Essence Institute aims to deliver a safe and healthy experience. To do so, there are a few precautions for engaging in the experience.
Heart Health
First, you must be in good health with no heart condition or high blood pressure. Although psilocybin is low in toxicity, an increase in blood pressure has been reported in various studies.
Anti-Depressants
Second, if you’re using prescription anti-depressants, you may not be able to participate in the Essence Experience for safety reasons. The use of psychopharmacological drugs like SSRI antidepressants can interfere with the serotonergic system and influence the effects of psilocybin.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) anti-depressants can have a profound effect on the use of psilocybin, mostly prolonging the effects. Lithium and other tricyclic antidepressants can be dangerous in combination with psychedelics like psilocybin.
If you have a question about an anti-depressant that you’re taking and whether you can participate or not, please reach out to us.
In addition, be advised that over-the-counter (OTC) drugs or alternative medicines can interfere with the Essence Experience, such as St. John’s Wort, 5-HTP, and CBD oil. You are advised to stop using these medicines a couple of weeks prior to participating.
Mental Health Disorders
Those that have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or another mental health condition, such as Bipolar Disorder (I or II), clinical depression, PTSD, etc. are not able to participate in the Essence Experience. The reason for this is because psychedelics can induce psychotic reactions in those who are struggling with mental health disorders.
Literature used:
Gable, R.S. (2004) Comparison of acute lethal toxicity of commonly abused psychoactive substances Addiction, 99, 686–696
Hasler, F., Grimberg, U., Benz, M.A., Huber T., & Vollenweider, F.X. (2003) Acute psychological and physiological effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a double-blind, placebo-controlled dose–effect study Psychopharmacology 172:145–156.
Johnson, M.W., Richards, W.A., Griffiths, R.R. (2008) Human Hallucinogen Research: Guidelines for Safety Journal of Psychopharmacology 22(6), 603 – 620.