Glossary
Curandero(a): A traditional native healer or shaman found primarily in Latin America and also in the United States.
Integration: The process of applying insights from a psychedelic journey into everyday life, including emotional reflection and transforming insights into actions for long-term growth.
Set and Setting: The mindset ("set") and physical environment ("setting") in which a psychedelic journey takes place. A positive mindset and a safe, controlled environment are essential for a meaningful experience.
Somatic Awareness: Conscious awareness of bodily sensations, which is heightened during and after a psychedelic experience.
Ego Dissolution: A sensation of losing one's sense of self or individual identity during a psychedelic experience, often leading to a sense of interconnectedness with the universe.
Neuroplasticity: The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. Psychedelics can enhance neuroplasticity, allowing for new thought patterns and emotional responses.
Default Mode Network (DMN): A network of brain regions associated with self-referential thoughts and the sense of ego. Psilocybin can temporarily disrupt the DMN, enabling altered states of consciousness.
Intention-Setting: Defining a specific purpose or goal before engaging in a psychedelic experience to guide the journey and enhance its impact.
Emotional Healing: The process of addressing and resolving deep emotional traumas or psychological challenges through introspection, often facilitated by psychedelics.
Spiritual Growth: The development of a deeper connection to one's spirituality, often involving self-awareness and exploration of existential questions.
Microdosing: The practice of taking sub-perceptual doses of psilocybin (typically 0.1–0.3 grams) to enhance mood, creativity, and cognitive function without full psychedelic effects.
Heroic Dose: A high dose of psilocybin (5+ grams) that often leads to an immersive, deeply transformative experience, typically accompanied by intense visuals and ego dissolution.
Breathwork: Controlled breathing exercises used to manage emotions and remain grounded, particularly during intense moments in a psychedelic journey.
Emotional Resilience: The ability to navigate emotions with strength and flexibility, often developed through mindfulness, self-care, and integration practices.
Trip Sitter: A sober individual who provides support and guidance to someone undergoing a psychedelic experience, ensuring safety and comfort throughout the journey.
Integration Circle: A supportive group setting where individuals share and reflect on their psychedelic experiences, fostering mutual support and helping with the integration of insights.
Contraindications: Specific health conditions or medications that may make psilocybin use risky, such as heart conditions, epilepsy, or a history of psychosis.
Reflection Practices: Methods such as journaling or meditation used to process and make sense of the insights gained during a psychedelic experience.
Non-Attachment: A mindfulness principle advocating for openness to experiences without clinging to specific outcomes, helping individuals accept all aspects of a psychedelic journey without judgment.
Grounding Techniques: Practices such as body scanning, mindful breathing, or connecting with nature to help individuals stay present and focused, especially after a challenging psychedelic experience.
Vetted Facilitator: An experienced guide who supports individuals through psychedelic experiences, providing preparation, guidance, and integration assistance. Platforms like Tripwell help users connect with trusted facilitators.
Psychonaut: A person who explores altered states of consciousness, typically through psychedelics, in pursuit of personal, spiritual, or psychological growth.
Neurogenesis: The process by which new neurons are formed in the brain. Psilocybin has been linked to increased neurogenesis, aiding in cognitive flexibility and emotional healing.
Synaptogenesis: The formation of new synapses between neurons, crucial for learning and memory. Psilocybin is believed to promote synaptogenesis.
Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptors: A key receptor in the brain affected by psychedelics, which mediates the effects of psilocybin, including altered perception and mood regulation.
Mystical-Type Experience: A profound altered state of consciousness often reported in high-dose psychedelic experiences, characterized by feelings of unity, sacredness, and transcendence.
Setpoint Theory: The psychological idea that individuals have a baseline level of happiness or emotional state, which can be temporarily altered by experiences like psychedelic journeys.
Entropic Brain Theory: A hypothesis suggesting that psychedelics increase brain entropy, leading to more flexible, less rigid patterns of thinking and consciousness.
Transpersonal Psychology: A field of psychology that integrates spiritual and transcendent aspects of human experience, often explored in the context of psychedelic experiences.
Cognitive Flexibility: The ability to adapt and switch between thinking about multiple concepts or perspectives, which psilocybin has been shown to enhance.
Default Mode Suppression: The reduction of activity in the Default Mode Network during psychedelic experiences, which allows for novel thinking and ego dissolution.
Plasticity Windows: Periods in which the brain becomes more malleable, allowing for significant learning and change. Psychedelics are thought to open such windows, enhancing emotional and cognitive adaptations.
