Mindscapes

So, you’re here because the universe decided to hand you a one-way ticket to Freakout-ville during your psychedelic journey. It’s okay; take a deep breath. Whether you’re currently wondering if time is moving backward, if your fridge is plotting against you, or if you’ve just become a permanent fixture in the space-time continuum, know that everything is (probably) fine. Probably.

Bad trips happen. And though they can feel like they’re straight out of a nightmare directed by Salvador Dalí, they’re often just the result of your brain misfiring, attempting to process way too much weirdness at once. The good news? It’s not real (like, really not real). The bad news? Well… you’re kind of stuck in it until it runs its course.

But don’t worry—we’re here to guide you through the madness with a mix of sarcasm, wit, and just enough science to make you realize you’re not losing your mind forever. Because if you’re going to have a bad trip, you might as well have a sense of humor about it, right?

What Exactly Is a Bad Trip?

Let’s start by breaking it down: a bad trip is that lovely experience during a psychedelic session when things go from “I’m one with the universe” to “I’m the universe, and I’m collapsing in on myself.” It’s a full-on existential rollercoaster where everything—your thoughts, emotions, and perception of reality—feels like it’s spiraling out of control.

Bad trips can be triggered by a number of factors, including:

• Set and Setting: If you’re in a bad mood, feeling anxious, or hanging out in a sketchy environment, your trip is more likely to take a nosedive.
• Dose: You thought you were a seasoned psychonaut and took just a little bit more than recommended. Now, you’re asking yourself if a 10-hour trip is still considered “fun.”
• Mindset: You went into this with baggage—maybe some unresolved fears or anxieties—and the psychedelics decided to bring them front and center. No hiding from those demons today!
• Lack of Control: Sometimes, the mere act of realizing you can’t control what’s happening causes things to snowball. Spoiler alert: trying to “control” a trip is like trying to herd cats—nearly impossible.

So here we are: the walls are breathing, you’re pretty 

sure the universe just winked at you, and there’s an odd certainty that your Wi-Fi router is trying to communicate some sort of secret message. What’s next?

Step 1: Acceptance—You’re on This Ride Until It Ends

First and foremost, you need to accept that there’s no emergency exit on this journey. You’re strapped in, and while the ride may get bumpy, it will eventually stop. A bad trip is like watching the weirdest movie of your life—you just have to wait for the credits to roll.

Important Note: Even though it feels like you’ve been trapped in a 5D kaleidoscope dimension for eons, it’s important to remember that no one ever stays stuck in a bad trip forever. Once the substance leaves your system, things will return to normal, even if you’re convinced right now that you’ve entered a permanent state of “WTF.”

Step 2: Don’t Try to “Fix” It—Just Breathe

Panic is like gasoline for bad trips—it makes everything worse. Your mind is already on overdrive, and the last thing you want to do is give it more fuel. So here’s a revolutionary idea: don’t try to fix it.

Seriously, there’s nothing you can do to magically hit “stop” on the trip. Your best bet is to slow your breathing and remind yourself that you’re safe. You’re not going to melt into the couch, your brain is not going to implode, and yes, you will return to your regularly scheduled reality.

Pro Tip: Use a grounding technique to focus your mind. Try this one:

• 5 Things You Can See: Even if those five things are melting into one another, just try to name them.
• 4 Things You Can Touch: Physically grounding yourself, like touching a soft blanket or a cold surface, can help.
• 3 Things You Can Hear: Maybe it’s your favorite music or the calming sound of your dog snoring beside you. If your surroundings are chaotic, throw on some peaceful ambient tunes.
• 2 Things You Can Smell: Hopefully not your own fear sweat, but if that’s the case, we’re not judging.
• 1 Thing You Can Taste: Hydrate, drink some water, or maybe snack on something. Sometimes, just chewing helps.

Step 3: It’s All in Your Head (Literally)

Here’s where we get a little nerdy. Your bad trip? It’s not real. Sure, it feels real, but it’s really just a temporary chemical disruption in your brain. When you ingest psychedelics, your brain gets overwhelmed with sensory input and emotional intensity. Things you usually wouldn’t notice (like that crack in the wall or the weird buzzing sound your refrigerator makes) suddenly feel monumental.

During a trip, your brain’s normal filters break down, which can lead to sensory overload, time distortion, and even hallucinations. Your bad trip isn’t “the truth of the universe” revealing itself to you—it’s just your neurons having a rave. So relax, sit back, and remember: your brain is just a bit confused right now.

Step 4: When the Fridge Starts Talking—Just Go With It

Okay, so maybe the fridge is talking to you now. Maybe it’s got some really deep thoughts on your life choices, and you’re feeling judged by your appliances. At this point, the best thing to do is just go with it.

If your fridge is doling out wisdom, thank it for the insight and move on. Arguing with hallucinations or trying to rationalize what’s happening will only add to the anxiety. Let the weirdness wash over you and treat it like a bad movie—entertaining, but ultimately harmless. After all, there’s no point in getting into a philosophical debate with a kitchen appliance.

Step 5: Shift Your Focus (And No, You’re Not Stuck Like This Forever)

One of the scariest things about a bad trip is the feeling of being trapped. “Is this forever?” you wonder, while gazing into the abyss of a lava lamp that now feels like the portal to another dimension.

Spoiler alert: No, it’s not forever.

Bad trips can feel eternal because of the way psychedelics mess with your perception of time. What feels like an eternity is probably only 15 minutes in the real world. The key here is to distract yourself—find something to do that doesn’t involve staring into the void. Watch a familiar show, play some calming music, or cuddle up with a pet (if they’re not giving you weird looks).

Changing your environment or engaging with something comforting can help pull your brain away from the spiral. And no, your life isn’t going to feel this disjointed and fragmented when you’re back to baseline. This is temporary.

Step 6: Talk to a Sober Friend (AKA Your Trip Sitter)

If you’ve got a sober friend nearby, now is the time to ask them to be your lifeline. They can reassure you that everything’s fine, maybe hand you some water, and convince you that your couch isn’t actually melting.

Just remember: your sober friend is not responsible for fixing your trip—they’re just there to remind you that the world isn’t ending. Don’t put them through a three-hour monologue about the deep cosmic meaning of your left hand. Trust me, they’ll thank you later.

Step 7: Reframe the Experience—It’s Just Your Brain Being Weird

Here’s a little trick that might help: Instead of seeing your bad trip as something to fear, try to think of it as a really bizarre, temporary dream. Your brain is throwing out some strange imagery, sure, but it’s ultimately harmless.

Reframing your experience can turn a panic-inducing trip into something you can handle. Instead of thinking, “Oh no, what’s happening to me?” try to say, “Well, this is weird… let’s see where this goes.” When you shift your mindset from fear to curiosity, the trip becomes less of a threat and more of a strange adventure.

Step 8: How to Avoid a Bad Trip in the Future

So, you’ve made it through the storm, and you’re starting to see the light at the end of the psychedelic tunnel. How can you avoid going through this nightmare again?

• Start Low, Go Slow: If this bad trip was the result of a high dose, consider starting with a lower dose next time.
• Set and Setting: Make sure you’re in a safe, comfortable environment and in a good mental state before embarking on another trip.
• Have a Trip Sitter: Having someone sober around who can keep you grounded makes a huge difference.
• Respect the Substance: Don’t treat psychedelics like a party drug. These substances are powerful tools for altering your consciousness, and they should be treated with respect. If you go in with a cavalier attitude, you’re more likely to get thrown for a loop. A little preparation goes a long way toward ensuring your trip is more of a magical mystery tour than a psychological train wreck.
• Step 9: Laugh It Off (When You’re Ready)After the storm passes, you’re going to look back on your bad trip and—believe it or not—laugh. What seemed like the end of the world will suddenly seem absurd. “Wait, was I really convinced my couch was trying to communicate with me telepathically?” Yes. Yes, you were. And that’s okay.Here’s the thing about bad trips: they’re temporary, and they leave you with one heck of a story. Once you’re out of the woods, give yourself permission to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. The fact that your brain took you on such a bizarre, mind-bending adventure is actually pretty amazing. You survived it, you learned something (even if that something is “I should not argue with the refrigerator”), and now you can share your experience with friends—preferably over a slice of pizza and a few lighthearted jokes about that time you were convinced you were a puddle.
• Step 10: When to Seek HelpWhile most bad trips end on their own once the substance wears off, there are times when things can go a bit too far, and it’s important to know when to seek help. If you or someone you know is having a psychedelic experience that’s spiraling into something more dangerous—such as extreme paranoia, aggressive behavior, or harmful thoughts—it’s time to call in a professional.In extreme cases, medical attention might be necessary. Hospitals have protocols for dealing with people experiencing drug-induced psychosis, and they can provide a safe space to calm down. Remember, safety always comes first, and there’s no shame in getting help if things get out of hand.
• The Psychological Science Behind a Bad TripLet’s dive a little deeper into the brain science (don’t worry, we’ll keep it light). When you take psychedelics, substances like LSD, psilocybin, or DMT interact with your brain’s serotonin receptors. These receptors are responsible for mood, perception, and cognition, which explains why psychedelics can create such intense experiences.But during a bad trip, your brain goes into overdrive. Instead of allowing information to flow smoothly between different regions, psychedelics essentially remove the “filters” your brain normally uses to keep sensory input organized. This flood of unfiltered information can be overwhelming, leading to heightened anxiety, fear, and paranoia.One theory about why bad trips happen is that they trigger a confrontation with unresolved emotions or fears. Psychedelics can dig deep into your subconscious and bring buried feelings to the surface. If you’re not prepared to face these emotions head-on, your brain might respond with fear and resistance, resulting in the familiar “bad trip” phenomenon.But here’s the kicker: even though a bad trip can feel like psychological torture, it’s not permanent. Your brain will eventually recalibrate, and the trip will fade. And while it may feel like you’ve been to the depths of hell and back, many people report that bad trips, in hindsight, offered valuable insights into their inner world.
• How to Integrate the ExperienceAfter you’ve survived the rollercoaster of a bad trip, it’s important to take time to integrate the experience. Integration is the process of reflecting on what happened during your trip and finding ways to apply any lessons or insights to your daily life.Here are some tips for post-trip integration:
  • Journal About It: Writing down your experience can help you make sense of what happened. It’s also a great way to look back and laugh at the absurdity of it all.Talk It Out: If you have a trusted friend or a therapist, talk about your experience. Sometimes, verbalizing what happened can help you process the emotions that came up during the trip.Meditation: Practicing mindfulness or meditation after a trip can help you ground yourself and clear your mind. It’s also a great way to ease any lingering anxiety.Take It Slow: After a particularly intense trip, it’s a good idea to take some time off from psychedelics. Let your mind and body rest before considering another experience.Final Thoughts: It’s Just a Trip, Not the End of the World
  In the moment, a bad trip can feel like the apocalypse. But once it’s over, you’ll realize that it was just a temporary detour into the strange and bizarre. Bad trips happen to the best of us, and while they’re not exactly pleasant, they often leave us with a better understanding of ourselves (and maybe a hilarious story about how your toaster tried to convince you to start a podcast).The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. Psychedelic experiences are unpredictable, but they’re also temporary. Even when the walls start breathing and your cat looks like it’s judging your life choices, you can always find comfort in the fact that this too shall pass.And if all else fails, just ride it out, drink some water, and remember—you’re going to laugh about this later.