Harm Reduction Resources

At the SpArc, we support the safe, mindful, and ethical use of psychedelic compounds for mental health, personal growth, and spiritual communion. (Please refer to our Medicine Journeys  to learn of our unique approach to the mindful facilitation of a guided entheogenic experience following a harm reduction integrated framework.)  Yet we realize that not everyone has the resources, capacity, and opportunity to participate in a supported psychedelic experience be it in a retreat, therapeutic or trip-sitting experience.  Given the current legal atmosphere in the U.S., finding a safe & supportive setting is even more tricky with the majority of services requiring a retreat outside of the U.S. or engaging in an underground setting. 

For those of you who desire to explore the potential benefits of a psychedelic experience, we first and foremost caution you to do your homework.  For certain mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bi-polar, DoD, sociopathy, and narcissism – psychedelics can have dramatic adverse effects on your physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.  Additional caution is needed if you are currently taking SSRIs, SNRIs, or lithium and are considering psychedelics (particular MDMA) – as most psychedelics are serotonin agitators and when mixed with psychotropics can result in muted results or in extreme cases serotonin syndrome.  Yet for those of you who are mentally fit, have a trusted ally ready to sit and provide safety & support, and have acquired your chosen medicine (Rule of Thumb! Start low & go slow) – Here are some resources that can greatly assist in ensuring you have a safe & mindful journey experience.

Harm Reduction Tips & Resources by the SpArc

I had the great opportunity to lead a Harm Reduction Conversation for the Psychedelic Society of Asheville in May 2023. In the convo, we explored the following harm reduction topics and resources:

  • Best practices for Preparation for an experience
  • Different Dosages and the appropriate container for each
  • Recreation vs. Amplification vs. Intentional Use
  • Therapeutic vs. Ceremonial style Exploration
  • Plant Medicines vs. Lab Designed Psychedelics 
  • Singles, Couples vs. Group Journey Experiences
  • Considerations for Solo vs. Guided Journeys
  • The Critical Role of Integration and Embodiment
  • The Catalytic Nature of Psychedelics
  • Harm Reduction Resources & Tools
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Psychedelic Research Papers

Explore a database featuring thousands of peer reviewed psychedelic research papers able to be filtered by subject matter, compound, mental health condition, neurological effect, year of publication and more.  A phenomenal resource for those looking to deepen understanding of the science behind psychedelics.

Q Tests

Miraculix drug checking kits are the world’s first quantitative test kits for mushrooms, LSD, MDMA, and other psychoactive substances. Recently developed by Dr. Felix Blei in Jena, Germany, these simple and affordable reagent kits are the first consumer test kits ever created that can tell you the concentration of active ingredient or the actual potency of your drug sample.

Fireside Project

Our mission is to help people minimize the risks and fulfill the potential of their psychedelic experiences in ways such as providing compassionate, accessible, and culturally responsive peer support, educating the public and furthering psychedelic research while embracing practices that increase equity, power-sharing, and belonging within the psychedelic movement.

24-7 Peer support Hotline to call anytime in need of support during a psychedelic experience.

623-473-7433 (62-FIRESIDE)

MyDelica App

MyDelica is a mobile application that offers a personalized progress tracker and evidence-based advice service for educating and safeguarding psychedelic journeys. It is a digital health application that charts your psychological profile and its dynamics across time. Informed by scientific research, myDelica uses evidence and expertise to advise on best practices for psychedelic journeying with tracking features, journaling prompts, set & setting considerations, and a composite prep, immersion, and integration framework.

Wakeful Psychedelic
Integration Journal

The Wakeful Integration Journal was created for conscious explorers to prepare, navigate and integrate their psychedelic experiences. A guided journal that helps you prepare, navigate and integrate transformative experiences. Contains space for 4 journeys.

Third Wave
Psychedelic Guides

Ultimate Guides for all major psychedelics. These are comprehensive, long-form guides about various aspects of each major psychedelic, including the history, pharmacology, effects, research, and myths.

Othership App

Explore the ins + outs of your breath with guided breathwork sessions to connect with body, brain, self, and other.

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