Home » Blog » How to Help Someone Who is Having a Bad Trip

How to Help Someone Who is Having a Bad Trip

Psychedelics are a class of drugs that cause you to experience visual and auditory hallucinations, mood changes, and altered sensory perception. Examples of psychedelic drugs include LSD (acid), psilocybin mushrooms, salvia, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and more. While having a psychedelic experience could be interesting, there are some risks involved.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 7.4 million people reported using psychedelic drugs in 2021.[1]

Hallucinogenic drugs can cause increased heart rate, feelings of anxiety, and a host of adverse mental health effects. You can have a completely negative experience when you take these drugs. This is known as experiencing a “bad trip.”

If someone you love is having a bad trip, you might be wondering what you can do to help. You should always stay with the person to ensure that they are safe and feel supported. You should also keep reminding the person that the effects will wear off eventually, as sometimes it can feel like a bad trip is neverending.

In this article, you will learn:

What is a bad trip
What are the negative symptoms of hallucinogenic drugs
How to help someone experiencing a bad trip

What is a Bad Trip?

Anyone who takes a psychedelic drug can experience a bad trip. Sometimes, the effects of these drugs take a nasty turn. Instead of seeing enlightening hallucinations, the user begins to feel anxious and see things that frighten them.

The risk factors for experiencing a bad trip include taking high doses of a hallucinogen, being in a negative emotional state before consuming the drug, not having someone sober to stay with you, and mixing psychedelics with other substances like alcohol.[2]

The symptoms of a bad trip can vary depending on what substance was consumed. Someone might experience:

Sensations that time is standing still
Memories of traumatic events
Increased symptoms of a pre-existing mental health condition
Frightening visual and auditory hallucinations
Feeling like they are going to die or the world is ending
Extreme paranoia and sudden mood swings

While the best way to avoid a negative experience with psychedelics is to avoid taking them, harm reduction is also important. If your loved one decides to take one of these drugs anyway, they will need a safe space where they feel supported. They must stay calm and have a voice of reason with them in case they experience delusional thinking, paranoia, or scary hallucinations.

What to do for a Bad Trip

If someone is having a bad trip, it’s important to offer them support and keep them safe. While there is no way to stop the drug effects from occurring, you can help them get through the experience.

The person experiencing a bad trip will need support. You can help them overcome the situation using the following tips:

Do Not Judge Them

It is understandable to feel annoyed with a loved one when they take a drug that causes them to freak out. While this is a normal reaction to have, you’ll want to avoid judging them while they are still experiencing effects. Saying “I told you so,” will only increase their anxiety and make the experience worse for them.

Instead, offer words of support and let them know you are here for them. You can always have a serious conversation with them about their substance abuse once the effects have worn off.

Try to Figure Out What They’ve Taken

These negative psychedelic experiences referred to as a bad trip can occur after taking any hallucinogenic drug. Sometimes the symptoms present as a panic attack, while others have more severe reactions like psychosis. You must figure out what drug they have taken to ensure that an overdose is not occurring.

If you believe someone has taken an overdose of psychedelics, you could call 911. Medical professionals will arrive to assess their symptoms and offer treatment if necessary.

Ensure They are Physically Safe

Before contacting emergency services, you should do your best to check their vitals. This involves checking their body temperature, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure. If they are experiencing an emergency, some of these vital functions will be abnormal.

If the person is not experiencing an emergency, calling 911 could be traumatic during a bad trip. This is why it is important to assess the situation to determine if emergency medical services are necessary. That said, if you are unsure, it is better to call for help than wait it out.

Remain Calm and Stay With Them

You should never leave a person alone while they are experiencing negative effects from psychedelic drugs. Not only is the situation distressing, but it can also turn dangerous at any point. If your loved one has pre-existing mental health conditions, hallucinogenic drugs can cause psychosis.[3]

By staying with the person, you can ensure their safety throughout the entire process. If any mental health emergencies occur, you will be able to call for professional help immediately. Even if nothing drastic happens, staying with them ensures they receive the support they need to overcome the situation.

Be a Voice of Reason

Sometimes people experiencing a bad trip have delusions. They might believe something dangerous is happening when everything is fine in reality. For example, bad trips can make you feel like you are dying, reliving a trauma, or even believing that the world is ending.

When the person tripping experiences these delusions, you can be the voice of reason. Assure them that they are safe and the thoughts they are having are being caused by the drugs. If they become violent or harm themselves, it’s time to contact a professional who can assist them.

Find Help for Psychedelic Drug Abuse

If you or a loved one frequently abuses hallucinogenic drugs, it’s time to seek help. While there is little evidence that you can become addicted to psychedelics, you can begin to rely on them psychologically. Drug rehab centers like the Mandala Healing Center can help you recover.

References: