catastrophe.
Next, you should absolutely have at least one good-sized meal about an hour and a half to two hours before your dose. The closer you take them to when you last ate the less they will affect you, so keep that in mind if you’re wanting to have more of a moderate experience. Most importantly: STAY HYDRATED.
Speaking of doses: Typically for your first mushroom trip, one gram, or less, is a solid place to start. You’re going to have a pleasant amount of visuals, you’ll be feeling good and you’re not going to be out of your mind. If you really want to “take off” then I would not do more than three grams (basically ⅛). This is going to send you to the parameter of outer space for a little bit, but you’ll still have agency and lucidity.
- Before you take your mushrooms, think about what you want to get out of your experience. Whether it’s wanting to feel more connected to the people around you, or to yourself, or if you have an existential, lingering question that you’ve been asking yourself lately. Perhaps meditate on this, and figure out your intentions. If you just want to have a good time and a fun experience that is totally valid as well. I would challenge you to go deeper. And then look into getting some glow-in-the-dark body paint, or check out this 2 ingredient recipe for conditioner playdough.
- If you are like me and cannot stand the taste or texture of mushrooms, you can get a grinder of some kind (some people use coffee grinders, I personally use a regular bud grinder). Measure your dose, grind them up, pour them in a cup, fill it with juice and take them like a shot. They float to the top, so you may need to fill up your cup a few times to get them all. Or you can utilize my favorite method: sprinkle them on top of a taco, a sandwich, or make chocolates.
- After you take them, DO NOT make the classic mistake of taking more mushrooms before the first round kicks in. After an hour, if you’re not feeling anything, maybe take a little bit more. But do not take any more mushrooms until it’s been at least an hour. The famous last words of any newbie are “I don’t feel anything,” and then you end up feeling everything.
- For your first mushroom trip, it is not recommended to mix with other substances. Just have fun with the psilocybin. Cannabis can help make your trip a little bit more intense, which is why I recommend doing it toward the end. That way you’re mostly through the peak and you get a little pick-me-up at the end.
- Consider documenting your experiences to reflect on them later. Have a journal handy or do a voice memo to yourself so that you can get the best out of your experience. Ponder things you’ve learned, the thoughts that you’ve had, and the insights you’ve gained. It can be helpful to look back on those when you’re done with your trip.
I would seriously consider only taking mushrooms if you are in a healthy mental state, especially if you’re unsupervised. Although they are considered medicinal, like any medicine they can have adverse effects. Whatever mental state you go into your trip with is the mental state you’ll be in throughout your trip. If you want to have a good, happy trip then you need to be good and happy.
Psilocybin has been used to heal hearts and minds for centuries. It’s been recognized for its potential in modern science, and its powers are being honed across the world. The profound effects of psilocybin have the potential to offer transformative experiences and contribute to personal growth and understanding. Go into this experience feeling open, receptive, and confident, follow these steps, and be prepared to have a cosmically enchanting trip.
