How to Avoid a Bad Trip
Many people avoid psychedelics due to misinformation that originally was intended to scare people about “bad trips.” Psychedelic substances can occasion scary or stressful experiences. With the right mental approach (“set”), in the right atmosphere (“setting”), though, even these experiences can be huge positives that allow us to work through past traumas and limiting ideologies. Preparing yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally can help ensure powerful and safe psychedelic experiences.
Why are you seeking psychedelics? Understand what is drawing you toward psychedelics. Are you looking for a creative jump, a healing journey, an adventure, knowledge, or connection? There are many things psychedelics can teach you. Seeking hallucinogens to avoid problems is not healthy and should be avoided. The point is to engage and connect, not hide or avoid.
Know what you are taking. Only take substances from trustworthy people who can knowledgeably share what they are offering. Safe guides will share what they are giving you and in what amounts. Steer clear of guides who are secretive about what they want you to consume. “Secret sauce” should not be a thing in this space.
Have a sober guide and have a back-up. Taking a hallucinogen can compromise your judgment and decision-making skills. A guide will help you stay physically safe. She will help keep you hydrated, warm, and comfortable. Use guides who come highly recommended. Some people like to have a knowledgeable, pre-alerted friend on speed dial, in case something about the experience becomes uncomfortable; but, the need to call someone outside the ceremony begs the question whether the setting was right in the first place. If not entirely comfortable before you ingest the substance, scrap it and plan a different experience.
Have a plan for the day. You should understand the plan your guide has created and feel comfortable with it. Will you be staying in a house? Will you be going for a walk? Do you need to stay on your mat? Expectations should be laid out, understood, and accepted.
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Identify the container. A container is the physical space you will occupy while tripping. It could be a home, a room, a park, etc. Leaving the identified container can lead to trouble, if you get beyond the safety of your guide.
Give yourself enough time. Psychedelic experiences can be anywhere from 4-12 hours. Don’t rush yourself.
Let your guide know about past traumas that might resurface during a trip. You don’t have to share specifics but a simple statement like: “I have childhood traumas, sexual traumas, and religious traumas” lets the guide know what you might be facing while under the influence. It is easier for your guide to help move you into better mental spaces, if she knows what you might be facing.
Set an intention. As you begin your experience, have an idea of what you want to accomplish while you are in the space. If it is a triggering topic, make sure your guide knows that is why you are there— to learn from, process, and move through, and then past, these traumas.
Let go. While on psychedelics, don’t try to control or interpret the trip. Just let go and experience. Let it take you where it wants to take you; but, don’t be afraid to speak up or ask for help. If you are going somewhere that feels too dark, scary or stressful, let the guide know, and she can help you choose to face it or turn away from it. You keep some control during these experiences.
Don’t do things that will put you at risk. A guide should keep you from driving, walking out of the container alone, cooking, or taking other risks. Doing things that can cause you or others physical harm should be avoided while altered. In case it’s not clear by this point, psychedelics put you in a wonderfully vulnerable state, where your beliefs and ego can bend, blow up, and reform. That means you need to be with someone you entirely trust to hold space for you and keep you safe.
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Avoid conversations with the sober world. When tripping, you can feel emotions that you want to act on immediately. Calling loved ones, texting friends, and connecting with people who do not share your current state-of-mind can be tough for them (as they don’t understand what you are trying to communicate) and frustrating for you (as you may have a difficult time explaining what you are seeing, feeling and experiencing). If you have a strong urge to connect with someone, hold off for a day or two until you can decide with a sober mind if that is a good decision. This also allows you to begin processing the experience and put more thoughtful messaging to what you want to communicate. If it really is a good idea to tell your boss to take you job and shove it, it will still be a good idea in a few days. If it actually was a bad idea … well … you get the point.
All psychedelic trips can be mitigated, if handled correctly. When venturing into the hallucinogenic space, you want to avoid intense fear and overly stressful experiences. By considering the items listed here you can face fears and stressors with protections in place, keeping you safe and preventing any psychedelic traumas. And, remember, it might be a great idea to have a professional and a very good friend help you prepare for and, then, integrate your experience. Much of the meaningful work takes place before and after the few hours you are altered.