The Crucial Role of Integration When Working with Psychedelics

His seminal book, "LSD Psychotherapy," delves into the intricate processes and transformative power of psychedelics, underscoring the necessity of thoughtful integration. The practice of integration has been recognized for decades as a crucial component for actualizing the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, aiding individuals in making meaningful and enduring changes in their lives.

As access to plant medicines expands, it is imperative that we simultaneously expand access to integration and community in ways that respect the lessons we can all learn from the peoples who have traditionally worked with these plants.

Important Considerations for Integration

Indigenous and Western approaches

Indigenous practices concerning psychedelics and plant medicines often do not distinctly name the concept of "integration" as seen in Western therapeutic approaches. In many indigenous cultures, these sacred substances are inherently intertwined with daily life, community practices, and an overall worldview. These societies generally perceive psychedelic experiences as part of a continuous, holistic existence, not isolated events needing integration. The communal rituals, storytelling, and shared experiences surrounding psychedelic use are deeply embedded in the fabric of their social and spiritual lives, naturally facilitating what Westerners would term as 'integration' within the communal and cultural framework.

In contrast, Western approaches to psychedelic therapy typically emphasize integration as a separate, subsequent process to the psychedelic experience. This difference stems from the Western context where these experiences are often viewed as distinct from everyday life, necessitating deliberate efforts to incorporate insights into one's personal and social world. Researchers and thought leaders in the field propose that this distinction arises from the Western tendency to compartmentalize aspects of life. In indigenous settings, however, the communal, spiritual, and everyday realms are seen as more fluidly interconnected, with plant medicine experiences being a natural extension of this holistic worldview, seamlessly merging with the individual's life and community.

Western approaches to psychedelics are significantly influenced by dualistic thinking, a hallmark of many Western philosophies and scientific paradigms. This dualism often manifests as a clear delineation between various aspects of experience, such as mind and body, spiritual and material, or the extraordinary and the mundane. In the context of psychedelic therapy, this results in the psychedelic experience being viewed as distinctly separate from 'normal' life, necessitating a structured process of integration. This separation can be seen as both a strength and a limitation: while it allows for a focused and methodical approach to integrating insights, it also risks alienating these experiences from the continuity of everyday life and the holistic self.

This dualistic view raises caution in how integration is approached in Western contexts. The process is often framed as a necessary, discrete step, implying a need to 'translate' or 'transpose' experiences from one state of being to another. While this can foster deep reflection and conscious application of insights, it may also inadvertently reinforce the idea that the psychedelic experience is an outlier to normal life, rather than a part of a continuous spectrum of human consciousness. Acknowledging this potential pitfall is crucial for practitioners and individuals in Western societies to ensure that integration does not become a process of compartmentalization but rather a means to enrich the whole of one's life experience.

Individual, facilitated, or group integration

In the realm of psychedelic therapy, the approach to integration can vary significantly, ranging from individual-led processes to facilitated or group-based methods. An individual can direct their own integration by engaging in reflective practices, journaling, or creative pursuits, turning their experiences into tangible learnings or artworks. This self-guided approach allows for personal exploration at one's own pace and according to each person’s unique understanding of their experiences.

The Synthesized Model of Integration, proposed by Bathje, Majeski, & Kudowor (2022), combines various methods and insights and can be particularly helpful in this context. It offers a framework that accommodates personal preferences while providing structured guidance. If you plan to do self-guided integration, the MAPS Integration Workbook can help you align and structure your practices.

Working with a therapist or coach for psychedelic integration is a valuable approach for those seeking to deeply understand and apply their psychedelic experiences. When looking for a professional to aid in this process, it's crucial to find someone who resonates with your personal needs and expectations. Factors like the therapist's background, training, ethical alignment, and approach to psychedelic integration are important considerations. A therapist trained in psychedelic integration can provide tailored support, helping to interpret and integrate the experiences and insights gained during psychedelic journeys into practical aspects of daily life. This process can enhance personal growth, emotional healing, and spiritual development, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and one's place in the world.

It can also be powerful to work with a community when integrating. Many psychonauts across the world have embraced the tradition of Community Circles which play a key role in harm reduction and integration support. You can search for a Community Circle or Psychedelic Society that meets in person or online. Or you can start your own.

Approaching Integration Holistically

It’s always recommended to carve out discrete time for rest and integration shortly after a psychedelic experience. That being said, it is wise to approach integration (and rest, for that matter!) as something ongoing, continuing even when we aren’t specifically focusing on an integration task or activity, and can be revisited often -- even years after the primary experience. Keep your integration journal handy, or designate a highlighter color in your regular journal, to jot down notes that apply to integration where and whenever you might have them. Revisit notes from prior integration experiences during quiet moments. Be flexible and creative when you invite yourself to take a holistic approach to integration,

Integrating “good” and “bad” trips

First, we need to talk about labels. People often use “bad trip” to describe a range of experiences that seem to be, or from the outside look like, less-than-ideal psychedelic experiences. The reality of working with psychedelics is a lot more complicated and is not well-served by reduction, judgment, flattening, or simplification as “bad” or “good” (although we know sometimes it can be almost unavoidable). Almost everyone who has experience with psychedelics has experienced challenges before, during, and after a psychedelic journey. And, of course, our community is bound together in the belief that psychedelics have unique and valuable benefits.

It is all too easy to simply equate “pleasurable” or “fun” with “good” while labeling emotionally difficult, frightening, or somber with “bad.” Pleasure, if chased, can become part of detrimental cycles; challenges, if met, can produce some of the most meaningful and lasting impacts. We encourage you to go deeper and approach your self, world, and experiences as holistically as you can. As our friends at The Zendo Project remind us, “difficult does not mean bad.”

Learn more about integrating difficult experiences below.

We can’t say it too many times: if you’ve had a difficult or challenging experience, you are not alone and help is available, from some quick tips to volunteers and professionals who specialize in integrating challenging experiences.