The Psychedelic Safety Flags

More and more people are seeking out altered states of consciousness for healing, spiritual growth, and personal exploration. While these experiences can be profoundly transformative, they also carry inherent risks. The vulnerability of the psychedelic state, combined with complex power dynamics between participants and facilitators, necessitates a robust framework for safety and ethics.

I recently read an article in DoubleBlind Magazine by Mary Carreón about the “Psychedelic Safety Flags.” The flags are a living document (hosted on Google Docs) provided by PsychedelicSafetyFlags.com. They offer a comprehensive guide to help you determine whether you can trust a prospective facilitator.

Inspired by resources from the consent and sex education communities, the Psychedelic Safety Flags system provides a clear, color-coded guide to evaluate the behavior and practices of psychedelic facilitators. Created through a collaborative community effort, this living document aims to empower participants, encourage practitioner self-reflection, and stimulate crucial conversations about ethics in altered-state sessions.

Harm in psychedelic sessions is a reality. It can range from financial exploitation to emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Unfortunately, many communities lack the tools to discern ethical behavior or hold perpetrators accountable. The Psychedelic Safety Flags system provides a much-needed vocabulary and framework to identify these issues before they escalate.

It is important to note that these flags can be subjective. What is a yellow flag for one person might be a red flag for someone with a history of severe trauma. The ultimate goal of this system is to encourage you to respect your own intuition and boundaries. A skilled, ethical facilitator will always support you in finding and honoring your “yes” and your “no.”

Green Flags: Best Practices

Green flags indicate facilitators who are operating with the highest standards of care. These practitioners understand systemic power dynamics, employ gold-standard consent practices, and have clear ethics and accountability processes.

Examples of Green Flags:

Discussing boundaries and consent before any substance is consumed.
Providing clear session descriptions and timely notice of risks.
Welcoming feedback and admitting when mistakes are made.
Offering comprehensive preparation and integration support.
Demonstrating transparency regarding training, supervision, and business practices.

Yellow Flags: Room for Improvement

Yellow flags highlight areas where a facilitator’s practices may be murky or lack clear boundaries. While well-meaning, these behaviors can create confusion and, if left unchecked, may develop into more serious issues.

Examples of Yellow Flags:

Offering vague agreements or straying from time commitments without consent.
Using exaggerated claims like, “This will completely transform your life.”
Being unclear about their participation in ongoing supervision or peer support.
Providing information on consent only at the beginning of an event without reiterating it later.

Orange Flags: Major Issues

Orange flags signal significant concerns. A facilitator exhibiting these behaviors might be acceptable for some individuals who fully understand the risks, but their practices could be deeply upsetting or traumatizing for others. Approach with caution.

Examples of Orange Flags:

Minimizing or disregarding the importance of integration.
Choosing substances or dosages with little to no input from the participant.
Weaponizing therapeutic dynamics (e.g., labeling a participant’s valid concerns as mere “projection”).
Displaying evasiveness when asked about their training or peer support networks.

Red Flags: Avoid

Red flags are clear indicators of deeply concerning, unsafe, and potentially abusive practices. If you encounter these behaviors, it is strongly advised to avoid the practitioner entirely.

Examples of Red Flags:

Rejecting the concepts of consent and boundaries as irrelevant or distracting.
Touching a participant during a session without prior permission.
Initiating or attempting to engage in sexual intimacy.
Failing to conduct any medical or psychological screening.
Retaliating against participants who pursue accountability for the facilitator’s behavior.

Empowering Your Journey

Whether you are exploring ceremonies or therapeutic settings, your safety is paramount. By familiarizing yourself with the Psychedelic Safety Flags, you equip yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions about whom you trust with your consciousness.

Remember, true healing occurs in spaces where you feel profoundly safe, respected, and heard. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek clarity, and walk away if the flags are turning red.

I encourage everyone to read the complete living document at PsychedelicSafetyFlags.com and use it as a guide before every journey. I have committed myself to respecting these green flags and continuously reflecting on my own behavior to ensure my work does no harm. I also strictly follow the code of the Guild of Guides.

How to Get Help

If you need help after a difficult journey, or if you have experienced misconduct from an abusive facilitator, you can contact me or use one of the resources listed below. Please do not stay silent. Reach out for support and report abusive behavior so we can prevent others from falling into the same trap.

Important information and limitations

The content of this website and the services offered are provided exclusively for informational, educational, and reflective purposes. I do not:

encourage or promote the use of illegal substances;
provide guidance on obtaining, consuming, or administering any substances;
offer medical, psychological, or psychotherapeutic treatment.

I do not accompany or supervise the use of controlled substances within the jurisdiction of Portugal. On-site safety accompaniment is provided exclusively in jurisdictions where such practices are legally permitted (e.g., the Netherlands) and is subject to a separate service agreement.

No medical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, or healing promise is made. These services do not replace medical care, psychiatric support, or psychotherapy.

Clients are solely responsible for complying with applicable laws and for decisions relating to their health and personal practices.