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Questions for Safety, Preparation, and Accountability

As interest in psychedelic healing grows, choosing a qualified facilitator has become a crucial step in ensuring a safe and meaningful experience. With so many options available, how can you be sure you’re entrusting your mental, emotional, and physical well-being to the right person?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential questions to ask a psychedelic facilitator, covering safety protocols, preparation, integration, and accountability. These questions will help you evaluate their experience, ethics, and alignment with your values.

From understanding emergency plans and dosage protocols to assessing the physical setting and post-ceremony support, this comprehensive checklist ensures you're making an informed decision. Whether you’re new to psychedelics or a seasoned explorer, this guide will empower you to approach your journey with clarity and confidence.

Let’s dive into the key questions to ask before committing to a psychedelic ceremony or retreat.

Warmly lit room with a first-aid kit, salt lamp, and potted plant, symbolizing safety and care. In the background, a facilitator speaks with a participant, conveying trust and professionalism.

Safety and Protocol

1. What is your emergency plan?

2. What exactly will you be serving me? Where does the drug/medicine/substance or plants come from? Were the plants sustainably harvested? How will you determine the right dose for me?

3. Do you ever administer any other substances after the initial dosing?

4. What is the physical setting like? Will we be indoor or outdoors? How many bathrooms are there?

5. Will there be music or instruments?

6. What should I wear?

7. Is there a special diet to follow before and after? For how long?

8. What is the timeline, arrival to departure?

9. Will participants stay overnight? What are the sleeping arrangements?

10. Will you touch me after dosing? What will touch look like? Will participants touch each other?

11. Will there be a consent conversation?

12. What questions will you ask to determine if I am psychologically stable and fit to do this work?

13. If I am on a medication / supplements can I participate?

14. Is there a risk of Psychosis?

15. What happens if i have a challenging experience?

16. Where is the nearest Emergency Room?

17. If there’s an emergency how do we determine if I need to be taken to the nearest Emergency Room?

18. Do I need a health evaluation by a doctor? Blood work? Pregnancy test? Blood pressure? Allergies?

19. What is protocol if another group member does or says something that makes me uncomfortable?

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Preparation and Integration

1. Do you offer preparation support before the experience?

2. Do you offer integration circles or support following the experience? How long and to what degree can I expect integration support from you?

3. How do you assure confidentiality with our communications and ceremony participation?

4. How much does this cost?

5. What should I expect when the ceremony is over? Will I need to leave right away or will we congregate?

6. What modalities do you recommend for integration?

7. Will a group chat be formed for peer support?

Softly lit meditation space with cushions and blankets in a circle, radiating warmth, safety, and connection for a transformative ketamine-assisted meditation experience.

Set and Setting

1. Will there be Comfortable furnishings, blankets, and pillows?

2. Will there be an altar with sacred and empowering objects?

3. Will we set intentions?

4. Will you or I select music and create playlists?

5. Will we be able to adjust / set up lighting?

6. Will there be art supplies and a journal in reach?

7. Who are the other people that will be there? And how were the other participants and or assistants vetted?

8. What is the physical setting like? Will we be indoor or outdoors? How many bathrooms are there?

9. Will there be music or instruments?

10. What should I wear?

11. Are there any animals or pets on site?

12. Do you and or the assistants partake in the medicine during ceremony?

13. If I need space to be alone, will that be provided?

Facilitator in thoughtful conversation with a small group in an inviting space, conveying reliability and transparency. A notepad and framed certification in the background suggest organization and credibility.

Accountability, Legal, Misc

1. What is the timeline?

2. Can I allow a few days prior to acclimate and adjust to time zone changes?

3. Who owns the retreat?

4. Who guides the sessions?

5. Is there a lineage?

6. How were guides trained? How experienced are they?

7. What does the website look like?

8. What comes up when I web search the name of the places to look for both good and poor reviews?

9. Does the leader call themselves a Shaman or a medicine man/women/other?

10. Do I need to be vaccinated for COVID? Is a test required? (This is more to find out how they respond and view COVID, and if their views make you feel safe and your own views accepted). For example do they respond angrily, or calm to the question?

11. My friend sent me to you, do they get anything in exchange?

12. Are the assistants compensated for their work? Are they uncompensated? Do they pay to be here? (This may or may not reflect the ethics of the organization)

13. Is there a Guru vibe? Do the assistants or facilitators not take no for an answer. Are people fearful of the leader / facilitator?

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Summary and Conclusion

Choosing the right psychedelic facilitator is a critical step in ensuring a safe, meaningful, and transformative experience. By asking thoughtful and comprehensive questions, you can gain insight into their approach, qualifications, and alignment with your values. This guide breaks the process into four key areas:

Safety and Protocol: Ensuring proper emergency plans, physical setting, and medical considerations are in place.
Preparation and Integration: Confirming support before and after the ceremony to maximize your experience.
Set and Setting: Evaluating the environment, participant dynamics, and emotional atmosphere for comfort and alignment.
Accountability, Legal, and Miscellaneous: Assessing the facilitator’s ethics, training, and transparency to gauge their trustworthiness.

A responsible facilitator will welcome your questions and provide clear, compassionate answers. Trust your intuition and look for red flags, such as a lack of preparation, unclear communication, or an unwillingness to address your concerns.

Ultimately, the goal is to find a guide who prioritizes safety, respects your autonomy, and fosters an environment where you can explore and grow with confidence. Your psychedelic journey is a deeply personal process, and choosing the right facilitator is an empowering step toward transformative healing.

Learn more

How To Vet a Psychedelic Facilitator