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The Third Wave's Safety Guide (PDF) This guide is intended as a harm reduction resource. We do not encourage illegal activities, and assume the reader is aware of their local laws. Updates We are committed to regularly updating and expanding this guide with current information, such as the results of new research. If you’d like to receive notifications when an updated version is published, you can sign up here. Sharing If you find the information in this free guide helpful, please consider sharing it. About The Third Wave The Third Wave is a Public Benefit organization with the mission of increasing psychedelic literacy. By providing high-quality education about psychedelics, facilitating research on microdosing, and building in-person and online communities, we are helping to integrate safe, responsible use of these life- altering substances into mainstream culture. Credits Chief editor: RJ Patrick Smith Design: Memco Branding Studio Contents 1 Introduction 2 Initial Considerations 3 Preparation 4 The Experience 5 Integration 6 What Next? 7 Resources 8 Feedback Introduction This resource is intended for those people who have already decided to take psychedelics, and want to do so as safely and responsibly as possible. It is designed to be a harm reduction manual for all psychedelic users. Don’t expect this guide to cover topics like how to obtain psychedelics, the legality of psychedelics in your region, or the state of psychedelic research. While we accept that the majority of psychedelic use is not done legally, and that the riskiest aspect of psychedelic use is their prohibited status, we cannot advise you on how to safely circumvent the law. This guide will only address the psychological and physiological risks of psychedelic use; we expect you to understand the legal risks yourself, and be aware of your local laws. For more in-depth information about psychedelic history, psychedelic legality, and current research, check out the resources on The Third Wave. First Things First If you are sitting there in your dojo, fistful of mushrooms poised over your open mouth, playlist lined up and blindfold ready – hold your horses, brave adventurer! No one in the history of psychedelic use has ever said “Yeah, my trip was great, but I was just too goddamned prepared.” We highly recommend that you stand up, open up the blinds, and very slowly put the shrooms down. Then read this guide in full, take a few days to make sure this is what you want to do (and that you’re adequately prepared), and then feel free to go on your psychedelic journey. Why, What, And How? Before we’re ready to prepare ourselves for the psychedelic experience itself, it’s important to take a step back and find your own personal answers to a few questions. Why are you doing this? What are you looking for? What substance are you taking? Are you in good health? These questions can’t be ignored if you’re looking for a truly fulfilling and safe experience. Why Are You Taking A Psychedelic? This may seem like an annoying question. But it’s important to go way back in your psychedelic-taking process, and think about what drew you to psychedelics in the first place. Are you looking to answer a profound question? Would you like to explore some aspect of the universe or existence? Or are you purely curious? Are you sure that psychedelics are the right vehicle to achieve this goal? If you don’t know much about psychedelics, or only have a vague idea about what they can do, it’s well worth taking some time to educate yourself. Listen to some podcasts, read a book or two, and familiarize yourself with the effects. Jumping in without really knowing what you’re getting yourself into could be a mistake. If you’re still not sure, maybe you should take a step back and consider alternatives. There are plenty of other approaches you can take to answer big questions, or find out more about yourself. You might be interested in trying out holistic therapies first, to see if your answer can be found without diving into a psychedelic journey. It might also be worthwhile considering microdosing before you take a large dose. Many people find substantial benefits from starting a microdosing protocol, and it can help you ease in to the effects of psychedelics before taking that big dose. The Third Wave offers a microdosing course for those interested in making the most out of a microdosing protocol – and we also offer extensive free resources and a microdosing book that you can explore. But maybe you are still positive that this is what you’re looking for, and nothing will convince you otherwise. If so, that’s great! Time to think about what substance is best for you. What Are You Taking? The term “psychedelic” can be applied to any number of substances. Meaning “soul manifesting,” pretty much anything that alters cognition and perception could be deemed a psychedelic. But for the purposes of this resource, we will focus on substances that will produce a profound altered state for a significant length of time, and that require considerable preparedness for safe responsible use. The “classic” psychedelics include LSD (a synthetic compound), psilocybin mushrooms (also known as magic mushrooms), mescaline (found in psychedelic cacti), and DMT (found in ayahuasca). These are the most commonly used psychedelics, and are also known as “Serotonergic” psychedelics since they work by affecting the neurotransmitter serotonin. Other less well-known psychedelics include ketamine (a synthetic dissociative), ibogaine (found in the Iboga plant), Salvinorin A (found in the plant Salvia divinorum), and MDMA (a synthetic compound, the main component of “ecstasy” pills). There also exists a wide range of chemical analogues to these substances, that often produce similar effects. They are largely unstudied, and their safety profiles are uncertain. We will focus on the psychedelics that are best understood, and those for which we can provide accurate information regarding safety. Here is some brief information on each substance, to help you decide which will be safest and most appropriate for you: LSD This synthetic psychedelic induces a long-lasting psychedelic experience, usually between six to twelve hours in length. The trip is associated with significant changes in perception, and profound shifts in your understanding of the world. It has no physiological risk, and is typically taken at a dose of between 50-100 micrograms. It is commonly found dissolved on blotter paper (“tabs”) or less commonly in liquid form. Analogues such as 1P-LSD are also physiologically safe, but can have slightly different psychological effects. Learn more about LSD here. Psilocybin This naturally occurring psychedelic is found in some species of mushrooms. It induces an experience lasting between four and six hours. The trip produces significant changes to perception, and profound shifts in your understanding of the world. Psilocybin is often said to have a more “earthy” or “warm” feel to it than the synthetic LSD. It has low physiological risk, although some people report nausea after ingesting. It is most commonly taken by eating fresh or dried mushrooms, or making a tea with powdered mushrooms. A typical moderate-high dose is between 2-4g. You can learn more about psilocybin mushrooms here. Mescaline Mescaline is found in some species of cacti, most commonly Peyote and San Pedro. The experience can last between eight and fourteen hours. The trip produces significant changes to perception, and profound shifts in your understanding of the world. Mescaline can induce a body high similar to that of MDMA. Mescaline is physiologically safe, although nausea is often reported at higher doses. It is most commonly ingested by chewing the cactus “buttons,” or by swallowing capsules of dried ground cactus. A typical moderate-high dose is around 200-400mg. Learn more about mescaline here. DMT DMT (dimethyltryptamine) is a naturally-occurring psychedelic found in several plants. It can be smoked in its crystal form to produce a short-lasting but intense experience, or drank as a component of an ancient plant medicine brew (ayahuasca) producing an experience lasting many hours and inducing nausea. No matter what the form of ingestion, its effects include significant changes to perception, and profound shifts in your understanding of the world. A typical moderate-high dose of smoked DMT is 20-50mg. A typical moderate-high dose of ayahuasca is harder to estimate, as preparation methods may vary. Learn more about DMT here. Learn more about ayahuasca here. Ketamine This synthetic compound was originally used as an anaesthetic. It also has significant dissociative qualities that significantly alter perception, and can cause profound shifts in your understanding of the world. The trip can last from forty-five to ninety minutes, and is known for sometimes producing a catatonic state known as a “K-hole” where all sense of stable reality is lost. It is usually snorted, although this method of ingestion can cause damage to the nose and throat over time. A typical dose in this manner is 30-80mg. It can also be ingested orally, in a capsule, for a longer-lasting and less intense experience: a typical dose is 100-300mg in this method. Intramuscular injection is also possible, but this is discouraged. Ketamine is physiologically toxic when used consistently or in high quantities. Dependence can cause damage to the urinary tract. It is also associated with nausea at large doses. Learn more about ketamine here. Ibogaine Found in the Iboga plant, ibogaine is a unique psychedelic producing a long- lasting experience that can last several days. It is almost certainly the most dangerous of these psychedelics, as high doses have been linked with heart failure.
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