Laura Smith
Although it is not possible to immediately stop a mushroom trip, there are ways to reduce the intensity of a bad trip and manage the experience. The intensity of a psychedelic drug trip can cause distress, agitation, and even psychosis, so it is important to know how to deal with a bad trip. Creating a safe space and staying hydrated can help, as can having a friend who is not tripping to support you. While some people use additional mind-altering drugs, dubbed trip-killers, to cut short bad trips, doctors warn that these can be harmful and may have serious side effects.
How to reverse a mushroom trip
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time taken to sober up | The effects of a mushroom trip last between 3-4 hours, with the effects dwindling in the two hours or so following this period. |
| Creating a safe space | Creating a safe and peaceful space to make you feel secure can help you go through your experience. |
| Stay calm | Stress and panic will amplify the worst effects of the trip. |
| Stay hydrated | Drinking water can work as a distraction and help calm you down. |
| Trip with a friend | Having a friend who can help if things go wrong is a good idea. |
| Trip-killers | Drugs such as benzodiazepines and antipsychotics are sometimes used to counter the effects of a bad trip. However, these can be harmful and have side effects. |
| Grounding | Engaging in activities, practices, and comforts that help you feel safe and secure can help you work through a bad trip. |
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What You'll Learn
Stay calm and patient
While it is not possible to completely stop a mushroom trip once it has started, staying calm and patient can help to minimise its effects and ensure a safer journey. Here are some tips to help you stay calm and patient during a bad mushroom trip:
Move to a Calm and Quiet Space
Find a quiet, comfortable, and peaceful space where you feel safe and secure. Being in a safe environment can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and panic. If you are with someone who is having a bad trip, calmly remind them that they are in a safe place.
Practice Relaxation Techniques
Engage in deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation. Slow, deep breaths can help calm your nervous system, slow down your heart rate, and relax your mind and body. If you are with someone, help them meditate or relax.
Hydrate and Eat
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Dehydration can exacerbate trip anxiety and make the experience feel more intense and overwhelming. Drinking water can also serve as a welcome distraction, as you can focus on the sensation of the water in your mouth and going down your throat. Eat light, healthy snacks to help stabilise your body and mind.
Distract Yourself
Engage in activities that can take your mind off the trip, such as drawing, listening to soothing music, or talking to a trusted friend. If you are with someone, remind them that the trip is temporary and will soon subside.
Seek Social Support
Reach out to a trusted friend or family member for emotional support and reassurance. If you are with someone, be a source of safety and stay with them through their bad trip. Reassure them that you are their friend and that the experience will pass.
It is important to remember that stress and panic can amplify the worst effects of a mushroom trip. Staying calm and patient can help reduce the intensity of the trip and make it more manageable.
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Create a safe space
Creating a safe space is crucial when dealing with a bad mushroom trip. Here are some detailed suggestions to help you or someone else experiencing a challenging psychedelic journey:
Choose a Peaceful Environment
Take the person to a quiet, comfortable, and secure location where they can relax and feel at ease. This could be a separate, private space where they can be away from others and focus on themselves. A calm environment with soothing music or sounds can help create a peaceful atmosphere.
Provide Comfort and Reassurance
Offer physical comforts such as a warm blanket, a pillow, or a reassuring touch. If the person is open to it, a soothing essential oil like lavender can also be used. These tactile and olfactory comforts can help ground the individual and make them feel more secure.
Encourage Hydration and Nutrition
Hydration is crucial during a mushroom trip, as dehydration can exacerbate anxiety and make the experience more intense. Offer water or electrolyte-rich beverages to help the person stay hydrated and replenish their energy. Encourage them to eat something light as well, as nutrition can help stabilize their body and mind.
Stay Calm and Provide Reassurance
Maintain a calm, empathetic, and supportive presence. Remind the person that they are safe, and that the trip is temporary and will soon pass. If they are open to it, guide them through calming breathing exercises, taking slow, deep breaths to relax their nervous system and slow their heart rate.
Monitor and Seek Help if Needed
Keep an eye on the person's physical and emotional state. If they become agitated, disoriented, or a danger to themselves or others, it may be necessary to seek emergency medical attention. Stay with them and continue to provide reassurance and a calm presence, even if professional help needs to be involved.
Remember, creating a safe space is about making the person feel secure, understood, and cared for. By following these steps, you can help transform a challenging experience into a manageable and supportive journey.
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Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is an important part of managing a mushroom trip. While it is not possible to stop a mushroom trip once it has started, staying hydrated can help to reduce the intensity of the trip and speed up the rate at which your body metabolises psilocin.
When you're on a mushroom trip, your body's ability to regulate its water balance can be disrupted. Dehydration can make the experience feel more intense and overwhelming. Drinking plenty of water can help to calm your body and mind, and reduce the severity of the trip. It is recommended that you drink at least 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day. If you are caring for someone who is having a bad trip, offer them water and advise them to take slow sips. This can help with feelings of nausea and rehydrate them if they have vomited.
In addition to water, you can also consume hydrating foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, and celery. Electrolyte-rich beverages like coconut water or sports drinks can also help to replenish lost salts and minerals. It is important to avoid caffeine, as it can increase feelings of racing thoughts, panic, and anxiety. If you have already consumed caffeine, eating a banana can help to counteract its effects.
Staying hydrated before a mushroom trip is also important. It is recommended that you ensure you are well-hydrated as part of your preparation for a therapeutic psychedelic journey.
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Trip with a supportive friend
While there is no definitive way to immediately end a bad mushroom trip, there are several strategies to help you or your friend feel more comfortable and secure until the trip subsides. Here are some tips for "tripping with a supportive friend":
Before the Trip
Before embarking on a mushroom trip, it is essential to plan and consider various factors, such as how to take the mushrooms, who to take them with, and where to go. Tripping with a good, supportive friend who can help if things go awry is crucial. Ensure that you trust this friend and can be open with them, as any judgment can be hurtful during a trip. Additionally, read up on the type and dose of mushrooms you plan to take, and consider your internal state and intention for the trip.
During the Trip
If you or your friend experience a bad trip, it is vital to remain calm and grounded. Here are some specific actions to take:
- Breathing and Relaxation: Take slow, deep breaths to calm your nervous system and slow your heart rate, and relax your mind and body.
- Safe Space: Move to a quiet, comfortable, and peaceful location where you or your friend feel safe and secure, and away from overwhelming stimuli like bright lights, loud music, or crowds.
- Hydration and Food: Drink plenty of water, as dehydration can worsen trip anxiety, and eat something light to help stabilize your body and mind.
- Physical Comforts: Utilize warm blankets, pillows, or soothing items like essential oils or a warm shower, which can be comforting in times of distress.
- Positive Distractions: Engage in activities like drawing, listening to soothing music, getting lost in nature, or watching a film or series to distract yourself from unpleasant thoughts. Avoid browsing the internet or messaging people on your phone, as this mental stimulation can be destabilizing.
- Support and Reassurance: Seek social support and reassurance from your trusted friend or family member. They can remind you that the trip is temporary and provide emotional support.
- Self-Talk: Repeat reassuring phrases to yourself, such as "I am safe" or "I can get through this."
- Vitamin C: Consume high doses of Vitamin C, which has been shown to alleviate shroom-induced anxiety.
Seeking Professional Support
In some cases, if you or your friend experience severe distress, strong cravings, or signs of substance use disorder (SUD), it may be necessary to reach out to a healthcare professional for further support and treatment.
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Avoid mixing substances
While there are no known methods to reverse a mushroom trip, there are ways to calm down and reduce the intensity of the trip. It is important to note that mixing substances can lead to unpredictable results and adverse effects. Here are some reasons why you should avoid mixing substances during a mushroom trip:
Impact on Mental Health
Hallucinogens, including magic mushrooms, can trigger symptoms of mental health problems. Mixing substances can amplify these effects and trigger symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or psychosis. It is crucial to be mindful of your mental health history and that of your family members before consuming hallucinogens.
Unpredictable Results
Mixing substances, such as mushrooms and alcohol, can lead to unpredictable outcomes. While some people may experience a lower effect of mushrooms when combined with alcohol, this is not proven, and the combination can impair your judgment and coordination. It can also make it more difficult to think clearly, increasing the risk of engaging in unsafe behaviours.
Increased Risk of "Bad Trip"
Consuming alcohol while taking mushrooms can increase the risk of a "bad trip," which includes hallucinations, frightening emotions, extreme fear, mood swings, and negative emotions. Mixing substances can intensify the effects, side effects, and potential risks of both drugs, leading to a challenging and unpleasant experience.
Adverse Physical Effects
Mushrooms and alcohol interact by affecting the brain in similar ways. Combining these substances can lead to adverse physical effects such as nausea, panic attacks, increased blood pressure, and hyperthermia. It is important to be aware of these potential risks and avoid mixing substances to reduce the likelihood of experiencing these adverse effects.
Lack of Research and Potential Side Effects
There is limited research on "trip-killers" or substances that can cut short a "bad trip." While options such as benzodiazepines (sedatives) and antipsychotics are frequently recommended, warnings about their potential side effects are often overlooked. Benzodiazepines, for example, carry risks of addiction, overdose, and respiratory depression. It is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers of mixing substances in an attempt to end a mushroom trip.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom trip typically lasts between 3 and 4 hours, with the effects wearing off in the two hours after this period.
It is difficult to stop a mushroom trip once it has started. However, there are some things you can do to calm yourself, such as staying hydrated, having snacks, changing your environment, and practising mindful breathing.
Trip-killers are additional mind-altering drugs that are used to cut short or lessen the intensity of a bad trip. Doctors have warned against the use of trip-killers, highlighting the potential side effects of drugs such as benzodiazepines and antipsychotics.
It is important to create a safe and peaceful environment before taking mushrooms. You should also have a friend who is not tripping to supervise you and help you if you have a bad trip.
