Curious About Psychedelics?

Shift Series allows you to watch others experience psychedelics so you can learn more

Shift Series

Shift Series is made up of real conversations around psychedelics. Watch people prepare for, experience, and integrate psychedelic journeys. Hear therapists, guides, religious leaders, and seekers ask questions, share first-hand events, and be witness to life-changing incidents.

All participants have given hearty consent to the content in Shift Series.

New episodes drop each Tuesday on our YouTube channel.

Meet the People in the Series

  • Sara Urquhart

    Sara is a guide, a community builder, and event organizer. She is an advocate of psychedelic use, stating: “Not everyone needs psychedelics, but those of us who do, should have safe and easy access.”

    Sara is a co-founder of The Divine Assembly, the managing organizer of Psychedelics in the Beehive, and the producer of Shift Series.

  • Erin Weist

    Erin had her first deep psychedelic experience in 2022 which she bravely shares in the first episode of Shift Series.

    She is a delightful human who is modeling healthy growth as she confronts unhealthy life patterns gifted to her throughout her childhood and during her time in a high-demand religion.

    Her story continues in future episodes.

  • Justin Holman

    With the help of psychedelics, Justin has experienced significant transformations.

    Using talk therapy, the IFS framework, and daily journaling, Justin models the importance of daily integration.

    His story is bold, messy, and real. This story continues in future episodes.

  • Angie Lillywhite

    Angie is a Psychedelic Guide and Integration Coach. She specializes in creating beautiful spaces where people feel safe diving into vulnerable topics.

    She often works with people who have left psychedelic experiences feeling confused or stuck.

  • Steve Urquhart

    Steve is a co-founder of The Divine Assembly (the mushroom church). A lawyer and former legislator, Steve works to help others find legal protections while worshiping.

    The Jonny Appleseed of mushrooms, Steve has helped over 5,000 people grow mushrooms for personal worship.

  • Aymee Condie

    Aymee practices as an LCSW and specializes in providing compassionate and affirming therapy for neurodivergent individuals, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those navigating the complexities of PTSD.

  • Mindy Vincent

    Mindy is a licensed therapist with a passion for supporting people in their journey towards building a life worth living. She specializes in clients with different challenges such as adjustments to difficult circumstances, relationship conflicts, trauma, mental illness, and addiction.

    She has over 15 years professional experience working with mental illness, addiction, and trauma.

FAQs

What is Shift?

Shift shows real conversations between real people supporting each other through life-changing journeys.

On Shift, real people use psychedelics to worship, heal, and explore. Shift highlights the ups and downs of integration.

What is the pace of Shift episodes?

Shift offers an escape from sound bites and 1-minute reels, by sharing people’s intimate exploration of spirituality, mental health, and creativity, through the use of magic mushrooms.

How can you use psychedelics legally?

All participants in Shift ceremonies believe that magic mushrooms are important to their sincere worship. Many are members of The Divine Assembly (TDA), which was started in Salt Lake City. Safe and sincere worship is legally protected, but, it should be remembered, psychedelic worship currently carries legal risk due to systemic prejudices.

What app was used to record these messages?

Sara uses the Marco Polo app to do all her prep and integration work as a guide.

Are mushrooms safe?

Moving into any altered state can be dangerous, without protections and protocols.

Having a safe place to be, and staying in that place, is important. Having a “trip sitter” or guide can help people mindfully surrender to the experience.

Do I need to join TDA to get religious protections?

Religious protections are real. And, remember, worship can/should be whatever you want it to be. So, yes, consider joining a religion and/or writing a personal creed, explaining (first and foremost, to yourself) why your use is religious.

As a model to consider, most of the participants in Shift Series are members of The Divine Assembly, which specifies that they are in charge of their individual journey.

Can you be sexually assaulted while altered?

Yes. You should only trip with people you trust. You should only trip with a guide you trust. To put a fine point on it, some “guides” are actually sexual assailants and rapists. Be careful.

Sexual consent and boundaries should be handled prior to being altered. For example, many couples specifically intend to explore sex while altered. But, consent simply cannot be given once altered.

Pro tip: Avoid sex during ceremonies, if you are new to the space. After many ceremonies (10 or more), you will understand the space better and your place in it.

If you have been sexually assaulted or abused in any other way while altered, Shine Collective is a non-profit organization that supports those harmed in ceremony.

What am I watching?

Shift episodes are built by stitching together real conversations between Sara (the guide) and various clients and friends.

Conversations are real. Most were had LONG before the idea for this series came about.

By showing real people have real experiences, we are hoping this helps de-stigmatize psychedelic use.

Can psychedelic insights have lasting results?

Yes! Psychedelic use alone may not have lasting results. But doing the integration work that is modeled in these episodes, can change someone’s life based on the insights received in a psychedelic ceremony.

Is this the way all ceremonies look?

No. Ceremonies can look very different from each other. Some include 1:1 guiding with larger doses, pared down to the basics. Others may look more playful, full of dancing, laughing, and connecting. Some may be led my indigenous leaders who follow specific protocols and rituals. Others may be led by a medical professional in a clinic.

There is room for all, as long as they are safe and respectful of boundaries.

How do I get mushrooms safely?

The safest way to get mushrooms is to grow your own. If you are not able to grow your own, spend some time becoming a part of your local psychedelic or mushroom community. Meet people. Growers will make themselves known.

If you are buying for the first time or just getting to know a grower, ask to buy the dried mushrooms in full form (meaning, you can see they are mushrooms and not ground into powder).

Can I take mushrooms if I have minors in the home?

Be careful. Remember that law enforcement and state agencies in many areas regard psychedelics the same as deadly narcotics. So, think twice. if you have minors, especially if you and another co-parent are not aligned.

If you have psychedelics in a home with minors, keep them behind a lock (locked cabinet, closet or safe).

Do not take a mind-altering substance, if you are the sole caregiver for the time you will be altered (even if the kiddos are asleep).

Why do you talk about TDA so much?

Sara (the guide) is a co-founder of The Divine Assembly (TDA). The community you see in Shift are mostly members of this growing and active community.

Is this morally acceptable? These topics seem very private.

Every participant in this project approves every mention and portrayal of them. While they might chose to remove parts that are too private or that impact people who are not a part of this series, participants bravely share their stories and moments of vulnerability. A shared goal is to show others what psychedelic worship looks like over time, when the work of integration is done.

Would I need more than one psychedelic ceremony?

Most people want more than one psychedelic experience in their healing/exploration journey. But the journeys are usually spread out over time - often months or years apart.

The good news is, traditional psychedelics, like mushrooms, are not addictive. Nor are they subject to abuse. So, use over time is very unlikely to lead to abuse or addiction.

Why might I need more than one experience?

Media often portrays a “one-and-done” experience. This can be true: mushroom experiences can solve some issues with one dose. For most of us, however, we have more than one issue keeping us stuck. And when one is resolved, there is now room in the head and heart to heal other elements and issues.

What is integration?

Psychedelics are training wheels that can help people learn what healing and peace feel like. For most, psychedelics temporarily quiet the noise and pressures of life.

In those quiet moments, we often create new patterns and ask bigger questions that can lead to healthy relationships and personal growth.

The work after the journey is where the change happens. This is called integration.

Why are there so many white people in the Shift Series?

First, white legal privilege is real. Black and brown members in the space face increased dangers, if they make themselves public. We are using our privilege, to help de-stigmatize psychedelic use.

Second, we want this to change. TDA offers a scholarship to people of color who want to go through guide courses. Additional ideas and people wanted!

Can I overdose on mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms have been consumed by humans for as long as we can trace human history. In all the time, no one has ever died of a mushroom overdose (though plenty were sure they were headed that way). Large doses lead to intense experiences. Mushrooms can increase heart rate, and there are meds that present contra-indications. So, don’t enter this space lightly. Do your homework, talk with your doctor, and use a guide who is serious about the intake process.

Be safe. You are in charge of you and your experience.