Many of us here in Colorado have either consumed psilocybin (magic mushrooms) or been aware of others engaging in its recreational use either at a concert or out in nature. People’s experiences in these settings vary for a variety of reasons, including set and setting - essential elements in psilocybin’s use in the therapeutic setting.
Set is in regards to one’s “mindset.” Am I nervous about taking the mushrooms or do I have a rigid expectation for what my experience should be? Then setting refers to one’s environment, whether that is indoors, outdoors, harsh lighting, natural lighting, plants, music, people around you, etc.
Last weekend I received Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (a therapeutic research-backed approach legal in Colorado and Oregon) for the second time. I had a therapist/facilitator right next to me in addition to 3 other facilitators in the room providing extra support and holding the container, also known as the “nervous system” of the group.
Important to note, I had multiple preparation sessions prior to the journey. Preparation sessions include embodiment/mindfulness exercises, processing what is currently happening in one's life, any stressors, fears around dosing, intentions, and connecting with the others in the group to ensure a sense of comfortability and safety.
After the medicine wears off, the integration process begins - what many in the field consider to be the most magical and important part. Psilocybin essentially blasts open a temporary neuroplasticity window, making your brain incredibly flexible, adaptive, and open to forming new neural pathways for days or even weeks after the session. Integration sessions with your therapist capitalize on this golden window of brain malleability. It's during this time that you unpack the visuals, physical sensations, emotions, insights, and anything else from your journey and actively wire them into healthy, long-term habits before your brain's default settings harden back up.