{"id":9178,"date":"2021-07-20T12:03:58","date_gmt":"2021-07-20T10:03:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mapsofthemind.com\/?p=9178"},"modified":"2023-02-16T10:30:50","modified_gmt":"2023-02-16T09:30:50","slug":"how-often-take-psychedelics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mapsofthemind.com\/2021\/07\/20\/how-often-take-psychedelics\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Should You Take Psychedelics?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u2018How often should I take psychedelics?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n This is a question I am often asked. <\/span>And of course, there is no single right answer. So instead of trying to give one, I\u2019ll share my thoughts on the topic.<\/span><\/p>\n You can\u2019t really put a number such as \u2018x times per year or month\u2019 and say \u2018that\u2019s the right amount\u2019, because it totally depends on the person and their circumstances. It\u2019s like asking \u2018what’s the right dose<\/a>?\u2019. It can\u2019t simply be answered in any meaningful way. It depends.<\/span><\/p>\n It depends on you, your intentions, and your current circumstances. Why are you taking psychedelics? Where are you at in your journey, and where do you want to go next?<\/span><\/p>\n If using psychedelics for recreation or leisure, it\u2019s like asking \u2018how often should I watch a movie?\u2019. <\/span>With the intention of using psychedelics for healing or growth, there still isn\u2019t a set answer. For many people, it seems like once or twice a year is enough to gain valuable insights and allow time in between to integrate the lessons. For others, a more frequent pattern may be most beneficial. I\u2019ve also heard of people saying that once in their lifetime was enough.<\/span><\/p>\n There is a variety of frequencies in different cultures and types of use around the world. This ranges from modern clinical use to more traditional shamanistic use. <\/span><\/p>\n Within the field of modern research and clinical trials, there is variation. In a study with people who suffered treatment resistant depression at Imperial College London, participants received two doses a week apart. From just two doses, most participants saw statistically significant improvement in their wellbeing. That said, many patients saw depressive symptoms beginning to return after six months, so it seems they could’ve benefitted from another session or two around this mark.<\/span><\/p>\n In various smoking cessation studies at Johns Hopkins University there have been between one and three doses given. People have successfully quit with one session, whilst others had three. It is noteable that quit rates were higher for people who had more than one than one session.<\/span><\/p>\n With shaman of various Amazonian traditions, people drink ayahuasca on multiple consecutive nights, or on alternating nights. So it might be three or four nights of drinking ayahuasca in a row, or six nights of drinking over twelve nights total. There are also variations between. In some religious communities or churches that use psychedelic plants, groups drink monthly or weekly.<\/span><\/p>\n Philosophy professor Christopher Bache did 73 high dose sessions over 20 years, and as far as I know, no one in the psychedelic community has said it\u2019s too much. In fact, he is seen by many as a courageous explorer and his work<\/a> an incredible contribution to the field. He is a special case and was extremely conscientious in his use, I should add.<\/span><\/p>\n This variety shows that there is not really any standard which could be said \u2018this is the right way\u2019. <\/span><\/p>\n When I would say taking psychedelics is too much is, the same as any other activity, when it starts interfering with one\u2019s life in a negative way. When the downsides outweigh the upsides.<\/span><\/p>\n Gabor Mate\u2019s view of an addiction can be useful here:<\/span><\/p>\n A behaviour which provides temporary pleasure or relief in the short term but has negative outcomes in the long term.<\/span><\/p>\n For some, psychedelics might be used as an escape from reality, or to avoid dealing with one\u2019s problems. This can be known as spiritual bypassing. If one is re-entering journey space before or instead of integrating the lessons from the last journey, this could be seen as too soon.<\/span><\/p>\n However, I\u2019d say that one\u2019s problems can be shoved back in one\u2019s face on a journey, so it\u2019s not always an easy escape. In fact, for that reason, not taking psychedelics could be seen as an escape.<\/span><\/p>\n No one can say that someone should be taking psychedelics at least x amount of times per month or year. Although with medicalisation on the way, perhaps doctors or pharmacists will in fact be prescribing them in this way.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018Go for three psilocybin journeys per month over the next 12 months and then we\u2019ll meet back and reassess your treatment plan. If you feel you need a recalibration of your dose just give me a call and we\u2019ll set up another consultation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is the right amount?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Frequency varies depending on culture<\/span><\/h2>\n
Can you take psychedelics too often?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Is there a minimum frequency?<\/span><\/h2>\n