What is Psychedelic Knapsack?
Psychedelic Knapsack contains everything you need to pack (and unpack) before, during, and after going on a trip.
At Psychedelic Knapsack, we're dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to approach psychedelics and plant medicines like Psilocybin and Ayahuasca with safety, respect, and intention. Whether you're a first-time explorer or an experienced psychonaut, our mission is to help you prepare for, engage with, and integrate your experiences in a way that prioritizes well-being and reduces potential risks that are inherent in psychedelic culture and ayahuasca culture around the globe right now.
The heart of Psychedelic Knapsack lies in the vision of our founder (and face of the YouTube channel), Brian. Empowered with a decade apprenticing in the healing traditions of the Shipibo tribe in the Peruvian Amazon, Brian’s path has been deeply rooted in understanding the potent healing power of master plants and psychoactive medicines.
Under the guidance of a family of Shipibo plant medicine doctors, Brian immersed himself in the tradition of dieta and learned to conduct Ayahuasca ceremonies and sing the sacred icaros—the healing songs passed down through generations.
His work as a facilitator at one of Peru's most renowned Ayahuasca retreat centers gave him invaluable insight into the transformations and challenges that can arise during healing journeys.
Psychedelic Knapsack was born from these experiences to fill a critical need: providing accessible, down-to-earth harm reduction resources for the psychedelic curious.
Through our educational courses, guides, articles, and videos, we aim to foster safer practices and elevate awareness of common traps and pitfalls. In doing so, our aim is to drastically reduce harmful outcomes in Ayahuasca and psychedelic ceremonies worldwide.
We invite you to explore our resources and pack your knapsack wisely—because every journey starts with thoughtful preparation and continues with meaningful integration.
Together, we can create a more informed and compassionate psychedelic community.
Our Values.
Inclusion
We believe in creating a community that embraces diversity in all its forms. Psychedelic and plant medicine traditions span across cultures, histories, and identities; we honor and celebrate this richness. Everyone deserves access to compassionate care and safe guidance, regardless of background, belief, or experience level. Inclusion is not only a value but a call to action—ensuring that we actively welcome and elevate traditionally marginalized voices within this space.
Honesty & Humility
Navigating psychedelics and plant medicines requires both honesty and humility. We strive to provide accurate, evidence-based information, paired with an openness to what we do not yet understand. We are not experts; merely passionate, caring, and inherently flawed individuals. Psychedelic work is deeply transformative and sacred—but psychedelics do not do the work for us.
We endeavour to remain humble before these powerful tools and the wisdom they offer. We are committed to being honest with ourselves and with you, recognizing that this process is not about authority or expertise, but shared learning and growth through collaboration.
Individual Autonomy
We believe you are the ultimate steward of your body, mind, and spirit. Although modern legal systems dictate how we can engage with psychedelics or plant medicines, we believe in the right of individuals to make sovereign decisions about what they choose to ingest. We don’t encourage the use of psychedelics, but we do aim to equip seekers with tools and information so you can make informed, conscious choices.
Autonomy means trusting in your ability to choose for yourself, to take ownership of your own experience, while staying true to your deeper intentions and values. By respecting this autonomy, we affirm the inherent wisdom you carry within yourself.
