Notes on Supplements for the Psychedelic Explorer

“The difference between medicine and poison is often just the dose.” This ancient wisdom applies doubly to psychedelics—powerful tools that deserve respect, preparation, and proper support. After 15 years exploring these consciousness-altering substances, I’ve developed supplement protocols that have significantly improved both the journey and the aftermath.

This isn’t medical advice—just personal observations from someone who’s gone deep into the neurochemistry rabbit hole and wants to share what’s worked for me and friends. Every person’s neurochemistry is unique, and what works for me might not work for you. Always research thoroughly and ideally consult with a knowledgeable healthcare provider before combining any supplements with psychedelics.

CRITICAL SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS FIRST

Before diving into supplements, let’s address some non-negotiable safety practices:

  1. Test your substances. Always. Every time. No exceptions. Reagent testing kits are legal, inexpensive, and could save your life. DanceSafe and Bunk Police offer reliable options.

  2. Medication interactions can be dangerous or deadly. Psychedelics can interact dangerously with many medications, especially:

    • SSRIs and SNRIs (most antidepressants)
    • MAOIs (certain antidepressants)
    • Lithium (extremely dangerous with psychedelics)
    • Antipsychotics
    • Heart medications

  3. Set and setting trump supplements. All the supplements in the world won’t save a journey in a bad environment or poor psychological state.

  4. Have emergency resources available. Know who to call (ideally a trip-sitter who stays sober) and have contact info for local emergency services.

  5. Start with lower doses than you think you need, especially when adding new supplements to your protocol.

PSILOCYBIN

God I love mushrooms. They’ve taught me more than any university professor ever could. But they can be physically rough sometimes, so here’s my go-to protocol:

Pre-Flight

  • L-Theanine (200mg) about an hour before - takes the edge off anxiety without dulling the experience
  • Magnesium glycinate (not oxide, that stuff gives you disaster pants) - 400mg a few hours prior
  • B vitamins if you’re feeling depleted (B-complex, standard dose)
  • Ginger capsules (1000mg) - absolute game-changers for nausea

Food-wise, go light. I’ve made the mistake of eating a burger before journeying… never again. Fruit, maybe some nuts, or just fast for 4-6 hours if your body handles that well.

During

Mostly just water, honestly. Keep it simple. Have some fruit nearby in case you need a little blood sugar boost. Oranges are magical when you’re in that space - the smell alone is worth it.

After

Here’s where I think many people miss opportunities:

  • Lion’s Mane mushroom extract (the real stuff, not the garbage supplements) - supports neuroplasticity according to preliminary research
  • Magnesium again before sleep
  • Ashwagandha if you’re feeling wired or overstimulated (standard dose, around 300mg)

I’ve noticed significantly better integration and less “hangover” with this approach.

Integration Matters More Than Supplements

The days following a mushroom journey are crucial for integration. Supplements support physical recovery, but journaling, meditation, nature time, and processing with trusted friends are equally important for psychological integration.

MDMA

This one’s important. MDMA can be beautiful but it’s also neurotoxic and carries significant risks without proper precautions. I’ve seen too many friends abuse it and lose the magic permanently.

Medical Considerations

MDMA can cause:

  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure (risky if you have cardiovascular issues)
  • Hyperthermia (dangerous overheating)
  • Hyponatremia (water toxicity from drinking too much water)
  • Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
  • Serious interactions with many medications

If you have any pre-existing health conditions, particularly cardiovascular issues, please reconsider MDMA use or at minimum consult a healthcare provider first.

Before

Absolute must-haves:

  • ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid) - 300mg initially, then 100mg every 2 hours
  • ALCAR (Acetyl-L-Carnitine) - 500mg
  • Magnesium glycinate (jaw clenching prevention) - 400mg
  • CoQ10 - 100mg
  • Vitamin C - 1000mg
  • Green tea extract (EGCG) - standard dose

During

  • More ALA every 2 hours (set alarms on your phone)
  • Electrolytes but DON’T overhydrate - aim for about 500ml (16oz) of water per hour maximum
  • Stay cool - MDMA impairs temperature regulation

After

This is critical:

  • No 5-HTP until at least 24 hours later (serotonin syndrome risk)
  • NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) (600mg twice daily for 3-7 days)
  • More magnesium
  • Melatonin for sleep (1-3mg)
  • Continue antioxidants (Vitamin C, ALA) for 2-3 days

The post-MDMA blues are largely manageable with proper supplementation and spacing out your rolls (3 months minimum between experiences - this is non-negotiable if you want to preserve the experience and your brain health).

LSD

Acid tends to be less physically taxing than the others, but the mental/nervous system load is significant. Duration is also much longer (8-12+ hours), so prepare accordingly.

Before

  • Magnesium (same as above)
  • L-theanine if you’re prone to anxiety (200mg)
  • Light meal with some healthy fats
  • Hydration is key - start well-hydrated

During

Just water and maybe some fruit. Less is more. Have easy-to-eat snacks available for longer journeys.

After

  • CBD oil significantly helps with residual stimulation (15-30mg, depending on your tolerance)
  • Magnesium again
  • Valerian root tea or supplement for sleep
  • 5-HTP can be helpful the next day (unlike with MDMA) - standard dose (~100mg)

Some random observations from experience

  1. Tums/antacids 30 mins before MDMA can increase absorption and effects (be careful - this means your dose will hit harder)
  2. Ginger capsules are incredible for come-up nausea with mushrooms
  3. Activated charcoal might diminish effects in an uncomfortable experience, but it’s not reliable for emergencies - proper trip sitting and benzos (prescribed) are more effective safety nets
  4. NAC daily seems to help with tolerance management for most psychedelics
  5. Agmatine sulfate has varying effects person to person - proceed with caution
  6. The older you get, the more important these supplements become (especially recovery)
  7. Hydration status dramatically affects both the experience and recovery

Some people think all this supplement stuff is overkill, but after seeing the difference in long-term outcomes between friends who take harm reduction seriously versus those who don’t… I’ll stick with my neurochemical insurance policy.

Final thoughts

Psychedelics are powerful tools for healing, growth and exploration, but they demand respect. The supplements discussed here are based on a combination of emerging research and personal experience, but they’re not magic bullets. The foundation of psychedelic safety will always be:

  1. Know your substance (test it)
  2. Know your body (including medication interactions)
  3. Know your mind (psychological preparation)
  4. Know your environment (setting matters enormously)

Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t. Your neurochemistry is unique. Document your experiences. Stay safe out there in the mental cosmos.

Important disclaimer: This post discusses harm reduction approaches for substances that may be illegal in your jurisdiction. This information is provided purely for harm reduction purposes. Always verify the legal status of substances in your location.