Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs that can induce hallucinations, alter a person's thinking, and evoke feelings of euphoria, inner peace, and well-being. However, they can also trigger unpleasant emotions and lead to a bad trip. If you or someone you know is experiencing a bad trip on mushrooms, it's important to stay calm and follow certain steps to bring yourself or them down from the intense effects. Here are some techniques to calm down from a mushroom trip and ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Environment | Safe, quiet, calm, relaxed, comfortable, peaceful |
| Company | A trusted friend, ideally someone who has taken mushrooms themselves |
| Actions | Drink water, meditate, listen to calming music, draw or write down feelings or sensations, drink something sugary |
| Things to avoid | Caffeine, bright or flashing lights, loud sounds, people coming and going |
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What You'll Learn
Create a safe, cosy space
Creating a safe, cosy space is an important step in preparing for a mushroom trip. This space will be your sanctuary, where you can go through your experience, no matter how intense it is. Here are some tips to create a safe and cosy environment:
Firstly, choose a quiet, peaceful, and comfortable spot where you feel secure and can relax. Make sure this space is free of distractions and has minimal electronics, as the blue light from screens can be detrimental to your mental health. If you can, prepare this space in advance, adding items that bring you joy, such as books, artwork, photos of loved ones, colourful pillows, or stuffed animals.
Next, consider the sensory aspects of your environment. Use sensory items to help ground yourself in the present moment. Opt for mild, calming scents like lavender spray or scented candles, and essential oil diffusers. You can also include your favourite music or a white noise machine for a soothing auditory experience. Touch is another sense to indulge; use a weighted blanket, a warm pillow, or a soft eye mask to enhance your comfort.
Finally, ensure your space offers options. Can you lie down, sit, or walk around? Can you adjust the temperature to your liking? Having choices available ensures you can experience your trip in a way that feels right for you. Remember, creating a safe, cosy space is an act of self-care, giving you a sense of control and providing a familiar anchor during your mushroom journey.
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Drink water and stay hydrated
Drinking water and staying hydrated is a good way to calm down from a mushroom trip. While the effects of mushrooms usually wear off naturally, staying hydrated can help speed up the process. Drinking water can be a welcome distraction from an intense trip. Focusing on the sensation of the water in your mouth and as it goes down your throat can help you calm down.
It is also important to stay hydrated because mushroom trips can sometimes lead to physical symptoms like fever, fast heart rate, or panic. Staying hydrated can help reduce the risk of these symptoms. If you are experiencing a bad trip, drinking water can be a simple way to take care of yourself and give you a sense of control over the situation.
In addition to drinking water, it is recommended to stay in a safe and comfortable environment when taking mushrooms. Being in a calm, quiet, and relaxed setting can contribute to a positive experience. It is also helpful to have a trusted friend or trip sitter nearby who can offer support and reassurance if needed.
While drinking water can be a helpful way to calm down from a mushroom trip, it is important to remember that the effects of mushrooms can be unpredictable. The intensity of the trip can vary depending on individual factors such as dosage, setting, and mental state. It is always advisable to use mushrooms responsibly and in a controlled setting to minimize the risk of a bad trip.
If you are experiencing a challenging mushroom trip, staying hydrated, seeking support, and reminding yourself that the effects will wear off can be helpful strategies. However, if you feel that you are a danger to yourself or others, it is important to seek professional medical assistance immediately.
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Avoid caffeine
While there are no specific methods to calm down from the effects of magic mushrooms, it is important to understand the effects of caffeine on the body and how to manage them. Caffeine is a powerful stimulant that primarily affects the central nervous system by blocking the action of adenosine, a brain chemical that promotes relaxation and sleepiness. By blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, caffeine increases alertness, concentration, and reduces fatigue. However, when the caffeine wears off, adenosine levels surge, leading to a caffeine crash with symptoms like fatigue, trouble focusing, mood swings, and lowered energy levels.
To avoid or mitigate the negative effects of caffeine, it is crucial to understand caffeine sensitivity and intake moderation. People with caffeine sensitivity may experience side effects such as dizziness, heart palpitations, elevated blood pressure, anxiety, jitteriness, and muscle tension with higher caffeine consumption. Therefore, it is recommended to gradually reduce caffeine intake to minimize withdrawal symptoms like headaches and irritability. Switching to decaffeinated alternatives and limiting caffeine intake to earlier in the day can also help prevent sleep disturbances and reduce the likelihood of jitters.
Proper hydration is essential in flushing caffeine out of the body, diluting its concentration, and reducing the intensity of jitters. Drinking water and eating a meal or snack with caffeine can slow down caffeine absorption. Consuming high-fiber or high-protein foods is advisable as they are digested more slowly, helping to prolong the effects of caffeine and reduce its rapid impact. Additionally, staying adequately hydrated supports overall bodily functions and well-being, making it easier to regulate temperature, remove waste, and transport nutrients.
Engaging in physical activity, such as taking a walk, can be an effective way to calm down, get fresh air, and regain control over symptoms. Deep breathing exercises, such as inhaling slowly through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, can activate the body's relaxation response, lowering the heart rate and reducing nervousness. Resting in a quiet, dark room can also help reduce overstimulation and promote relaxation.
While caffeine can provide a temporary boost in energy and alertness, it is important to be mindful of its potential negative consequences and implement strategies to avoid or mitigate them. Proper hydration, gradual reduction in caffeine intake, physical activity, and relaxation techniques can all contribute to a healthier relationship with caffeine and a more balanced lifestyle.
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Seek support from a friend
If you are experiencing a bad trip on mushrooms, seeking support from a friend can be helpful. Here are some ways your friend can assist you in calming down:
Provide a Safe and Comfortable Environment
Ask your friend to bring you to a quiet, peaceful, and familiar place where you can feel secure and relaxed. This could be your home or a trusted friend's place, somewhere without loud noises, bright lights, or crowds.
Offer Reassurance and Reminders
Your friend can calmly remind you that you took mushrooms and are currently experiencing the effects, which will eventually pass. They can reassure you that you are safe and offer words of encouragement.
Help with Grounding Techniques
Your friend can encourage you to focus on your breath, the present moment, or engage in calming activities. They can also assist you in practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
Monitor and Provide Ongoing Support
Your friend can keep an eye on your physical and emotional state, offering water and healthy snacks to help you stay hydrated and nourished. Recognising that a bad trip can last for several hours, your friend can prepare to provide ongoing support and patience.
Assist with Processing the Experience
After the trip, your friend can help you process and assimilate your experience. They can stick around and provide a supportive presence as you navigate any complex feelings or insights that may have arisen during the trip.
Remember, it is important to have a supportive and trusted friend to accompany you when taking mushrooms. This person should ideally be someone who understands the effects of mushrooms and can provide sober, calm assistance throughout the experience.
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Play calming music
Playing calming music is one of the most recommended ways to help someone overcome a bad mushroom trip. Music has the ability to evoke meaningful experiences and memories and connect us to our sense of self. It can be a powerful tool in helping to manage the effects of a bad trip.
When selecting music to play, it is important to choose calming and relaxing songs. The music should help to create a safe and peaceful environment for the person experiencing the bad trip. It can be helpful to play songs with melodic intros or mellow music. Classical music is a good choice and there are science-backed playlists available, such as the Johns Hopkins University Psilocybin Playlist, which was curated to examine the effects of psilocybin on major depression.
Some people also find it helpful to listen to songs they have never heard before and then never listen to them again. This can create a unique and novel experience during the trip. Others prefer to listen to their favourite songs or familiar music that they find comforting.
It is also important to consider the volume and method of listening to the music. Playing music at a comfortable volume and using headphones can help to create a calming and immersive experience.
In addition to playing calming music, it is important to stay with the person and provide calm and supportive reminders that they are in a safe place. This can help to keep them physically and mentally safe during the experience.
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Frequently asked questions
First, it's important to remember that the effects of mushrooms will wear off naturally, and that stress and panic will amplify the worst effects. Try to stay calm and exercise patience. If you are with someone who is struggling, calmly remind them that they took a drug and that they are in a safe place.
If you are the one struggling, it may help to call a close friend or family member, or ask someone to come over and comfort you.
If you are preparing to take mushrooms, consider preparing a safe place in advance. If you are already under the influence, try to go to a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment, as being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience. Make the space cosy and peaceful, and consider playing calming music.
Drink water, as the act of hydrating can serve as a welcome distraction. Take the time to focus on the sensation of the water in your mouth and throat. You can also try drinking something sugary, as this can help speed up the rate at which your body metabolises psilocin. Stay away from caffeine, as this will increase feelings of racing thoughts, panic, and anxiety.
Mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can affect all the senses, altering your thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They can cause you to see or hear things that are not real or are distorted. They can also trigger symptoms of mental health problems. If you or a family member have a history of mental health problems, it is best not to take mushrooms.
A bad trip can involve troubling hallucinations, but also physical symptoms like a fever, fast heart rate, or panic. The person may feel out of control physically and mentally, and may not remember taking mushrooms.
