Using Psychedelics Safely in Eating Disorder Recovery: What to Consider Before Your Journey
Exploring psychedelics for eating disorder recovery can be transformative but also requires careful consideration. Ensuring a safe, supportive environment, and preparation aligned with your current state in recovery is essential. Here’s a guide to understanding when it might be best to wait before embarking on a psychedelic journey and how to make the experience safe and supportive when the time is right.
Why Timing Matters in Recovery
Psychedelic experiences often involve deep processing and trauma healing, impacting the autonomic nervous system. Some plant medicines, like Ayahuasca, require a dieta — a preparation involving fasting or dietary limitations that could be triggering for those in recovery. Also, disrupted sleep and emotional intensity are common. Depending on your recovery stage, consult with your recovery team to evaluate if now is the right time to engage.
Questions to Consider:
What emotional triggers could arise from dietary restrictions or fasting?
How could the psychedelic journey disrupt my current recovery progress?
Am I comfortable discussing psychedelics with my treatment team (e.g., therapist, dietitian)?
Preparation: Safety First
Before engaging in psychedelics, explore your readiness with questions around your physical and mental health, your ability to self-regulate, and your support network. Ensure that your heart health, nervous system, and emotional stability are in check. Understand any medication interactions, and create a detailed preparation plan with the guidance of a knowledgeable facilitator should you need to taper off any medications.
Key Considerations:
Health: Do I need a medical check-up (e.g., heart rate, liver, kidney functions)?
Mental well-being: Do I feel able to ground myself and handle strong emotions?
Support: Do I have friends or family who will support me, even if they don’t use plant medicine themselves?
Managing Dietary Requirements in Recovery
Some psychedelics require dietary adjustments. If these are triggering, talk with your facilitator about options. Some journeys recommend fasting for a few hours; if this is challenging, consider alternative preparations, such as microdosing, which typically involve fewer restrictions. Other practices like breathwork, mindful movement, and art-making can also provide altered states without diets that might feel restrictive.
Diet-Related Questions:
How might changing my food rhythm affect my recovery?
Could I omit or adapt dietary requirements without compromising safety?
How can I support myself before, during, and after the journey to avoid triggering behaviours?
Working with Your Facilitator
Find a facilitator who understands your recovery background and will accommodate any specific needs. Ask about support options, such as bringing snacks into the session if necessary, and whether they’re prepared to offer tailored integration guidance post-journey.
Facilitator Questions:
Do they understand my eating disorder history? Are they willing to take enough time with me to get to know my history?
Are they comfortable with my bringing food or other resources?
Will they support my needs during the preparation, journey and integration?
The Importance of Integration
Proper integration after a journey is critical, especially for those in recovery. Plan for both immediate and long-term integration phases, focusing on how to nourish your body and mind post-journey. The acute period (first 72 hours) is particularly crucial for consolidating insights in ways that support recovery.
Integration Considerations:
What food and practices can support me immediately post-journey?
How might I want to explore new ways of engaging with food after my experience?
What steps will I take to ensure long-term integration and healing?
Eating Disorders and Psychedelics: When to Wait Before Journeying
Exploring psychedelics for eating disorder recovery can be transformative but also requires careful consideration. Ensuring a safe, supportive environment, and preparation aligned with your current state in recovery is essential. Here’s a guide to understanding when it might be best to wait before embarking on a psychedelic journey and how to make the experience safe and supportive when the time is right.
Why Timing Matters in Recovery
Psychedelic experiences often involve deep processing, trauma healing, and autonomic nervous system impacts. Some plant medicines, like Ayahuasca, require a dieta—a restrictive preparation involving fasting or dietary limitations that could be triggering for those in recovery. Also, disrupted sleep and emotional intensity are common. Depending on your recovery stage, consult with your recovery team to evaluate if now is the right time to engage.
Questions to Consider:
What emotional triggers could arise from dietary restrictions or fasting?
Would the journey disrupt my current recovery progress?
Am I comfortable discussing psychedelics with my treatment team (e.g., therapist, dietitian)?
Preparation: Safety First
Before engaging in psychedelics, explore your readiness with questions around your physical and mental health, your ability to self-regulate, and your support network. Ensure that your heart health, nervous system, and emotional stability are in check. Understand any medication interactions, and create a detailed preparation plan with the guidance of a knowledgeable facilitator.
Key Considerations:
Health: Do I need a medical check-up (e.g., heart rate, liver, kidney functions)?
Mental Well-being: Do I feel able to ground myself and handle strong emotions?
Support: Do I have friends or family who will support me, even if they don’t use plant medicine themselves?
Managing Dietary Requirements in Recovery
Many psychedelics require dietary adjustments. If these are triggering, talk with your facilitator about options. Some journeys recommend fasting; if this is challenging, consider alternative preparations, such as microdosing, which typically involve fewer restrictions. Other practices like breathwork, mindful movement, and art-making can also provide altered states without restrictive diets.
Diet-Related Questions:
How might fasting affect my recovery?
Could I omit or adapt dietary requirements without compromising safety?
How can I support myself before, during, and after the journey to avoid triggering behaviors?
Working with Your Facilitator
Find a facilitator who understands your recovery background and will accommodate any specific needs. Ask about support options, such as bringing snacks into the session if necessary, and whether they’re prepared to offer tailored integration guidance post-journey.
Facilitator Questions:
Do they understand my eating disorder history?
Are they comfortable with my bringing food or other resources?
Will they support my needs during both the journey and integration?
The Importance of Integration
Proper integration after a journey is critical, especially for those in recovery. Plan for both immediate and long-term integration phases, focusing on how to nourish your body and mind post-journey. The acute period (first 72 hours) is particularly crucial for consolidating insights in ways that support recovery.
Integration Considerations:
What food and practices can support me immediately post-journey?
How might I want to explore new ways of engaging with food after my experience?
What steps will I take to ensure long-term integration and healing?
Ready to Dive Deeper?
If you’re interested in further preparation and integration resources, I offer a free micro and macrodose preparation guide on my website. For those ready for a personalized approach, reach out to me directly for individual preparation and integration coaching sessions.
Psychedelics for Recovery: FAQs
Can psychedelics hinder eating disorder recovery?
Yes, if approached without adequate preparation. Ensuring the timing aligns with your recovery and using safe, mindful practices can prevent setbacks.
What if I’m unable to fast or adhere to a restrictive diet?
Many facilitators can accommodate special needs. Discuss alternatives, like microdosing or adapting dieta requirements, to avoid triggering behaviours.
What support is recommended post-journey?
Surround yourself with supportive people and integrate practices that ground and nourish you. Working with a coach or therapist experienced in psychedelic integration can also help.
Psychedelics can be a powerful tool in eating disorder recovery when approached with consideration, preparation, and adequate support. Take the time you need, consult with your support network, and ensure all steps align with your mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Remember, there is plenty of time and space for you to prepare your body, heart and mind for a psychedelic journey. The healing is in the journey, not the destination.
Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash