Why You Should Clean Your Room Before Taking Psychedelics

Have you ever stumbled upon a piece of advice that then became a cornerstone of your preparation for psychedelic experiences?

Well, just over a year ago, the popular psychedelic Twitter account The Archaic Revival dropped an advisory tweet that sent ripples through the online psychedelic community. It gained over 56,000 likes and still holds the title of the account’s most-liked tweet ever.

The wisdom?

The responses to the tweet were largely from fellow psychonauts agreeing with the sentiment:

A dirty house is a one-way road to a bad trip.

I can personally vouch for the power of this pre-trip ritual. But why does the state of your space matter? Is there magic in sweeping the floor and tidying up before you trip? Simply put, yes, and in this post, I will explore exactly why cleaning your room prior to taking psychedelics matters.

Much has been written about the importance of set and setting. Set (your mindset or inner state) and the setting (the physical space you are in). Your primary setting, then, is the room or space you are in during your psychedelic experience.

In the somewhat classic psychedelic book, The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide, leading psychedelic expert James Fadiman advises a “comfortable and uncluttered environment”.

It’s interesting to note that he mentions only two words and one of them is "uncluttered”.

Outer Order and Inner Calm

Outer order contributes to inner calm

A study published in "Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin," found that women who described their living spaces as cluttered or full of unfinished projects were more likely to be fatigued and depressed than women who described their homes as restful and restorative. Researchers also found that women with messy or cluttered homes had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Clutter and mess can also lead to negative emotions like confusion, tension, and irritability. Conversely, an organized home may encourage more positive emotions.

The physical activity of cleaning coupled with the result of a cleaner home can help to reduce stress and feelings of anxiety.

These considerations are especially important as psychedelics are consciousness amplifiers, capable of magnifying our emotions. If we are uneasy or anxious, this negative state can be exacerbated. If we are calm, then this positivity may be magnified.

When preparing for our psychedelic experiences we want to be in the best frame of mind possible when we take the dose. Cleaning is a simple and effective way to do so.

Sense of Order and Control

Sense of Renewal

This links to our aims as psychonauts on a path of personal growth, as it is often this sense of renewal, or, ‘rebirth’ that we seek. Allowing something new into our lives requires letting go of something old. When you re-emerge from your experience, you will return to a fresh space. This will only contribute to your sense of a fresh start. This is helpful as you enter the integration process which follows the experience.

Self-Care and Loving-Kindness

Ease of Navigation for a Smoother Experience

If you’re ready to start cleaning your room before your trip, here are a few tips for how to incorporate cleaning into your pre-trip ritual.

Set Aside Some Time

Set an Intention

Put on Some Music

Mindful Cleaning

Declutter Your Mind as You Declutter Your Space

Bring Nature Indoors

Express Gratitude

Taking the time to clean my space is a fundamental aspect of how I mentally and physically prepare for psychedelic experiences. Remember, the state of your space is more than just a logistical consideration. It is a mindful act and an acknowledgment of the connection between your environment and how your psychedelic experience will unfold. Whether it's finding a sense of calm and control, making an opening for renewal, or practicing self-love, cleaning your room is a doorway to a more intentional and beneficial trip.

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