Is Prep Really That Important?
I never thought I’d find myself writing in favor of preparing for a mushroom trip. I had always just flown by the seat of my pants and let the trip unfold. I felt like it was working well enough. After all, weren’t shrooms supposed to be natural teachers, teaching their lessons in a way that almost seems like magic? Surely, the mushrooms would know what I needed and provide the right lessons, right?
Holy smokes, was I wrong!
Last year, I finally tried a mushroom trip with a trained facilitator doing formal preparation and the difference was night and day. For the four weeks leading up to my trip, we spent about an hour each week getting me ready. To my surprise it paid off like crazy, and my trip was much deeper and special to me than the ones I had done before when I didn’t prepare. I used to think all the planning was too controlling. However, I came to learn that a little prep work will set you up for deeper healing and change.
The Risks of Going in Blind
Like many people, my early mushroom trips were typically done on a whim, when I felt I was ready. I had read a few articles, spoken to a few old heads, and figured I understood what I was getting into. I just let the mushrooms do their thing and it was usually a good time. I went in hoping for deep insights, but it was usually just a really fun and giggly time. A few times the trip even took a dark turn that actually added to my confusion and anxiety, making life harder for me for years.
Even when I had those “mountain-top moments” they often felt fleeting, like a beautiful dream I couldn’t quite hold onto upon waking. At best, I’d feel renewed and refreshed for a few weeks before sliding back into my old habits and ways of thinking. Without a goal in mind and plan to achieve it, these casual trips lacked the power to truly change my life in a lasting way.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that the real magic in magic mushrooms isn’t just in the journey itself—it’s in the preparation and the work done afterward. This is the work that weaves its lessons into everyday life in a lasting way. In this way, our trip can keep changing us long after the “high” wears off. And the changes stick.
The Power of Preparation
By the end of the pandemic, my depression had begun to really burden my life, my work, and my relationships. I needed help. I felt like a shell of myself and I needed something to work. I had all but given up on the idea of getting any real healing through mushrooms. I was given the chance to try a formal trip at Vital Reset in Hood River. Psilocybin therapy had just been made legal in Oregon, so I began working with a trained facilitator. I was skeptical but also curious. I wanted to see if there was really something to all the talk about “set and setting” and formal preparation. My journey began weeks before the actual trip day, involving:
- Intention Setting – Instead of just hoping for insights, I was invited to define clear intentions. What was I seeking? What parts of my life needed healing or clarity? This gave my journey a direction, without trying to control it and force it to be what I wanted it to be.
- Paying Special Attention To My Mind – I was invited to watch what was happening deeper down in my mind, behind the scenes. This included writing down my dreams, and taking note of any image or theme that I kept noticing in real life. This got me in the habit of noticing the magic all around me.
- Stress Management Techniques – Learning to quiet my mind and relax my nerves was so, so important! I had no idea how much my daily anxiety and mental chatter could shape my trip! A few simple breathing techniques provided a sort of life raft, keeping me afloat during any challenging moments.
- Journaling and Reflection – Writing about my fears, hopes, and feelings helped me uncover deep-rooted patterns within myself before I even took the mushrooms. Some of the insights even made their way into my trip in ways that meant a lot to me.
- Planning for After The Trip – We made a plan for the days and weeks after the trip to strengthen the changes I was making in my thoughts, feelings, and actions. They call this step “integration” because it brings the insights learned before, during, and after the trip together and makes them more powerful and lasting.
By the time the day of my journey arrived, I was in a very different state than I usually am in when taking mushrooms. Instead of being nervous, I felt a grounded sense that I was ready, and felt eager to see what the trip would show me. I welcomed anything that the mushrooms threw my way, even the hard stuff. The result was mind-blowing.
The Journey Itself: Like Night and Day
The session took place in a safe, comfy setting with my facilitator there to support and care for me. From the moment the psilocybin took effect, I noticed something amazing—there was less instinct to resist, there was no panic to overtake me, no grasping for control. Because I had already prepared myself, my mind was ready to trust the trip. Because I had a plan in place, my body was relaxed enough to let the mushrooms do their work.
For the first time, I realized that mushrooms do have the power to heal and make real change possible. I was able to face my biggest fears and sorrows without freaking out. I found the answers I was looking about my life, my relationships and my purpose. And most importantly, I felt held, both by the facilitator and by the unseen forces guiding my healing.
Now I’m A Believer
Looking back, I can’t believe I ever thought preparation was not important. I now see it as an act of respect—both for myself and for the mushrooms. Psilocybin has the power to deliver deep healing, but only if we approach it with the respect and care it deserves.
My story is not a full-on manual for how to get ready for a healing mushroom trip. But if you’re thinking about seeking healing through mushrooms, my advice is simple:
Take the time to prepare with a skilled facilitator. Work with someone who knows what they’re doing. Together, find little tricks that calm and center you. Get in touch with the deeper parts of yourself and plan for how to really make the most of the days and weeks following the trip. When you do, the difference will be profound. And like me, you might just find yourself transformed in more ways than you ever hoped. I wish you the best!
To schedule a chat with an amazing facilitator, click here.
