Psychedelic Integration
A new service has been added to my practice over the past couple of years. I’ve gradually incorporated work in the psychedelic-assisted therapy space as I’ve gained more experience and training in this area.
While the nomadic lifestyle of mine is great in many ways (yay forests, and mountains, and coastlines, oh my!), it isn’t the most conducive to offering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), which is the medicine approach I’m trained in.
There may come a time when I offer KAP in person on a more regular basis, but for now, I’m primarily offering preparation + integration for psychedelic experiences of all kinds.
For some of you reading this, you may already be familiar with how psychedelics and plant medicines have been used for thousands of years by many indigenousness cultures around the world for healing and other ceremonial purposes.
For others, the idea of psychedelics may elicit memories of the D.A.R.E program and “just say no”.
Whatever your reaction is; it’s perfect.
I invite you to slow down and get curious about it.
I’ll be sharing more in the future about using psychedelics for healing (as well as self-exploration) and the promising research coming from multiple organizations. But for today, I want to share a bit of an overview about the integration process AFTER a psychedelic experience.
It’s okay if you don’t think you’ve ever had a psychedelic experience, don’t check out yet!
Because the tools I’ll be sharing aren’t limited to what happens after you ingest a mind-altering substance. There are actually many ways to have psychedelic (or mystical) experiences.
Really, what I’m referring to here is any altered state of consciousness.
Accessing these other states can happen in many ways including:
Meditation.
Chanting.
Sensory Deprivation.
Silence retreats.
Dreaming.
Vision Quests.
A mentor of mine in this space, Lauren Taus, said, Life is psychedelic. Integration is a lifestyle.
Many of these tools are beneficial after any big transition or change in your life. Maybe you go on a life-changing trip. Or attend a yoga retreat. Or have a near death experience. Or have a baby. Or make a big move. Or someone you love dies. All of these moments can change you. They alter you in some way. How will you integrate this life-changing experience?
Accessing an altered state of consciousness or experiencing other realms other than the physical 3-D world can be really disorienting to say the least. It would make sense if on some level, life feels a bit disorganized or chaotic when you return. Having a psychedelic experience can be the equivalent of many years of therapy in a few hours. If you don’t take time to integrate this new information, you can lose access to it. Or be overwhelmed by it.
Integration happens here. In this realm. In the physical world.
Integration is about taking the lessons from your experience and bridging the gap back to your day-to-day life. Back to your relationships with people, your work, and the world.
Integration looks a lot like self + community care.
Practical Tools:
Journal/Art – Take time to reflect on your experience and write about any insight + clarity + challenges. Create art that reflects your journey.
Move – Yoga, Tai Chi, Dance, Intuitive, Drum/Chant
Reconnect with Nature – Let yourself be in awe + reconnect with the wisdom that’s waiting for you.
Community – Connect with other people that get it. Peer integration groups are available in many large cities and online. Use social media to hear about other’s experiences.
Music – Listen to the music from your journey or other nature sounds.
Learn – Read about other’s experiences, listen to podcasts.
Integration coaching + therapy
Body work – massage, reflexology, cranial sacral, acupuncture, etc.
Pamper your body – fask mask, bubble bath, paint your nails, rub lotion on body
Connect to inner child(ren) – what does your inner child want to do? Play, watch a movie, eat ice cream, etc.
Pay Attention to Dreams
Take a Non-Judgmental Approach. Stay Curious!!
Questions to Ponder:
How do I keep the gifts I’ve been given alive in me?
What would it be like to have an ongoing relationship with the medicine/experience?
How can I live in alignment with this new wisdom?
Helpful Timelines to Consider Post Experience:
24 Hours Post – Your Brain is in an optimal space for deep processing + creating new neural pathways. This is a great time to schedule an integration session.
48 Hours Post – Place extra special focus on sleep, routine, food, activity, and media exposure.
72 Hours Post – Don’t make any major life decisions during this time.
Time and space are integral to integration. It can be a lifelong process if you let it. There’s no rush.
Let it take as long as takes.
