Transcript Psy(chedelic)EMS Psychedelic Emergency Services Lessons from

Psy(chedelic)EMS
Psychedelic Emergency Services
Lessons from Burning Man to Boom to
Beyond
Valerie Mojeiko
MAPS
Director of Operations
From Harm Reduction
To Benefit Enhancement
Role of “The Sitter”
• Picture here of an anchor
“Sitting” not “Guiding”
First, do no harm. (look up quote)
Transforming a “bad trip” into
an opportunity for growth,
healing or understanding
Common features of a difficult
psychedelic experience
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Fear of “going crazy” or losing one’s mind
Reliving old traumas
Energetic release
Paranoia or distrust
Experience of being “stuck”
Three factors contribute to the
drug’s effect
• Drug
• Set
• Setting
Core Techniques
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Do nothing
Look out for physical safety
Respect and honor
Be with, listen, and observe without
putting down or judging
• Create the space
• Let them lead
If the person is seeking more participation
from you, remind him or her:
1) This will pass, this is a process
2) This is an experience other people
have had
3) There will be support afterwards
4) They are “safe”
If they are stuck…
• Wait and calm them down through talk, knowing the
duration of the substance taken
• Walk with them, talking or not, until they calm
down
• Have them express the experience through sound
• Have them move through it, through a physical
expression, holding a certain posture or letting the
body go
• One could do some deep, focused bodywork, just
hold someone (meeting their needs) or gently
massage them. Always ask for permission regarding
any kind of physical contact.
If they are stuck…(continued)
• Have appropriate sitter regarding male/female,
important when recall of sexual abuse or release of
sexual energy takes place.
• The person could recline, eyes closed or
blindfolded, being in a safe place, listening to
comforting music and grounding the experience.
• If the person's emotions are overwhelming them,
encourage their expression.
!! Don’t forget !!
• It can ALSO be fun or funny,
sometimes. You don’t need to be too
serious.
For more info:
MAPS Educational Video: Working with
Difficult Psychedelic Experiences
(available on Youtube and on
www.maps.org)
Visit: www.maps.org/psyems
To fund this project:
www.maps.org/donate
For just $38 USD you can sponsor one
Sanctuary visitor in 2008
$400 USD can sponsor 10 people (10% of
visitors)
(put picture of tripping person here)