The

Tripper’s Guide
to an
Awesome Ride
A Compilation of Ideas and Best Practices

☯
“Use them with care, and use them with respect as to the trans-
formations they can achieve, and you have an extraordinary re-
search tool. Go banging about with a psychedelic drug for a Sat-
urday night turn-on, and you can get into a really bad place, psy-
chologically. Know what you're using, decide just why you're
using it, and you can have a rich experience. They're not addic-
tive, and they're certainly not escapist, either, but they're excep-
tionally valuable tools for understanding the human mind, and
how it works.”
― Alexander Shulgin, Pihkal: A Chemical Love Story

Version 3.1 3
 Other Helpful Resources
Websites with helpful info:
• MAPS.org—Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
• Zendoproject.org—Harm Reduction Services and Information
• Erowid.org—60,000 pages of information about psychoactive substances
• Dancesafe.org - Testing Kits & Safety Tips
• Tripsit.me—Substance fact sheets
• http://thethirdwave.co/dmt/ - free guide to microdosing
Videos:
“Psychedelics return us to the inner worth • Psyched Substance YouTube channel— videos about psychoactives
of the self, to the importance of the feel- • Terence McKenna on YouTube—talks on the psychedelic experience
ing of immediate experience.” • Alan Watts talks on YouTube - broader Zen-based philosophy

— Terence McKenna Authors:

• Dr. James Fadiman—The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide
• Ram Dass (formerly Richard Alpert)
• Dr. Timothy Leary
• Dr. Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin (creator of MDMA, MDA, 2CB and others)
• Dr. Stanislav Grof
• Psychedelic Press: https://www.facebook.com/psychedelicpress/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/trippersguide/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trippertips/

If you have suggestions for updates, you can email them to:
Thetrippersguide@gmail.com

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 Troubleshooting
If you find yourself having a difficult time during the trip, try some of these
suggestions : Contents
REMEMBER: YOU ARE SAFE. THE TRIP WILL END. Disclaimer & How to Use This Guide ································2

Set Intentions····································································3
⇒ Hum, chant, or sing
⇒ Repeat: “It’s Okay. It’s going to be Okay. Everything is Okay.” Logistical Preparation ·······················································4
⇒ Go to the bathroom
⇒ Stretch / do yoga Mental Preparation ··························································6
⇒ Change your scenery; get some fresh air
⇒ Drink some water Physical Preparation ·························································8
⇒ Do some art or play a musical instrument Day-Of Checklist ·····························································10
⇒ Focus on grounding yourself. Try putting your bare feet on
the earth, hugging a tree, or holding a crystal. Trip & Come-Down ·························································11
⇒ Breath deeply, meditatively, or tantrically
⇒ Focus on gratitude. What are you grateful for? Integration ······································································11
⇒ Focus on surrendering to the experience. Let it be. Let it go.
Troubleshooting ·····························································12
⇒ Listen to an Alan Watts lecture on YouTube

“You have to take seriously the notion that

understanding the universe is your responsi-
bility, because the only understanding of the
“You can always pick up your needle and move to another groove.” universe that will be useful to you is your
— Timothy Leary
own understanding.”

-- Terence McKenna
“The most exquisite paradox…as soon as you give it all up, you can have it all.
As long as you want power, you can’t have it. The minute you don’t want
power, you’ll have more than you ever dreamed possible.”
– Ram Dass
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12
Disclaimer Step 14: Trip
This book does not advocate violating any laws and bears no responsibility for Explore with your newly-opened mind! Relax. Surrender to the experience as
anyone’s decision to do so. Irresponsible use of psychoactive substances can it unfolds. Laugh. Sing. Move. Be present. Observe without trying to control
be dangerous to the user and those around them. This book seeks to reduce
the flow. Affirm that all experiences are welcome.
harm for those interested in adventuring with these substances. Be very care-
ful experimenting with psychedelics, especially if you suffer from any kind of “It is important to expect nothing, to take every
mental illness. experience, including the negative ones, as merely
steps on the path, and to proceed.”
“LSD is a psychedelic drug which occasionally causes
psychotic behavior in people who have NOT taken it.” – Ram Dass
― Timothy Leary
“The only way to make sense out of change is to
plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.“

– Alan Watts
How to Use This Guide
The intention of this book is to provide tips for maximizing the potential for a
safe trip that you can look back on as a positive experience. There is no way to
STEP 15: Coming Down
guarantee a great trip. The experience will be influenced by the type, purity, Sometimes, coming down can feel intense, energetically. Have some calming
and dosage of the substance you choose, as well as cultural, environmental, tea. High-CBD cannabis can be really nice to relax the body and calm the
and psychological factors. nerves. Melatonin can also help with sleep. Now is the time to record any part
This guide intended to be freely distributed, not sold for profit. Please copy of the experience that you desire to remember.
and share it! You can access an online version at: Goo.gl/eVvgLI
There are three side effects of acid: enhanced long
For a printable version (print double-sided on short edge): Goo.gl/X1LKkc -term memory, decreased short-term memory, and
I forget the third.
Like The Tripper’s Guide to an Awesome Ride Facebook page for updates! — Timothy Leary
If you would like to contribute to this project and others like it, bitcoin dona- STEP 16: Integration
tions are welcome at this address:
Depending on how impactful your experience was, it could take several days,
186R9uawjHY4BQaodcFgu2etB4qdp3BXTQ
weeks, months, or even years to fully integrate your trip. Look online for local
(Thank you!) groups, organizations, and meet-ups where you can talk to others and find
helpful resources. Here are some other helpful resources:

• maps.org/resources/psychedelic-integration-list
• innerspaceintegration.com/
• BeingTrueToYou.com
• TheAftercareProject.org
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• iceers.org/support-service.php
 Day-Of Checklist STEP 1: Set Intentions
You may have different intentions for different trips, but for every trip, setting
Test substance & verify dosage
intentions beforehand is very important. Intentions may be very simple like:
Clean and de-clutter your space
“Fun,” “Beauty,” and “Love;” or, they may be as deep as understanding the
Take a shower
purpose of your existence or the nature of reality.
Set out blankets & pillows; create comfortable lounging areas
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing At the very least, intentions can act as helpful guideposts to journey toward
If you’ll be somewhere other than home, pack clean underwear, during periods of overwhelm or disorientation. At best, with focused inten-
socks, and layers to keep warm tion, you can answer deep and meaningful questions, solve complex prob-
lems, and develop amazing new creative ideas.
Eat a small, healthy meal / snack or fast
Hydrate and have plenty of water available - any time that you re- Intentions are like a polite request to the substance, but keep an open mind
member to drink water, do so regarding how it might deliver… One can only expect the unexpected. It helps
Stretch / yoga to write down your intentions, meditate on them, and review them to rein-
Review / meditate on intentions force them in your mind as much as possible before the trip.
Set up recording devices – paper, voice recorder, writing/drawing If you’re tripping with a companion or a sitter, speak your intentions aloud so
utensils that they may remind you of them, if necessary.
Turn off phone ringers
Turn on music, if desired
Prepare some ginger tea or have other ginger snacks available to
ease nausea on the come-up
Have a barf bucket nearby
Set out calming tea and/or high-CBD cannabis for the come-down
Remember the mantras: SURRENDER, YOU ARE SAFE, THE TRIP WILL “For some people, it is helpful to identify your goals. Your
END (Put them somewhere you will see them.) goals may be spiritual: to have direct experience with as-
pects of your tradition or another tradition, to transcend
prior beliefs, even to transcend belief itself. You may hope
“After having personally conducted over the last to have what is called a “unity experience,” in which there
fifty years more than four thousand psychedelic is no separation between your identity and all else. Your
sessions, I have developed great awe and respect goals may be social: to improve relationships with your
for these compounds and their enormous potential, spouse, children, siblings, parents, colleagues, friends, and
both positive and negative. They are powerful tools spiritual and secular institutions. Your goals may be psy-
and, like any tool, they can be used skillfully, ineptly, chological: to find insight into neurotic patterns, phobias,
or destructively. The result will be critically depend- or unresolved anger or grief.”
ent on the set and setting.” — Dr. James Fadiman
— Stanislav Grof

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 LOGISTICAL PREPARATION STEP 12: Recording & Art
STEP 2: Set a Date If you are looking for insights or answers to questions, have a voice recorder
handy or have it run the duration of the trip. Writing and drawing are some-
It’s nice to give yourself a few days (or weeks) to build anticipation for the
times difficult, but make these tools accessible in case you are inspired. There
trip. Some prefer planning it out a month or more in advance. For many
are many things that you will not be able to remember, and the memories
people, it can be very difficult to sleep on LSD or mushrooms, so depending
fade quickly and steadily, so collect the experiences you’d like to reflect on
on dosage, estimate 8-12 hours for the trip, assuming that you may not be
later.
able to sleep during that period. For moderate-to-heavy doses, it is nice to
allow yourself a day for recovery and integration, as well. “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is
the source of all true art and science. “ – Albert Einstein

STEP 3: Determine Dosage

The amount to take is dependent upon many factors. Check out Erowid.org STEP 13: Music
to better understand common dosages for the substance you want to use,
and read trip reports to get a better sense of what to expect with different “Most cultures that use plants for healing, divination, or spiritual revivification
dosages. Note that not all psilocybin mushrooms are the same! Some can be use music to facilitate the transition from one level of awareness to another
much more potent than others. Psychonaut Timothy Leary describes 5 levels and to enhance the feeling of safety by providing nonverbal support… Drum-
of the psychedelic experience. Understanding these may help you deter- ming, chanting, dancing, and singing are used worldwide to guide changes in
mine the appropriate dosage for the type of experience you want, as well. If consciousness.” – Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide
you have a trip sitter, be sure to let them know what dosage you’re taking.
Have at least 8 hours of music available for your trip, as well as headphones,
ear buds, or speakers. Select music that you find comforting, calming, and/or
STEP 4: Test Your Substance intriguing.
It is very very very important to know what substance you’re using.
Dancesafe.org provides inexpensive reagent tests that will help you identify Common Suggestions:
your substance, or ask your friends if they have one. Purity tests are also
♦ Solo piano, flute, or with one or two other instruments
available so that you can determine if your substance has been cut, diluted,
and or combined with other substances. Also be aware that some sub- ♦ Tibetan singing bowls
stances are dangerous to combine with other substances. This chart shows ♦ Gregorian chants
some well-known contraindications, but be sure to do thorough research if ♦ Ragas
you’re already taking other substances: https://wiki.tripsit.me/wiki/ ♦ Indigenous drum recordings
Drug_combinations ♦ Solfeggios

There are a lot of synthetic research chemicals out there being sold as Note: Anything with lyrics/words may be distracting, and music that could be
substances that they are not. Some of these substances can be deadly, so emotionally provocative can sway the trip.
4 know your source and test your stuff! 9
 PHYSICAL PREPARATION STEP 5: Consider Sitters, Guides, and/or Trip
STEP 10: Prepare Your Body
Companions
In the days leading up to the trip, eat things that nourish and won’t upset
It’s generally recommended to not be around strangers during your trip, but
your body. Avoid alcohol. Eat more organic vegetables and minimize proc-
having someone with you that you trust can add comfort and interest to the
essed food. Consider fasting for 5-8 hours beforehand. Don’t take trips when
experience, especially if that person has experience with the substance you’re
you’re sick. Also drink lots of water and be sure you’re well-hydrated. Avoid
using. If that person is sober during your trip, they are referred to as a “sitter.”
tripping while sleep deprived. Stretching your muscles just before will limber
If you have a travel companion that will be tripping with you, be conscious of
you up in case you find yourself contorting in weird ways during trip. Many
the fact that you will each be on your own journeys, and seeking certain types
recommend showering before your trip. If you’re using any other kinds of
support from one another may be difficult. Don’t be surprised if you want to
drugs (prescription or otherwise), be sure to research any potential contrain-
separate and come back together during the trip. Don’t be surprised if you
dications for combining them with the substance you intend to trip with.
experience totally different things. Your trips are as unique as your brains.
If you are concerned about confidentiality, take time to make agreements
STEP 11: Prepare Your Setting about what will be acceptable to share with others about the trip.
This may be the most important part of preparing for a trip: creating a safe
space. First, decide if you want to be inside or outside. There are pros and Tips for Sitters
cons to both. A familiar indoor space often allows for greater introspection; ∗ The sitter should be prepared to physically assist and mentally guide the
when outdoors, one is often overwhelmed by the beauty and intricacies of tripper during periods of discomfort, but bear in mind that interference
nature. It’s not uncommon to want to take your clothes off, but be sure to can sway the experience in an extreme way sometimes.
have sufficient clothes or blankets to stay warm if you’re not in a warm in- ∗ Holding space or a “safe container” for a tripper involves:
door space. Whether indoors or outdoors, be sure you have somewhere com- ∗ Expressing unconditional acceptance of any thoughts, words,
fortable to lay down and relax and easy access to a bathroom or an accept- realizations that may come up; reiterate that “It’s Okay.”
able outdoor area to relieve yourself. ∗ No judgment / ego / “should” projections / shaming
∗ Always remaining calm, centered, grounded, and confident
Minimize clutter, things that you might trip over, or things that might give ∗ Offering suggestions to consider rather than making statements
you bad feelings (like a pile of dirty dishes). The cleaner your space is, the
∗ Encourage the tripper to stay hydrated
better, because you might be inclined to put your face on the floor, for exam-
∗ During periods of discomfort, suggest:
ple. Soft pillows and blankets are usually a good idea. Be attentive to any
physical hazards in your space. Avoid strangers, and take appropriate meas- ∗ Deep meditative and/or tantric breathing (i.e. count each breath,
or breath in tranquility, exhale discord, etc.)
ures to not get lost. For very introspective trips, insulate yourself from out-
side sights and sounds like pets or phones. ∗ Grounding with crystals, trees, earth, or an idea
∗ Focusing on gratitude
If you feel at all unsafe in your setting, don’t trip there, or see Step 5 (p.5).
∗ Also, see Troubleshooting section on p. 12
Note: Psychoactive substances can impair judgment, so it is very dangerous
8 to drive or operate machinery while under the influence. 5
 MENTAL PREPARATION STEP 9: Acknowledge and Embrace Fears
STEP 6: Accept Discomfort
You would never get on a roller coaster if you didn’t inherently trust that it is
It is common for trippers to feel different kinds of discomfort when coming safe. You know that it’s going to scare you if it’s a good roller coaster, but still
up. Nausea and stomach ache are perhaps the most common, especially if you can tell yourself during the scariest parts of the ride, “I’m safe, and this
you’ve eaten whole mushrooms. Be prepared to vomit, but remember that it ride is going to end.”
is possible to ground and center yourself, relax, and surrender to the flow.
Often when you do this, the nausea will disappear. People naturally fear the unknown, but, according to Paul Stamets, “The fear
of the loss of self-control is the central issue amongst all users as their dosage
During the trip or on the come-down, people sometimes experience different increases. Those who are willing to let go, and who do not fear their inner
kinds of discomfort like hunger, jitteriness, or feeling cold. Sometimes, the self, seem better prepared to tolerate higher doses. They flow with, not
normal things you would do to ease those types of discomfort don’t provide against, the tide of the experience.” Smooth trips require a release or surren-
the same kind of relief when you’re tripping. This can be a disorienting feeling. der to the experience, accepting whatever might come from it, (Note: This
Don’t worry that it will last forever. Remind yourself that the trip will end. works really well for waking life, as well.)
The best thing that you can do is to try to distract yourself from this discom-
fort. Play a game or explore a topic or do some art. The less you focus on the Solidly implant in your mind that, no matter how weird it gets,
discomfort, the less it will affect your trip. YOU’RE SAFE & THE TRIP WILL END.

STEP 7: Understand Ego Death As an exercise to help prepare, actively imagine the craziest things you can
With higher doses, many trippers describe what is commonly called ego imagine experiencing. Some of these things can be frightening, so practice
death, or a sense of oneness with everything. Some report actually feeling like accepting these ideas with positivity in the days leading up to the trip. What
they are dying; most report a sense of calm and peace that accompanies this you actually experience during the trip may be far weirder than you could
phenomenon. Becoming one with everything can be profoundly impactful on ever imagine, so challenge yourself to embrace that.
your understanding of life, the universe, and everything, so be prepared to
experience shock and awe, and allow yourself time to process following the
trip. “The problem is not to find the answer, it’s to face the answer.”
“Ecstasy is complex emotion containing elements of joy, fear, terror,
STEP 8: Open to Changing Perspectives triumph, surrender, and empathy. What has replaced our prehistoric
understanding of this complex of ecstasy now is the word comfort, a
Try not to cling to ideology. Let your mind wander wherever it wants to go – tremendously bloodless notion. Drugs are not comfortable, and any-
through any possibilities. Be prepared to have your mind changed about cer- one who thinks they are comfortable or even escapist should not toy
tain things. The more you cling to an ideology, the more psychologically un- with drugs unless they’re willing to get their noses rubbed in their
comfortable the trip is going to be. Try to just relax and let it go. Greater un- own stuff.”
derstanding will come as you process things after the trip. — Terence McKenna

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