Yo, what up, it’s ya boy Dan. You know we all love us some psychedelics and cannabis, they can give us a whole new outlook on life, and even help with medical conditions. But sometimes, these substances can mess with our heads and trigger a bad trip. Not cool.
So, what even is a bad trip? It’s when your mind gets all fucked up and you start feeling scared, upset, or just generally having a rough time. Some of the most common substances that can cause a bad trip are LSD, magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, peyote, and even weed in some cases.
Now, there are a bunch of factors that can cause a bad trip. It could be your mood and mindset going into it, the environment you’re in, whether you’re alone or with others, how experienced you are with the substance, and even your preconceptions and expectations of the experience.
But even if you’re an experienced psychonaut, a bad trip can still happen. It’s unpredictable as hell. Like this one time I took some shrooms and thought I was turning into a tree for like three hours straight. Not fun.
So let’s break down some of the most common substances that can cause a bad trip.
Bad Mushroom Trip
Magic mushrooms are one of the most popular substances for inducing psychedelic experiences. But they can also cause some serious problems. According to a study, around 7% of people who take shrooms put themselves or others at risk of physical harm. 6% become violent towards themselves or others. And 7% need medical attention. Plus, there have been cases of people attempting suicide or experiencing psychotic symptoms after taking shrooms.
But here’s the thing: even though these trips can be hella challenging, most people still report getting some benefit from them. So it’s not all bad news.
Bad Acid Trip
LSD is another one of those substances that can totally mess with your head. According to a study, about half of people who take LSD at a certain dose will experience negative effects. Plus, LSD is way more potent than shrooms, so it’s easier to overdo it and have a bad trip.
One of the biggest factors for having a bad trip on acid is not knowing how much you’re taking. Like if you buy a tab from some sketchy dealer, you have no idea how strong it’s gonna be. So it’s best to be careful and know what you’re getting into.
Bad Trip on Cannabis
Now, you might be thinking that weed is pretty harmless, right? Wrong. Cannabis can also cause some serious issues, especially if you overdo it or take edibles.
The problem with THC (the chemical in weed that gets you high) is that it’s biphasic. That means its effects change depending on how much you take. If you take a low dose, it can actually reduce anxiety. But if you take too much…well, let’s just say it won’t be pretty.
In fact, there have been cases of people experiencing hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis after consuming too much THC. So be careful out there.
So what can you do if you’re having a bad trip? First of all, try to prevent it from happening in the first place. Make sure you’re in a good mood before taking anything, find a safe and comfortable space to do it in, and have a support person (like a professional therapist or a trusted friend) with you to help if things go south.
And if you do start having a bad trip, remember that it will pass eventually. Try to relax as much as possible and remind yourself that what you’re experiencing isn’t real. And maybe next time, take things slow and easy so you don’t end up in this situation again.