As the psychedelic movement continues to inspire new possibilities for personal growth, healing, and design, it's essential that we also hold space for the full spectrum of psychedelic experiences- including those that are challenging or complex. While many talks at this conference will celebrate the beauty and potential of psychedelics, we feel a deep responsibility to speak to what happens when things don't go as planned - and to offer skills for meeting those moments with care.

In over 15 years of providing psychedelic support at events around the world, Zendo Project staff and volunteers have assisted thousands of individuals in navigating psychedelic states. Drawing from this depth of experience, we'll introduce the Zendo Project's Four Principles of Psychedelic Care — a foundational framework for supporting oneself or others through non-ordinary states of consciousness. This keynote offers a glimpse into Zendo Project's broader educational program, the Sitting and Integration Training (SIT), and will provide practical tools and insights for cultivating safety, compassion, and presence when it's needed most.

Special thanks to https://zendoproject.org/

This talk was presented at Psychedelics Design, May 2025.