Psychological preparation and anxiety reduction

The manuals converge on the need for pre-dose preparation that reduces anxiety by setting expectations and normalising uncertainty. Across the extracts, the sources recommend briefing participants about possible acute effects, offering coping strategies for difficult moments, and framing the session in a reassuring, non-directive way. They also agree that preparation is meant to support cooperation and help participants manage discomfort if it arises during or after dosing. The manuals differ mainly in how specific they are about the preparation methods and timing. The ketamine protocol explicitly includes a preparation session immediately before the first dose, with relaxation, breathing exercises, and grounding strategies, and it notes collaboration with nursing staff. The ayahuasca manuals focus more on psychoeducation and expectation management, including the possibility of no obvious drug effects or placebo effects, and one extract adds encouragement to attend calmly to body, thoughts, and emotions.