There are some ways to reduce the risks of having a bad trip when you are using hallucinogens. However, there is no way to definitely avoid the possibility of experiencing this type of reaction, which is important to keep in mind if you decide to use hallucinogens.

Environment is Key

According to Brown University, “LSD experiences are heavily influenced by environment,” as are those associated with almost all other hallucinogens. If you are in a comfortable environment that you are familiar with, you will be less likely to experience a bad trip. Environments where you are uncomfortable, like at someone else’s house during a party or in an unsafe place, are likely to cause you to feel anxious, fearful, or aggressive, and the drug will just intensify these emotions.

Your Emotions Will Affect Your Experience

Hallucinogens amplify negative feelings, leading to a bad trip.

If you are feeling sad, angry, depressed, or insecure before you use hallucinogens, you will be much more likely to have a bad experience. The drug will amplify these negative feelings and feed on them, which will make you more likely to feel afraid or to do something dangerous. Therefore, it is always important to be careful of this kind of drug use especially, and to avoid mind-altering substances when you’re feeling this way.

Don’t Over Do It

Psychedelic drugs take a long time to come on, and you may be waiting to feel the effects of the drug for a while. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, “Users feel the effects of LSD within 30 to 90 minutes after ingestion,” but these effects “may last as long as 12 hours.” It is very important to avoid taking more of the drug unless you know how it is already affecting you. Those individuals who feel it is not working fast enough for them or take more because they are worried they’re not going to feel anything are more likely to experience intense effects when the drug finally does kick in.

Choose the Right People

If you decide to use hallucinogens with friends, make sure you are with people you feel safe with, feel comfortable with, and who know you well. It could also help to be with someone who has used the drug themselves before so they will know what to expect and possibly be able to guide you through the experience. If you are with people you can’t trust, it can be much more dangerous if you do experience a bad trip, and you may be more likely to, as the drug could make you anxious or paranoid.

What to do in the Event of a Bad Trip

Want to Avoid a Bad Trip? Avoid Hallucinogens.

Hallucinogens have been used in religious rituals for centuries, but individuals who use them recreationally often do not realize how dangerous they can be (National Institute on Drug Abuse). The only way to know for certain that you won’t experience a bad trip is to avoid taking hallucinogens. Even if you are in a comfortable space with people you trust, and even if you have used this same drug before, there is no way to absolutely predict what the experience will be like and how dangerous it could become. If you want to learn more about the effects of hallucinogens, call 800-411-9312 (Who Answers?) .