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How to Deal with a Bad Trip or Greening Out According to a New Science and Medical Report
How to Deal with a Bad Trip According to Science
After more than two decades of psychedelic exploration, I’ve learned that the term “bad trip” is something of a misnomer. Sure, I’ve had my share of experiences where reality seemed to fold in on itself like a cosmic origami gone wrong, where my thoughts spiraled into places that would make Edgar Allan Poe uncomfortable. But here’s the thing – these supposedly “bad” trips often turned out to be the most transformative.
Think of it like psychological weight training. Just as you can’t build muscle without resistance, sometimes you need those challenging psychedelic experiences to strengthen your mental fortitude. The problem isn’t necessarily the intensity of the experience, but rather our interpretation and response to it.
I’ve watched countless people “lose their shit” during overwhelming psychedelic experiences. Their minds become like runaway trains, picking up speed as they careen toward what feels like certain doom. But here’s what two decades of psychonautic adventures have taught me: there’s no such thing as a bad trip, only challenging experiences that we’re not yet equipped to handle.
Recently, researchers decided to take a scientific look at how people navigate these turbulent psychedelic waters. They gathered data from hundreds of psychedelic experiences, analyzing the various coping mechanisms people employ when things get weird. And boy, do things get weird.
Today, we’re going to dive into their findings, examining four main strategies that people use to stay afloat when the psychedelic seas get rough. I’ll also share some personal insights – tricks and techniques I’ve learned from countless hours of surfing the waves of altered consciousness.
So whether you’re an experienced psychonaut or simply curious about how to handle intense psychological experiences, buckle up. We’re about to explore the art and science of turning psychological chaos into catalysts for growth. Let’s dive in.
Here’s a 500-word segment on “A Closer Look at the Study”:
A Closer Look at the Study
The research, published in Scientific Reports, combined two fascinating studies. The first examined 16 participants who attended psychedelic retreats in the Netherlands and Mexico, while the second analyzed survey data from 869 people, with roughly two-thirds reporting challenging experiences during their psychedelic journeys.
What they discovered was both illuminating and validating for many psychonauts. The researchers identified four main themes in how people cope with challenging experiences. First, there’s what they called “Inner Responses” – think meditation, self-talk, and making meaning from the chaos. Then there’s “Embodied Practice and Environment Engagement” – basically, using breathing techniques, movement, and connecting with your surroundings to ground yourself. The third theme involved “Interpersonal Responses,” where some folks sought social support while others preferred solitude. Finally, “Facilitator Responses” highlighted the crucial role of guides and therapists in providing support during difficult moments.
The researchers emphasized that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to managing challenging psychedelic experiences. As they noted, “Therapists should be well-versed in a broad spectrum of response strategies and recognize that different strategies may be more or less effective for different individuals.” This nuanced understanding is crucial for the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Here’s where things get interesting – and frankly, a bit infuriating. We’re at a point where prestigious research institutions are publishing detailed studies about implementing psychedelic therapy, yet these substances remain Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. According to this antiquated classification, these compounds have “no accepted medical use” and a “high potential for abuse.”
Let that sink in for a moment. We have researchers from University College London meticulously documenting how to optimize therapeutic outcomes with these substances, while simultaneously, our government maintains they have no medical value. The cognitive dissonance is staggering.
And it’s not just this study. There’s a growing mountain of evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for conditions ranging from PTSD to depression to end-of-life anxiety. Yet the CSA continues to block access to these potentially life-changing treatments.
You know what really grinds my gears? This isn’t just about maintaining outdated laws – it’s about actively denying people access to healing. The War on Drugs isn’t just a war on substances; it’s a war on alternative approaches to mental health and personal growth. Every day that these substances remain Schedule I is another day that countless individuals are denied potentially transformative treatments.
When I see studies like this – serious, methodical research into maximizing the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics – I can’t help but think about all the people suffering needlessly because of prohibition. The CSA isn’t protecting public health; it’s protecting the status quo at the expense of human wellbeing. In my view, that’s not just misguided – it’s morally indefensible.
You know what’s funny? In over two decades of psychedelic exploration, I’ve never really had what you’d call a “bad trip.” The closest I’ve come to death-defying psychological horror was actually from alcohol, but that’s a whole different demon we won’t summon today.
The truth is, avoiding nightmarish psychedelic experiences isn’t rocket science. It’s more like gardening – prepare the soil (your mind), choose the right environment (your setting), and respect the natural process. Let me break down my tried-and-true principles for maintaining sanity when reality decides to do backflips.
First up: Set and Setting. This isn’t just some hippie mantra – it’s the foundation of any meaningful psychedelic experience. Your mindset going in is like packing for a trip. If you’re carrying emotional baggage – relationship drama, work stress, existential crisis – expect those bags to get thoroughly unpacked during your journey. That’s not necessarily bad, but you better be ready to sort through that emotional luggage.
And setting? That’s your launch pad. You need a space where you feel safe enough to completely lose your shit if necessary. Trusted friends, comfortable environment, no unexpected visitors or responsibilities. I could write a whole book about setting alone, but let’s just say: if you wouldn’t feel comfortable having an emotional breakdown there, it’s not the right place for a psychedelic journey.
Here’s another golden rule: Accept that you’re not in control. The sooner you surrender to this truth, the smoother your journey will be. Psychedelics are going to do what they do, and your ego’s attempts to steer the ship will only lead to mutiny. I’ve seen too many self-proclaimed “psychedelic masters” get humbled when they try to control the uncontrollable. Stay humble, accept whatever comes, and remember – you signed up for this ride.
When things get intense (and they will), remember the power of breath. Find a quiet, preferably dark space, put on some gentle tunes, and breathe. Eight counts in, eight counts out. Simple as that. It’s remarkable how controlling your breath can ground you when reality seems to be melting. I call this the psychedelic panic button – it works every time.
Finally, remember this fundamental truth: what goes up must come down. Whether your trip lasts 16 hours or three days (yes, I’ve been there), eventually you’ll return to baseline. If you’re feeling stuck in the trip after the substance should have worn off, that’s all mental. Understanding this can be incredibly reassuring when you’re convinced you’ll be seeing fractals forever.
These principles have kept me grounded through countless psychedelic adventures. They’re like having a cosmic safety net – they won’t prevent intense experiences, but they’ll help you navigate them with grace. Remember, psychedelics aren’t about avoiding challenges; they’re about facing them with wisdom and courage.
After decades of exploring the psychedelic realms, I’ve come to understand these substances as powerful tools for healing collective trauma and expanding human consciousness. While they’re certainly not for everyone – and I’d never suggest they are – their potential for facilitating profound personal transformation is undeniable.
The current push to medicalize psychedelics is a step in the right direction, but it shouldn’t be the only path forward. Restricting these substances to clinical settings would be like limiting music to therapy sessions – sure, music has therapeutic value, but its power extends far beyond the therapist’s office.
Some of my most transformative experiences happened far from any clinical setting. I remember one particularly profound journey in the mountains of Oaxaca, 3,000 meters above sea level. After two hours in a traditional Mayan Temascal (sweat lodge), purging in pitch darkness, I spent six hours witnessing impossible fractals dancing across ancient rocks. In that space, I experienced a truth that no amount of talk therapy could have revealed: that separation is merely an illusion, and we’re all part of one cosmic soup, atoms dancing to the universe’s eternal rhythm.
You can’t schedule that kind of revelation for a 50-minute session.
This is why I advocate for broader access to these sacred tools. Yes, they have immense therapeutic potential, but they’re also catalysts for spiritual growth, philosophical insight, and cultural evolution. When used responsibly and with proper respect, psychedelics can help us understand ourselves and our place in the universe in ways that conventional methods simply can’t match.
The emerging science around managing challenging psychedelic experiences is valuable, but it’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle. These substances have been teaching and healing humans for millennia, long before we had clinical trials or peer-reviewed papers. As we move forward with psychedelic research and therapy, let’s not forget that sometimes the most profound healing happens not in a sterile clinic, but on a mountain top, face-to-face with the infinite.
HOW TO DEAL WITH A BAD TRIP, READ ON..
