Psychedelic Consent: A Community-Centered Approach

Led by Brooklyn Balance founder Josh Jupiter, our Psychedelic Consent offering explores the nuances of consent, boundaries, and power dynamics in altered states. Drawing from frameworks like the Wheel of Consent and the Empowerment Dynamic, this engaging workshop equips both facilitators and participants with the tools to navigate consent with clarity, integrity, and presence.

Rooted in years of experience in integration coaching, MDMA-assisted therapy training, Five Rhythms, and ISTA community work, Josh creates a safe, interactive space where participants can embody these principles through practice—not just theory.

Whether you're a seasoned facilitator or new to this space, you'll walk away with:

• A deeper understanding of how altered states affect informed consent

• Tools to recognize and address shadow dynamics (e.g. the charlatan, the doormat, the victim)

• Practical communication skills to support safer, more empowering psychedelic containers

Consent isn’t a checkbox—it’s a living practice. Join us in cultivating the kind of presence that honors the sacredness of every interaction.

Overview:

Hi everyone, thank you for being here. I'm Josh Jupiter, founder of Brooklyn Balance Integration, and I'm really glad to talk with you today about consent in the psychedelic space—a topic that’s deeply personal and not discussed enough. Years ago, I had an experience where my consent was violated by a facilitator, which shaped my path and led me to study this work deeply.

Overview

This talk covers:

• What consent is

• Requests and boundaries

• Consent in altered states

• The Wheel of Consent

• Shadow dynamics and power

• The Drama Triangle & Empowerment Dynamic

• Informed consent and communication

• Practices and exercises

What is Consent?

Consent is permission for something to happen. In altered states, it becomes more complex. Being under the influence of psychedelics impairs cognition, so the ability to give or receive consent might be compromised. That’s why pre-agreements, clarity, and safety protocols are essential.

“If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no. If it’s a maybe, it’s a no.”

Boundaries & Power Dynamics

There’s an inherent power dynamic between client and facilitator. Clients might be desperate or hopeful, and facilitators are often in positions of influence. Boundaries show where one person ends and another begins. Someone without boundaries in service can be a red flag.

The Wheel of Consent (by Betty Martin)

This framework breaks consent into four quadrants:

1. Serving – I do something for your benefit.

2. Accepting – You do something for my benefit.

3. Taking – I do something for my benefit with your permission.

4. Allowing – You do something for your benefit with my permission.

We explored how each feels and which quadrant we’re most comfortable in. Most people gravitate toward “serving.”

Exercise: Waking Up the Hands Using a small object, we explored sensation through mindful touch. This helped bring awareness to how we relate physically and what responses are triggered.

Requests Asking clearly is a key skill. Many people expect others to read their minds. Practice making full, clear, direct requests and be open to “no” without taking it personally.

Practice 1: "Will you..." (Request for another’s action) Practice 2: "May I..." (Request to take action for my benefit)

These were done in pairs, with yes, no, or negotiation responses.

Shadow Sides of the Wheel

When quadrants are out of balance or outside consent:

• Service gone wrong = martyr, rescuer, over-giver

• Accepting gone wrong = entitled, moocher

• Taking gone wrong = perpetrator, thief

• Allowing gone wrong = doormat, pushover

Facilitator Shadow Archetypes:

• Charlatan (manipulative)

• Guru (ego-driven)

• Martyr (sacrifices boundaries)

• Savior (oversteps to help)

Client Shadow Archetypes:

• Victim (disempowered, reactive)

• Moocher (always wants free service)

• Doormat (lacks boundaries, self-abandonment)

Practice: Roleplay Shadows

Participants embodied shadow roles in facilitator/client mock calls to build awareness of how they show up and feel.

The Drama Triangle vs. The Empowerment Dynamic

• Drama Triangle: Victim, Persecutor, Rescuer (disempowering, reactive)

• Empowerment Dynamic: Creator, Challenger, Coach (empowering, responsible)

Replacing blame with curiosity helps us foster healthier relationships and navigate power more skillfully.

Why Informed Consent Matters

Informed consent means:

• Knowing your rights and responsibilities

• Agreeing to scope, risks, and boundaries in writing

• Setting expectations and clarifying limitations

Example: if someone consents only to hand or wrist touch pre-ceremony, you honor that—even if they ask for more during the journey.

Communication in Practice

Use phrases like:

• “Would you like to...?”

• “How does that land?”

• “Is this still okay?”

• “Shall we proceed?”

Consent isn’t just a form—it's an ongoing dialogue.

On Regression and Altered States

Clients may regress to younger states. If someone is presenting like a 4-year-old, meet them there. Honor their state rather than intellectualizing it.

Be aware of signs of dissociation or overwhelm—long silence, lack of responsiveness, or unclear communication.

Crossing Boundaries Only break consent for safety: risk of harm to self or others, medical emergency, etc. Otherwise, respect agreements.

Summary

• Consent is not static—it’s a living practice.

• The Wheel of Consent helps us understand our dynamics.

• Shadow work helps us stay accountable.

• Communication, presence, and clear agreements are essential.

• Facilitators and clients both have roles in co-creating safe containers.

Closing Thoughts When in doubt, pause. Ask. Clarify. “Consent isn’t just a formality—it’s a practice of presence and respect. Every interaction is an agreement.”