Seven Principles of a Psychonaut

[u/3L1T3]

Harm Reduction and Personal Safety

• Prioritize safety by testing your substances and researching any substances you may be partaking.

• Prepare your set (mindset), setting (environment), and have a guide or access to a helpline.

• Consult a relevant healthcare professional, know your physical and/or mental limits, and always use psychedelics responsibly.

• Approach these substances with respect as tools for growth, research, and exploration, not only recreational entertainment.

Do No Harm to Others

• Never use psychedelics to manipulate or coerce others emotionally, mentally, physically or sexually.

• Respect the boundaries and consent of others at all times, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.

Community and Connection

• Foster a sense of community by supporting each other through shared experiences and challenges.

• Share knowledge, insights, and resources openly and respectfully to strengthen the collective.

Diversity and Inclusion

• Embrace diversity by recognizing and valuing different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences.

• Acknowledge that while the effects of these substances vary for each individual, all journeys are valid and meaningful.

Ego Awareness

• Recognize psychedelics as tools for exploration, not as means to glorify one's ego or promote personal deification.

• Focus on self-discovery while respecting the paths and beliefs of others without judgment.

Integration and Reflection

• Take time to integrate psychedelic experiences into daily life through reflection, journaling, therapy, or group discussions.

• Use insights gained to foster personal growth, improve relationships, and contribute positively to your community.

Advocacy and Education

• Work to de-stigmatize psychedelics through advocacy, education, and open dialogue.

• Share evidence-based information to counter myths and misconceptions while respecting legal and cultural boundaries.

[u/3L1T3]

I see the point, and it's a valid point. But it's just not the purpose of this subreddit in particular. There's a ton of different subreddits out there for all kinds of things. It just so happens that this one is about exploring the mind and healing yourself with the use of psychedelics, not just purely for the 'fun' factor.

The whole purpose of this subreddit, when I first started, was just because I missed the crazy conversations I had with friends when we'd dose LSD and talk about stuff like reincarnation, God, mystical traditions, the Mysteries of the Universe, etc. As time has gone on, it's gotten a lot bigger than just that. Yes, it's hella fun to trip and talk about these things, but that's obviously not the entire point. Many people take psychedelics for any number of reasons, but a Psychonaut is literally a "Sailor/Explorer of the Mind".

There's also times that you can have a difficult experience that you can't control. So you need to be prepared for that as well. When your setting is interrupted by something unforeseeable and it sends you on a spiral, you need to be prepared for that as well.

[u/TinyDogBacon → u/3L1T3]

I respect where you're coming from. I just sort of see it impossible to separate the two. If one is using them recreationally...they are still exploring the mind and "growing" in some way or another. But I understand why you said what you said also. In the end these are silly semantics to "trip" over (hehe).

[u/3L1T3 → u/TinyDogBacon]

It is 100% possible to grow from just recreational use and I don't discount anyone's journey, but it's not always the case that people grow from psychedelics.

[u/TinyDogBacon → u/3L1T3]

Yeah, grow is just such a non scientific term it can sort of be used in a lot of ways. Like grow in a negative direction or grow in a positive direction....or just grow in a stagnant direction...etc. I think people who have an experience with a psychedelic "grow" in a sense bc they have an experience....but it may not improve their quality of life and also may be traumatic and counter helpful for them.