Collection: COMMON QUESTIONS
CEREMONY + MEDICINE FAQ
1. What is a medicine ceremony?
A medicine ceremony is an intentionally held space for self-exploration, reflection and connection. Rather than approaching medicine recreationally, we enter with preparation, intention, respect and time afterwards for integration.
For me, ceremony is about creating the conditions to listen deeply to yourself, your body, your emotions and whatever may arise within your experience.
2. What medicine do you work with?
I work with psilocybin, specifically a strain called MELMAC, which is known as a particularly strong strain.
Medicine is only one part of the work. Preparation, environment, support and integration matter enormously. We go into all of this when we work together.
3. What happens during a ceremony?
Every ceremony is different. Everybody’s journey is different.
The journey begins well before the ceremonial day.
There is preparation and screening beforehand, arrival and grounding, intention setting, the ceremonial experience itself, rest and nourishment, followed by integration.
Depending on your story, journey and trauma, if any, I may incorporate sound, music, meditation, breath, silence and other supportive practices.
We work closely with three fields: the Inner Child, the Heart Vortex and the Biofield.
4. What can I expect to experience?
You may experience changes in perception, emotion, bodily sensation, memory, imagery or your sense of self and time.
You may encounter joy, grief, fear, tenderness, insight or periods where very little appears to be happening.
We don’t chase a particular experience. We meet what arises.
Some people experience lots of images; others experience feelings and sensations.
5. How long does a ceremony last?
Approximately 5–6 hours.
I ask participants to give the work spaciousness rather than scheduling something immediately afterwards.
Exact timings and practical arrangements are discussed before your ceremony.
Group ceremonies: Overnight
Private 1:1 or couples: Daytime
6. Is this a spiritual experience?
Some people experience ceremony as profoundly spiritual. Others understand what happens psychologically, emotionally, creatively or somatically.
You don’t need to adopt my spiritual worldview to enter this work.
7. Do I need experience with medicine?
No.
Most of my clients have not worked with the medicine before.
Everyone must be screened using my wellness form prior to sitting.
8. How do I know if I am ready?
Generally, it calls you.
You might have looked at all the options and decided this is your last resort.
You might feel that you need a massive life adjustment.
Readiness includes being willing to prepare, disclose relevant medical and psychological information, respect boundaries and understand that medicine can bring challenging material to the surface.
9. What is your role during ceremony?
My role is to hold and facilitate the ceremonial environment, remain present, observe what is unfolding and support you through the experience.
I work as a Temple Holder, clearing and holding space across all realms.
10. How do you support people during the experience?
Through presence, observation, communication and the practices appropriate to the particular ceremony.
Sometimes support means reassurance or grounding. Sometimes it means sound or quiet presence. Sometimes it means allowing someone the space to move through their own internal process without unnecessary interference.
If you need deep Inner Child work, then during ceremony we can work with this.
11. What happens before ceremony?
Preparation includes an intake and screening process, a conversation with me, practical preparation information, intention work and discussion of medications, health history and relevant contraindications.
I want you entering ceremony informed rather than simply excited.
12. Why is preparation important?
Because ceremony doesn’t begin when medicine is taken.
Your expectations, emotional state, environment, physical wellbeing and understanding of the process can all influence your experience.
Preparation creates a foundation.
Diet is also important. I provide specific dietary guidance before ceremony.
13. What is integration?
Integration is the most important part of ceremony.
It’s what happens when the ceremony ends and life begins again.
It is the process of reflecting on what arose and considering what, if anything, you want to embody or change in everyday life.
An insight isn’t necessarily transformation. How you live afterwards matters.
14. What support is available afterwards?
Post-ceremony support is provided.
You will receive a Post-Ceremony Deck / Program to work with.
Everyone receives a follow-up integration check-in and call to deeply pow-wow on where you are at.
15. Can I participate if I take prescription medication?
Possibly, but this must be assessed individually.
Some medications can interact significantly with psychoactive substances, and your complete medication and supplement list needs to be disclosed during screening.
16. Are there health conditions or medications that can make ceremony unsuitable?
Yes.
Certain cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric and other medical conditions can increase risk. Some prescription medicines, recreational substances and supplements may also interact with psychoactive substances.
This is why screening is essential.
17. Should I stop medication before ceremony?
No one should stop, reduce or alter prescribed medication simply to participate in a ceremony without discussing it with their prescribing clinician.
If a medication creates a contraindication, postponing or declining ceremony may be the safest option.
18. Can I choose how much medicine I take?
The second time you return, we can discuss your experience and whether any changes to the ceremonial approach are appropriate.
19. Can I take more during ceremony?
No. We have a set Dose for first timers. When you return we can talk into offering more and what this looks like.
We work together first in shared offering.
20. What if I become frightened?
Fear can definitely arise during altered states.
Meli gives you in-depth guidance into how to work with fear and navigate the different layers that may arise during the experience.
21. What if difficult memories or emotions arise?
This can happen.
We don’t automatically assume everything experienced during an altered state is a literal memory or objective truth.
Experiences can be symbolic, emotional, autobiographical, imaginative or difficult to interpret.
Integration and, where appropriate, professional therapeutic support can help you explore what arose without rushing to conclusions.
22. Will I lose control?
You will remain supported throughout the experience. However, you can experience emotional release depending on what arises for you.
This can include crying, laughter, singing, humming, deep emotion or a feeling of being connected to everyone and everything.
Meli is very mindful when you come to sit that we create a comfortable environment and setting. During the pre-ceremony screening, we talk in depth about your needs, concerns and intentions.
Prior to ceremony we talk in depth about what can come up.
23. What if I don’t have visions?
That’s completely okay.
Visions aren’t the measure of a meaningful experience.
Medicine work can be emotional, physical, quiet, contemplative or difficult to put into words.
You don’t need fireworks for something meaningful to happen.
24. Is a “big” experience necessary?
No.
Intensity and benefit are not the same thing.
I don’t believe ceremony should become another place where we chase bigger experiences, bigger doses or extraordinary states.
25. Can medicine heal trauma?
Meli has had extremely positive results supporting people working through addiction and different levels of trauma.
The medicine is one layer of this work.
Psychedelic-assisted therapies are being researched for several mental health conditions, but ceremony should not be presented as a guaranteed cure for trauma.
26. Is ceremony a replacement for therapy or medical care?
Ceremonial work is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, psychiatric treatment, psychotherapy or emergency care.
However, many people find this work extremely profound for receiving a beautiful layering of guidance, insight and clarity.
27. Why are set and setting important?
“Set” refers broadly to your internal state and expectations.
“Setting” refers to the physical and interpersonal environment around the experience.
Both can strongly shape altered-state experiences.
28. What does a safe ceremonial environment look like?
Safety includes much more than beautiful cushions and candles.
It means appropriate screening, informed consent, clear boundaries, sober and capable support, emergency planning, confidentiality, physical safety and knowing when something falls outside the facilitator’s scope.
Your facilitator should also be clear-headed and free from recreational drugs or alcohol while holding space and I find generally on most other occasions too.
29. What should I eat beforehand?
I recommend eating a nourishing, colourful variety of foods , the rainbow of food and all the colours 4 days prior.
You must FAST 4 hrs prior however. this helps with timing of ceremony.
Meli provides dietary guidance to follow prior to ceremony.
30. Should I avoid alcohol or other substances?
Any requirements around alcohol, cannabis, medications, supplements or other substances will be discussed during preparation.
Participants should disclose all relevant substance use honestly during screening.
31. What should I bring?
You’ll receive a practical preparation list before attending.
Generally, think comfort, warmth, hydration where appropriate and anything specifically requested for your ceremony.
32. What should I wear?
Comfortable, loose clothing that allows you to rest and move easily.
Layers are useful because your perception of temperature can change during an altered state.
33. Do I stay overnight?
Group ceremonies: These are always overnight experiences.
Private 1:1 ceremonies: These are generally held during the daytime.
Private ceremonies: If you are travelling from a distance, staying overnight may be possible depending on the arrangement and space available.
34. Can I come alone?
Yes.
Many people enter this work independently.
You don’t need to arrive knowing anyone else to be welcomed into a group environment.
35. Can couples attend?
Yes.
Couples, friends and partners are welcome to attend group ceremonies.
Couples are also welcome to enquire about a private ceremony for just the two of you.
It can be a very special experience to share.
36. Do you offer private one-to-one ceremonies?
Yes.
Private work allows for a quieter and more individually focused experience, subject to screening and suitability.
37. Do you offer private group ceremonies?
Yes.
Selected private group experiences may be available. I have them for couples or singles.
Suitability and group dynamics are considered before confirming the ceremony.
38. How many people attend?
Numbers vary according to the offering.
I intentionally keep ceremonial spaces contained so appropriate attention can be given to the people participating.
39. Is ceremony confidential?
Confidentiality is an important part of creating trust within a ceremonial space.
Participants are expected to respect one another’s privacy and not share another person’s story outside the space.
40. What are the boundaries around touch?
Touch should never be assumed simply because someone is participating in ceremony.
Consent is fundamental.
Boundaries around supportive touch should be discussed while participants are sober, and consent can always be withdrawn.
41. What if screening determines this isn’t right for me?
I may say no or recommend postponing.
That isn’t rejection.
Responsible facilitation includes recognising when the environment or medicine being offered isn’t appropriate for someone.
42. Why do you screen participants?
Because not everyone is an appropriate candidate for every altered-state experience.
Screening helps identify potential medication interactions, medical risks, psychological vulnerabilities and other circumstances that may require further professional assessment.
43. Can I participate while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Psychoactive medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding raises significant safety uncertainties.
I would not treat pregnancy or breastfeeding as an appropriate situation for psychedelic ceremony without specialist medical guidance.
44. What if I have a history of significant mental health challenges?
Please disclose this honestly.
Certain personal or family psychiatric histories can increase risk with psychedelics.
Depending on the circumstances, medical or mental health clearance may be necessary, or participation may not be appropriate.
We can talk through this..
45. What is informed consent?
It means understanding what you’re agreeing to before entering the experience.
That includes potential benefits, uncertainties and risks, what substance is being offered, boundaries, what support is available and your right to ask questions or decline.
46. What traditions influence your work?
My ceremonial work has developed through my own lived experience, practices, Medicine mentors and years of working within ceremonial spaces.
