Bad Trip - How To Deal With Them
Aug 12th, 2008 by squizzmaster
Bad Trip?
Okay, first of all, I’d like to start off by saying that the term “bad trip” may not be the best. A trip is complex and slotting it into black and white categories to begin with can restrict your experience.
- Bad trips usually refer to overwhelming and or intense feelings which can manifest themselves into challenging moments\episodes. Whether they are bad or good depends on how we choose to deal and look at them.
- Many people have experiences that they look back on as not just intense and overwhelming, but enjoyable and pivotal.
- These experiences are what other people would consider a “bad trip” and sometimes the reason why they become so anti-drug and/or choose to never experiment with drugs again.
Either way, here are some things you can do whenever you or one of your friends is experiencing a bad trip
If You’re Having A Bad Trip
Prevention of a bad trip and being in the right mindset to deal with the more intense moments is probably best, but I’ll just focus on what happens when it all gets a bit too much
- Simply remember or remind yourself that you have taken a drug. Whether it be marijuana or mushrooms, this is apart of it all. Resistance or fighting the drug will usually result in you feeling worse. You took drugs, go with it, let it take you for a ride and enjoy. Be confident that this will pass
- Do you feel like you could die? Is it your heart beating too fast or your breath too short and shallow? This is common and the only thing that makes it worse is you worrying and working yourself up into a state. I can make my heart beat faster when I’m NOT on drugs by doing that
- Write yourself notes to put yourself at ease and remind yourself that you are in a drug induced state. This is a more common approach by people under the influence of hallucinogens
- Breath deeply, have some water, think some happy thoughts and attempt a smile
If Your Friend Is Having A Bad Trip
- Don’t panic! Why would your friend calm down if your not
- Try to get them to focus on you without raising your voice and being commanding
- Ask them what they’re feeling. They may tell you or not say anything, with which you can calmly speak to them anyway.
- Explain to or remind them that they have taken “X drug” and that
- They just need to relax and go with it
- This is a normal part of the process
- They are safe
- You are there for them
- It will be over soon - Get them some water and tell them to take a sip slowly if they’re thirsty
- Use your gut instinct and brilliant social skills to gauge the correct approach.
- You may not want to mother your friend too much, this could make them think that something really is wrong for you to be doing that.
- Does talking agitate them more or do they find your talking soothing?
- Do they need you to sit next to them, beside them or give them a couple of metres of space?
- Is eye contact a good thing?
- Is holding their hand, rubbing their back, or having your hand on their shoulder a good\bad idea?