Laura Smith
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as shrooms or magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that can lead to a bad trip. While using hallucinogens can be fun, spiritual, or educational if you embrace the experience, it can also be scary, especially if you try to control it rather than roll with it. If you are considering tripping on mushrooms, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to ensure a safe and positive experience. This includes checking your drugs, choosing a safe and peaceful place to trip, and being in the right frame of mind. Additionally, it is recommended to have a sober friend nearby who can help if needed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Trip duration | 8-12 hours |
| Dosage | 5g or above is considered a high dose |
| Precautions | Check your drugs, find a buddy, plan your trip, be in the right frame of mind, stick to one substance at a time, avoid mirrors and heights, do not drive |
| Bad trip symptoms | Feeling of losing oneself, frightening experiences, paranoia, aggression |
| Bad trip remedies | Move to a quiet place, call a friend, seek medical help |
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What You'll Learn
How to avoid a bad trip
While the only surefire way to avoid a bad trip on mushrooms is to not take them at all, there are several strategies you can use to reduce the likelihood of a bad trip. Here are some tips to help you avoid a negative experience:
Set and Setting
"Set" refers to your mindset and intentions going into the journey, while "setting" refers to the physical environment. Curating a thoughtful set and setting can increase the likelihood of a positive and meaningful experience. Choose a safe, peaceful place to trip, and be sure to clear your schedule for the entire day, avoiding any meetings, errands, or draining social interactions. Ideally, take the following day off entirely to rest and process your experience.
Prepare Your Body
Be mindful of what you eat and drink in the days and hours leading up to your journey. Listen to your body, and eat nourishing and energizing foods. Drink plenty of water, as consuming psilocybin mushrooms can cause nausea for some people.
Music
Music can play a significant role in the psychedelic experience. Opt for calming and introspective instrumental pieces that resonate with you, perhaps something new rather than familiar. Avoid music with lyrics, especially those with negative or unsettling themes.
Trip Sitter
Having a "trip sitter," or someone who remains sober to guide and support you, can be extremely beneficial. This person can help anchor your reality and keep you safe if you begin to have a bad trip. Talk to your trip sitter beforehand about things you can do if you start having a bad experience.
Dose
Creating an appropriate dose is crucial to the experience. The higher the dose, the more overwhelming the experience may be.
Mindset
Go into the experience with an open and accepting mindset. Avoid resisting any significant themes that emerge, as this can induce challenging experiences. Surrender to the experience, reminding yourself that it is temporary and will pass.
Know Your Substance
Before consuming any substance, it is important to know what you are taking. Test strips can be helpful, but they only tell you if a specific drug is present in the sample. Consider using a drug-checking service to learn more about the composition and strength of your drugs and screen out potential contaminants.
Remember, even with preparation, challenging experiences can still occur. If you do have a difficult trip, know that it can be transformed into a valuable and meaningful experience through storytelling and integration. Processing your experience with a psychedelic integration therapist can be beneficial.
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What to do if you have a bad trip
A bad trip on mushrooms can be a frightening experience. It can include symptoms like anxiety, fear, social disconnection, panic, depressed mood, confusion, nausea, paranoia, heart palpitations, reality-defying hallucinations, and ego dissolution. The duration of a bad trip can vary, but it usually lasts for as long as the drug's effects, which in the case of mushrooms can be up to six hours. However, some individuals have reported that the negative effects of a bad trip can last much longer, with a third of participants in one study reporting that symptoms lasted for more than a year.
If you find yourself having a bad trip on mushrooms, here are some things you can do to help manage the experience:
Find a safe and calm environment: Remove yourself from any physical or psychological threats and go to a peaceful place where you feel secure. Avoid noise and stimulation, as these can make a bad trip worse.
Have a sober companion: It is important to have a trusted friend or "trip sitter" who is sober and can help guide and calm you through the experience. They can provide reassurance and make sure you are safe.
Surrender to the experience: Instead of trying to control the trip, try to surrender to it. Remind yourself that the experience will pass and that you just need to ride it out.
Communicate: Talk to your sober companion or a trusted friend about what you are experiencing. Communication can help anchor your reality and keep you grounded.
Meditate or relax: Try to find ways to calm yourself and reduce triggers that may cause psychological discomfort. Playing calming music or engaging in meditative practices can help create a more positive and supportive environment.
It is important to remember that while these steps may help manage a bad trip, they may not always be possible to implement fully. The only way to guarantee you won't have a bad trip is to abstain from hallucinogenic substances altogether.
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Safe places to trip
While there is no right or wrong place to consume mushrooms, it is important to choose a safe, peaceful, and comfortable setting. Here are some factors and considerations for safe places to trip on mushrooms:
- Safe and Calm Environment: It is advisable to opt for a calm, safe, and peaceful environment when planning to trip on mushrooms. This can be indoors or outdoors in an open space, whichever makes you feel more comfortable and free. Having a blanket, pillows, and calming music can also enhance the setting.
- Avoid Isolation: It is generally not recommended to trip alone. Having a trusted friend or a "trip sitter" who remains sober can provide support and help navigate any challenging moments. They can assist in calming you down and guiding you through the experience.
- Avoid Certain Activities: During the trip, it is advisable to avoid certain activities that can lead to unpleasant or unexpected outcomes. This includes climbing on things, looking in the mirror, or engaging in sexual activities with unfamiliar partners. Additionally, driving should be strictly avoided, as mushrooms can impair judgment and coordination.
- Single Substance Use: Mixing mushrooms with other substances, such as cannabis or alcohol, can lead to unpredictable experiences. It is generally safer to stick to one substance at a time to minimize the risk of adverse effects.
- Mental Health Considerations: If you or your family have a history of mental health issues, it is crucial to be cautious. Hallucinogens can trigger symptoms of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. They may also interact with mental health medications, leading to unpredictable outcomes.
- Physical Health: People with heart conditions should be cautious, as hallucinogens can affect blood pressure and heart rate.
- Set and Setting: The mindset ("set") during the trip and the physical surroundings ("setting") are both critical factors in shaping the experience. It is important to be prepared, embrace the experience, and go with the flow rather than trying to control it.
Remember, while mushrooms are considered one of the safer recreational drugs, there is always a risk of a bad trip. It is essential to be well-informed, prepared, and in the right frame of mind to maximize the chances of a positive and safe experience.
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Activities to avoid
While tripping on mushrooms, there are several activities that one should avoid to ensure a safe and positive experience. Here are some recommendations:
Avoid operating vehicles or heavy machinery
It is crucial to refrain from driving or operating any machinery while under the influence of hallucinogens. Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, can significantly impair judgment and coordination, posing a risk to yourself and others.
Avoid mixing substances
It is advisable to stick to one substance at a time. Mixing mushrooms with other substances, such as cannabis or alcohol, can lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous effects. The combination may enhance the intensity of the trip in ways that are difficult to manage.
Avoid unfamiliar surroundings or activities
When planning a trip, opt for a safe and peaceful environment that you are familiar with. Being in a controlled and comfortable setting can help reduce the chances of a bad trip. Avoid engaging in activities that require coordination or physical exertion, especially if you are inexperienced.
Avoid mirrors and self-reflection
Looking into mirrors during a trip can be a disturbing experience for some individuals. Hallucinogens can distort self-perception, and seeing a reflection that appears altered or unrecognizable may lead to anxiety or a negative psychological impact.
Avoid certain types of music
Music can play a pivotal role in shaping your trip experience. It is generally recommended to avoid music with lyrics, especially those that contain negative or unsettling themes. Instead, opt for calming and introspective instrumental pieces that resonate with you. Fresh melodies can keep your mind open and curious, while familiar songs may evoke old storylines or associations.
Avoid engaging in sexual activity with unfamiliar partners
While under the influence of hallucinogens, it is advisable to refrain from sexual activity with anyone other than a comfortable and familiar partner. Engaging in intimate acts with unfamiliar individuals may lead to unpleasant or unexpected outcomes.
It is important to note that the effects of psilocybin vary widely among individuals, and there is always a risk of experiencing a "bad trip." The only way to completely eliminate this risk is by abstaining from the use of hallucinogenic substances.
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Mixing mushrooms with other substances
Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, interacts particularly badly with stimulants, as both can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Combining mushrooms with depressants like alcohol and opioids can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Mushrooms should also not be taken with any other substance that acts on serotonin, such as other hallucinogens and antidepressants, as this could lead to serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal. Antidepressant users who take mushrooms are at particular risk of serotonin syndrome. Psilocybin may also reduce the perceived effects of alcohol, leading to excessive drinking. Alcohol increases the likelihood of a bad trip or overdose. Both substances can also cause nausea and vomiting, and combining them can worsen these effects.
The effects of taking mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescription medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous. It is important to be aware that dried mushrooms may contain other substances, which can affect their safety profile. Long-term use of any substance, including psychedelics, can lead to long-lasting changes in the brain and body.
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Frequently asked questions
Before tripping on mushrooms, check your drugs with a test strip or a drug-checking service. Plan your trip by choosing a safe, peaceful place to hang out, as trips can last 8-12 hours. Be sure you're in the right frame of mind, as using hallucinogens can be scary if you try to control the experience rather than "roll with it".
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. Avoid climbing up on things, looking in the mirror, or having sex with anyone other than a familiar partner, as these activities can have unpleasant or unexpected results.
The only way to guarantee you won't have a bad trip is to not use hallucinogens. However, if you do have a bad trip, you should move away from noise and stimulation, as this can make the experience worse. Call a close friend or family member, or ask someone to come over and help comfort you. A bad trip guide can also help, but not everyone will benefit from this, as some people may become paranoid or aggressive. Some medications may help to stop a bad trip, but these can only be given in a hospital.
