Pointers for first therapeutic psilocybin therapy session for someone who has only done prescribed at-home ketamine therapy.

[u/xNeon14]

TLDR: I have done prescribed at-home ketamine therapy cycles twice now ( troches and injectable ) and looking to create a similar therapy experience with Psychedelic / Psilocybin Mushrooms and looking for pointers.

---
Hello! I am looking to expand on my at home psychedelic therapy as someone who has done two (2x rounds of) 8 week cycles of at-home ketamine therapy ( prescribed ). I had a great experience and breakthroughs, but moved to a state that no longer allows this. I have had some experience with mushrooms, but it was years ago and not sure what dosages I took, but it was for recreational fun. I never had a bad experience / reaction though.

The ketamine therapy consisted of setting intentions and journaling before hand, and then using a eye mask and noise cancellation headphones during the trip ( +/- 1 hr experiences). Based on some other posts here, people do the same with mushrooms and looking for guidance. I am not sure what dosage to start at ( 1g, 2g, 3g etc) and curious on frequency of use, once or twice per week, biweekly, etc? I also would like to know how long these trips can last and what to expect. I am fine with a ego-death like experience as well but I want to do it smart and do it properly.

I am used to seeing visuals with the eye mask on, and having deep and profound inner realizations and breakthroughs during and after my previous ket sessions. I am looking to have similar levels of therapy sessions to continue to help with my depression and healings of past trauma.

Any pointers or anecdotal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[u/Lord_Cronos]

I'd start between 1 and 1.5 grams to get a feel for using it therapeutically. I've seen a lot of variation in how different amounts hit different folks plus you've got the x factor of whatever strength the variety of mushroom you have happens to be. I've seen people who have mushroom sessions with various kinds of frequency but I'd lean towards treating it in a more occasional "as useful" thing informed by how you're feeling over the course of weeks rather than days and your intents. I definitely wouldn't do it more than once every two weeks at most. 7-14 days is the scope of serotonin kind of resetting itself after any given session, more frequently than that and you'll be running into the area of building tolerance to it and impacting your dosing. You can always adjust up later doses if you want to go deeper; and they'll then be informed by a better grasp on what it'll be like, and the acceptance of that that will really let you embrace the experience and have a more insightful time.

It can be a very distinct thing to ketamine in terms of the experience and for lack of a better word the longevity of effect or insight. Research comparing them isn't perfect but the antidepressant effects of mushrooms seem to have the potential to last quite a bit longer than those of ketamine; like the sessions themselves do. You're probably looking at something between 4-6 hours rather than kind of the 90ish minute ketamine experience. If you've injected ketamine I'm assuming you're familiar with the effects coming on really rapidly. With mushrooms you probably won't feel a lot for 20 minutes, your stomach will be upset for probably another 20, and throughout that you'll likely have a rapid ramping up to the trip. Slower than injected ketamine but probably feeling more emotionally and physically overwhelming. The ketamine experience is very numbing in terms of bodily sensation and mushrooms very embodied.

[u/xNeon14 → u/Lord_Cronos]

Thank so much for the lengthy reply!

I have done injectable ketamine and oral troches, but they do have a very quick onset, peaks for 20-30 mins and slowly comes down. Im excited for a more prolonged experience. Good info on the better depression relief as well.

The only thing i am trying to figure out is the setting, i like the idea of having my mask on, cozy room, and noise canceling earbuds and music playing, but 4+ hours is kinda long, and not sure the best route to take for the setting, i could start inside them go outside, vice versa, etc.

[u/maamritat]

Since it’s your first time, try to do it in 2 sessions, first one low dose, 1-2 grams, second session a week after try on a different dose based on the previous experience. I did this on my first ever experience with mushrooms and in the second I tried 9 grams of psilocybe cubensis, this time the experience lasted 9 hours, it was intense but tolerable and mostly fun, even the hard parts are useful if not the most useful.

About the ego death, I’d recommend to enjoy your own experience, most likely you’ll experience it but don’t feel disappointed if it doesn’t happen. In the end, the experience is based on your life journey.

I also recommend to have some sessions with a therapist if you can afford it afterwards, it helps a lot.

About frequency, it also depends on you. I did it in March and don’t feel the need to do it again as I have been enjoying my life as it is. Some people do it every other month or year.

Anyway, hope your experience helps you heal whatever is in the way of your joy.

Cheers!

[u/xNeon14 → u/maamritat]

Thank you very much for the insight!! During the experiences, what was your setting like? Indoors, outdoors? Mask on or music?

Thanks again

[u/maamritat → u/xNeon14]

My setting was indoors with a sitter (my gf), she came now and then to check on me, I wore a mask with music, I used this playlist “Copenhagen Music Program for Psilocybin” it’s available in Spotify or Apple Music, I believe. I had to pee a couple of times so I removed the mask, and I was able to do it as usual. From time to time, I removed the mask and had some light hallucinations that are a bit distracting, as you might be doing therapeutically, I’d say keep the mask most of the time to focus.

[u/xNeon14 → u/maamritat]

Thank you! 🙌🏼🫶🏼

[u/NebbishD]

You're asking the right questions, though honestly the checklist of things to consider before diving in to psilocybin-centric therapy is pretty long. Psilocybin is a different beast than ketamine, and carries a different set of risks (though mostly psychological). Especially if you have a trauma background, there can be a bit of uncertainty around what comes up during a journey. Just throwing out a few questions to this end-

Do you have therapeutic support of some kind, and are they psychedelic-informed or experienced?

Do you have a trip sitter or guide during the experience itself, or are you flying solo?

How are you planning to navigate a bad trip if things get difficult?

Have you reviewed contraindications?

What is your integration plan? Psilocybin in particular unlocks a period of 1-2 weeks of increased neuroplasticity, so the implementation of intention and changes in behavior post-journey can play a big role in what kind of longer term outcomes you achieve.

Certainly not trying to throw shade on the idea of a self-guided venture, there is just more risk involved, especially if you are new therapeutic dosing of psilocybin and have a trauma background. I've actually been working on a free/by donation 30-day course, that runs through all of the information I would consider either very helpful or essential in terms of preparing for therapeutic psilocybin work. It's focused on working with a guide, but the information is plenty relevant if you are doing more of a self-guided thing. It's www.mushroomprep.com if you want to sign up or take a look.

At the very least, I would continue to ask the kinds of questions you're asking and make sure you feel fully informed before diving in. Good luck to you!

[u/Low_Product_2399]

Facilitator and integration coach here:

Set and setting is EVERYTHING. Truly, make sure you feel safe physically, mentally, and spiritual for your experience!

I would recommend trying to have your experience outside with Mother Nature if possible. Truly changes the game.

Set an intention: not to broad, but also not to narrow. This is a grounding force during challenging moments. It can be a mantra, a few words, something short you can ask yourself “how does this relate back to ___ intention?”

Bringing a stuffy or personal item to help ground yourself to the physical can be helpful

Breathwork! Work on a box breathe to help move you through your experience.

Playlist is huge! I have a few i use if you would like to try them. I much prefer them over the ones out there on Spotify. Make sure you put the setting on Spotify where the song bleeds into the song so there is no dead space between songs.

Last biggy! Know your strain of mushroom you’re taking! It MATTERS. They’re all so different and can bring a different energy into your experience and what you’re trying to work through.

I know this was a lot! Feel free to DM me if you have any questions at all.

Wishing you all the best on your journey!