Psychedelic City Guide: Joshua Tree
As I’m writing this, I realize I've been to Joshua Tree on multiple occasions with the same objective. Each time I traveled to the High Desert I found myself sitting with a psychedelic medicine. I'm not one to necessarily look to mushrooms and cannabis for a “good time.” Although, I can say that I've never actually had a “bad” trip while on shrooms. In fact, the moments that I have have been deeply introspective and allowed me to expand my awareness. And what I mean by that is the sensory experience of what it means to be human. Sometimes that looks like “leaking,” or passively crying. That can look like uncontrollable laughter or a need to go out and witness the majesty of the mountains.
I know that some people speak to some experiences that are uncomfortable and challenging. I want to acknowledge that with plant medicine that is very much a possibility. But I also realize the power of set and setting. What psychological head space are you in? Is there an intention for consuming such substances? Are you really allowing yourself to create safe, sacred space to freely explore. That said, I truly do believe that these plant medicines are entities all on their own. Psychedelic mushrooms have their own personalities and characteristics because there are several species of hallucinogenic fungi.
Just like we, too, can express ourselves differently, based on how we do our hair, or the way we dress and our choice of style. I really find that self expression comes easy when I am traveling to places where nobody knows me, and I'm really giving myself the freedom to play. I've never had a mullet before in my life, but I decided that the desert, western theme was very on time with my most recent trip to JT. I stopped at a cute little coffee shop on the way in and I got so many compliments. I called myself Suzanne the whole weekend. It was really fun bringing this character to life.
People often ask: what's so special about Joshua Tree? You really have to go and experience it for yourself. It's changing quite a bit from you what used to be and I realize that there's a lot more traffic coming into town. Nonetheless you get a balance of being secluded and off the grid, while discovering things that you would never find in the city. Joshua tree trading post was certainly a new experience for me this past visit. I was able to find some really impeccable artisans with beautiful handmade jewelry pieces.
But above all else, literally and figuratively, my favorite thing about JT is that there is zero light pollution so once the sun sets you see every star in visible to the naked eye. I’ve never felt more a part of the cosmos than while listening to the wind roar underneath glaring night sky.
Planning a psychedelic trip to Joshua Tree? here’s what you’ll need:
Journals
You’ll need something to write with. You may feel a stream of consciousness, and ensure you, you will I want to write everything down.
Cannabis
Some people say cannabis intensifies the mushroom’s experience. For me, maybe because I’m a frequent consumer, it made me feel more embodied.
Mushrooms
It wouldn’t be much of a psychedelic trip without psilocybin. On this trip we did Alacabenzi mushrooms in 2.5 MG chocolates over several hours totaling 1.5 to 2 grams.
Proper Hiking Shoes
I’m speaking from experience. You don’t want to be tripping balls and hanging off the side of a mountain afraid to look down, having a serious panic attack because you feel like your shoes don’t have enough grip for your next step. Invest in hiking shoes! (Update: I got HOKA hiking shoes and I LOVE them!)
A sleeping bag and binoculars
To get the best view of the stars, pack a sleeping back and lay down outdoors. Usually Airbnb homes have blankets. Use as many as you need. And the hack for if you want the experience of being in a planetarium involves binoculars. There are honestly something’s that museum can’t replicate.
SMORES AND DESSERT WINE
And lastly, if you really want to make the trip memorable, pack s'mores. Usually psychedelics make you less hungry, but it's a nice light snack to have near an open fire. Because you're gonna need something to warm you up and s’mores ignites a childlike nostalgia. I'm not encouraging that you overindulge in psychedelics and alcohol. However, there's something about a Trader Joe's Port and chocolate combo that just does it for me. Enjoy!
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