Let’s be real, most people don’t take shrooms expecting a bad time. But every now and then, things can go sideways. The colors turn strange, your thoughts loop, and time feels endless. Suddenly, what started as a mind-opening experience can feel like being trapped inside your own head.
It happens. And it doesn’t mean you’re broken or that mushrooms are “evil.” It just means your mind hit a rough patch on a powerful ride. The good news? There are ways to handle it if it happens, and even better ways to stop it before it starts.
What a “Bad Trip” Really Is
A bad trip usually means anxiety, confusion, or fear taking over while you’re high. It can feel like you’ve lost control or like something dark has taken hold. But in reality, psilocybin, what’s inside shrooms, is just showing you things your brain already had tucked away.
In one JAMA Network Open study, about a third of people on psilocybin reported some anxiety during their trip, but almost none said it lasted afterward. That’s because bad trips aren’t permanent, they just feel that way in the moment.
I’ve seen people panic because they thought they’d be stuck “like that forever.” You won’t be. Psilocybin wears off completely in a few hours, and so does the storm that comes with it.
How to Stop a Bad Trip Once It Starts
If you’re already on the rollercoaster and things are getting intense, remember tips like adjusting dose and environment or check what also helps:
1. Change your environment
Lighting, sound, and people around you matter more than you think. Turn down harsh lights. Put on calm music. If you’re with others, move somewhere quieter. Even stepping outside for fresh air can change the vibe fast.
2. Remind yourself: you took something
It sounds obvious, but reminding yourself that you’re tripping, and it will pass, can calm the spiral. Say it out loud if you have to: “I took shrooms. This will wear off.”
3. Sit or lie down
Your body follows your mind. If you’re pacing or fidgeting, you feed the anxiety. Sitting down, breathing slowly, and grounding yourself physically makes a big difference.
4. Talk to someone you trust
Having a “trip sitter” is huge. They don’t need to say much, just reassure you that you’re safe. A calm, grounded person can pull you out of a spiral faster than anything else.
5. Ride the wave instead of fighting it
Psilocybin amplifies emotion. If you resist, it pushes harder. But if you breathe through it and let it happen, it usually softens. Think of it like being caught in a current, floating gets you out faster than flailing.
How to Prevent a Bad Trip
Most bad trips start before you even take the shrooms. The biggest triggers are your mindset and environment, what researchers call “set and setting.”
1. Fix your mindset first
If you’re already anxious, sad, or angry, mushrooms will amplify it. Wait until you’re in a better space mentally. They don’t solve emotional chaos, they magnify it before helping you process it.
2. Choose your company wisely
Never trip with people you don’t trust. Nothing ruins a vibe faster than someone acting weird or judgmental. I always tell people: your trip is only as chill as the people around you.
3. Respect the dose
More isn’t always better. Start low, especially if it’s your first time. A 1 to 1.5 gram dose of Psilocybe cubensis is plenty for beginners. Jumping straight to 3 or 4 grams is like skipping to the deep end before learning to swim.
4. Set the scene
Make your space cozy. Have water, snacks, soft light, a playlist, and maybe a blanket. If something feels off, it’s usually your environment talking.
5. Don’t mix substances
Combining shrooms with alcohol or weed makes trips unpredictable. Studies have shown most serious “bad trips” happen when people mix substances or take huge doses without supervision. Keep it clean, it’s safer and clearer.
When to Get Help
While bad trips usually fade on their own, occasionally things can go too far. If someone seems completely detached from reality, paranoid, or in danger of hurting themselves, get medical help immediately.
A case report published by Cambridge University Press showed that even under clinical settings, rare adverse events can occur, usually tied to pre-existing mental health issues. It’s rare, but real. So if something feels seriously wrong, trust your gut and call for help.
What Happens After
Most people wake up the next day feeling exhausted but calm, almost like their brain rebooted. Some even call a bad trip “the best worst thing” that ever happened to them because it forced them to face what they were avoiding.
It’s not fun, but it’s often meaningful. The key is to integrate what you learned, maybe journal, talk to a friend, or just think about what came up during the trip once you’re sober.
Direct Answer: How to Deal With and Prevent a Bad Trip
If you ever find yourself stuck in a bad trip, stay calm, change your surroundings, remind yourself it’s temporary, and lean on someone you trust. To prevent it altogether, focus on mindset, environment, and moderation.
Bad trips don’t mean psilocybin is bad for you, they’re just intense moments that happen when powerful emotions meet an open mind. With the right preparation and respect, the chances of one are low, especially when you choose the right mushroom. The experience can still turn out meaningful though.
Final Thoughts
A bad shroom trip isn’t the end of the world, it’s just a reminder that magic mushrooms are powerful. Handle them with care, respect your limits, and stay grounded. Most of the time, what feels like a breakdown in the moment turns out to be a breakthrough later.
Sources
JAMA Network Open – Akhila Yerubandi et. al 2024 – Acute Adverse Effects of Therapeutic Doses of Psilocybin.
Akadémiai Publishers – Moa Nordin et. al 2023 – A Double-Edged Sword: Insights From Practitioners on Negative Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy.
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