How to Prepare for a Trip: Your Complete Psychedelic Setting Guide

When exploring psychedelics, there’s one essential question: how to prepare for a trip . It’s not simply about swallowing mushrooms or dropping acid—it’s about the care and intention you put into shaping your environment. A well-prepared setting can turn a psychedelic journey from chaotic confusion into a safe, transformative experience. In this episode of The High Guide, host April Pride and High Guide Natasha Lannerd reveal how to prepare for a trip that honors both body and spirit.

From choosing your space and people to crafting an altar or prepping snacks, how to prepare for a trip is the difference between riding the waves of psychedelia or getting pulled under. Let’s walk through everything you need to know for your next adventure.

A crucial step in your journey is choosing the right people—or opting for solitude. Natasha reminds us that even solo journeys feel safer if you have someone you can call. Knowing you’re not alone is part of how to prepare for a trip with care and confidence.

If you have a trip sitter, ask them to do three simple things:

• Remind you that you’re safe, loved, and supported

• Hold your hand or offer a hug if needed

• Help you trust the process when fear arises

Group trips require extra caution. April’s advice on how to prepare for a trip is to avoid high doses in public spaces. Either go deep in private or keep it light if venturing out. But don’t combine high doses and crowds. This is a non-negotiable part of how to prepare for a trip safely.

Another vital piece of how to prepare for a trip is choosing your location. Will it be indoors or out in nature? Your ideal psychedelic setting depends on your personality and intentions.

For indoor journeys, include:

• A clean, clutter-free room

• Comfortable blankets and pillows

• A cozy bed or couch

• Access to a bathroom

• Soft lighting like LED projection lights

April loves LED lights that transform a ceiling into swirling galaxies—a secret she borrowed from her son’s bedroom. It’s one of the best investments for how to prepare for a trip indoors.

Outdoor trips connect you with nature’s rhythms. Trees shimmer, the sky deepens, and you’re reminded of your place in the universe. But even outside it matters:

• Bring a blanket to lie on

• Have music ready

• Find a private spot where you won’t be disturbed

• Prepare for changing weather

Some trippers blend both—starting outdoors then retreating indoors as the journey deepens. Flexibility is key to how to prepare for a trip successfully.

Objects have a powerful role in how to prepare for a trip . They’re tools that influence your inner landscape.

Music is number one. Natasha recommends instrumental tracks with no words after the first hour. The High Guide’s Psyched Audio Journeys are perfect examples of how to prepare for a trip musically. Music is as critical as the medicine itself in how to prepare for a trip .

Next, altars. Many incorporate ancestral communion into how to prepare for a trip . A simple altar might include:

• Flowers or salt (Earth)

• Incense or oils (Air)

• Water in a glass (Water)

• Flameless candles (Fire—never light real flames while tripping)

Natasha suggests asking your ancestors what offerings they’d like. This dialogue deepens the ritual and is an intimate part of how to prepare for a trip spiritually.

Finally, snacks. April insists that prepping food is vital in how to prepare for a trip . Have ready:

• Cut fruit

• Soup for easy digestion

• Nuts or small bites

• Ginger chews for nausea

Eating can help ground you and sometimes triggers the onset of the psychedelic effects. Having snacks ready is crucial for how to prepare for a trip with comfort and self-care.

Let’s recap exactly how to prepare for a trip :

• Decide if you’re tripping solo or with trusted people

• Choose your setting—indoors, outdoors, or both

• Clean your space

• Gather soft comforts like pillows and blankets

• Set up music playlists

• Create an altar if it resonates with you

• Prepare snacks and drinks ahead of time

• Opt for battery candles over real ones

Every detail creates a safe container for your journey. The goal isn’t just pretty décor—it’s shaping the energy of your space so your mind can open without fear. This preparation transforms a psychedelic session into a sacred experience.

Mastering how to prepare for a trip is the difference between chaos and clarity, anxiety and peace. It’s not just about avoiding bad trips—it’s about welcoming profound insights in a setting that feels safe and nurturing.

From choosing music that guides you inward to crafting an altar that connects you to ancestors, every step of how to prepare for a trip weaves intention into your psychedelic experience. April and Natasha remind us that even a simple phrase—“You’re safe, loved, and supported”—can anchor you during intense moments.

So when planning your next journey, remember: how to prepare for a trip isn’t optional—it’s the first psychedelic act of self-love. beautiful journey? Share your tips and rituals below!