Why Is My Plant Medicine Guide Asking for A Medical History?

Any legit plant medicine guide and facilitator must ask for your medical history and be knowledgeable and open about interactions between the substance used for the guided journey, anything you’re taking, and any conditions you may have.

A facilitator should ask you about the medications & supplements you're taking and have taken in the past 3 months.

And you need to answer truthfully, because the last place you want your guided journey to take you is to the ER.

While tryptamines (magic mushrooms, LSD. AKA the classic psychedelics) are very safe on their own, there are substances and conditions that can cause undesirable interactions when thrown into the mix...

Here are some specific medications a good facilitator will ask about:

• MAOIs - can cause serotonin poisoning.

• SSRIs - can block the effects of the psychedelic.

• Stimulants (ADHD meds) - can undesirably potentiate physical and mental stimulation.

• Anti-Psychotics - can trigger a mental episode.

• History of schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, psychosis, hallucinatory disorders - can trigger an episode or a relapse.

A good facilitator will ideally have you fill out a medical intake form and, minimally, verbally ask you during prep-work.

This should not be done on the day of the journey. You may need time to wean off (under supervision) what you’re taking and that time varies from 3+ weeks for SSRIs to 3+ months for MAOIs.

They should know these timelines and what’s involved and ask you to talk to your doctor about weaning off temporarily. And they should push the date of the journey if it won’t be done in time.

If they don’t do any of this that's a huge red flag, do not work with them.

What questions about medical considerations do you have about plant medicine journeys?

As a plant medicine guide, I’d love to hear about your journey and answer any questions you have on plant medicine facilitation. Reach out for a free consultation.