John Miller
A 'trip sitter', also known as a 'psychedelic carer', is a sober person who cares for someone under the influence of hallucinogens such as magic mushrooms. The role of a trip sitter is to ensure the safety of the person tripping and discourage bad trips. The effects of mushrooms are unpredictable and vary in intensity, so it is important to have a trip sitter present to prevent the tripper from engaging in harmful activities. Trip sitters should be a calm, nonjudgmental, and kind presence, and provide support without interfering or guiding the trip in any particular direction.
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What You'll Learn
Be a calm, nonjudgmental, and kind presence
Being a calm, nonjudgmental, and kind presence is one of the most important aspects of babysitting someone on mushrooms. This involves creating a supportive environment for the person to have an insightful and safe experience. Here are some ways to achieve this:
Maintain a calm and kind demeanour: It is crucial to remain composed and compassionate throughout the trip. The person under the influence of mushrooms may experience paranoia and project negative thoughts onto you, such as thinking you are conspiring against them. In such situations, it is important to keep a level head and respond with kindness.
Reassure and provide comfort: Remind the person that they took magic mushrooms, and the effects will subside. Assure them that you are there for them and they are safe. Use their first name when addressing them, as this can help ground them.
Handle challenging thoughts and memories: Discuss any fears or worries the person may have before the trip, and be prepared to address challenging thoughts or memories that may arise. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and offer calm reassurance.
Distract from negative thought loops: People on mushrooms may get stuck in negative thought patterns. Gently distract them by introducing something beautiful or interesting to look at, such as colourful or sparkly objects.
Set clear expectations and boundaries: Prior to the trip, have an open conversation about expectations, intentions, and boundaries. Discuss the potential physical and mental effects of mushrooms, especially if it is their first time. Create a loose plan to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Offer insightful guidance: While a trip sitter primarily stands by to prevent bad trips and handle emergencies, they can also provide gentle guidance. Encourage the person to embrace their feelings and turn them into insights about their trip and themselves.
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Help them relax or meditate
To help someone relax or meditate while on mushrooms, it is important to create a calm, safe, and non-judgmental environment. As a trip sitter, it is your role to be a supportive, sober companion who can guide the person through their experience without interfering too much.
Before the trip, it is important to have a conversation with the person about their expectations, intentions, and boundaries. Discuss how mushrooms can affect people both mentally and physically, and plan out the setting to ensure a relaxed environment. The setting can significantly impact the trip, so consider choosing a familiar, quiet, and relaxed location with music that everyone finds comforting.
During the trip, remain a calm and reassuring presence. Hold their hand if appropriate, and talk them through any challenging experiences they may face. Encourage them to explore their emotions and go with the flow of their trip, rather than resisting it. Help them to meditate and relax, and reassure them that the experience will pass.
Remember, the goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space where the person can fully experience their trip. Offer general support, such as providing food and water, and be prepared to call for professional medical assistance if needed.
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Steer them away from dangerous activities
When babysitting someone on mushrooms, it is important to steer them away from dangerous activities. Here are some ways to do that:
Firstly, it is crucial to understand the potential risks associated with mushroom usage. Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can significantly alter a person's sense of reality, perception, and judgment. This distorted sense of reality can lead to dangerous situations, especially if the person attempts to drive, walk outside, or engage in activities that require coordination and a clear mind. As a trip sitter or babysitter, it is your responsibility to prevent the person from engaging in any activities that could potentially harm them or others. This may include activities such as driving, operating heavy machinery, or even simple tasks like climbing up on things or walking up and down stairs. Keeping them in a safe and peaceful place can help prevent them from engaging in dangerous activities.
Secondly, be mindful of the potential interactions with other substances. Mixing mushrooms with other drugs, including alcohol, cannabis, or prescription medications, can lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes. It is important to discourage polydrug use and ensure that the person does not combine mushrooms with other substances. This is especially important if the person is taking psychiatric medications or drugs that affect mental states, as it could lead to a relapse or worsening of their condition. Encourage the person to stick to one substance at a time and avoid mixing, which can help prevent bad trips and reduce the risk of negative interactions.
Additionally, be aware of the potential for mushroom poisoning. Some mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause violent illness or even death. It is important to ensure that the person has consumed only safe, properly identified mushrooms. If there is any concern about poisoning, seek immediate medical attention and contact poison control or emergency services. This is a serious situation that requires prompt action.
Furthermore, be prepared to handle any bad trips or negative experiences. Magic mushrooms can sometimes lead to terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, or flashbacks. As a babysitter, it is important to remain calm and supportive during these experiences. Help the person by moving them to a calm environment, reducing overstimulation, and providing a comfortable presence. However, be aware that some individuals may become paranoid or aggressive during a bad trip. If the situation becomes dangerous for you or the person you are babysitting, do not hesitate to seek medical help or call emergency services.
Lastly, keep an eye out for any signs of overdose. While rare, it is possible for someone to overdose on psilocybin mushrooms. Watch for extreme distress, impaired breathing, seizures, or other serious symptoms. If an overdose is suspected, seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services. Remember that the role of a babysitter or trip sitter is to ensure the safety and well-being of the person under the influence of mushrooms, so stay vigilant and be prepared to handle any emergencies that may arise.
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Be aware of potential flashbacks
When babysitting someone on mushrooms, it is important to be aware of the possibility of flashbacks. Flashbacks, or Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), are a known side effect of hallucinogenic drugs, including magic mushrooms. They can occur in response to triggers such as tiredness, anxiety, or stress, or they can come on without warning. Flashbacks can be distressing and can cause intense and frequent visual hallucinations, where the person relives parts of their drug trip.
The length of time that flashbacks last varies, with some people experiencing them for seconds to minutes, while others may have HPPD for months or even longer. The onset of flashbacks can also vary, with some people experiencing them a few days after taking mushrooms, while others may not have them until months later. In some cases, flashbacks can be triggered by thinking about past experiences with hallucinogenic drugs. Therefore, it is important for the trip sitter to be aware of the possibility of flashbacks and to be prepared to support the person experiencing them.
If the person you are babysitting experiences flashbacks, it is important to remain calm and supportive. Help them to engage in calming or self-soothing activities such as deep breathing, grounding techniques, or mindfulness practices. These activities can ease the psychological discomfort associated with flashbacks and help the person to stay in the present moment. It is also crucial to learn the person's triggers and take steps to avoid them or manage them effectively. For example, if stress is a trigger, practicing stress management techniques can help reduce the likelihood of a flashback.
In some cases, flashbacks can be intense and frequent, and the person may need professional help to manage them. If this is the case, encourage the person to be honest with their healthcare provider about their drug use and any history of mental illness. Seeking professional help is an important step towards finding the right treatment and managing the flashbacks effectively. Remember, the role of the trip sitter is to ensure the safety of the person under the influence of hallucinogens and to provide support and guidance as needed.
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Ensure they're in a safe environment
Ensuring that someone is in a safe environment when they are on mushrooms is a key role of a trip sitter or psychedelic carer. This involves taking on the responsibility of keeping the person safe while they are experiencing the effects of the drug.
To ensure a safe environment, it is important to be in a calm, quiet, and relaxed setting. Being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience. The person's state of mind is also important, and it is recommended that they are in a good state of mind with trusted friends before taking mushrooms.
The physical environment should be safe and peaceful. It is important to ensure that the person is not in a position where they could harm themselves, such as driving a car, walking outside, or trying to navigate stairs. The trip sitter should prevent the person from taking part in any activities that might be dangerous.
It is also important to be aware of the potential risks associated with mushroom use, such as the risk of poisoning. Some mushrooms that look like magic mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause severe illness or even death. It is important to be able to identify the mushrooms correctly and to know how much the person has consumed, as a high dose can lead to a long-term mental health condition or, in rare cases, death.
Additionally, it is recommended to have a sober friend present who can help in case of a bad trip. Planning the trip ahead of time, including choosing a safe place to be and discussing what to do if a bad trip occurs, can help ensure a safe environment.
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Frequently asked questions
A trip sitter, also known as a psychedelic carer, is a sober person who cares for someone taking hallucinogens. They are there to keep the person physically and emotionally safe and to prevent them from engaging in activities that might harm them.
The role of a trip sitter is to be a calm, nonjudgmental, and kind presence. They are not there to guide the trip but to be a source of support. It is recommended that the trip sitter has a conversation with the person before they take the mushrooms to discuss expectations, intentions, and boundaries.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary depending on the strength of the mushrooms and the amount taken. Common effects include hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. A person may also experience a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
It is important to remain calm and reassuring. Take the person to a safe and calm environment and play soothing music. Help them to meditate or relax. Reassure them that the experience will pass.
