Journey Jargon

Before I ever took mushrooms, the only terms I really knew in this space were psychedelics and tripping. I never heard of set and setting, intention, and integration. And if you are like I was, hopefully you'll have a better understanding after reading this post.

Like culture, terms evolve - some age and new ones emerge. Sometimes they seem like buzzwords. They can have synonyms but with nuanced meaning yet are used interchangeably. I hope to clarify some of these terms, as I’m guilty of using words interchangeably! Like, psilocybin and mushrooms. Psilocybin is the psilocybe genus and the compound found in these species.

(However, psilocybin is not the compound that is responsible for psychoactive effects. When ingested, psilocybin is metabolized to psilocin. That beautiful chemical is what - at certain levels - induces an altered state of consciousness. This leads me to the first term.)

• Altered state/altered reality/altered state of mind/consciousness, transcendence (to "trip"): when the mind transitions from the waking state to an altered state. This happens when the brain waves shift frequency, modifying the way the consciousness perceives reality.

  
  

• Psychedelics, entheogens, hallucinogens, plant medicines, drugs: substances that can induce altered states of consciousness. These terms are often used interchangeably, though have variation in meaning and application.

  
  

• Journey, session, medicine journey, or the psychedelic experience (a "trip"): an intentional and prepared experience to go beyond the physical world (through altered stated of consciousness), deep within the psyche and other realms by ingesting a psychedelic (in this case).

  
  

• Journeyer: one taking the journey

  
  

• Intention: the reason for the journey, the "why", identified and set during journey preparation. It is a focus point during the journey and integration.

  
  

• Set and setting: "Set" refers to one's inner world or mindset - thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and intentions. "Setting" refers to the physical environment - the space itself and all its elements - lighting, sounds, smells, presence of others, and other stimuli. When in an altered state, senses are also altered and heightened. Certain things can be comforting while others can be triggering. Set and setting are crucial to consider for a safe and supportive experience.

  
  

• Guide, facilitator, sitter, healer, shaman: one with adequate experience and skills to safely and effectively support the journeyer. They hold the space and during the journey ("facilitate"). (And may assist with preparation and integration.) These roles and their comprehensive meanings are not equal - personal preference, cultural consideration, and experience/training and knowledge/wisdom define them.

• Sacred space, container, environment: the space created with mental, physical, and energetic intention and practice. The guide creates this space during a journey and when entering in rapport with a client - "holding space". There is no particular way to set the container - it depends on the guide's approach and the journeyer, but the foundation is integrity with confidentiality and safety. This entails a compassionate, non-judgmental presence with a quiet mind, and an open heart - to invites the journeyer to be in their fullness, to allow what is and meeting it with openness to deepen.

  
  

• Integration: considerations and practices to realize and implement journey insights and experiences. Integration may happen organically and spontaneously but is best done with conscious and intentional practices. The ways to integrate are boundless yet crucial for genuine change. (See blog on integration.)

  
  

In working with my clients, we discuss psilocybin and the psychedelic journey experience. While we can never predict a journey experience, preparation helps us understand what may arise and the hallmark effects. These discussions invite an open and flow state, which creates an environment to allow a profound, effective and safe journey.