Educational content only. Psilocybin is Schedule III under Canada's CDSA. Nothing here is medical advice.
PREPARATION GUIDE
Set & Setting.
The phrase comes from Timothy Leary, but the concept predates him in indigenous ceremonial practice and has since been validated in every major clinical trial. What you bring to the experience — and where you have it — shapes the experience as much as the dose.
Set — your mindset
Your emotional and psychological state going into the session.
Do you have a reason to be doing this?
Not a justification — an intention. Clinical protocols have participants state an intention before the session: something they want to explore, understand, or work through. This is not mandatory, but an intentional session with a clear focus tends to produce more useful outcomes than dosing out of curiosity or boredom. Write your intention down the night before.
Are you in a stable baseline state?
Psilocybin amplifies what is already present. An active personal crisis, unresolved acute grief, a relationship rupture in the past 48 hours — these are not contraindications, but they are signals to pause and consider timing. The clinical literature consistently shows that higher baseline wellbeing predicts better session outcomes. This is not the time to self-medicate acute distress.
Have you slept and eaten?
A light meal 3–4 hours before. Full stomach slows and blunts onset; empty stomach sharpens and accelerates it. Sleep deprivation reliably amplifies anxiety during the experience. If you have not slept well the night before, reschedule.
Have you screened for contraindications?
Personal or family history of schizophrenia, bipolar I, or psychosis. SSRI, SNRI, MAOI, lithium, or tramadol use. Significant cardiovascular conditions. If any apply — see a healthcare provider before proceeding.
Setting — your environment
The physical space and the people in it.
Is your space safe and controllable for 6–8 hours?
You should not need to drive, answer your door, handle a work emergency, or manage any other demands during the session window. Tell anyone who might reach out that you are unavailable. If you have children or pets, arrange care. A session interrupted mid-peak by an unexpected obligation is a setup for a difficult experience.
Is the physical environment calm and comfortable?
Your own home — or a space you know well — is strongly preferable to an unfamiliar location. Have a comfortable place to lie down. Natural light is valuable. Overly stimulating environments (a busy outdoor space, a crowded home, anything with unpredictable visual or auditory input) are not appropriate for moderate or high doses.
Do you have a sitter?
For anything above a threshold dose (≈1g of mid-potency cubensis), a sober, trusted companion is standard practice. Their role is not to manage the experience — it is to be present, calm, and available if you need grounding. They do not need to be a professional. They need to be someone you trust, who knows what you have taken and how much, and who has agreed to stay for the full duration.
What is your music plan?
Music has a measurable effect on psilocybin session quality. Johns Hopkins published a playlist specifically designed for psilocybin sessions (available on Spotify). Key criteria: no lyrics, no jarring tempo changes, no songs with strong personal memories attached. Music you have never heard before is often better than familiar music — familiar songs bring familiar mental associations that may or may not be what you need.
What to have on hand
- Water — at least 1L, easily reachable
- A blanket and pillow (temperature regulation shifts)
- A journal and pen for the integration period
- An eye mask (darkness facilitates inward focus)
- Headphones and a pre-made playlist
- A written note with the dose, time taken, and your sitter's phone number
- Fruit or light food for when the experience winds down
- Your sitter's number somewhere visible
About this content
Written by the shroomDOSAGE Research Team. Guidance is drawn from published clinical trial protocols, Timothy Leary and Ralph Metzner's original set and setting framework, and contemporary harm reduction practice. The Johns Hopkins and Imperial College psilocybin trial preparation protocols informed the practical guidance throughout. This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.