What Is Risk Reduction? A Compassionate Approach to Cannabis and Psychedelic Use In Mental Health

In recent years, more people have been turning to cannabis and psychedelics for healing, insight, and spiritual growth. From microdosing for anxiety to ceremonial cannabis use, the landscape is shifting. But with this growing interest comes a need for something often overlooked: support.

Not just in the form of therapy or crisis care, but education, preparation, and based integration. That’s where risk reduction comes in.

So… What Is Risk Reduction?

Risk reduction (sometimes called harm reduction) is a compassionate, non-judgmental approach to substance use that focuses on safety, education, and empowerment. Rather than telling people not to use, risk reduction meets people where they are—and helps them move forward with care and intention.

In the context of cannabis and psychedelics, this might look like:

• Exploring set and setting before an experience

• Talking through intentions, emotional readiness, or potential psychological risks

• Learning what the current research says about standard practices or effects

• Processing an experience afterward to integrate insights

• Setting boundaries around dosage, timing, or frequency

• Having someone to call or talk to if a difficult trip arises

It’s not about perfect use. It’s about informed use.

Why Is This Important?

The resurgence of interest in psychedelics and plant medicines has outpaced the support structures available. Many people are turning to these experiences without a trusted guide, often influenced by online forums, peer stories, or social media.

Without thoughtful support, this can lead to:

• Overwhelming emotional content with no container

• Re-triggering of trauma

• Physical or psychological discomfort that could have been anticipated

• Feeling isolated or unsure after a profound experience

Risk reduction provides a way to prevent avoidable harm while still respecting an individual’s choice to explore.

Our Role at Eleusium

At Eleusium, we don’t tell people what to do with their minds or bodies. What we do offer is grounded, trauma-informed education and integration support. While we are trained psychotherapists, when we work in a risk reduction capacity, we are acting as educators—not clinicians. That’s why we refer to our psychedelic integration coaching as an ancillary service to psychotherapy, not a replacement for it.

We don’t provide substances, and we don’t offer advice on sourcing or dosage. Instead, we share what research and tradition say about set, setting, substance effects, and integration—and help you figure out what makes sense for you.

Whether you’re:

• Planning a cannabis ceremony

• Curious about psychedelics but not ready to jump in

• Supporting a loved one

• Integrating something that’s already happened

  …you deserve support that’s non-judgmental, thoughtful, and evidence-informed.

As someone who works professionally in this space, I’ve also had my own experiences with intentional psychedelic cannabis use.

A Personal Note from Hannah

“Psychedelic cannabis changed the way I understood my own inner world. In one ceremony, it invited me into a space where I could meet my emotions, patterns, and inner wisdom in a raw, embodied way similar to (and at times more profound than) experiences that I’ve had with other medicines. It wasn’t always easy, but it was real, and it moved something in me that had been stuck for a while. That experience showed me the potential of this plant as a true psychedelic, not just a recreational substance.

I believe that as a practitioner, it’s my responsibility to explore the same inner terrain I support others in navigating. Altered states can open us to profound insight, discomfort, and healing. And it matters that I’ve met those edges in myself. That lived experience allows me to sit with others in their process with deeper attunement, reverence, and trust in what unfolds.”
— Hannah Behzadi, RP, Co-Founder of Eleusium

In Short

Risk reduction is about creating psychological safety, inside and out. When people feel seen, respected, and empowered in their choices, they’re far more likely to approach these powerful substances with the reverence and responsibility they deserve.

Curiosity is natural. So is caution. And somewhere in the middle, between hype and fear, is a path we can walk together.

Learn more about our psychedelic cannabis approach or connect with us directly to explore integration support.