Laura Smith
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can cause a person to see or hear things that are not real or are distorted. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on the user's mood, personality, and expectations. A trip sitter is a sober person who helps look after someone who has taken a psychoactive drug, such as magic mushrooms. The role of a trip sitter is to stay with the person, follow directions from emergency services, and provide information to ambulance officers. Being in a familiar, quiet, and relaxed environment can lead to a more pleasant experience, while being in a noisy, crowded place could lead to a bad trip. Music can also affect the experience, with relaxing music helping people feel calm and intense music potentially leading to anxiety or panic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is tripsitting? | When a sober person helps look after someone who has taken a psychoactive drug, usually psychedelics. |
| Drugs that come under tripsitting | Psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD, ketamine, or other psychedelics. |
| What to do as a trip sitter? | Stay with the person, follow directions from emergency services, and provide ambulance officers with as much information as possible. |
| What is the role of a trip sitter? | It is not to provide psychedelic-assisted therapy or treatment, which is done by a licensed professional. |
| How does the environment impact the experience? | Using magic mushrooms in a familiar, quiet, and relaxed environment can lead to a pleasant experience, whereas being in a noisy, crowded place could lead to a bad trip. |
| How does music affect the experience? | Playing intense music could lead to anxiety or panic, but relaxing music may help people feel calm and have a more positive experience. |
| How does the mindset (set) impact the experience? | If someone is stressed, depressed, or in a bad mood, they may be more likely to have a negative experience. |
| What are the risks of a bad trip? | A bad trip can lead to terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. |
| What are the physical effects of magic mushrooms? | Nausea, excessive yawning, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. |
| What are the psychological effects of magic mushrooms? | Hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. |
| What is a heroic dose? | Terence McKenna used the term 'heroic dose' to refer to 5 grams of dried magic mushrooms, but this varies depending on the species and the individual. |
| What is a microdose? | A sub-perceptual dose of mushrooms (around 0.1 to 0.9 grams) to reap the positive benefits without a full trip. |
| What is a macrodose? | A macrodose usually sits at around 1 to 3.5 grams. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Understand the effects of different doses
The effects of magic mushrooms vary depending on the dose, the person, and the environment in which they are consumed. The active ingredients in magic mushrooms are psilocin and psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body. The strength and effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on the species and the amount of these psychoactive ingredients they contain.
A microdose of magic mushrooms is a sub-perceptual dose, typically between 0.1 and 0.9 grams, intended to provide positive benefits without causing hallucinations. A macrodose, on the other hand, typically ranges from 1 to 3.5 grams and can induce full-blown psychedelic effects, including visual hallucinations, euphoria, ego dissolution, and altered senses of time and reality.
Terence McKenna coined the term "heroic dose" to describe doses of five grams or more of potent Psilocybe Cubensis species. However, Dr. Newcombe suggests that a "heroic" dose for most people is anything above three to seven grams, and it can even go up to 15 grams or more for some individuals. Taking such high doses can lead to intense and unpredictable experiences, including out-of-body sensations, distorted perceptions of time, and strong hallucinations.
The effects of magic mushrooms are also influenced by individual factors such as mood, personality, expectations, and previous experiences with the drug. Being in a positive state of mind, having a good set and setting, and being in a safe and familiar environment with trusted companions can contribute to a more positive trip experience. Conversely, feelings of stress, anxiety, or a negative mindset may increase the likelihood of a bad trip.
It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms are highly variable, and even with careful planning, it can be challenging to predict the exact nature of a trip. Additionally, consuming large amounts of magic mushrooms can be dangerous, potentially leading to severe side effects or, in very rare cases, death.
Spanish Mushrooms: A Tasty Treat
You may want to see also
Prepare the environment
The environment in which you take mushrooms is crucial to the experience. Being mindful of your environment when using psychedelic substances can reduce the risk of a negative experience, or a 'bad trip'.
Firstly, ensure you are in a safe, comfortable, and familiar environment. It is not advisable to take mushrooms when you are in a bad mood or in an unsafe, uncomfortable, or unfamiliar place. If you are outdoors, be prepared for the fact that your trip may be anywhere between four and twelve hours long. Ask yourself some questions ahead of time: How long are you going to be outdoors? Do you intend to be outdoors all the time? Make sure you have outdoor essentials, including plenty of water and snacks.
Secondly, ensure you are in a quiet and relaxed environment. Being in a noisy, crowded place could lead to a bad trip. If you are at a party or festival, it may be difficult for the trip sitter to manage, as more things are outside their control. Evidence suggests that a party setting could be more likely to lead to a bad trip.
Thirdly, prepare everything you'll need, like water, a place to use the restroom, and music. Music can also affect the experience. Playing intense music could lead to anxiety or panic, but relaxing music may help people feel calm and have a more positive experience. The type of music that people find comforting varies, so check in with everyone on how the music is making them feel.
Finally, it is beneficial to have a friend around to watch over you, especially someone who has tripped before. If you have never taken mushrooms before, it is advisable to have a sober sitter and start with a small dose. They should be someone you know, are comfortable with, and feel safe with.
Mushrooms: Nature's Medicine Cabinet
You may want to see also
Choose appropriate music
Music plays a crucial role in shaping a psychedelic journey. It can influence mood and perception, acting as a catalyst to deepen the journey and enhance its therapeutic potential. The right music can profoundly influence the emotional and sensory aspects of the trip, guiding individuals through their inner landscapes.
When choosing music for a mushroom trip, it is essential to consider the algorithm of choice. Digital music platforms often suggest tracks based on previous listening habits, which may not be suitable for a psychedelic journey. The music algorithm should be tailored to the nature of the trip, promoting relaxation, introspection, and emotional depth. Curating a playlist beforehand or choosing albums known for their suitability in psychedelic therapy can ensure a harmonious experience.
Lyrics can sometimes be distracting or lead to unintended thought patterns during a psychedelic trip, so music with minimal to no lyrics is often preferred. Classical music is a popular choice in psychedelic therapy for this reason. Music with harmonious and transcendental qualities can significantly enhance the therapeutic benefits of a trip, acting as a soothing and introspective backdrop.
Some specific music recommendations for a mushroom trip include the album "Music For Mushrooms: A Soundtrack For The Psychedelic Practitioner" by Trevor Oswalt, and the album "Music For Psychedelic Therapy" by Jon Hopkins. Individual songs that have been suggested for mushroom trips include "Amnesias" by Perkunas, "Sienas Lullaby" by Iñigo Vontier, "Slab of Butter" by Miley Cyrus (skip the first 13 seconds), "Synesthesia" by Michael FK, "The Universe Smiles Upon You" by Khruangbin, and "Adagio for Strings" by Samuel Barber.
Ultimately, the best music for a mushroom trip is that which aligns with the individual's intentions and emotional state. It should support and enhance the journey, whether in therapy or personal exploration. It is important to choose music that resonates with the nature of the experience to profoundly influence the quality and depth of the journey.
Quickly Rehydrating Mushrooms: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Know the risks
Magic mushrooms are a Class A drug and can be extremely dangerous. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions. They can cause hallucinations, where you see or hear things that do not exist or are distorted. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes when eaten, or within 5 to 10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. The length and intensity of each mushroom trip vary, depending on the strength of the mushrooms, how much was taken, the user's mood, personality, and expectations.
Some trips may be enjoyable, but others can lead to terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. With mushrooms, it's very hard to predict what sort of trip each user will have. There's also no way to end a bad trip until it has run its course, which could be hours later.
In very rare cases, if someone takes a huge amount of mushrooms, the side effects can be severe enough to cause death. Some mushroom users experience flashbacks, where they relive some part of a drug trip when they are no longer high. These flashbacks can come without warning and can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. Flashbacks can last a few minutes and can happen days, weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken. They can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise.
Magic mushrooms can also be risky because some mushrooms are extremely poisonous. A number of mushroom species can make people violently ill or even kill them. Hallucinogenic mushrooms can give people stomach cramps, make them throw up, or give them diarrhoea.
Storing Chestnut Mushrooms: Best Practices for Longevity
You may want to see also
Recognise and manage a 'bad trip'
Recognise a bad trip: Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs that can alter a person's thinking, senses, emotions, perception of time, and sense of reality. A bad trip can be recognised by the following signs: terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fear of death. Other signs include nausea, excessive yawning, anxiety, nervousness, and distorted perception of time. Some people may also experience flashbacks involving a previous magic mushroom experience, which can be disturbing. It is worth noting that a bad trip is extremely subjective and depends on the individual's mood, personality, and expectations.
Manage a bad trip: To manage a bad trip, it is important to create a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment. Being in a familiar setting with trusted friends can help reduce the risk of a bad trip. The type of music played can also make a difference, with relaxing music helping to create a positive experience. As a trip sitter, it is important to stay with the person, follow directions from emergency services, and provide ambulance officers with relevant information. It is also crucial to be mindful of potential risks when outdoors, such as steep hills, cliffs, or wildlife, and to ensure that the person does not wander off alone.
It is worth noting that there is currently no way to end a bad trip prematurely, and it will usually have to run its course, which could take hours. However, by creating a supportive and comfortable environment, the potential impact of a bad trip can be mitigated to some extent.
Prevention: To prevent a bad trip, it is crucial to be mindful of the individual's mindset and setting. This includes assessing their emotional state, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, expectations, and the environment in which the drug will be taken. Feelings of stress, anxiety, or depression before taking magic mushrooms can increase the risk of a bad trip. Additionally, combining magic mushrooms with certain substances, such as ice, speed, or ecstasy, or certain psychiatric medications, can increase the likelihood of a negative experience. Therefore, it is important to be aware of any medications the individual may be taking.
It is also important to be cautious when sourcing magic mushrooms, as some mushroom species are extremely poisonous and can cause severe illness or even death.
Santa's Mushroom Mystery: Myth or History?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Tripsitting is when a sober person helps to look after someone who has taken a psychoactive drug, such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms) or LSD. The role of the tripsitter is not to provide therapy or treatment but to stay with the person, follow directions from emergency services, and provide information to ambulance officers.
Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends, and in a safe, familiar, quiet, and relaxed environment can reduce the risk of a bad trip. Music can also affect the experience of someone on psychedelics—playing relaxing music may help the person feel calm and have a more positive experience. If you plan to be outdoors, consider any potential risks, such as steep hills, cliffs, or bodies of water, and try to stay together as a group.
Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring psychedelic drugs that can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, senses, emotions, perception of time, and sense of reality. They can cause hallucinations, perceptual changes, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. The active ingredients in magic mushrooms are psilocybin and psilocin, and their strength and effects can vary depending on the species and individual. The effects usually begin within 30 minutes to an hour of consumption and can last approximately four to six hours.
