What is a bad trip?
A bad trip is a psychedelic experience with or without hallucinations that is mainly experienced as scary, so that fears can persist for a long time after a trip. Prolonged suspicion and negative feelings can also be classified as a bad trip. In our opinion, a bad trip is not a psychedelic session that can be uncomfortable or anxious in the beginning and which can provide valuable information and insights afterwards.
Also read how bad trips can be positive
What causes a bad trip?
There are several factors that ensure that a trip can turn into a bad trip and these factors often have to do with the intention, expectation and location (set and setting). There are also certain psychological conditions that significantly increase the chance of a bad trip and can therefore aggravate the condition. People with the following conditions should not use psychedelics.
- Borderline
- Psychosis sensitivity
- Schizophrenia
- Severe anxiety disorders
The following conditions and solutions can provoke and remedy bad trips.
Trigger | Solution |
---|---|
People in your environment | Trusted or professional tripsitter |
Music | Turn off more positive music or music |
Afraid of the eternal trip | The knowledge that there is life after the trip |
Seeing your own fears | Know that it is just information |
Too intense hallucinations | More light in the room and take dextrose |
Hyperventilation | Someone who indicates breathing rhythm |
Too much glutamate in the brain | Increase GABA before the trip |
Have a good trip
Bad trips almost never occur if there is good guidance. The presence of a professional tripsitter is often reason enough to enter the session calmly, calmly and confidently. Good preparation can also do a lot of good for the psychedelic session. One study already showed that elevated glutamate in the hippocampus could be an indicator of a bad trip. By doing a neurotransmitter test in advance and balancing the neurochemistry on that basis, the chance of a good trip increases considerably.
Do you want a good trip?
Through an intake and questionnaire, we look at how to get your neurochemistry optimal for a positive trip through supplements and nutrition. We can also give you tips to read certain books or watch videos in which we prepare the mindset for a psychedelic session in your right setting.
This post on MDMA therapy was taken from trip therapy