John Miller
While there is no way to stop a bad trip on mushrooms once the substances are in your body, there are several things you can do to manage it. The effects of a mushroom trip may include warping visuals, enhanced sounds, and a pleasant physical energy running through the body. However, the intensity of a mushroom trip can sometimes cause distress, agitation, and even psychosis. To manage a bad trip, it is recommended to stay hydrated, have snacks on hand, spend time in nature, listen to music, or talk to a supportive friend. It is also advised to avoid browsing the internet or messaging people on your phone, as this can be destabilizing and make the experience worse. While there are drugs known as trip-killers, such as benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, doctors warn against their use due to their potential side effects and harmful nature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mindset | It's important to approach the experience with an open mind and a willingness to confront whatever arises. |
| Preparation | Preparation is key to a rewarding psychedelic experience. Meditation, mindfulness practices, and setting intentions can fortify your mental and emotional state, making you more resilient to challenges. |
| Surroundings | Your surroundings should be comfortable, familiar, and free from disturbances. Being outdoors can be particularly helpful, as mushrooms often enhance people's connection to the natural world. |
| Company | Tripping with a good, supportive friend can help if things go awry. |
| Distractions | Music, conversation, a film, or a walk can help to distract and ground you. |
| Food and drink | Staying hydrated and having snacks on hand can help. Chamomile tea may help with anxiety. |
| Medical intervention | Doctors warn against the use of potentially harmful 'trip-killers' such as benzodiazepines and antipsychotics. |
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What You'll Learn
Distract yourself with music, conversation, film, or nature
Music, conversation, film, and nature can be powerful tools for distraction and grounding when you're feeling overwhelmed on mushrooms. Here are some ways these elements can help you navigate your experience:
Music
Music can be a transformative tool when you're on mushrooms. It can elevate your experience, guide your emotional and energetic flow, and even induce alpha brain waves when the beats sync with your brainwaves. Research has shown that music with around 60 beats per minute can induce alpha brain waves, which are present when we are relaxed and conscious. When creating your playlist, consider including ambient soundscapes, tribal rhythms, deep instrumental tracks, or music with nature sounds, such as rain, thunder, and the rustling of leaves. These sounds, combined with light jazz, classical, or easy-listening music, can create a soothing auditory tapestry for your journey. Ultimately, the best music is what you enjoy and what relaxes you—music that you have an emotional connection with.
Conversation
Tripping with a good, supportive friend can be beneficial. They can help ground and calm you during moments of panic and provide support if things become overwhelming. It is essential to choose someone you trust and feel safe with, and it may be wise to have someone who is not tripping themselves, so they can better assist you if needed.
Film
Watching a film, such as "Music for Mushrooms," can be enlightening and inspiring. It explores the connection between music, psychedelics, and humanity and showcases the potential for art and introspection in healing and connection.
Nature
Being outdoors in nature can be comforting during a mushroom trip. Mushrooms often enhance people's connection to the natural world. Consider going for a walk outdoors, especially if the weather is pleasant. The sounds of nature, such as rain, thunder, and the gentle flow of water, can be soothing and provide a multi-dimensional experience.
Remember, it's essential to stay hydrated, have snacks on hand, and be in a safe and comfortable environment when using mushrooms.
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Stay hydrated and eat snacks
Staying hydrated and eating snacks are two important ways to take care of your body when experiencing a mushroom high. While there are no proven ways to stop a mushroom trip once it has started, staying hydrated and nourished can help you manage any discomfort or anxiety you may be feeling.
Drinking water is an essential part of staying safe when taking any drug, including psilocybin mushrooms. The effects of mushrooms can be intense and overwhelming, and staying hydrated will help you feel more comfortable. Dehydration can also negatively impact your mental state, potentially exacerbating any feelings of anxiety or paranoia.
It is a good idea to prepare some snacks before taking mushrooms, as they can be particularly enjoyable during a trip. Having snacks on hand can help ground and calm you if you start to feel overwhelmed. Try to prepare some of your favorite snacks ahead of time, and consider including some chocolate, as this can be enjoyable when tripping.
If you are feeling very uncomfortable during your mushroom trip, it may be helpful to switch up your scenery by going for a walk or spending time in nature. Mushrooms often enhance people's connection to the natural world, and being outdoors can be comforting and distracting if you are feeling distressed.
Remember, it is always important to approach your mushroom journey with an open mind and a willingness to confront whatever arises. While staying hydrated and eating snacks can help manage a difficult trip, the effects of mushrooms will need to be ridden out.
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Prepare with meditation, mindfulness, and intention-setting
Meditation, mindfulness, and intention-setting can be powerful tools when preparing for a mushroom high. Here are some ways these practices can help you prepare for the experience:
Meditation and Mindfulness
Meditation and mindfulness practices can help reduce anxiety and cultivate a calm state of mind before your mushroom journey. This can be particularly beneficial if you are a novice, as high doses of psychedelics can induce potent non-ordinary states of consciousness that may be overwhelming without proper preparation. Engaging in meditation and mindfulness can help you become more open and adaptable to the experience, reducing resistance and the likelihood of a "bad trip".
Intention-Setting
Setting intentions is a powerful way to guide your mushroom journey and create a solid foundation for your mindset. It involves identifying your aspirations and priorities and using them as a compass to navigate your experience. Intentions provide a sense of direction and purpose, helping you stay aligned and focused on what matters most. They can also reduce anxiety by giving you a framework to handle unexpected challenges.
Combining Meditation and Mushrooms
Combining meditation with psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may offer unique benefits. Preliminary research suggests that meditation on mushrooms may alter self-consciousness and brain function, even after the high has subsided. Experienced meditators who combined meditation with psilocybin reported better social functioning and decreased self-consciousness, with their brains showing alterations in the default mode network, which is linked to self-awareness and rumination.
Practical Tips for Preparation
- Engage in mindfulness practices such as yoga, journaling, art, or spending time in nature to cultivate a calm state of mind.
- Set your intentions by identifying your aspirations and priorities. This will guide your journey and help you navigate any challenges that may arise.
- Practice meditation techniques to reduce anxiety and set a positive intention for the experience.
- Remember to surrender to the experience and remain open-minded. Your journey may not always follow a set track, and resistance can lead to a challenging experience.
- Prepare your environment and ensure a safe and supportive setting for your mushroom journey.
- Consider using tools like music and art supplies to enhance your experience.
By incorporating meditation, mindfulness, and intention-setting into your preparation, you can create a more positive, meaningful, and safe mushroom journey.
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Avoid internet browsing and messaging
While it is not possible to stop a mushroom high, there are some things you can do to ground and calm yourself. Firstly, it is important to avoid internet browsing and messaging. This sort of mental stimulation can be quite destabilising when you are in a trippy state and will probably worsen the experience. Instead, distract yourself with something that can help you feel safe and secure. This could be music, a conversation with a friend, or a film or series.
Music can be particularly enjoyable when tripping and could turn a bad experience into a good one. Try to choose music that is familiar and comforting. If you have someone you can trust and be open with, talking to them can also be a big help. Wrapping yourself in blankets in your room, sitting outside in the fresh air, or taking a walk in nature can also help you feel grounded.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, it is important to accept the experience and surrender to it, rather than trying to resist or fight it. This relates to the philosophy of non-attachment in Zen Buddhism and other Eastern practices, which involves accepting that emotions, experiences, and situations flow in and out of our lives without trying to control them. Mindful breathing can also be helpful in some situations.
Finally, make sure to stay hydrated and have snacks on hand. While it is not possible to stop a mushroom high, these strategies can help to reduce any negative feelings and make the experience more manageable.
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Seek medical advice on 'trip-killers'
While there are no specific "trip-killers" for mushroom highs, certain medications can reduce the effects of a hallucinogenic drug experience or "trip". These medications are called "trip-killers" and are used clinically in emergency departments to manage the effects of hallucinogens, including hallucinogenic effects, anxiety, and psychomotor agitation.
Trip-killers can completely block or reduce the effects of hallucinogens or simply provide anxiety relief and sedation. Examples of trip killers include serotonin receptor antagonists, such as antipsychotics like risperidone and quetiapine, certain antidepressants like trazodone and mirtazapine, and benzodiazepines, for instance, diazepam and alprazolam (Xanax).
It is important to note that the use of trip-killers is controversial due to concerns about safety and potential adverse effects. While trip-killers can be useful in managing the effects of hallucinogens, they may also have side effects or interactions with other substances. Additionally, the effectiveness of trip-killers may vary depending on individual factors and the specific hallucinogen involved.
If you are experiencing a difficult mushroom trip, it is recommended to seek a safe and calm environment and consider reaching out to a trusted friend or medical professional for support. While trip-killers can be an option to reduce the effects of a mushroom high, they should be used with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure safe and effective use.
Overall, while trip-killers can be a potential solution to stop a mushroom high, it is important to prioritize safety and seek medical advice before considering their use.
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Frequently asked questions
The bulk of a mushroom trip lasts between 3–4 hours, with the effects dwindling in the two hours or so following this period.
The effects of a mushroom trip may include visual, auditory, and physical changes. Visual changes include warping, saturation of colour, wobbling, objects appearing to breathe, tracers, etc. Auditory changes include enhanced sounds, difficulty locating the source of a sound, and difficulty keeping track of speech. The physical element of a mushroom trip often involves users feeling energy running through their bodies, which is usually pleasant.
While there is no way to stop a mushroom trip once it has started, there are ways to reduce the high to a more manageable level. Distractions such as music, conversation with a friend, or watching a film or series can help. It is also important to stay hydrated, have snacks on hand, and consider switching up your scenery by going for a walk or spending time in nature.
Doctors have warned against the use of potentially harmful 'trip-killers' to cut short bad drug trips, such as benzodiazepines (sedatives) and antipsychotics. These drugs can have serious side effects and should be avoided.
