Set and setting: Difference between revisions

'''Set and setting''' traditionally describes the physical, mental, social and environmental context one brings into a [[psychedelic]] experience.  

One's "set" (a shortened form of "mindset") is the mental state a person brings to the experience, like thoughts, desires, feelings, general mood, and any preconceived notions or expectations about what they are about to experience. The current physical state of the body is also important to one's "set"; if one feels sick, injured, or generally unhealthy, as these sensations may be amplified during the trip.  

Setting is the physical and social environment that the trip takes place in. It is able to guide or influence the course of the experience, both on conscious and subconscious levels. Since psychedelics often [[emotion enhancement|enhance the emotions]] or mood one is currently feeling, stress, fear, anxiety due to an unfamiliar, uncontrollable or otherwise disagreeable environment may result in an unpleasant or dangerous experience ([[bad trip]]) that may be inconsistent with the experiences one may have had in the past, even with the same dose of the same substance. Conversely, an environment that provides a sense of safety, familiarity, control and comfort is more likely to result in a pleasant experience.

==Set ==

===Mental State===

One of the most important factors to consider as a user (especially an inexperienced one) is one's current state of mind. Many substances exponentially [[emotion enhancement|enhance a person's current state of mind]], emotions and general perception of the world which is a process that can go in either a positive and euphoric direction or a negative, terrifying, and [[anxiety]] ridden direction. It is because of this that many substances should not be used (especially by the inexperienced) during stressful or negative periods of life and users should be fully aware of the ways in which hallucinogens and other drugs, particularly psychedelics, have been known to consistently force a person to face and directly deal with their deepest personal problems and existential anxieties (including any past trauma) that is shared among all human beings.

It has often been recommended that those with severe pre-existing mental conditions (especially individuals with psychotic illnesses like schizophrenia) should not ingest these substances due to the way they strongly amplify one's current state of mind and emotions as well as exacerbate latent [[delusions]] and [[external hallucinations|hallucinations]].

Throughout the experience itself, the user should try to let go and allow the effects to take charge. One should be taking the metaphorical passenger seat and not try to control or dictate any part of the experience. It is extremely important that people simply relax and let things arise or disappear on their own accord (i.e. "going with the flow"). The user should understand that the act of tripping is often ineffable and incomprehensible, particularly at high [[dosage]]s, meaning that a total acceptance of not being able to understand the full scope of what is happening should be present at all times. It is recommended that one face the fact that their thought processes, although more insightful in places, will be inherently impaired along with motor control, [[language suppression|conversational skills]] and general psychosocial functioning. The user should be sure to view these effects as normal and not feel self-conscious or insecure about them within the presence of others.

The current condition that one's body is in is as important as one's mood when going into a trip. If one feels tired, sick or injured, these sensations will manifest as amplified versions of the same conditions during the trip which, when combined with the possible body load of the drug, may easily ruin one's mood and therefore the rest of the experience. [[Tactile enhancement]], which occurs on many psychedelics, can be described as an overall enhancement in the intensity of tactile input alongside of an increase in one's overall awareness of the nerve endings throughout one's body. This effect in particular can make physical injuries more painful while tripping, including any pre-existing back pain. Instead of tripping during a stressful, tired, sick or injured time in your life, one should wait for a more suitable opportunity in order to drastically lower one's chances of having a negative experience.