In recent years, medicine journeys have taken the spotlight as a way to support healing in addition to expanding consciousness through their psychoactive components. Micro-dosing of psilocybin and LSD are also becoming more and more prevalent as alternative therapeutic modalities.

Organizations such as M.A.P.S. (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) have gone the route of transparency and working with various government agencies and therapists utilizing clinical trials to showcase the benefits of these medicines. This non-profit research and educational organization’s mission is to “develop medical, legal and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana.”

I’m an experienced psycho-naut of medicine journeys, and understand the importance of proper “set and setting” (that is, mindset and appropriate location/venue) to maximize my experience. Whether with a group, or on a one-to-one with a facilitator/sitter, I relied on the following:

·      declaring my intention to work through a particular trauma/issue;

·      being in a held space to have my altered states;

·      creating a time of sharing the breakthroughs I made; and

·      integrating the results to support me moving forward.

That wasn’t always the case: when I was younger, I experimented with psychedelic drugs (also referred to entheogens or hallucinogens) more recreationally, without a lot of intention, other than to have fun sharing altered states with friends. I’ve never had a “bad trip”, but I know many people who have, and usually when there wasn’t set and setting in place. These medicines are very powerful, and are to be respected, especially some of the more potent ones, such as ayahuasca and DMT.

These days, I’ve shuttered my medicine journeys and instead, prefer SMGI® journeys. Why? Although having the support of external substances can be beneficial, there’s nothing like experiencing a powerful session from just your subconscious inner world. It’s organic and homegrown, relying solely on your complete inner wisdom. And there’s no chance of major repercussions, because your subconscious will only allow what you can handle. That’s not always the case when you’re under the influence of something outside of you, until the medicine is out of your system.  To be clear, I’m not against medicine journeys—all paths are valid, and many have reported life-altering changes in their lives. They’re just no longer a part of my wheelhouse.