Karolina, a 33-year-old artist in Southern California, went hiking through the Joshua Tree desert with her partner while on mushrooms years ago. 

“We thought we’d go on a little nature walk, but it started to feel softer with each step,” she tells DoubleBlind. “The surrounding flora was mushy or softening with each step I took, and I felt I was sort of melting down further into the ground. And that’s when I knew it may be best to return to the house.” 

Similarly, William was hiking by California’s Sonoma coast on five grams of mushrooms, making for an “amazing and profound” experience — until he fell and dislocated his index finger on the way to the beach. “A nice couple helped me find a ranger and got an ambulance to the hospital,” he recalls. “I made it through not having a sense of self, and the nurses looked like trees. As I passed from forest to beach to ambulance, I had a deep feeling that I never left the protective web of nature. The ambulance and the hospital were also part of nature. I felt like the mycelium connected all these things in a web.” 

Many psychedelic users choose outdoor settings for the visual stimulation and therapeutic benefits they provide. Psychedelics “have this way of softening the sense that we’re separate from the world around us,” explains Fireside Project founder Joshua White. “What can feel like an idea — that everything is connected — becomes something you can actually feel in your body. Nature seems to come alive in a different way. You notice the movement, the breath, the aliveness of things, and your place inside of it.”

“In my experiences of taking psychedelics in nature, I am always enraptured by the boundary between my inner world and the outer one dissolving,” echoes Kirsten Hartz, founder of the ketamine-assisted therapy clinic Sona Collective. “The impulse to think, assess, and judge fades, and I reconnect with my body as the sensing organ it is. The natural world is no longer a backdrop, but an active participant in the journey. Alive, pulsating, and boundless.” 

This boundlessness can be both helpful and harmful, depending on how well you prepare. Here are some useful things to know before you venture into the great outdoors on psychedelics.

How Natural Settings Impact a Trip

Being out in nature while you’re on a psychedelic instantly introduces unforeseen risks. There could be animal encounters or rogue waves or temperature spikes and drops. It could be anything, really. So you have to thoughtfully prepare in advance to ensure you have everything you need. In other words, you must consider the terrain you will be in and how to prepare for it. (We get into the specifics below!)

“Being in nature for a psychedelic trip may have some therapeutic advantages compared to being indoors,” says clinical psychologist Angela Cataldo. “When it comes to whether a trip goes well or goes poorly, the principle called ‘set and setting’ matters a lot, which refers to the importance of your mindset and your physical environment. Being in nature while tripping can increase the likelihood of feeling connected and grounded—both classic elements of a ‘good’ trip. The sensory input from nature tends to be regulating for our nervous systems.”

People may notice that the colors and sounds they encounter in nature become more vivid. This is a phenomenon that natural settings seem to intensify, since the textures of nature give our heightened senses more to latch onto.

“Colors feel more dimensional, sound feels layered, and there is often a felt sense of being part of something larger,” says psychedelic integration therapist Christina P. Kantzavelos. Many remember outdoor psychedelic experiences as their most profound, says Hartz. “From a somatic perspective, nature provides what no clinical setting fully can: genuine novelty, scale, and aliveness that mirrors and amplifies what happens within the tripper's inner world.” While there isn’t a lot of data comparing indoor vs. outdoor psychedelic use, experts have advocated for people to do psychedelic therapy in nature. Renowned mycologist Paul Stamets is among these experts, stating that tripping in nature is “much more beneficial” than in clinical settings due to how connective these experiences can be to the Earth. He says, “seeing the ocean, hearing the wind and the birds, and to have that expansiveness feeling” is what can impart real healing.

Some people even feel as if they can communicate with the plants and wildlife around them.  “Especially towards the end of the trip on mushrooms, I tend to walk around and listen and talk to the plants around me,” says Katie Blackthorn, a psychotherapist who provides psychedelic preparation and integration therapy. “In that state, I feel I can ‘hear’ them much more clearly. I think mushrooms in general help people connect more with nature, but being out in nature makes it such a deeper, more connected experience.”

There might be a scientific reason for this phenomenon. A 2019 study, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, found that ego dissolution — the temporary loss of the boundary between self and world that psychedelics can induce — was a key predictor of increased nature-relatedness after a psychedelic experience. This suggests that what might feel like a back-and-forth conversation with an old oak tree or a sunflower may have a psychological basis that researchers are only beginning to understand. 

While the great outdoors can be scary during a journey, it can also provide comfort. “Some people describe seeking out nature when they're having a challenging experience to self-soothe,” says Sam Gandy, PhD, ecologist and researcher at the University of Greenwich Exceptional Experiences Lab. “The sound of bird song and the essential oils the trees release have a soothing effect.” Tripping outdoors makes people “more humble” and “allows them to see themselves in the context of the planet and remember they're an insignificant part of it," he adds. A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (in which Gandy is also an author) found that those who used psychedelics in nature were more likely to report an increased sense of connection to the world than those who tripped indoors. Psychedelic use also encourages awe, a “deeply beneficial emotional state for humans,” says Gandy. “Not only is it good for our mental health, but it enhances pro-sociality.” 

Preparation for Tripping in Nature

As with any psychedelic experience, outdoor trips are best when you prepare for them in advance. You must consider what type of environment you’ll be in — how you prepare for a trip in the forest is different than how you’d prepare for a trip on the beach or in the desert. Whether you’re camping or simply day tripping will also determine how much gear to bring with you. 

“Preparation is compassion for your future self,” as White puts it. “Being in nature can be unpredictable even when you’re sober. Psychedelics amplify that. So a little forethought goes a long way toward keeping the experience supportive rather than overwhelming.” He cautions against wandering outside mid-trip with no prior planning: “The decision to go into nature should be made while you’re sober, and so should the preparation. Trying to figure it out mid-experience usually leads to forgetting something important.”

Ian McLoone, psychotherapist and owner of the psychedelic-assisted mental health clinic Expanse MN, recommends setting an intention beforehand by journaling or meditating on the following questions: “What are you hoping for? Are there any themes or insights you'd like to explore? Do you simply want to have fun — or do you want to create the conditions for a more meaningful and therapeutic experience?” 

Meditating daily in the days leading up to the trip may help you gain clarity, McLoone adds. If you can discuss your intention with a mental health professional or even with your loved ones, all the better. However, don’t allow your intentions to become expectations. “Expectations can limit the full expansiveness of what wants to unfold,” says Katie Blackthorn. And keep them simple: Intentions like getting to the root of a deep trauma are better saved for psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions with a professional. An outdoor trip is more suited to exploring consciousness or connecting with nature.

On the day you venture into the woods, the beach, or anywhere away from your home, pack anything you’ll need to avoid physical discomfort. Being hungry, tired, overheated, or cold can be enough to turn a pleasant trip into a difficult one, says Hartz. McLoone suggests bringing water, snacks, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a sweatshirt or jacket if the weather necessitates it. Bring a cooler with ice to keep food and drinks cold, make sure you have shade, a hat, a first aid kit in case you get a mystery scrape, and a chair to sit in.

“Music, maybe in the form of a small Bluetooth speaker, can be really welcome throughout the day,” McLoone says. “Just remember, depending on how remote your wilderness area is, to identify and download your playlist ahead of time. An extra phone charger or external battery may also come in handy. Finally, a journal for notes, drawing, or any other writings could help you with integration afterward.”

Also, make sure your phone is charged, and you are able to use the flashlight feature in case it gets dark. Head lamps and lanterns work well (and are a necessity if you’re camping!).

“Time can stretch out in unusual ways on psychedelics,” says White. “It’s easy to forget something as basic as the sun setting, and once it’s dark, even familiar places can feel disorienting. Getting turned around in nature happens quickly, especially in an altered state. Having a charged phone and staying within range can genuinely be a lifeline.”

Health and Safety

It should go without saying, but the midst of a psychedelic trip is not a good time to challenge yourself to a rocky hike. In fact, the only type of psychedelic consumption we can support if you’re going to hike is a microdose, which is below .3 grams of dried mushrooms or below 20 micrograms of LSD. 1,100 calls were made to poison control centers regarding psilocybin in 2023 alone — while mushrooms are rarely deadly, they can cause accidents and poor decisions, which are more dangerous in unpredictable settings. “Things like weather changes, temperature changes, wildlife encounters, encounters with people, the physical nature of the terrain, and obviously large doses can be incapacitating—and if you get incapacitated someplace remote, that's a scary thing,” says Gandy. He recommends “hikrodosing”: taking microdoses while hiking in groups for protection.

“Avoid places with physical hazards such as cliffs, strong currents, or complicated navigation routes,” Kantzavelos urges. Instead, go someplace you’re already familiar with so that you don’t risk getting lost. “If camping, maybe plan to dose on the second day so you know what's around,” advises Blackthorn. “Know where the shade is, or bring shade.” Equally important is choosing terrain that demands minimal navigation because those abilities will be compromised, says Hartz. If you’re hiking, do not veer off well-worn paths. And if you enter the woods, map out in advance how you’ll get back. At the same time, avoid areas where lots of people will be coming in and out. “Once, I was tripping at a lake, and this whole family decided to unload and inflate their raft (manually), apply sunscreen and all their sun gear, etc., which ended up taking them a good 30 minutes,” Blackthorn recalls. “It was totally not the vibe I needed in that moment.” 

And time the consumption of substances thoughtfully. They might hit more quickly than you expect, so Blackthorn advises against taking anything when you get there or en route. If there is equipment to set up, be sure you give yourself enough time to do so before your dose kicks in. 

“Dosage is important to consider for nature trips,” Blackthorn adds, especially the first time in a new location. “At a threshold or lower journey dose, you may be more able to stay present and flexible. I wouldn't recommend a larger journey or hero's dose in nature, or any dose where one would be completely incapacitated or vulnerable, especially since there are inherently more variables in nature than in an enclosed space. As always, start small. You can always take more, but you can't take less.” 

If needed, “take the time to learn basic wilderness skills—navigation, first aid, how to read a trail, how to assess risk,” advises Brad Burge, founder of psychedelic communications firm Integration Communications and former communications director at MAPS. “One thing I’ve learned the hard way is that nature doesn’t forgive mistakes just because you’re having a meaningful experience. If anything, the margin for error gets smaller.” And do not worry about pushing yourself to hike long distances. “Everything is about three times harder when you’re tripping—even mildly,” he says. “Build in downtime. Some of the best experiences I’ve had weren’t about covering ground, but about sitting somewhere safe and just taking it in.” Burge cautions against using stimulants like MDMA or 2C-B in a natural setting, where “you have less control over heat, exertion, and hydration, and those substances can push things into uncomfortable or risky territory,” Burge adds. 

Lastly, do not underestimate the value of a trip sitter. “If someone is newer to psychedelics and/or being out in nature, I would recommend having at least one trusted person who is more grounded—preferably sober—to hold space,” Blackthorn adds. “If this is a longer nature trip, it can be beautiful to take turns dosing and trip-sitting — to experience both supporting and being supported.” While it may not feel intuitive to have one person tripping while the other is sober, this can prevent scary situations. “Ambiguous stimuli like shadows or sounds can be misinterpreted and increase feelings of fear,” says Cataldo. “Your trip sitter would not guide or interpret the experience, but would be there to support physical and emotional safety and stability.” At the very least, Burge recommends telling a friend who won’t be with you where you’re going, how to reach you, and when you should be back.

What if you have a bad trip?

It’s sometimes said in the psychedelic world that there are no “bad” trips because you always gain something from them. Nevertheless, some trips can be scary, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar place. To get yourself through an unpleasant trip, remind yourself that you’ll learn something from it, whatever you are feeling is only temporary, and you’ll come out stronger on the other side. “Even if the experience is a challenging one, there are always insights or takeaways that you can carry with you after the fact,” says McLoone.

If you need to calm down, you can use the natural setting to your advantage. “Feeling the ground, noticing the rhythm of wind or water, or observing patterns in plants can support regulation and reduce the likelihood of overwhelm,” says Kantzavelos. “At the same time, outdoor environments can introduce unpredictability, so I avoid places with physical hazards such as cliffs, strong currents, or complicated navigation routes. Having a trusted sober person present or nearby can make a significant difference in feeling safe enough to fully engage the experience.”

If you become frightened, get lost, or are unsure how to handle a situation while under the influence, you can call the Fireside Project at 623-473-7433. “Sometimes just having someone steady on the other end of the line can help you find your way back,” says White.

Integration

Even after you get home, the journey can continue. The effects of psychedelics fade, but what you learn from them doesn’t have to. Take time to integrate your journey—reflect on how you can apply the lessons to your life. 

“Journaling can really be helpful, as can circling back with your therapist or close friend to process and explore what came up in the experience,” says McLoone. “These insights, almost like dreams, can slip through your fingers and out of memory quickly in the days after, so having a record or ongoing conversations can really help.”

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