Safe Psychedelic Exploration in the Sea-to-Sky: What You Need to Know
Our retreat space in Pemberton, BC.
At Woven Journeys, safety is our highest priority. Psilocybin experiences can be extremely powerful, and we believe they should be handled with deep intention, care, and respect. Accordingly, safety has been thoroughly considered through every step of our process. This article describes the many ways in which we prioritize safety, drawing on contemporary research and established clinical best practices.
Screening & Intake: The Foundation of Risk Mitigation
The screening and intake process is one of the most important components of safety. Our in-depth, professionally designed process ensures that many of the potential risks of a psilocybin experience are minimized, or mitigated completely, before preparation for the session even begins.
Prescription Medications & Supplements
Certain prescription medications and supplements may interact with psilocybin. These include common antidepressants such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and Bupropion (Wellbutrin). While most of these interactions are not physically dangerous, they can impact the experience by diminishing or "blunting" the psychedelic effects, potentially leading to a confusing or frustrated journey.
However, the prescription medication lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) poses a significant physiological safety risk. Evidence suggests that co-administration with psychedelics is associated with a higher risk of seizures. In alignment with the most rigorous safety standards, individuals who have taken lithium within the last 30 days will not be permitted to access services with Woven Journeys. Potential interactions with all other supplements are addressed in detail during our intake calls.
Physiological Safety
Psilocybin is generally considered physiologically safe and well-tolerated. It can moderately increase heart rate and blood pressure, but even at high doses, this effect is typically mild. Regardless, individuals with a history of serious cardiac conditions or uncontrolled high blood pressure should exercise caution. In these cases, we may require clearance from a physician before proceeding.
We also screen for common side effects:
Nausea: A potential side effect that our team can help manage if we know an individual is prone to it ahead of time.
Allergies: A history of allergic reactions to mushrooms or fungi is assessed.
Post-experience Headaches: A common side effect of medium-to-high doses, which can be mitigated with over-the-counter pain medication provided during aftercare.
Psychological Safety & Genetic Predisposition
A strong psychedelic experience may exacerbate or trigger the onset of certain psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia. Individuals with a personal or family history of these conditions must exercise extreme caution.
In alignment with modern clinical trials, Woven Journeys excludes individuals with a first or second-degree relative with schizophrenia, bipolar, or other psychotic disorders.
First-degree relative: Parent or sibling.
Second-degree relative: Grandparent, aunt/uncle, niece/nephew, half-sibling.
This topic is complex, and research is sometimes contradictory. For example, a 2023 pilot study found no increase in mania symptoms following a single dose of psilocybin in individuals with Bipolar II. However, a larger survey of over 500 individuals with bipolar disorder found that one-third of respondents described new or increasing symptoms—primarily mania and anxiety—after psilocybin use. Interestingly, those same respondents indicated that, on balance, they still found the experience more helpful than harmful. Given this data, we maintain a cautious approach to ensure the long-term stability of our clients.
Framing, Expectations, & Support Networks
The intensity of a profound psychedelic experience can be disruptive or destabilizing for some individuals. While this "ego-dissolution" or emotional upheaval may feel overwhelming in the moment, it is often a necessary component of a larger transformational or therapeutic arc. However, we do not believe in "white-knuckling" through these states. It is essential to proactively account for the potential of psychological disruption and plan for the possibility of life turbulence following your session.
One of the most effective ways to mitigate the impact of a destabilizing journey is to have a robust support network in place before you begin. This relational "safety net" acts as a container for your integration process and may include:
Trusted Inner Circle: Friends or family members who are not only aware of your choice to undergo a psychedelic experience but are actively supportive of your process.
Professional Guidance: A therapist or counselor who is "psychedelic-literate" and can help you navigate emerging psychological material.
Community Integration: Peer support groups or community circles that provide a shared language for altered states of consciousness.
The key to an effective support network is informed alignment. Having people in your life who understand the gravity of this work ensures that if challenges arise, you are met with empathy and grounding rather than judgment or confusion.
Moving Beyond the "Silver Bullet"
Extensive media coverage often focuses on the most extraordinary "miracle cures." We encourage viewing a psilocybin experience as part of an ongoing process, not a "quick fix." Ideally, this work takes place in the context of broader psychological work, such as meditation or journaling, which research shows supports personal work with psychedelics. Consensus among practitioners is that entering a journey with openness—letting go of expectations for a specific outcome—is the safest and most effective mindset.
Navigating Challenging Experiences ("Bad Trips")
At Woven Journeys, we provide multiple layers of support to hold the potential for challenging experiences—what are often colloquially referred to as "bad trips." It is vital to understand that encountering difficult moments during a journey is not only common but is frequently a sign of deep work in progress. Intense emotions such as profound sadness, anger, or fear can be integral parts of the experience. Psilocybin acts as a powerful catalyst, helping us face obscured parts of ourselves, process stagnant grief, and move through the echoes of past trauma. Naturally, this is demanding and courageous work.
The nuance of these experiences is found in their long-term impact:
The "Difficult but Valuable" Journey: Research indicates that the majority of challenges experienced during a journey are later viewed as positive, and ultimately felt to have been necessary or deeply worthwhile for the individual's growth. This remains true for most experiences, even those occurring in unsupervised settings.
Extended Difficulties: Significantly less common are challenging experiences that create psychological friction in the days, weeks, or months following a session. Data suggests that these prolonged difficulties are far less likely to occur when the journey is held within a container of intentional preparation, professional "set and setting," and expert integration support.
Our process is meticulously designed to support the integration of every facet of your experience, regardless of its intensity. We operate with the firm commitment that you will never be left alone to navigate or process these states. Whether a challenge lasts for a few minutes of a session or requires extended aftercare, our team can provide the grounding and somatic support necessary to move from distress to insight.
Long-Term Safety: What the Data Shows
When utilized within a clinical or highly structured research setting, psilocybin has consistently demonstrated a profile of safety in both the short and long term. Data from significant studies at Johns Hopkins University and institutions in Switzerland show that less than 1% of the 360 participants experienced any post-session negative symptoms. In these rare instances, the symptoms were successfully resolved through additional psychological support, such as counseling or psychotherapy.
Furthermore, a systematic review of over 30 psychedelic research studies concluded that when proper screening, intentional preparation, supervised administration, and thorough integration are present, participants report very few aversive side effects.
"Since the early 1990s, approximately 2000 doses of psilocybin... have been safely administered to humans in the United States and Europe, in carefully controlled scientific settings, with no reports of any medical or psychiatric serious adverse effects, including no reported cases of prolonged psychosis or HPPD." — NYU Study, 2016
Beyond the lab, population-level data reinforces these findings. Studies of over 100,000 and 20,000 US adults found no association between lifetime psychedelic use and increased rates of mental illness, suicidal behavior, or psychological distress. In fact, a 2015 study suggested that the use of classic psychedelics is actually associated with reducedpsychological distress in the general population.
Understanding & Mitigating Risk
While the data is promising, psilocybin is not without long-term risk, particularly when used in unguided contexts. A study analyzing nearly 2,000 "challenging experiences" (colloquially called "bad trips") found that 24% of respondents experienced negative psychological symptoms—such as anxiety, paranoia, or depression—that lasted a week or longer. Approximately 10% reported symptoms lasting more than a year.
Crucially, the data reveals why these negative outcomes occur:
Lack of Support: In the study mentioned above, fewer than 3% of respondents had a trusted, sober, experienced guide present.
Poly-substance Use: Over half of those reporting long-term difficulties had consumed another substance in addition to psilocybin.
Dose Uncertainty: Extended difficulties are strongly predicted by an unguided setting and a lack of knowledge regarding the specific dose.
Despite the challenges, even in this high-risk group, 84% of respondents reported ultimately benefiting from the experience, with 76% attributing increased well-being or life satisfaction to the journey.
HPPD & Professional Oversight
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)—a condition involving lasting visual distortions—is a potential but rare side effect. It is most commonly associated with LSD, cannabis, or MDMA use, and is typically linked to heavy, frequent use or combining multiple substances. To date, no cases of HPPD have occurred in volunteers administered psilocybin in contemporary, controlled research studies.
The evidence is clear: when psilocybin is administered in a controlled setting with professional facilitation, the potential for negative long-term impact is remarkably low. This is why the Woven Journeys experience is strictly modeled on the best practices of modern clinical trials, ensuring that every participant is screened, prepared, and supported by trained facilitators equipped to navigate any challenge.
The Woven Journeys Facilitation Team
One of the strongest factors in a safe experience is the quality of the facilitator. We select our team based on a "relational safety" model—warmth, wisdom, and a compassionate presence.
Our facilitators follow a non-directive approach, the standard used in modern clinical trials. This means we provide an empathetic presence without attempting to "steer" or direct your experience. We follow your lead, ensuring you feel held and safe throughout the process.
Integration & Aftercare
An intentional integration process is as vital—if not more so—than the psychedelic experience itself. While the journey provides the "peak" experience, integration is the ground-level work of transforming those ephemeral understandings into lasting, sustainable change. Without a structured process to "weave" these insights into one’s daily life, the profound potential for transformation can easily dissipate.
For the vast majority of participants, integration is an engaging and fruitful period, though it often requires substantial focus and energy. The Woven Journeys framework is specifically designed to capitalize on the window of neuroplasticity that follows a journey. Our support includes:
Group Retreats: We dedicate a full, immersive day to integration following the experience. These sessions utilize activities designed to harness heightened neural connectivity, helping participants ground their insights through somatic practices, nature-based reflection, and community dialogue.
Private Sessions: One-on-one journeys include two dedicated hour-long integration calls with your facilitator in the weeks following your session. These calls provide a private space to navigate the specific psychological and practical shifts occurring in your life.
Psygaia’s Circle: All participants and clients of Woven Journeys get lifetime access to an online and BC-based psychedelic support and integration community via our nonprofit, Psygaia.
Our Commitment to Long-Term Support
While most find the post-journey period to be one of positive growth, a small minority of individuals may encounter challenges that endure beyond the immediate session. We are deeply committed to your well-being throughout the entire arc of this work.
Should you experience "extended difficulties"—such as persistent emotional turbulence or trouble re-adjusting—Woven Journeys stands by you. We are committed to supporting you through whatever arises, which may include extending additional sessions or professional support. We are also pleased to offer access to our extensive network of specialized therapists and practitioners to ensure you have the specific care required to find your footing and flourish.
Conclusion
Safety at Woven Journeys is not a static protocol; it is an active, evolving commitment woven into every stage of our work. Our screening and intake process is professionally designed to identify and mitigate potential risks long before a journey begins. Because we are dedicated to evidence-based practice, our team continuously monitors the latest developments in psychedelic science, refining our frameworks as new peer-reviewed literature emerges.
To ensure the most supportive experience possible, we emphasize three core pillars of preparation:
Relational Safety: We strongly recommend that participants establish a robust support network—comprising family, friends, therapists, or community groups—prior to their session.
Intentional Mindset: We encourage viewing the journey as a single chapter in a broader developmental process. Cultivating an attitude of radical openness and releasing attachment to specific outcomes are key to navigating the experience safely.
The Guided Container: By prioritizing intentional preparation, expert "set and setting," and professional facilitation, we significantly reduce the likelihood of the prolonged distress often associated with unguided "bad trips."
The data is clear: the risk of enduring negative symptoms is remarkably low when psilocybin is administered within a controlled, professional setting. Both contemporary clinical trials and large-scale population studies affirm that, for the vast majority of people, this is a safe path for long-term psychological exploration.
Our facilitators are the heart of this safety net. Each member of the Woven Journeys team is a highly vetted professional chosen for their warm, wise, and compassionate presence. They utilize a non-directive approach, mirroring the gold-standard support models used in modern research to ensure your autonomy and inner wisdom remain the primary guides.
Finally, we recognize that while integration is usually a fruitful and empowering process, it can sometimes be demanding. For those rare individuals who encounter challenges that persist beyond the session, we remain a constant partner in your care. Woven Journeys is dedicated to providing the necessary aftercare, whether through extended sessions or direct access to our specialized professional support network, ensuring that every journey leads toward a grounded and integrated life.
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