Psilocybin Preparation Masterclass | 6-Step Guide by Dr. Tracy Townsend
Prepare for a safe, transformative psilocybin experience with our 6-part masterclass. Learn intention setting, dosing, logistics, effects, and resilience tools from Harvard‑trained MD Dr. Tracy Townsend.
Watch the Video Series Below
This six‑module series with Dr. Tracy Townsend is your all‑in‑one prep guide for a safe, transformative psilocybin experience. It includes:
Preparing for a psilocybin journey isn’t just about choosing a day and showing up—it’s a holistic process that lays the groundwork for a truly transformative experience. Dr. Tracy Townsend’s six‑module masterclass walks you through every step, from the inner work of intention‑setting to the logistics of your journey day, the neuroscience of dosing, and resilience tools for challenging moments. Below, we’ll explore the key takeaways from each module and show you how to weave them into a seamless preparation plan.
The Power of Preparation
Before the mushrooms ever touch your lips, your journey begins. In “Preparing for Your Psilocybin Journey: The Ultimate Pre‑Trip Guide,” Dr. Townsend likens preparation to prehab before surgery—critical for a successful recovery (or, in this case, integration). You’ll learn to approach prep in four dimensions:
Physical: Clean, whole foods; gut‑friendly diet; hydration
Mental: Curate your media diet; avoid fear‑driven content; feed your mind with growth‑oriented books and podcasts
Emotional: Track triggers, practice curiosity, and cultivate emotional sovereignty
Psycho‑spiritual: Ground in nature, even if it’s just a park bench—reconnect with your wild, unconditioned self
These practices build “muscle memory” you can call on during both the journey and everyday life.
Setting Intentions: Your North Star
Intentions are the compass for your inner voyage. In “Setting Your Intention: Your North Star for the Psilocybin Journey,” you’ll discover how to plant the seed of your intention—framed as an invitation or prayer, not a rigid goal. Examples include:
“May I fully surrender to what this experience has to show me.”
“My intention is to bring openness and curiosity to this session.”
Use journaling prompts from your prep guide to let intentions emerge naturally. And remember: it’s okay if your intention evolves during your preparation phase.
Finding Your Dose: Mapping the Depths
Psilocybin dosing isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all. “Finding Your Dose: Mapping the Depths of Psilocybin Experience” breaks down a 0–5 depth scale—from everyday consciousness (0) to mystical ego dissolution (5)—and translates that into milligram ranges:
Mild (5–10 mg): Subtle shifts; mood lift; sensory enhancement
Moderate (15–25 mg): Noticeable perceptual changes; emotional accessibility
Strong (25–50 mg): Deep insights; boundary dissolution; potential overwhelm
You’ll also learn the “intro + journey” approach: start with a lighter dose, check in at 45–60 minutes, then top up if desired. This strategy keeps you oriented and safe.
Journey Day Logistics: The Practical Blueprint
Logistics can make or break your session. In “Journey Day Logistics: Step‑by‑Step Guide to a Smooth Psilocybin Session,” Dr. Townsend covers everything from your day‑before prep session at the center to post‑trip integration:
Pre‑trip session: Review dosing, paperwork, and space orientation
Meals & hydration: Light dinner; fast or light breakfast; taper caffeine
What to bring: Comfortable layers, water bottle, journal, personal tokens
Ceremony: Gratitude ritual, intention sharing, eye mask, and curated playlist
Timeline: Initial dose, optional top‑up at 45–60 min, peak at 2–3 hrs, gradual come‑down
Support: Non‑directive facilitation, transportation plan, evening rest, next‑day and virtual integration sessions, and monthly group mentorship
By nailing these details, you can surrender fully to the inner work.
Understanding Effects: Navigating Your Senses
Knowing what to expect reduces anxiety. “Understanding Psilocybin Effects: What to Expect During Your Trip” unpacks:
Visuals: Breathing surfaces, geometric closed‑eye visions, vivid colors
Physical: Lightness vs. heaviness, temperature swings, sweating, nausea, purging
Temporal: Time dilation or loss of time sense
Emotional & cognitive: Heightened emotions, synesthesia, deep introspection
Embrace each sensation with curiosity—remember, you have permission to relax and even enjoy moments of play.
Overcoming Challenges: Tools for Turbulence
Finally, “Overcoming Challenges: Tools for Turbulence on Your Psilocybin Journey” equips you with resilience skills for when your default mode network goes offline:
Mindfulness & meditation: Observe thoughts without attachment (Johns Hopkins study shows meditators fare better)
Breathwork: Use your breath as an anchor—each exhale releases tension
Acceptance & gratitude: Acknowledge resistance; practice curiosity; shift perspective
Mantras & movement: “This too shall pass,” “I took mushrooms and they’re working,” tears, laughter, and gentle movement
Your facilitator will offer gentle, non‑directive invitations to support you—but the real power lies in your own inner wisdom.
Learn More
meadowmedicine.org — Dr. Tracy Townsend’s current legal psilocybin facilitation practice
If you’re curious about this radical approach, Dr. Tracy Townsend practices at Meadow Medicine in Oregon, where “mind surgery” isn’t a metaphor—it’s a new model of healing.