Preventing and Stopping a Bad Trip: The Complete Guide to Truffles and Mushrooms
A trip with magic truffles or mushrooms can be one of the most impressive experiences you’ll ever have. But what if things go wrong? A bad trip is frightening, but with the right knowledge and preparation, you can significantly reduce the risk. And if it does happen, there are proven methods to regain control. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know.
Contents
What exactly is a bad trip?
A bad trip is not a medical term, but a collective term for an unpleasant psychedelic experience. During a bad trip, you experience overwhelming anxiety, panic, or confusion that makes the trip unpleasant. This can range from a few minutes of discomfort to hours of intense anxiety.
It’s important to understand that a bad trip isn’t the same as the horror stories you might know from anti-drug campaigns. You won’t permanently lose your mind, and you won’t jump off buildings. What does happen is that negative thoughts and emotions are amplified by the psilocybin, which can temporarily make you feel like you’ve lost control.
What does a bad trip feel like?
The experience varies from person to person, but common characteristics include:
Intense anxiety or panic that seems to never end. Your heart rate feels accelerated, and you may feel like something is seriously wrong with your body. Thoughts can spiral into a negative cycle where you keep ruminating on the same anxious thoughts. Some people experience paranoia or the feeling that others want to harm them.
The distortion of time makes everything worse. Minutes can feel like hours, making it seem as though the unpleasant experience will never end. This only intensifies the panic.
How long does a bad trip last?
A trip with magic truffles or mushrooms lasts an average of 4 to 6 hours, depending on the dosage and your personal sensitivity. The peak usually occurs between 2 and 4 hours after ingestion. So a bad trip never lasts longer than the trip itself, even though it feels much longer due to the distortion of time.
The good news: most people who experience a bad trip get through it without lasting effects. After the trip, you usually feel back to normal within 24 hours, although you may still feel a bit tired or emotional.
Why does a bad trip happen?
A bad trip rarely comes out of nowhere. It’s usually a combination of factors that together create a negative experience. By understanding these factors, you can significantly reduce the risk.
Wrong mindset (set)
Your mental state prior to the trip is perhaps the most important factor. If you’re already tense, anxious, or feeling down, truffles or mushrooms can amplify these feelings. Psilocybin acts as an amplifier of whatever is already going on in your mind.
Problems at work, arguments with your partner, or concerns about your health can all resurface during a trip. Your subconscious cannot be suppressed when your consciousness is opened up by psychedelics.
Unsuitable environment (setting)
The place where you trip has a huge impact on your experience. A crowded, noisy environment with strangers is a recipe for trouble. Your senses are extra sensitive during a trip, so loud music, bright lights, or unexpected visitors can quickly send a trip in the wrong direction.
Too high a dose
One of the most common causes of bad trips is simply taking too much. Beginners, in particular, underestimate the potency of truffles or mushrooms and take a high dose right away. Or they take more because the effects aren’t kicking in fast enough, leading to a much more intense experience than expected.
Combination with other substances
Alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs can make the effects of psilocybin unpredictable. Cannabis, in particular, can significantly intensify the trip and amplify feelings of anxiety, even in people who normally feel calm when using weed.
Note: Contraindications
Do not use truffles or mushrooms if you are taking antidepressants (SSRIs, MAO inhibitors) or other medications that affect serotonin. This can cause dangerous interactions. Psychedelics are also strongly discouraged if you have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia.
Preventing a bad trip: set and setting
The best way to deal with a bad trip is to make sure you don’t have one. With the right preparation, you can significantly reduce the risk.
Prepare mentally
Choose a time when you’re feeling good. Not stressed, not depressed, not anxious. If you have a lot on your mind, it’s better to postpone the trip. A good rule of thumb: if you’re unsure whether it’s a good time, it probably isn’t.
Go into the experience with an open mind. Don’t try to control what happens, but accept the trip. Many experienced users say that fighting the trip is the fastest way to end up in a negative spiral.
Create the perfect setting
- Choose a familiar, comfortable space
- Provide dim, warm lighting
- Have some relaxing music on hand (instrumental often works better)
- Make sure the temperature is comfortable
- Lay out pillows and blankets
- Keep water and light snacks within reach
- Put your phone on airplane mode
- Let your roommates know you don’t want to be disturbed
Nature can be a wonderful setting for a trip, but only if you know the area well and feel safe there. An unfamiliar forest can become overwhelming if the effects are stronger than expected.
Don’t eat too much, but don’t eat too little either
It’s best to trip on an empty to half-empty stomach. This ensures faster absorption and more predictable effects. Eat a light meal about 2–3 hours beforehand. During the trip, you can eat light snacks if you feel like it, but don’t force anything.
Choosing the right dosage
Dosage is crucial for a good experience. Always start lower than you think you need, especially if you have little experience or are trying a new strain.
Dosage for magic truffles
The following guidelines apply to fresh truffles:
A light dose is between 5 and 10 grams. You’ll experience subtle effects such as heightened perception and mild euphoria. This is ideal for beginners or if you just want a pleasant evening without intense hallucinations.
A medium dose is between 10 and 15 grams. Here you’ll experience clear visual effects and altered consciousness. Most recreational users choose this dosage.
A strong dose is 15 grams or more. This can lead to intense hallucinations and profound psychological experiences. Only for experienced users in a controlled setting.
McKennaii XL Grow Kit 2100cc
Want to grow your own mushrooms? The McKennaii is known for its powerful visual effects. With an XL grow kit, you’ll get multiple harvests and can determine the dosage yourself. Perfect control over your experience.
Mushroom Dosage
Fresh mushrooms contain about 90% water. Dried mushrooms are therefore much stronger per gram. An average dose of dried mushrooms is around 1.5 to 2.5 grams.
Potency varies greatly by species. Psilocybe cubensis (the most commonly cultivated species) is milder than, for example, Psilocybe azurescens. Always research the specific species you are using.
Tip: wait long enough
The effects usually start after 30–60 minutes, but can sometimes take up to 90 minutes to kick in. Never take more because you think it isn’t working. This is the most common mistake that leads to overwhelming trips.
What to do during a bad trip
Despite all the preparation, a trip can still turn unpleasant. Don’t panic; there are proven techniques to regain control.
Accept what’s happening
This may sound counterintuitive, but fighting the trip only makes it worse. Try to accept that you’re not feeling well right now and that this is temporary. Tell yourself: “I took something that’s causing this, and it will pass.”
Breathing exercises
Focus on your breathing. Breathe in slowly through your nose, hold it for a moment, and breathe out calmly through your mouth. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system and helps calm your body. Try inhaling for 4 seconds, holding your breath for 4 seconds, and exhaling for 6 seconds.
Change your surroundings
Sometimes a small change is enough. Go from indoors to outdoors (or vice versa), put on different music, or sit in a different room. A new environment can help redirect your thoughts.
Find a distraction
Distraction works surprisingly well during a bad trip. Put on your favorite music, watch calming nature videos, or talk to your trip sitter about something positive. Avoid your phone and social media—this can be overwhelming.
Eat something
Eating can help reduce the intensity of the trip. It doesn’t have to be much: a cracker, some fruit, or a simple sandwich. Digestion requires energy from your body, which shifts your focus away from the psychedelic effects.
For more detailed tips on what to do if you’re in the middle of a difficult trip, check out our article What to Do During a Bad Trip with Mushrooms and Truffles.
The role of a trip sitter
A trip sitter is someone who stays sober while you’re tripping. This person is there to help you if needed and can make the difference between a bad experience and a trip you can get back under control.
What makes a good trip sitter?
Choose someone you trust completely. This should be a person with whom you feel comfortable being vulnerable. Ideally, the trip sitter has personal experience with psychedelics, so they understand what you’re going through.
A good trip sitter stays calm, even when you aren’t. Panic is contagious, so a trip sitter who gets anxious themselves makes the situation worse. The trip sitter must also know not to try to “talk you out of” the trip, but simply to be present.
What can a trip sitter do during a bad trip?
The trip sitter can speak calmly, reminding you that you’ve taken something and that the effect is temporary. Physical contact, such as holding a hand, can be reassuring, but ask first if that’s okay. What normally feels nice can be experienced differently during a trip.
The trip sitter can help adjust the environment: dim the lights, turn down the music, grab a blanket. Small adjustments can make a big difference.
Tools: trip stopper and calming herbs
Sometimes you need a little extra help. There are natural aids that can help soften the trip or calm you down.
Tripstopper
A tripstopper usually contains a combination of valerian and dextrose (grape sugar). Valerian has a calming effect on the nervous system, while dextrose stabilizes your blood sugar levels and provides an energy boost that makes you more alert.
Important to know: a tripstopper does not completely stop the trip. The term “tripstopper” is actually misleading; “trip-soother” would be more accurate. The effects of psilocybin become less intense and you feel calmer, but the trip continues until the substance has worn off.
Mushroom Stopper
Always handy to have on hand when you’re tripping. The combination of valerian and dextrose helps calm you down and reduce the intensity of the trip. Works within 20–30 minutes. Take the dextrose tablets first, followed by the valerian capsules with water.
Valerian extract
Valerian is an herb that has been used for thousands of years for its calming properties. It works by slowing down the breakdown of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA is a neurotransmitter that has an inhibitory effect on your nervous system, making you feel calmer.
The effects of valerian are usually noticeable after 30 minutes. It doesn’t make you drowsy like pharmaceutical sedatives, but it does promote relaxation. During a difficult trip, a valerian tincture can help reduce anxiety.
True Valerian Extract (Valeriana officinalis)
High-quality valerian extract in liquid form for rapid absorption. Use it to calm down during a trip or to sleep better after an intense experience. The liquid form makes precise dosing easy.
CBD Oil
CBD (cannabidiol) has calming properties without psychoactive effects. It influences the endocannabinoid system in your body, which helps regulate anxiety and stress. CBD lowers cortisol levels and promotes relaxation.
Unlike THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis), CBD does not get you high and does not intensify the trip. Instead, it can help take the edge off when you’re feeling anxious.
CBD Oil RAW 5% Medihemp
Organic CBD oil with the full spectrum of cannabinoids. The RAW variant is unprocessed and contains CBDa in addition to CBD. Place a drop under the tongue for rapid absorption. Handy to have on hand during your trip.
Recovery after the trip
Even after a difficult trip, it’s important to take good care of yourself. Processing the experience can take a few days.
Immediately after the trip
Rest. Your body and mind need energy to recover. Try to sleep if you’re tired, even though it may take a while for your body to fully relax. Make sure your sleeping environment is comfortable.
Eat easily digestible foods like fruit, soup, or a simple meal. Your body needs fuel, but your digestion may still be a bit sensitive.
5-HTP for recovery
Psilocybin acts on the serotonin receptors in your brain. After a trip, your serotonin balance may be temporarily disrupted, which can leave you feeling a bit under the weather the next day or two.
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is a precursor to serotonin. Your body converts 5-HTP into serotonin, which can aid in your recovery. Do not take 5-HTP until 24 hours after the trip, not during or immediately afterward.
5-HTP Natural 50mg + B6 (60 caps)
5-HTP supports serotonin production and contributes to a good mood and restful sleep. Vitamin B6 has been added to improve conversion. Take 1-2 capsules per day, preferably on an empty stomach.
Important information about 5-HTP
Do not use 5-HTP in combination with antidepressants or other medications that affect serotonin levels. This can lead to an excess of serotonin (serotonin syndrome). Never exceed the recommended dosage.
Integrating the experience
A difficult trip can be valuable if you take the time to reflect. What made you anxious? What thoughts came up? Sometimes a bad trip brings underlying issues to light that you struggle with in your daily life.
Talk to someone you trust about your experience. This doesn’t have to be a therapist; a good friend who listens without judgment is often enough. Writing in a journal can also help you organize your thoughts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone have a bad trip?
Yes, in principle. Even experienced users can have a bad trip, for example due to an overdose or unexpected stress. However, the risk decreases as you gain more experience and learn how to handle intense experiences better.
Can a bad trip cause lasting damage?
In the vast majority of cases, no. After the trip, you’ll feel normal again within a day. In rare cases, a traumatic trip can lead to long-term anxiety symptoms, especially in people who are already prone to anxiety disorders. If symptoms persist, consult a professional.
Does a trip stopper really work?
It works in the sense that it calms you down and reduces the intensity, but it doesn’t completely stop the trip. The psilocybin has to be broken down by your body, and that takes time. A trip stopper helps you get through that time more comfortably.
Can I drink alcohol to calm down?
This is not recommended. Alcohol can make the effects of psilocybin unpredictable and actually worsen anxiety. Furthermore, alcohol impairs your judgment, which can be dangerous during a trip.
How soon should I take a trip stopper?
As soon as you notice the trip is becoming unpleasant and your own coping mechanisms (breathing exercises, changing your environment) aren’t working. The sooner you intervene, the more effective it will be. Don’t wait until you’re in a full-blown panic.
Should I see a doctor after a bad trip?
In most cases, no. Once the effects have worn off and you feel normal again, medical help isn’t necessary. Do seek help if: the trip lasts longer than 12 hours, you continue to feel extremely anxious or depressed for days afterward, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself.
In conclusion
A bad trip is unpleasant, but with the right knowledge and preparation, you can significantly reduce the risk. Ensure a good set and setting, choose a sensible dosage, and have a trip stopper and calming agents on hand. And if things do go wrong: stay calm, accept the experience, and know that it will pass.
Want to know more about tripping with truffles? Check out our selection of magic truffles for more information on the different types and their effects.
Be prepared
Having a trip stopper, valerian extract, or CBD oil on hand can be enough to make you feel more at ease. Sometimes, just knowing that you can do something if things go wrong is enough to prevent them from going wrong.
