How to Have a Safer Trip

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – what you do in your own time is none of our business. 

That being said, plenty of studies have shown that ‘out of sight, out of mind’ isn’t the best approach when it comes to drugs. In fact, there’s substantial evidence in favour of the contrary: open conversations about drug use can actually have a big part to play in preventing the deaths of misinformed users.

So, let’s talk about it – the good, the bad, and the ugly of the psychedelic trip.

If you’re planning on tripping, don’t let the stigma put you off seeking advice on how to do it properly. Too many people wander blindly into mind-altering substances because they’re fearful of the repercussions of asking for help. 

There’s so much information out there to help stop your trip from turning into a fall into the abyss. Here’s a list of some of the best expert advice we found:

1. Know your laws

This is probably the most obvious tip out there, but it’s definitely worth a mention. If you’re going to do psychedelics, it’s important to remember that they’re most likely illegal wherever you are. 

Lots of people recommend doing drugs like shrooms or acid in the open to improve the experience. But before you get trippy in your local park, you should probably think about how exposed you could be while doing so. 

Nothing turns a good trip into a bad one faster than the feeling that you’re being watched. Whatever you’re doing, make sure you’re doing it in a semi-private environment so you can rest assured that you’re not. 

2. Know your mind

In drug trials involving psychedelic substances, people with a history of certain mental conditions aren’t allowed to take part for fear of worsening their symptoms. 

If you’ve suffered from Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, or Psychosis (among other conditions), you’re best off speaking with your GP before you dive in at the deep end with mind-bending drugs

If you wouldn’t call your doc for advice, try a medical helpline. Doctor2U has a free live chat function where you can talk anonymously to a trained physician.

Sometimes, psychedelics can have irreversible impacts (not all of them are negative, by the way). The way you’ll react to them completely depends on your mental state, so make sure you won’t do yourself more harm than good.

3. Don’t go it alone

If it’s your first time trying psychedelics, don’t do them alone. 

It won’t be the self-discovery you think it’ll be. Instead, you’re more likely to end up curled in the corner of your room not sure what you’re experiencing, when it’s going to end, and whether you’re enjoying it or not. Not ideal.

It’s a good idea to have someone with you who has done it before so they can talk you through what’s happening. Better still, enlist the help of a trip guide who’s an expert in the substance you’re trying. 

Shamans are particularly common with drugs like ayahuasca – a blend of ayahuasca vine and chacruna shrub which packs a hefty punch of DMT (the hallucinogenic compound, dimethyltryptamine). 

Even if you’re opting for something a bit less intense, make sure to have someone who knows the ropes present before, during, and after your trip.

4. Know your stuff

We can’t stress enough the importance of drug testing. Until it’s commonplace, we’re going to keep shouting it from the rooftops:

Test. Your. Drugs. 

Seriously.

Psychedelics are strong stuff. You need to make sure you’re getting them through a trusted source. And even then, taking extra precautions to ensure that you’re getting what you ordered is never a bad idea.

Drug testing kits are cheap and widely available online. Considering that they’re inexpensive AND easy to use, there’s really no excuse not to.

5. Do your prep

Last but by no means least is pre-trip preparation. 

This is the process of figuring out the essentials: how much you need to take for your size; where is the safest, most calming environment for you to take it in; and how long you need to set aside so you’re in no rush to come crashing back down to earth too soon.

None of these are an exact science.

In general, stick to a ‘less is more’ approach.

Take less than you think you need (especially at first); have less distractions in your space than you think you can cope with; and ensure you’re in less of a rush to get back to normal than you’d expect to be in. 

The worst that can happen is you need to adjust upwards next time. It’s a lot better than the alternative (trust us). 

That ought to be the basics covered, now go forth and trip (not that we’re encouraging you, of course).