Transcript PsyEMS - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

“Psychedelic Emergency Services”
Lessons from Burning Man to Boom to Beyond
- PsyEMS a presentation by
Valerie Mojeiko
Director of Operations
MAPS
the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies
www.maps.org
Welcome!
From Harm
Reduction…
…To Benefit
Enhancement
Transforming a
“bad trip”
Into an opportunity for growth,
healing, insight, or understanding
Psychedelic Emergency
Services
-Provided at outdoor festivals where large
numbers of people are taking
psychedelics
-Rely largely on volunteers
-Provide support for all types of
“emergence-ies” psychedelic or otherwise
3
Sanctuary Visits
Burning Man 2006
Volunteers
-Most have undergone personal psychedelic
experiences
-Many are in the healthcare field
-Everyone has a personal reason for being
there
-Balance shifts with equal number of
male/female; more/less experienced
5
Role of “The Sitter”
7
1. Create a Safe Space
2. “Sitting” not
“Guiding”
3. Talk Through, Not
Down
4. “Difficult” is not
necessarily “bad”
Common features of a
difficult psychedelic experience
Fear of “going crazy” or losing one’s mind
Reliving old traumas
Energetic release
Paranoia or distrust
Experience of being “stuck”
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Three factors
contribute to the drug’s
effect
Drug
Set
Setting
Core Techniques
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:
• This will pass - this is a process
• This is an experience other people have had
• There will be support afterwards
• 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)
•
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.
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For more info:
•
MAPS Educational Video:
•
Working with Difficult Psychedelic Experiences
•
(available on Youtube and on www.maps.org)
•
Visit: www.maps.org/psyems
Even you can HELP!
For just $ 38 or 25 € you can sponsor
•
One Sanctuary Visitor @ Burning Man 2008
•
$ 400 or 300 € can sponsor up to 10 people
•
(10% of visitors in one year)
•
www.maps.org/donate