Laura Smith
As the use of psychedelics has increased, so has the interest in trip killers to end a bad trip. A trip killer, also known as a hallucinogen antidote or hallucinogen antagonist, is a drug that aborts or reduces the effects of a hallucinogenic drug experience. While trip killers are used for harm reduction, there are concerns about safety and adverse effects. Doctors have warned that the use of potentially harmful trip killers to cut short bad drug trips after taking psychedelics such as LSD or magic mushrooms is an emerging concern.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To abort or reduce the effects of a hallucinogenic drug experience (or 'trip') |
| Use | Recreational psychedelic users employ trip killers to manage "bad trips" or challenging experiences, for instance, emotionally difficult experiences with prominent anxiety |
| Types | Serotonin receptor antagonists, such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines |
| Examples | Risperidone, Quetiapine, Trazodone, Diazepam, Alprazolam, Ketanserin |
| Concerns | Potentially harmful, limited clinical studies, safety warnings rarely included in recommendations, non-optimal or excessive doses, adverse effects |
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What You'll Learn
Tripkillers are used to end a 'bad trip'
Tripkillers, also known as hallucinogen antidotes or antagonists, are used to end a bad trip. They can either block the direct effects of a hallucinogenic drug or reduce the anxiety associated with a bad trip. While tripkillers can be used clinically in emergency departments and in the setting of psychedelic therapy, their use to abort the effects of psychedelics is not fully understood and could pose medical risks.
Psychedelics cause changes in a person's perception of reality, and the intensity of a psychedelic drug trip can cause distress, agitation, and even psychosis. As the use of psychedelics has grown, so has the interest in ways to end a bad trip. Recreational psychedelic users sometimes employ tripkillers for harm-reduction purposes, but this use has raised concerns about safety and possible adverse effects.
Serotonergic psychedelics, such as psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms), LSD, mescaline found in peyote cacti, and DMT found in ayahuasca, create their effects by acting as agonists of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. To end a trip, one can give the drug user another drug that blocks (rather than activates) the 5-HT2A receptor. Many prescription drugs can do this, and they tend to be antipsychotic drugs. Examples of tripkillers in the case of serotonergic psychedelics include antipsychotics like risperidone and quetiapine, certain antidepressants like trazodone and mirtazapine, and benzodiazepines like diazepam and alprazolam.
While benzodiazepines and antipsychotics are the most frequently recommended tripkillers, warnings about their potential side effects are rarely included. Benzodiazepines, for example, are addictive and have been implicated in overdose deaths. Additionally, the doses of tripkillers used by recreational psychedelic users may be non-optimal or excessive and increase risks.
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They can block the effects of psychedelics
Trip killers, also known as hallucinogen antagonists, are drugs that can be used to abort or reduce the effects of a hallucinogenic or psychedelic drug experience. They can be used to completely block the effects of psychedelics, or they can simply reduce anxiety and provide sedation.
Psychedelics create their effects by activating certain proteins in the brain called 5-HT2A receptors, which are usually activated by the neurotransmitter serotonin. To block the effects of psychedelics, one can take a drug that blocks these 5-HT2A receptors. Many prescription drugs can do this, and they tend to be antipsychotic drugs. For example, the antipsychotics risperidone and quetiapine have been shown to block the effects of serotonergic psychedelics in clinical studies. Other antipsychotics that can block the effects of psychedelics include olanzapine.
Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and alprazolam, are also commonly used as trip killers. While they do not block the 5-HT2A receptors, they can be useful in managing the anxiety and sedation associated with a bad trip. However, benzodiazepines can also augment sedation and associated risks. Antidepressants like trazodone and mirtazapine are also sometimes used as trip killers, as they block the 5-HT2A receptor.
While trip killers can be useful in ending a bad trip, they can also be dangerous. Little research exists on how to handle a bad trip, and people often turn to social media platforms like Reddit for advice. However, the doses of trip killers recommended on Reddit may be non-optimal or excessive and increase risks. Additionally, warnings about the potential side effects of trip killers are rarely included in these recommendations. As such, it is important to exercise caution when using trip killers and to seek medical advice if necessary.
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They can reduce anxiety associated with a bad trip
A "trip killer", also known as a hallucinogen antidote or hallucinogen antagonist, is a drug that can either block the direct effects of a hallucinogenic drug experience (or "trip") or reduce the anxiety associated with a bad trip. Trip killers are sometimes used by recreational psychedelic users to manage "bad trips" or challenging experiences, including emotionally difficult experiences with prominent anxiety.
Psychedelics cause changes in a person's perception of reality, and a "bad trip" can cause distress, agitation, and even psychosis. As interest in psychedelics has grown, so has the interest in ways to end a bad trip. Recreational users may seek advice from social media platforms, such as Reddit, where people crowdsource information about trip killers. However, there is little research in the medical literature about how to handle a bad trip, and the use of trip killers to abort the effects of psychedelics is not fully understood, posing potential medical risks.
Some of the most commonly recommended trip killers for reducing anxiety include benzodiazepines (such as alprazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam), antipsychotics (such as quetiapine and risperidone), and antidepressants (such as trazodone and mirtazapine). These drugs can be useful in managing the anxiety associated with a bad trip, but it is important to note that they may also have side effects and risks, especially if taken in non-optimal or excessive doses.
While trip killers can provide anxiety relief, it is important to consult a medical professional or seek emergency medical care if experiencing a bad trip, as self-medication can be dangerous and may lead to adverse effects.
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They are also called hallucinogen antidotes
A trip killer, also known as a hallucinogen antidote or hallucinogen antagonist, is a drug that can either block or reduce the effects of a hallucinogenic drug experience or 'trip'. They are called hallucinogen antidotes because they can completely block or reduce the effects of hallucinogens, or they can simply provide anxiety relief and sedation.
As there are different types of hallucinogens that work in different ways, there are different types of trip killers. For example, in the case of serotonergic psychedelics, serotonin receptor antagonists such as antipsychotics like risperidone and quetiapine, certain antidepressants like trazodone and mirtazapine, and benzodiazepines like diazepam and alprazolam can be used as trip killers. These drugs work by blocking the 5-HT2A receptor, which is activated by serotonergic psychedelics like psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms), LSD, mescaline, and DMT.
Trip killers can be used clinically to manage the effects of hallucinogens, such as in emergency departments and in the setting of psychedelic therapy. However, it is important to note that not all hallucinogens have antidotes, and the use of trip killers can pose medical risks, especially when used by recreational users without medical supervision. There is also limited research on the safety and efficacy of trip killers, and they may have potentially harmful side effects.
The use of trip killers to cut short 'bad trips' after taking psychedelics is an emerging concern for doctors, as they have been recommended frequently on social media platforms like Reddit without warnings about their potential side effects. While trip killers can be used for harm reduction purposes, their safety and possible adverse effects are not well understood.
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They are potentially harmful and addictive
Trip killers, also known as hallucinogen antidotes or hallucinogen antagonists, are drugs that can be used to end a "bad trip" caused by psychedelics such as LSD or magic mushrooms. While they can be useful in reducing the negative effects of a bad trip, they also carry potential risks and side effects.
The most commonly recommended trip killers are benzodiazepines (sedatives) and antipsychotics. Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam and diazepam, can be useful in managing dissociative intoxication and reducing anxiety associated with a bad trip. However, they can also increase the risks of sedation, low blood pressure, and respiratory depression. In fact, benzodiazepines have been implicated in overdose deaths, particularly when taken in excessive doses, as is sometimes recommended on social media platforms.
Antipsychotics, such as quetiapine and risperidone, are also frequently suggested as trip killers. These drugs block the 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, which are the same receptors activated by psychedelics like LSD and magic mushrooms. While they can be effective in ending a bad trip, antipsychotics also carry their own set of side effects and risks, which may be exacerbated by improper dosing.
The use of trip killers is an emerging concern for medical professionals due to the potential for harm and the lack of safety warnings provided by those recommending them. While trip killers can be clinically useful in managing the effects of a bad trip, their use by recreational psychedelic users without medical supervision can be dangerous. Additionally, the doses recommended by other users may be non-optimal or excessive, further increasing the risks of adverse effects.
Furthermore, the advice provided on social media platforms, such as Reddit, may be inaccurate or misleading. While some users provide accurate information, there is also potentially dangerous advice being shared. This is particularly concerning given that individuals may rely on these sources as their primary means of obtaining health information.
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Frequently asked questions
Trip killers, also known as hallucinogen antagonists, are drugs that can be used to reduce or end a hallucinogenic drug experience, or "trip".
Trip killers for mushrooms are drugs that can block the effects of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound found in mushrooms.
Examples of trip killers for mushrooms include antipsychotics like risperidone and quetiapine, and benzodiazepines like diazepam and alprazolam.
Some people turn to social media platforms like Reddit to find information about trip killers for mushrooms. However, it's important to note that the information shared on these platforms may not always be accurate or safe.
Yes, using trip killers for mushrooms can be potentially harmful and may pose medical risks, especially if the dosage is not optimal. It's important to seek advice from a medical professional before taking any drugs.
