Psychedelics and TRE
For those who choose to work with psychedelic medicines, TRE offers valuable support for both preparation and integration. This section is written for harm reduction, not as advocacy for psychedelic use.
- Legal status: Psychedelics remain illegal in most jurisdictions. Know your local laws.
- This is not medical advice. Psychedelic use carries risks and is not appropriate for everyone.
- Professional support: If working therapeutically with psychedelics, do so with trained professionals.
- Contraindications exist. Some conditions and medications make psychedelic use inadvisable.
The Somatic Dimension
Psychedelics deeply affect the body, not just the mind:
| Physical Experience | Description |
|---|---|
| Trembling/shaking | The body's tremor mechanism activating naturally |
| Energy waves | Sensations moving through the body |
| Spontaneous movement | Stretching, rocking, or other movements |
| Temperature shifts | Changes in body temperature perception |
| Tension releasing | Chronic holding patterns letting go |
TRE provides a framework for working with this somatic material.
Before Sessions (2-4 Weeks)
Using TRE before a psychedelic experience can:
- Reduce chronic tension ("armoring")
- Build body awareness (interoception)
- Increase nervous system capacity
- Create more space for the experience
Suggested timeline:
- Weeks 4-2 before: Regular TRE practice, 2-3 times per week
- Final week: Continue but perhaps reduce intensity
- 3 days before: Consider pausing to allow settling
- Day of: No TRE; arrive calm, not freshly activated
During Sessions
While you cannot do TRE exercises during a journey, your TRE experience helps:
If tremoring arises spontaneously:
- Allow it without trying to control or stop
- Recognise it as healthy release (similar to TRE)
- Let your body move however it wants
- Inform your sitter this is normal and helpful
Staying embodied:
- When intensity increases, come back to sensation
- Feel your breath and contact with the ground
- Allow movement if energy wants to move
After Sessions (Integration)
This is where TRE truly shines. Integration is where healing happens.
| Timeframe | Approach |
|---|---|
| Day 1-2 | Rest and gentle care; no TRE yet |
| Days 3-7 | Light TRE if ready (5-10 min tremoring max) |
| Week 2-4 | Resume regular practice; notice what arises |
| Ongoing | Continued practice; some material integrates over months |
Why TRE supports integration:
- Processes somatic material the experience activated
- Completes incomplete releases
- Grounds insights back into the body
- Provides ongoing nervous system regulation
Combining Safely
What NOT to do:
- Don't practice TRE while under the influence
- Don't use psychedelics to "enhance" TRE
- Don't rush back to practice without settling time
Frequency:
- Space psychedelic sessions months apart
- Maintain TRE practice in between
- Don't overwhelm your system with too much processing
The combination of psychedelics and TRE can be powerful but also overwhelming. Go slowly, stay supported, and trust your body's wisdom about pacing.