Psychedelics for Mental Health Tx

[xise]

So how does a 'bad trip' work?

One of the major risks of this type of treatment for those with mental health conditions (clinical level meaning severity is higher than what you see in the general population) is that when this gate opens and whole lot of 'stuffs' comes pouring out. You would need to be able to help someone to manage this level of discomfort bc the reason why they closed up is due to being overwhelmed and incapacitated by their 'trauma' or emotions or whatnot. There are methods to deal with that (altho I am not sure what these researchers are doing to ensure someone doesn't get too deep, too fast).

When you are using psychedelics, is there a way you make sure you prevent 'bad trips'? Jeremy shared the possible effects of using substances such as alcohol w/ LSD - so that is one important point- no mixing. Any other ways to ensure a kind of 'safety'?

Not in any particular order:

1. Starting with a small dose for the first trip. (Not much happens on a small dose, but the person will become more comfortable with its effects for the second trip)

2. Making sure there is no doubt as to the quality of the compound.

3. Having a trusted sitter - preferably a good trusted friend who is sober but has done this before.

4. Good, quiet settings. Usually daytime and around nature, but with privacy so a nice backyard is good.

5. The person doing the trip needs to understand that bad trips are good in that they are part of the cleaning and healing process. They are not a "wrong" outcome.

6. An understanding that if they try to control the trip, the experience is much harsher than accepting what the trip brings. Just let it flow.

7. Paper and pencil to write down anything if desired.

8. Pleasant soft music.

9. An understanding that it is meant to be a sitting, being experience, and that any action should wait until after the trip is over.

10. An understanding that the dying experience is often one of the most powerful healing experiences, as to not fear it. Death is rebirth.

I've done moderate to high levels of shrooms probably half a dozen times. Sometimes solo.