Psychedelics and Quarantine: To Journey or Not to Journey?

In discussing psychedelic medicine work during the time of quarantine, a lot of questions have arisen around whether or not this is a good time to journey. While this is an important question, it is first important to note that we are already in an altered state.

Shifting away from our daily routines and norms, we have collectively been suspended in a moment of abnormal confusion and uncertainty. Much like a psychedelic experience, we have been thrust into a non-ordinary state with little reference as to what this is, and when this ends. Before adding psychedelic medicine, it is important to acknowledge this shift and explore the changes that are already occurring in our psyche and emotional states. We are all altered.

While some feel relieved and even trusting of this current shift, others are struggling with fear and legitimate concern about physical, emotional, and financial health. While some experience little to no change in day-to-day functioning, others have lost jobs and are facing significant stressors that were not present prior to lock-down. Some move back and forth between both poles. Much like no two psychedelic experiences are the same, no two individuals are having the same experience during this unprecedented time.

Because of this, there is no solid answer as to whether or not this is a good time to journey. It requires a personal inquiry into our current state and our intentions for adding psychedelic medicines to the mix. Here are some questions we might first ask ourselves to get closer to an answer…

What thoughts and feelings are most present right now?

Are there specific areas (grief, loneliness, relief, overwhelm) that feel particularly “up” at this time?

How have you been working with these things thus far?

Has medicine work historically supported movement through these emotions, or made them more difficult?

How is your current self-care?

Are there non-medicine practices that feel important to explore and implement first?

What kind of support do I have on hand?

What is my intention for using psychedelics as this time?

 Once we create a stronger sense of what is arising for us currently, we can proceed with examining the pro’s and con’s of utilizing psychedelic medicines in a time like this. Below are some important things to consider.

Pro’s

·      More time and space available to journey without distraction

·      Our “stuff” is up and potentially easier to access than normal

·      The pace and noise of life is down, clearing a path to receive messages and insight

·      Medicine work can help provide a wider context to current events

·      Medicine work can “re-charge” us in moments of overwhelm

·      Journeys can help us be with ourselves more intimately in times of disconnection

·      Increased availability of integration support through zoom services

Con’s

·      Increased stress and overwhelm can negatively impact experience

·      Easy to use journeying as escape, avoidance, distraction, or bypassing

·      Limited access to sitters and in-person support

·      Access to medicines more difficult and/or dangerous

·      May be important time for other forms of self-care to take precedence

·      Journeying might overload the system when it needs less data, not more

·      High abuse potential due to open time and limited accountability

From this place of increased clarity and understanding of our intentions, as well examining some pro’s and con’s, it is always wise to bring our thoughts to trusted allies. As with any altered state, our perception of truth and reality from within may not mirror what is observed from outside. If there is a close friend, partner, or therapist that can offer reflections and feedback, now is a great time to use these resources to ensure safety in our work.

Psychedelic maturity is built through practices of self-examination, honesty, and integrity. Once we arrive at a more clear vision of our intentions to journey, we can proceed to the question of whether or not it is a good time to journey for us specifically. For some of us, now will represent an immensely valuable time to deepen medicine work and gain access to things that are more heightened and available. For others, now will represent an already rich and valuable experience for integration and self-work, without needing to add any psychedelic medicine on top. Whichever camp you might land in, there is powerful work to be done.

Safe travels, everyone.