Preparing for Your First Session

The preparation you do before a psilocybin session shapes the experience as much as anything that happens in the room. This isn't about memorizing a checklist — it's about arriving grounded, open, and ready to do meaningful inner work.

Before your session: the practical details

Diet and substances

• 24 hours before: Avoid alcohol and recreational substances. Eat normally — no need to fast, but keep meals light and wholesome
• Day of: Eat a light breakfast at least 2–3 hours before your session. Something simple — toast, oatmeal, fruit. Avoid heavy, greasy food
• Caffeine: A small cup of coffee or tea in the morning is fine. Avoid large doses — you want a calm nervous system, not a revved-up one
• Medications: Your facilitator and our medical team will have already discussed any medication adjustments during your health intake review. Follow their guidance exactly

What to wear

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Layers are helpful since body temperature can fluctuate during the session. Think of what you'd wear for a relaxed day at home — soft fabrics, no restrictive waistbands, easy to move in.

What to bring

• A journal and pen (for after the session)
• Comfortable socks or slippers
• A meaningful personal object if you'd like one nearby (a photo, a stone, a piece of jewelry)
• An eye mask if you prefer your own — we provide one, but some people like their own
• A water bottle

What not to bring

• Work. Turn off notifications. Tell people you'll be unreachable
• Expectations of a specific outcome. Psilocybin tends to give you what you need, not what you expect
• Your phone (or at least, agree to leave it in your bag during the session)

Mental and emotional preparation

Set an intention

An intention is not a goal. It's more like a compass heading. Instead of "I want to cure my depression," try something more open: "I want to understand what's underneath my sadness" or "I want to reconnect with parts of myself I've shut down."

Your facilitator will help you refine your intention during preparation sessions. The best intentions are honest, open-ended, and personally meaningful.

Acknowledge your fears

It's completely normal to feel nervous before a psilocybin session. Common fears include:

• Losing control
• Seeing something you don't want to see
• Having a "bad trip"
• Not having a meaningful experience
• Being vulnerable in front of another person

Naming your fears doesn't make them go away, but it does reduce their power. Talk about them with your facilitator. They've heard all of these before, and their job is to help you feel safe enough to proceed.

The night before

Keep the evening simple. Avoid screens before bed. Take a bath, read something unrelated to psilocybin, go to bed early. If you can't sleep, that's okay — the medicine will work regardless. Try not to research psilocybin experiences online the night before. Other people's stories are their stories. Yours will be different.

Preparing your life around the session

• Clear your calendar: Block the day of the session and ideally the day after. You'll want space to rest, reflect, and let the experience settle
• Arrange transportation: You should not drive yourself home. Have someone pick you up, or plan to use a ride service
• Tell someone you trust: Let a partner, friend, or family member know what you're doing and when to expect to hear from you
• Reduce stimulation: In the days before your session, consider reducing social media, news consumption, and demanding social obligations. This isn't required, but it helps you arrive in a quieter mental state

Watch: Dr. Tracy Explains