Set & Setting
Educational guide for endogenous consciousness expansion practices
Set & Setting is a fundamental concept that recognizes the importance of mental state (Set) and environment (Setting) for any introspective practice. This tool helps you prepare consciously and safely.
Set
Your mental, emotional and physical state. Includes intentions, expectations, mood, energy level and psychological preparation for the experience.
Setting
The physical and social environment. Includes location, lighting, temperature, sounds, company, safety and all external elements that influence the experience.
A concept based on decades of research
The concept of Set (mindset — mental state) and Setting (environment) was formalized in the 1960s by researchers such as Timothy Leary and has been validated by decades of research in neuroscience and psychology.
Proper preparation is considered the most important factor for the quality and safety of any deep introspective experience — whether meditation, breathwork, sensory deprivation or any other endogenous practice.
Research from institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Imperial College London and MAPS consistently demonstrates that Set & Setting preparation is determinant for positive and safe outcomes.
Exploring natural states of consciousness
The human body has natural mechanisms capable of producing altered states of consciousness. These endogenous practices have been used for millennia by diverse cultures around the world.
Religious Rituals
Sacred ceremonies within established religious traditions — including sacramental use in the Native American Church, Santo Daime, and União do Vegetal — practiced within structured spiritual frameworks with community support.
Shamanic Rituals
Ancient indigenous practices guided by traditional healers, involving plant medicines, drumming, chanting, and ceremony. These traditions carry millennia of accumulated wisdom about navigating altered states of consciousness.
Psychedelic Sessions
Modern therapeutic and research contexts using psychedelic substances under clinical supervision. Institutions like MAPS and Johns Hopkins are pioneering evidence-based protocols for mental health treatment.
Endogenous Practices
Breathwork
Breathing techniques such as holotropic breathwork, Wim Hof and pranayama that induce altered states of consciousness.
Deep Meditation
Contemplative practices such as Vipassana, Zen and transcendental meditation for accessing expanded states.
Sensory Deprivation
Flotation tanks and dark chambers that allow the nervous system to access deep introspective states.
Sound & Vibration
Shamanic drums, gongs, Tibetan bowls and binaural beats that alter brain wave patterns.
Conscious Fasting
Ancestral fasting practices that promote mental clarity and altered states through natural metabolic processes.
Movement & Dance
Ecstatic dances, kundalini yoga and somatic practices that release endogenous states of expanded consciousness.
Prepare with awareness
Our interactive tool guides you through full Set & Setting preparation with checklists, readiness assessment and educational resources. Available in English, Português and Español.
Open Preparation ToolImportant Notice
This content is exclusively educational. We are not doctors, we do not prescribe treatments and we do not recommend the use of any substance. This project focuses exclusively on endogenous practices — natural techniques that use the body's own mechanisms.
If you have medical or psychiatric conditions, consult a qualified health professional before starting any intense introspective practice.