At first, a psychedelic experience might seem like a terrifying one. After all, it can make you feel anxious, fearful, and even paranoid. However, once you get past the initial panic that comes with it, you realize how much you can learn and grow from such an experience. These feelings of unease are just your brain alerting you to all the amazing things that lie hidden in front of your eyes.
Safety first
This is not going to be a cake-walk. Psychedelics are powerful substances and can be quite dangerous when not used safely. In fact, they are just as dangerous as prescription drugs like anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication. While they can be invaluable tools for getting in touch with your true self, they are not a replacement for therapy. Use them at your own risk and take care to avoid any kind if you have a history of mental illness.
Watch for signs of anxiety
As a newcomer to psychedelics, you might notice that you feel anxious. You might feel an increased heart rate, shortness of breath, or sweaty palms. This is a common phenomenon that occurs during the first few trips, and it disappears after a while. If you feel like this, try breathing slowly and mindfully. This will let you become more present and aware of your surroundings. If that doesn’t work, you can try counting or humming a song to yourself. You can also try making a phone call or doing something else to distract yourself. All these activities will let your mind focus on something else while you stay present.
Stay grounded and focused
When taking a psychedelic, it’s easy to get lost in the experience and forget who you are and where you are. One way to stay grounded is to make a list of all the things you are grateful for. It can be something big like your health, a loved one, a roof over your head, a clean environment, or an abundance of food. Or it can be something small like a roof that doesn’t leak, a pillow that’s not too lumpy, or a pair of shoes you can walk in. Whatever it is, write it down and make it a priority in your life.
Notice your surroundings
When you take a psychedelic, your sense of sight is going to get incredibly heightened. This is why it’s important to notice your surroundings when you take psychedelics. Try to take everything in, including the colour of the walls, the pattern of the carpet, the shape of the furniture, and the smell of the air. While on psychedelics, these details can seem unusually important. Try to keep in mind that they are just like they are supposed to be.
Breathe with the help of a mantra or exercise
If you notice yourself getting anxious or losing your focus, you can take a few deep breaths. You can also do this while you’re on a phone call or doing something else to distract yourself. Once you’re back in the present and focused, you can slowly start again. A particularly helpful breathing technique is to say a mantra. A mantra is a word or phrase that you repeat to yourself that has a particular meaning or sound. You can use a mantra to help you stay focused and present. For example, you can say “one breath, two breath, three breath, out breath” while breathing slowly. This is particularly useful if you find yourself getting anxious.
Let go of the outcome and just be present
Psychedelics are an experience. They are meant to transport you to a different realm, one where what you see and feel is different from everyday reality. While this is an incredible learning experience, it can also be scary and overwhelming. The best way to deal with this is to let go of the outcome and just be present in the moment. Stay grounded and focused on your breathing, your surroundings, and what you are doing. Don’t try to make sense of the experience or analyse what you see. This is meant to be a glimpse of what’s “outside your mind,” so don’t try to “find the meaning” behind it.
Conclusion
Psychedelics are powerful tools for learning about yourself and the world around you. They can also be a great source of inspiration and creativity. However, it is important to take care when choosing which ones to try and how you use them. They can help you connect more deeply with your emotions and with the world around you. They can help you gain insight into the complex ways that race, gender, class, and other aspects of identity shape our lives. They can also help you get in touch with your true self. It’s important to remember that psychedelics aren’t a replacement for therapy. They are powerful tools, and they can help you learn a lot about yourself and the world around you. However, they cannot replace therapy in terms of helping you understand yourself and your emotions.
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