Set & Setting

Set and setting respectively refer to the internal and external state you bring to your psychedelic experience, like thoughts, mood or expectations. “Set” is a reflection of internal state - your mood, personality, beliefs, perceptions, and so on. “Setting” refers to all that’s going on externally, such as the people around you and their behaviors, the music playing, the smells and weather in the air, even the cultural forces that aren’t as readily visible.

Our internal state and external state are the lenses through which we process reality in any situation, but this is not actually unique to psychedelic experiences. These are important factors in everything from athletics to religious endeavors. However, the reason set and setting important in the context of psychedelic experiences is because these substances have a way of intensely amplifying those lenses.

  • Set Improvement

    You’ll want to ensure that your current state of mind is good before starting a psychedelic journey. GoodGood will vary from person to person, and moods shift all the time. What you are looking for is periods of stability in your life, such that you have feelings of regularity or contentment. These states will serve as a strong mental base to begin a psychedelic experience.

    One thing you might consider asking yourself before taking psychedelics is whether you are using them with the intent to “escape” a particular emotion or situation. Those looking to escape a difficult emotional experience in their life may turn to psychedelics only to find that it in some way backfires. It can be tempting to use psychedelics to improve your situation but you should always ensure you have proper psychological and emotional support in your life. In general, if you’re going through stressful or negative periods of life, consider some other alternatives first.

    It can also be wise to ensure that your body is not in a particularly bad or unusual state. If you feel tired, sick, or injured, these feeling can impair your mood which may make it hard to maximize the benefits of using psychedelics. Your tactile input from the nerve endings throughout one's body will be enhanced, so you it is ideal if your body feels comfortable so that this will lead to more pleasure.

    Mentally, be ready to just stay in metaphorical passenger seat. Understand that what your about to go through is entirely ineffable and incomprehensible. There is simply no need to try and forcefully direct your experience. This will feel categorically different than anything you’ve experienced in your life, so emotional states of curiosity and euphoria will arise on their own.


  • Setting Improvement

    The ideal setting for a psychedelic experience will vary from person to person, depending on what makes you feel comfortable, safe, and receptive. Familiarity with your environment tends to be a key factor universally, as well as making sure you have nothing left “to do” for the day with no more responsibilities or obligations.

    Think of private spaces where you feel most relaxed and try to use them. Also consider any music, foods, or items that could aid in your comfort. Quiet areas are ideal, but headphones are generally preferred anyway as they can help to filter out distractions.

    Social support ends up being important as well, such having very close friends nearby. Though not everyone has someone that they consider to be both a close friend, and someone that is experienced in such situations. If they have little experience with psychedelics, they could end up causing more worry and react poorly if your trip takes a challenging turn.

    Tripsitter attempts to assist with setting by finding social support in the best possible form, finding a Trip Sitter. Not only do they act as a trusted and sober person dedicated to your safety, they are also highly familiar with the psychedelic state and are trained in supporting you during your trip. Their calm, grounded presence is a key factor is ensuring your setting is elevated to the most optimum conditions.

Set and setting are intricate forces that determine the overall course of your experience, and they should not be underestimated. Although there will always be some factors we cannot control, taking the time to ensure you have the right platform for your psychedelic journey is a great decision. And since you're here, you are already on the right track and you can feel confident that you've already made some incredibly wise choices in choosing to prepare and educate yourself properly.

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