Anyone who’s ever had a bad trip from psychedelics like magic mushrooms or magic truffles knows it’s not exactly a walk in the park. Here at Dutch-Smart, we’ve regularly discussed what you should do if you find yourself on a bad trip, but today we’re looking at this situation from a different perspective. Below you’ll find a handy step-by-step guide on what to do if, as a trip sitter (or fellow tripper), you see someone going bad.
Step one: a quiet environment
The very first step you should take when someone around you is having a bad trip is to guide them to a quiet place without distractions. Think of a space like a bedroom without cell phones, TV, or loud music. A space where they feel safe and cannot accidentally hurt themselves. To distract them from bizarre thoughts (because yes, those can happen), talk to them calmly about pleasant or everyday things—and regularly remind them that they are experiencing the effects of psychedelics, which will eventually subside.
Step two: give them some freedom
If the bad trip persists, let the person experiencing it act freely, but keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t do anything risky or harmful. If they do (for example, if they want to go outside or open a window), try to persuade them to stop first rather than trying to physically stop them. Physical restraint should be avoided as much as possible, unless they are about to do something very dangerous. If they exhibit strange but harmless behavior, let them do their thing, as long as it makes them feel better. Don’t do anything that might make them more paranoid than they already are (such as staring at them or whispering to others).
Step three: help them calm down
If the bad-tripper is still upset but “manageable,” repeat steps 1 and 2 as needed. In some cases, it’s okay to let the person drink some water or, for smokers, have a cigarette (but keep a close eye on them in this case). Some people use sedatives to bring someone out of a bad trip, such as valerian or specially developed trip-stoppers. Many users also swear by sugary foods and vitamin C to bring someone out of their bad trip.
Step four: relaxation exercises
If the person having a bad trip becomes increasingly panicked, ask them to do relaxation exercises they (or you) know, especially to control their breathing. If they’re hyperventilating, breathing in and out of a paper bag can help—it’s important to let them do this on their own, but advise them to stop once normal breathing returns.
Step five: medical help
If, despite all these efforts, the bath-tripper is still not doing well and doesn’t seem to be getting better, take them to a hospital—especially if they start acting dangerously or are still behaving erratically after the trip should have ended. At a hospital, a bath tripper can be sedated and released once they feel better. Usually, none of this is necessary, and someone on a bad trip will calm down and recover within an hour or two. It’s also a good idea to discuss bad trips with your friends, both before and after a trip night.
