Glossary of Terms
Every trip is unique, and the same dosage or drug might have completely different effects on two similar people, so use caution when taking a first step into the world of psychedelics, especially when outside of clinical settings. Lingo is important, so we’ve added a few key terms and definitions for safe exploration.
Tripping: Under the influence of psychedelics
Hit: A dose of psychedelics
Mushrooms: Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, of which there are many varieties and effects
LSD: Properly known as Lysergic acid Diethylamide, LSD was discovered by Albert Hoffman on 4/19/1938 and produces long, intense trips and shows benefits for depression, mental health traumas, and end-of-life therapy.
DMT: Dimethyltryptamine is found in countless plants and is hypothesized to be produced in our brains during sleep, birth and death. DMT is used in Ayahuasca ceremonies or synthesized separately for consumption. This powerful drug can induce out-of-body journeys. For more information, check out the book “The Spirit Molecule” or read trip reports at erowid.org.
Ketamine: Legal in most states, Ketamine provides therapy in a clinical setting for depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, and has been shown to help with alcohol dependency.
Ibogaine: Illegal in the US, this plant-based medicine has been shown to clear neurochemical receptors, providing a one-time treatment that can end physical addiction to opiates or benzos.
MDMA: Also known as Molly, this wonder drug helps with PTSD and depression. Check out MAPS.org for more info on how this misunderstood drug can help with many issues and be a safe party drug when consumed carefully.
Psychedelics 101
Whether you are a newb looking for a first melt or an old head seeking to relive some glory days with a fresh trip to the ego death factory, look no further than our comprehensive guide to getting started on a trip.
Site and setting
This common phrase refers to when and where you choose to experience psychedelics. It’s always advisable to pick a safe, comfortable setting that is free of stress, annoyances or distractions that you might not be able to deal with. For some, this is a favorite couch with lots of blankets or out in the woods with room to roam and howl at the moon. Always avoid situations where you are unable to stay for multiple hours and have your hydration and comfort items ready. Something as simple as picking a stuffed animal or operating a sink might become supremely difficult when under the influence, so make those decisions before starting your trip.

Microdosing
Microdosing has been in Vogue and going viral for the last few years, as everyone from celebs to moms try a new buzz for creativity, focus, depression and a fresh outlook. Microdosing refers to taking a small dose of Psilocybin (mushrooms) in the amount of 0.1 to 0.3 grams of a fruiting body (mushroom cap). Clinical data suggests that mushrooms or other psychedelics like MDMA and LSD taken at small doses consistently reduce symptoms of stress, depression, anxiety and negative mental health symptoms including PTSD. Anecdotally, users often report an influx of energy, focus and motivation, as well as a sense of things being sparkly and wonderful when under the influence of a microdose.
The success of clinical studies seems to suggest that microdosing on a regular schedule, combined with counseling or therapy, could significantly help alleviate negative mental health symptoms and offer an alternative to pharmaceutical treatments.
It’s important to remember that psychedelics change your neurochemistry and brain-body-mind connection. This is not to be viewed lightly, as one is both more open to programming and positive experiences, becoming suggestible and altered during the process. It’s important to be conscious of the music and media you consume while under the influence, understanding that your brain is open in a way that daily consciousness does not offer.
We do not recommend microdosing for work or school, although many anecdotal reports indicate that this works for some individuals. Above all, we advise treating any use of psychedelics with a therapeutic intent to be consumed in a setting safe for healing and growth, which most workplaces are not conducive to.
A note on dosing your microdose: the intent is not to feel high, but to have a small, almost imperceptible effect on your daily baseline that adds value to a normal daily experience without inducing a full trip. Start with 0.1 grams of mushrooms and give it time. For this writer, a 0.3-gram dose is a few hours of Pink Floyd and a lost day of productivity, so trusting a dose before work or a deadline is never advisable.
Macrodose/Hero dose
Macrodosing or taking a hero dose will not give you superpowers in the Marvel sense, but will send you on a deep journey of personal introspection. Generally viewed as taking anything over one gram of mushrooms or two hits of a different psychedelic like LSD, going macro means a big dose. This can also be called a therapeutic dose, which can go up to 3.5 grams or more, depending on the type of mushroom and potency.
While it sounds intimidating, taking a large dose of psychedelics is where the real trips happen, both in the fun sense and in a therapeutic setting. True ego death and the reshaping of neurological pathways come from large doses, opening the mind, spirit and body to change and potential healing. Large doses can also lead to intense processing and bad trips, and should only be taken with a safe space and a trip sitter present.
What is a bad trip?
Psychedelics change our entire perception of reality, ego, memory, feelings and even how our brains program and process information. Neuro-linguistic programming can help rewire the brain from traumas and addiction, with or without psychedelics. That said, whenever your world is shattered, there will be those who skip around in bliss and those who start to process the past and present through a new lens. This is having a bad trip, which often involves reprocessing, and it can be triggered even when the intent of an experience is not therapeutic.
Those in the grip of a bad trip need a safe space, low light, gentle music and time. They might loop in behavior and repeat phrases or revelations, or drift in and out of lucidity as the drugs process. With the DMT derivative Ayahuasca experience, purging via puking and pooping is common along with the purging of dark energy, thoughts and traumatic experiences, and is to be expected as part of the trip.
These powerful drugs should not be viewed as a guaranteed good time in the way an edible or dab can consistently be relied upon. Always be prepared for a trip to need time for introspection, weirdness and for perception to change — if a storm of bad feelings hits, know that it will soon pass.
Trip sitter
Having a qualified trip sitter is just as important as booking a good babysitter when you head out of town. Much like childcare, it’s important to have a sober and aware person sitting with an individual or group when taking large amounts of psychedelics. This person can keep everyone safe during the trip and prevent those under the influence from leaving the safe space.
Booking a therapy session
Many states like Oregon now offer Psilocybin therapy, as well as opportunities for therapy paired with Ketamine, MDMA and more. You can find these therapy centers online, though some therapies like Ibogaine are generally outside of the US. Note that insurance will not cover most therapy opportunities.
You can always eat more, not less
In the world of psychedelics, 1+1 does not necessarily equal 2. The effects of 0.2 and 0.4 grams are not double; amounts stack up exponentially to where the difference between a half gram and a gram of mushrooms is a trip with 10 times the strength. Therefore, taking a 0.1 mircodose and feeling great does not mean that taking another will intensify that greatness. It could instead change an energetic micro to a thoughtful melt. A good rule of thumb is to commit to a dose and ride it out. Rarely does eating more end up as fun as planned, and if it’s really needed, you can always eat more.
Don’t get high and drive
We just have to say this. The only place worse than behind the wheel is in jail while tripping, so don’t risk it. We would also share this recommendation for commercial air travel, but not necessarily for the bus, where you can jump off if the accordion stretch section starts talking to you in a French accent.
Meeting a Shaman
Amongst professional psychedelic administrators, there is a dislike for the word shaman, as it has been at times overused or co-opted by those seeking money or power versus spreading healing. The cultural appropriation of the term often involves individuals making IG videos selling services — a true shaman would never, nor will they operate out of a van down by the river. This doesn’t imply that all who identify as shamans are charlatans, but that you’ll likely find them organically running retreats versus in the urban jungles of LA.
Internet Shrooms
If it’s on the internet, it’s probably not what it claims to be, as selling psychedelics is illegal in many places, especially online. Be careful and always try to find psychedelics from a local, trusted source not focused on making money, but sharing healing medicine.
Heading overseas
Just as we would not advise seeking love via overseas websites, the same pitfalls awaiting a hopeful heart can also befall a trip-seeking psychonaut. Always be careful when booking a trip, especially to the jungles of South America. Many scams and services over-promise and under-deliver, so thorough research beforehand and seeking references are essential. Other places like Amsterdam offer consistent mushroom and Cannabis experiences and are generally safe to travel to, but you’ll still want a real trip plan before you indulge in a chocolate truffle and wander the canals.