Psilocybin Therapy Guide

Structure and Duration of the Session

Phases of the Session

A typical psilocybin therapy session consists of four main phases:

1. Arrival and Preparation (30-60 minutes): Upon arrival, the therapist will show you the space, explain the process again, and answer any final questions. There may be a short meditation or breathing exercise to help you relax.
2. Ingestion and Onset (30-60 minutes): After taking the psilocybin, it takes about 30-60 minutes for the effects to begin. During this time, you can lie or sit quietly, often with an eye mask and headphones with music.
3. Peak Experience (2-3 hours): The most intense effects occur about 60-90 minutes after ingestion and last for 2-3 hours. This is when the most significant therapeutic breakthroughs may occur.
4. Decline and Integration (2-3 hours): The effects gradually diminish, allowing for a time of reflection and initial integration. At the end of the session, there is often a brief conversation about the experience.

Total Duration

The full session usually lasts 6-8 hours, corresponding to the duration of psilocybin's effects. It's important to keep the entire day free, without obligations after the session.

Physical Experiences

Bodily Sensations

During a psilocybin session, you may experience various bodily sensations:

• Changes in Body Feeling: You may experience a feeling of lightness or heaviness, or the feeling that your body is growing larger or smaller.
• Tingling or Energy: Many people report tingling, warmth, or flows of energy through their body.
• Nausea: Some people experience mild nausea, especially at the beginning of the session. This usually disappears after the first 30-60 minutes.
• Increased Sensitivity: Your senses may be enhanced, making touches, sounds, and temperatures feel more intense.

Physical Comfort

The therapist will ensure you are as comfortable as possible during the session:

• Comfortable Environment: You will usually lie on a comfortable couch or bed with pillows and blankets.
• Freedom of Movement: Although most time is spent lying down, there is usually the possibility to move, stretch, or go to the bathroom if needed, accompanied by the therapist.

Sensory Experiences

Visual Experiences

Psilocybin can cause a wide spectrum of visual experiences:

• Closed-Eye Visions: With closed eyes, you may see vivid images, patterns, colors, and even complete scenes or landscapes.
• Open-Eye Effects: With open eyes, you may perceive changes in color, texture, and movement of objects. Surfaces may appear to breathe or undulate.
• Geometric Patterns: Many people see complex geometric patterns that can evolve and transform.

Auditory Experiences

• Enhanced Music Perception: Music may sound deeper and richer, with new layers and details you wouldn't normally notice.
• Synesthesia: Some people experience synesthesia, where senses cross (for example, "seeing" music as colors or patterns).

Emotional and Psychological Experiences

Emotional States

Psilocybin can evoke a wide spectrum of emotional experiences:

• Increased Emotional Openness: You may experience greater access to your emotions, both positive and challenging.
• Emotional Processing: Suppressed emotions may surface for processing and healing.
• Euphoria and Wonder: Feelings of intense joy, wonder, and connectedness are common.
• Difficult Emotions: Fear, sadness, or confusion may also arise. These are seen as important parts of the therapeutic process.

Cognitive Effects

• Altered Thinking: Your thought patterns may change, allowing for new perspectives and insights.
• Increased Cognitive Flexibility: Research shows that psilocybin can increase cognitive flexibility, helping to break rigid thought patterns.
• Reduced Defense Mechanisms: Psychological defense mechanisms may temporarily diminish, allowing for deeper self-reflection.

Transpersonal and Spiritual Experiences

Changes in Self-Experience

• Ego Dissolution: A feeling that the boundaries of the self blur or temporarily dissolve, which can lead to a sense of unity with the surroundings.
• Transcendent Experiences: Feelings of connection with something greater than yourself, or experiences considered spiritual or mystical.
• Altered Time Perception: The normal experience of time may change, with moments seeming endless or passing very quickly.

The Role of the Therapist

Support During the Session

• Safe Presence: The therapist remains present throughout the entire session as a safe anchor and guide.
• Non-Directive Approach: Therapists usually follow a non-directive approach, trusting the person's inner healing intelligence to guide the process.
• Emotional Support: The therapist provides emotional support and encourages you to process difficult thoughts, sensations, or memories that arise.

Communication

• Minimal Interaction: During the peak of the experience, there is usually minimal verbal interaction, giving you space to turn inward.
• Availability: The therapist is always available for support when needed and can help navigate through challenging moments.

Music and the Experience

The Role of Music

Music plays a central role in psilocybin therapy:

• Emotional Guide: Carefully selected music helps guide the emotional journey.
• Providing Structure: The music provides structure to the experience, with different phases supporting different emotional states.
• Deepening: Music can help deepen the experience and can serve as a vehicle for emotional processing.

Potential Challenges

Difficult Moments

• Anxiety or Confusion: Moments of anxiety or confusion may arise, especially when deep-rooted emotions or memories surface.
• Overwhelm: The intensity of the experience can sometimes be overwhelming.
• Resistance: You may experience resistance to certain aspects of the experience, which can cause discomfort.

Navigating Through Challenges

• Surrender: Learning to surrender to the experience rather than trying to control it is a key to navigating through difficult moments.
• Breathing: Returning to the breath can help ground during intense moments.
• Therapeutic Support: The therapist is trained to help you navigate through challenging moments.