Watch the Replay: Tripping for Couples

Presentation for DoubleBlind on Sex & Psychedelics

Nov 13, 2024

This presentation was given to DoubleBlind’s audience on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

If you’re interested in having a psychedelic experience, but don't know where to start, save DB’s definitive guide on trusted legal retreat centers, clinical trials, therapists, and more.

Webinar description:

Ever thought about taking psychedelics with your partner? Whether you're a curious or seasoned tripper looking to explore new dynamics, journeying with a lover can open doors to connection, intimacy, healing, and so much more. But diving into this kind of experience takes more than just good vibes — it calls for real preparation. Done right, it can be intimate, transformative, and even joyful. Done without care, it can bring up emotions that need careful navigation.

In this hour-long workshop, Nicolle Hodges — journalist, author, and host of the show Men Who Take Baths — shares her insights on how to create the best possible environment for tripping with a partner. With her expertise, you'll learn how to set the stage, move through the experience, and reflect on what comes up, all while keeping both your individual journeys and shared intentions in mind. If you're ready to unlock the magic of tripping as a couple, this is where you start. (This workshop is for solo learners and couples!)

Moderated by Monica Cadena

Monica Cadena is an Afro-Chicana California-based writer/journalist, movement worker, digital alchemist, plant ally, and advocate of ending the war against culture. The former co-founder of Wear Your Voice Magazine, an intersectional feminist digital publication, Monica is passionate about highlighting stories from those at the intersections of healing and social justice activism and centering healing-based initiatives. Monica works with many organizations within the psychedelic and entheogenic space and is committed to the healing and liberation of Black and Indigenous communities. Connect with her on Instagram at sacred.alchemist.

WATCH THE REPLAY HERE

Tripping for Couples - Guidance Questions:

1. Setting Intentions

“What’s our intention for this experience together?”
Are you both seeking connection, exploration, healing, or just a playful experience? Setting a shared intention helps anchor the experience and gives you both something to return to if things feel intense.
“How do you envision this experience unfolding?”
Desire says: this is what I’d like but fulfillment is not dependant on getting it.
Expectation says: if I don’t get what I want, I will not be fulfilled.
Approach the “envisioning” of the experience from a place of curious, open-mindedness, which includes being receptive to what might unfold beyond what you imagined, opposed to stricter parameters limited by what you already know.
“Are there specific things you’d like to explore or experience together?”
This could involve different types of touch, emotional connections, or new dynamics.

2. Boundaries and Comfort Levels

“Are there any boundaries or limits you want to establish beforehand?”
Psychedelics can heighten sensations, so make sure to outline any physical or emotional boundaries to avoid going into territory one of you isn’t comfortable with.
“How will we communicate if one of us needs to stop or take a break?”
Choose a word, gesture, or approach to signal when either of you wants to pause, shift, or end the experience at any point.
“Is there anything you’re unsure or nervous about?”
This can help surface any hidden concerns and give you a chance to address them together. Maybe don’t say you’re doing this to connect, but have a secret plan to surface hidden resentment from that thing they said two weeks ago. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to clear that up in order to connect, but make that known.

3. Check-ins and Communication

“How often should we check in with each other during the experience?”
Decide if you’ll have regular verbal check-ins, nonverbal cues, or just stay closely attuned to one another’s energy.
“What’s the best way to let each other know how we’re feeling?”
Openly discuss how you might want to communicate feelings of pleasure, discomfort, or uncertainty, so both of you feel empowered to express yourselves in the moment.
“How will we support each other if something intense or challenging comes up?”
Be prepared with comforting words, grounding techniques, or ways to help each other feel safe if unexpected emotions or sensations arise. Discuss how you will navigate if one or both of you begin having a challenging trip. Do you have the capacity to help yourself, and each other, through that?

4. Emotional Grounding and Aftercare

“What do we each need after the experience to feel grounded and connected?”
Plan for some post-experience aftercare, whether that’s cuddling, discussing what you each felt, taking time alone, or engaging in grounding activities.
“How will we support each other as we come down?”
Psychedelics can sometimes leave people feeling raw or vulnerable afterward, so it’s helpful to have a plan for comforting and grounding each other once the experience is over.