Psychedelic or magic mushrooms, or shrooms, have for many years been used due to their psychoactive effects. Some go for it for spirituality, leisure, or a therapeutic effect, but none of these experiences are always good.
Thus, it is essential to recognize a bad trip, which can be characterized by excessive anxiety, fear, or disorientation and could also be traumatizing. If you ask how long do shrooms take to kick in, remember that it is essential to understand how to handle a bad trip and which signs to look out for, as this can make a lot of difference in safety.
How to Recognize the Signs of a Bad Trip
To say the least, not all experiences with the psilocybin mushroom are happy or joyful. Therefore, those asking how long do shrooms take to kick in need to understand that due to the nature of the trip, frightening emotions can develop easily. These include episodes of sudden overwhelming anxiety or panic, which may be associated with paranoia.
Hallucinations are also a common experience, so you might become paranoid, like seeing the people around you as a threat, even when there is no cause for alarm. Memory impairment and disorientation are also associated with a bad trip – when perceptions of time change, you may have no idea where you are or what is happening.
You may have persistent, vivid, or disturbing hallucinatory images or sounds beyond those that would be seen or heard when you are sober. Other physical symptoms such as nausea, sweating, shaking, or irregular heartbeat can also be present and add to the anxiety.
How to Manage a Bad Trip: What to Do
In case of a bad trip, the patient should stay as composed as possible and know how to navigate the situation properly. First, try calming the patient down, telling them that these are some side effects that only last a short while.
Furthermore, deep breathing can decrease the heartbeat and alleviate anxiety. Another helpful strategy to manage a bad trip is to switch the setting: switch to another room with less light and reduce or switch off any form of music or noise that can exacerbate the situation.
It is possible to calm the patient down by addressing them calmly and softly and letting them know that they are safe with you. Anything from offering them a drink of water or even just touching them lightly also helps to make them feel more at ease.
If fears arise, you can gently guide their attention away from them. Telling them to close their eyes and visualize or using soothing music can greatly help. Your presence gives security. If things get out of hand or danger is imminent, do not hesitate to consult a professional physician, therapist, or otherwise.
How to Prevent Bad Trips
As much as one might not be able to avoid a bad trip, there are some measures that can be taken to ensure that this is not the case. Lowering the dosage is the most suitable course of action especially if you are using psilocybin for the first time.
The environment is also important; the place should be friendly, preferably with people you know or those you find easy to approach. It also requires sufficient preparation in your mind. Choose the right setting, be conscious, and do not combine psilocybin with something else like alcohol to avoid having a terrible experience.
Summary
If you are asking how long do shrooms take to kick in, you should know that while psilocybin mushrooms are not always bad, they can sometimes be very frightening; however, they do not have to be dangerous if one takes the right measures.
