Too much of anything is a bad thing, but there’s no way of knowing if a bad trip is coming.

Bad trips are unpredictable. They usually occur under hallucinogenicS like LSD, mushrooms, and DMT but have been known to occur under the influence of substances like ketamine, cocaine, MDMA, and even (in sporadic cases) cannabis.

During a bad trip, people can experience sights, smells, and sounds that aren’t there – and these delusions can be incredibly upsetting. To some, these experiences can be fun. To others, these can lead to every user's worst nightmare: a bad trip.

If you’re someone who’s got a lot of experience with hallucinogenic drugs, you’ve probably had some sort of bad trip.

They can be incredibly frightening, agitating, and emotionally disturbing.

How do bad trips happen?

There really isn’t one specific thing that can set one off; anyone who takes a mind-altering substance puts themselves at risk of one. However, a few things that can magnify the situation include:

-          Taking the drugs by yourself

-          Taking substances in an environment you’re unfamiliar with

-          Being with someone, or people you don’t know or trust

-          Being in a negative or depressed state of mind before taking anything

-          Mixing mind-altering substances with alcohol

-          Taking drugs while dehydrated

Even if you avoid all of the above, bad trips are unpredictable and cannot be accounted for. Your best bet is understanding the symptoms and being prepared.

Symptoms of a bad trip

If you’re the one who’s experiencing it, diagnosing a bad trip isn’t easy. However, the key signs to be aware of is an immediate change in mood and perspective. Time dilation or the feeling that time is standing still can lead to panic as it can feel the way you’re feeling isn’t going to end. A slowed or increased heart rate, blurred vision, and ringing ears are all signals a trip is taking a turn for the worse.

Hallucinations that turn frightening are classic signs of a bad trip. These can be incredibly upsetting and disturbing.

How to handle a bad trip

The most intense part of a trip usually occurs between one and three hours after consumption, so time usually eases the most intense aspects of any trip. You may still feel after-effects anywhere between 6 and 12 hours after first consumption, but it’s important to be aware of their temporary nature.

If your situation is uncomfortable, then move. Go outside or back inside. Turn the lights down, or turn them up. Change the music or turn the TV on to something mundane and easy to watch.

If you’re with someone sober, share what you’re seeing and feeling to get some perspective. If you’re alone, pick up the phone and call someone you trust to help talk you through it.

Many substances dehydrate you or lower your blood sugar and heart rate. Electrolyte replacement supports your central nervous system, which is weakened by various substances. If you're feeling weak or overwhelmed, try to drink something sugary. Unless your heart rate is spiking, in which case avoid the sugar and reach for something like a banana - which increases potassium levels and helps you recover. 

Eating and drinking healthy substances during a bad trip is a good way to get the blood flowing positively. Valerian which can be bought as a supplement is a mild sedative and has been reported to help take the edge off. Most herbal teas have calming effects, so if you're starting to feel things slipping, get yourself a cuppa. 

Never take more drugs, or drink alcohol to combat the effects. Steering into the skid is not the way to get out of a bad trip.

Lastly, if all else fails, seek medical help. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics are trained to help people experiencing a bad trip.

A word from EZTest

The best way to avoid having a bad trip is not to take any mind-altering drugs. But, if you must, one of the best ways to ease your mind is by knowing exactly what’s in the substances you’ve got.

EZTest can tell you what’s in your LSD, cocaine, MDMA, ecstasy, GHB, and more. If you test your substances beforehand and can identify whether or not they’re safe to consume, this peace of mind can help alleviate the onset of a bad trip.

That being said, the best way to employ harm minimization is avoiding mind-altering substances altogether.