Michael Davis
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic fungi that contain substances that cause people to hallucinate. They can be eaten fresh or dried, mixed with food, or brewed into a tea. The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and can range from mild trips with feelings of drowsiness or relaxation to more intense experiences with hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. While some people report having insightful and transformational experiences, others may encounter challenging trips that bring up distressing emotions, past traumas, or unresolved guilt. The variability of effects makes it important to be cautious when being around people on mushrooms. This involves understanding the risks, creating a safe environment, and providing non-judgmental support to ensure the well-being of the mushroom user.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Role of a trip sitter | A sober person who keeps the person under the influence of mushrooms safe and helps them through challenging experiences |
| Trip sitter's experience | It is helpful for trip sitters to have psychedelic experience of their own, especially with challenging trips, but this is not necessary |
| Trip sitter's behavior | Calm, nonjudgmental, and kind presence |
| Trip sitter's tasks | Helping with everyday tasks like changing the music or putting on a movie, adjusting the volume of music or brightness of lights, and helping the person through an emotionally challenging experience |
| Environment | Calm and safe |
| Dos and Don'ts | Do not drive under the influence of mushrooms |
| Risks | Hallucinogens can trigger symptoms of a mental health problem, affect blood pressure and heart rate, and interact with mental health medications |
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What You'll Learn
- Be a trip sitter: Stay sober and provide a calm, nonjudgmental, and kind presence
- Help with everyday tasks: Adjusting volume, brightness, or putting on a movie
- Prepare for emotional challenges: Talk them through distressing emotions, not down from them
- Avoid other substances: Alcohol and cannabis can change the experience unpredictably
- Choose a safe environment: Help them meditate or relax in a safe, calm space
Be a trip sitter: Stay sober and provide a calm, nonjudgmental, and kind presence
Being a trip sitter is a big responsibility and it is important to be prepared and know what to expect. Here are some tips on how to be a good trip sitter and provide a calm, nonjudgmental, and kind presence:
First, it is important to understand the effects of magic mushrooms. Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic, meaning they can alter a person's sense of reality and affect their judgment. The effects of mushrooms usually begin after about 30 to 45 minutes and can last up to 6 hours, depending on the dose and the individual. Early effects may include nausea, excessive yawning, drowsiness, and relaxation. Higher doses can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. It is also important to be aware that magic mushrooms are illegal and there are risks associated with buying and consuming them.
As a trip sitter, it is your responsibility to keep the person using mushrooms safe and comfortable. This includes providing a calm, safe, and peaceful environment for them to have their experience. It is recommended to have blankets, a comfortable place to hang out and lie down, and access to a bathroom. Music is also an important part of the experience, as it can influence the mood of the trip. Always respect the wishes of the person tripping and take their requests into account when choosing music.
It is also common for people on mushrooms to feel the urge to be alone, so it is important to allow them to have that space while also keeping tabs on their whereabouts. Be prepared to help them meditate or relax if they are feeling anxious or having a bad trip. Reassure them that you are their friend and that the experience will pass. You should also be prepared to act as an interface with the outside world, such as answering the door or phone, or ordering food.
Additionally, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and know when to seek medical attention. For example, hyperthermia is a concern with some psychedelics, including amanita mushrooms. Signs of hyperthermia include high body temperature, which could indicate dehydration or sunstroke. If you notice these signs, provide cold towels, water, and protect the person from further sun exposure. If someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline for support and information on treatment facilities.
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Help with everyday tasks: Adjusting volume, brightness, or putting on a movie
If you are helping someone on mushrooms with everyday tasks like adjusting the volume or brightness, or putting on a movie, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to understand that the person is experiencing an altered mental state due to the effects of psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms. This can lead to enhanced sensory experiences, such as colours appearing more vibrant and music sounding different.
When adjusting the volume, be mindful that the person may be more sensitive to sound. Start by setting the volume to a comfortable level and ask for their preference. Similarly, when adjusting brightness, be aware that visual stimuli may already feel intensified for them, so a comfortable lighting level should be maintained.
Putting on a movie can be a great way to enhance their experience. Animated movies with vibrant colours, such as "Ponyo", "Moana", or "Fantasia 2000", are often enjoyable choices. If they prefer live-action films, "Paprika", "Synecdoche, New York", or "The Holy Mountain" are trippy and mind-bending options. Nature documentaries like "Planet Earth", "Blue Planet", or "Microcosmos" can also be fascinating due to their stunning visuals. Keep in mind that the movie-watching experience will be influenced by the dosage, with lower doses enhancing colours and higher doses potentially leading to a feeling of the film talking directly to the viewer.
Remember, the key is to be supportive and adaptable to their needs. Each person's experience with mushrooms can vary, so communicate openly and be ready to make adjustments as needed. While mushrooms can enhance experiences and provide therapeutic effects, it is important to exercise caution and not mix mushrooms with other substances or alcohol, and always stay hydrated.
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Prepare for emotional challenges: Talk them through distressing emotions, not down from them
When you're around people who are on mushrooms, it's important to remember that they may experience a range of emotions, from feeling drowsy or relaxed to having hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. They may also experience a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. Here are some tips to help you prepare for and talk them through any distressing emotions they may encounter:
Create a Calm and Safe Environment
Take them to a quiet and comfortable space, away from any potential triggers or stressors. Reassure them that you are there for them and that the effects of the mushrooms will pass. Help them relax by guiding them through deep breathing exercises or meditation.
Listen and Empathize
Allow them to express their feelings without judgment. Listen attentively and try to understand what they are going through. You can ask gentle questions to encourage them to open up, such as "What is coming up for you right now?" or "How can I best support you in this moment?".
Validate Their Experience
Acknowledge the intensity of their emotions without dismissing or minimizing them. You can say things like, "I understand this feels overwhelming," or "It's okay to feel anxious in this state." By validating their experience, you can help them feel more grounded and understood.
Help Them Connect the Dots
Encourage them to explore the connections between their emotions and their behaviors. This can provide insight into their experience and help them feel more in control. For example, they might realize that their anxiety is causing them to withdraw or that their paranoia is affecting their perception of their surroundings.
Provide Reassurance and Support
Offer words of encouragement and remind them that the intense emotions they are experiencing are temporary. Let them know that you are there to support them through this journey and that they are not alone. It can be helpful to share your own experiences, if relevant, to provide a sense of shared humanity.
Remember, it's important to remain calm and patient throughout this process. If you feel out of your depth or the person is experiencing a particularly challenging trip, don't hesitate to seek professional help or guidance.
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Avoid other substances: Alcohol and cannabis can change the experience unpredictably
While the use of hallucinogens like magic mushrooms is illegal and always risky, some people use them for their mind-altering effects. When being around people on mushrooms, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and adverse effects of combining mushrooms with other substances like alcohol and cannabis.
Alcohol and cannabis can change the mushroom experience unpredictably. The effects of mixing mushrooms with alcohol or cannabis are not fully understood, but they can be dangerous and unpredictable. Both alcohol and psilocybin, the active compound in mushrooms, can affect the brain in similar ways. Combining substances with similar effects can intensify the drugs' effects, side effects, and risks. For example, the intoxicating effects of both drugs may be dangerously boosted, leading to increased risk-taking behaviours and impaired judgment and coordination. This can lead to accidents, such as driving under the influence, which can cause bodily injury or harm to oneself and others.
Additionally, mixing mushrooms with alcohol may alter levels of intoxication, making it challenging to know how much of each substance one has consumed. This can lead to overconsumption of both substances and increase the risk of adverse effects, including nausea, panic attacks, negative emotions, and a ""bad trip". A bad trip can be a long-lasting side effect, characterised by aggressive or violent behaviours, and can be triggered by underlying mental health issues or the use of hallucinogens over a prolonged period.
Furthermore, the combination of mushrooms with alcohol or cannabis may mask the effects of each substance, making it difficult to determine how the substances are interacting and increasing the risk of accidental poisoning from consuming poisonous mushrooms. It is recommended to stick to one substance at a time and avoid mixing mushrooms with other substances to reduce the risk of unpredictable and potentially harmful effects.
It is worth noting that the use of mushrooms alone also carries risks, including the potential for long-term mental health issues such as psychosis and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), which can cause flashbacks and recurring hallucinations. Therefore, it is important to be cautious and informed when choosing to use mushrooms or being around people who are under the influence of mushrooms.
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Choose a safe environment: Help them meditate or relax in a safe, calm space
When helping someone meditate or relax while on mushrooms, it is important to choose a safe, calm, and peaceful environment. This is because the effects of mushrooms can be unpredictable and vary in intensity. A safe environment will give the user a space to go through their experience, no matter how intense it is.
To create a safe and calm space, you can make the environment more comfortable and cosy. Play calming music in the background, and ensure the user has access to water, as staying hydrated can serve as a welcome distraction. It is also important to ensure the user is in the right frame of mind. While they don't need to be happy, they shouldn't be in despair. Strong emotions are likely to be intensified during the trip, so it is important to be aware of the user's mood and personality before they take mushrooms.
As a trip sitter, it is important to reassure the user that you are their friend and that the experience will pass. Encourage them to meditate, relax, and surrender to the experience. Remind them that they are safe, and encourage them to talk about what they are feeling. It is also important to remain calm yourself, as stress and panic can amplify the effects of the mushrooms.
Remember, the only way to guarantee that someone will not have a bad trip is for them to avoid taking hallucinogens altogether.
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Frequently asked questions
A trip sitter is a sober person who keeps you safe while you’re under the influence of a psychedelic. They help you with everyday tasks such as changing the music or putting on a movie.
The most important thing to remember is to be a calm, nonjudgmental, and kind presence for the entirety of someone else’s psychedelic journey. It is also helpful for trip sitters to have psychedelic experience of their own.
The effects of mushrooms generally begin after about 30 to 45 minutes and can last as long as 6 hours. Early effects typically include nausea and excessive yawning. After these initial effects, the "trip" begins. A trip might be mild, leaving a person feeling drowsy or relaxed.
Using hallucinogens is always risky because they are illegal drugs. You can never know for sure what you're buying or using. There are other risks too, such as the potential to trigger symptoms of a mental health problem.
Stick to one substance at a time. Using cannabis and alcohol while tripping can change your experience in unpredictable ways. Stay away from the steering wheel, as your judgment and coordination may be impaired.
