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Bad Trip Or Encountering the Dark Side Introduction This article is purely scientific and aims to develop awareness. In many countries including Poland, the law prohibits the use of most psychedelic substances (LSD, Psylocybin, Mescaline, Marijuana, MDMA). What exactly is this mythical bad trip? When venturing into the unexplored realm of the psychedelic world, one is bound to come across the concept of a "bad trip." This bad trip at certain stages of the crossing through the thicket of swirling feelings and thought patterns becomes an integral aspect of this odyssey. The term encompasses disturbing, often frightening experiences such as feelings of fear, paranoia, vivid hallucinations, feelings of derealization to a sense of dying or the complete disintegration of the ego and the physical world. It is an enigmatic and capricious phenomenon whose details, nature or potency are influenced by a myriad of factors. Beginning with the environment through the mental state, the dose of substances, and ending with the deep-rooted beliefs and hidden problems and fears of our subconscious. However, the main factors determining the journey are, of course, set and settings. Set in this case means mental state, mood, thoughts and expectations, setting is a set of stimuli provided by the environment - from both people and place. A nice calm environment in which we feel safe minimizes the risk of a potential bad trip, or makes it much easier to get through that unpleasant dark tunnel. Likewise, the people who surround us have a huge impact on the trip, An aggressive or potentially dangerous environment definitely increases the chances of anxiety attacks and paranoia. Bad Trip and Psychology The word "psychedelic" is a translation of the English word psychedelic, derived from the Greek ψυχή (psyche - "soul") and δηλείν (delein - "to show, reveal"), freely translated as "revealing the mind." The subject of the subconscious or unconscious was widely discussed by both Sigmund Freud and Carl Gustav Jung, considered the fathers of modern psychology. As they jointly stated: "The human subconscious is defined as a psychological structure that contains parts suppressed by consciousness. It determines certain behaviors. The subconscious is that strange sub-world revealed by dreams, fades or Freudian slips." What does this give us in the context of modern research on therapy using psychedelics? As early as the 1950s, research was conducted on the impact of the scientific approach to travel into the depths of our subconscious, a process beautifully described in what is probably the most comprehensive work on the subject, "The Psychedelic Traveler's Guide" by Dr. James Fadiman So bad trip properly understood and integrated in a therapeutic approach can prove to be a milestone in the process of our development, self-understanding and problems of which we are often unaware, and which clearly affect our actions and decisions in everyday life. This "unveiling" of the mind appears as a chance for deep self-reflection, unraveling of hidden emotional dilemmas or chances to work through traumas that guide our lives. Many people say that after experiencing a bad trip they better understand their fears and worries, which consequently gives them the strength to confront them. Often this forced confrontation with what we repress on a daily basis becomes a driving force for change. Many modern researchers claim that therapy using consciousness-altering substances in combination with classical types of psychological therapy can incomparably speed up the process of analysis and treatment in patients with anxiety disorders. We can read more about it in the book "How to change your mind" MIchael Pollan How long does a bad trip last and how to deal with it? Depending on the type and dose of the ingested substance as well as the mental and physical state of the psychedelic user, this difficult experience can last from a few/ten minutes through a few hours even up to a few days. In the case of LSD which is probably the longest-acting of the group of primary psychedelics (LSD, Psylocybin, Mescaline, DMT) this time can be as long as 12 hours. On the other hand, for days after a bad trip, we may experience so-called flash backs - the feeling of being "on phase" no longer under the influence of the substance. Anxiety or a sense of derealization may reappear. So how do we cope when a bad trip takes over us? The most important thing by far at this point is our awareness and the knowledge we have, because it is their state that is responsible for understanding the situation. More experienced travelers often deliberately give in to the impending feeling of dread in order to delve deeper into the process, opening the gateway to deeper knowledge and understanding of their own inner self. However, not everyone is strong, brave or conscious enough to surrender voluntarily to what is coming, in which case it is worth trying to understand what triggers a given set of feelings. A change of environment or contact with another person, more experienced in this subject, may be helpful. Often contact with nature, getting out in the sunlight or playing with a dog or cat can have a fantastic effect on our trip by taking us from the dark alley of our thoughts, to a happy warm flowery meadow. Minimizing a potential bad trip To minimize the risk of a bad trip we should take care of our surroundings, think carefully about the purpose of our trip and gradually increase our knowledge of the substances we take and their effects. Whether you are an experienced psychonaut or just beginning your adventure, there is always a risk of confronting this dark side of travel. You should always check the dose you are taking and, if possible, the purity and type of substance. Modern chemistry contains a whole range of unidentified and definitely not tested substances, so called "research chemicals" commonly known as boosters, the use of which can be fatal and in extreme cases can end in death. Health risks of bad trip occurrence A non-integrated trip can lead to serious consequences, the most common threat being mental health effects. While a psychedelic trip can be a wonderful soul- and psyche-enriching experience prompting reflection or guiding us through spiritual states, a collision with the swamp of our subconscious in the form of a bad trip can result in persistent anxiety, paranoia or psychosis. In extreme cases, we may experience long-lasting changes in our perception of reality called HPPD or post-hallucinogen perceptual shift syndrome. Sleep disorders, concentration problems, depression and, in the case of particularly traumatic trips, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can also occur In a word of conclusion The right attitude knowledge and environment are the friend of a successful trip. Good preparation safety and reason should be an integral part when experimenting with psychedelics.It is also worth remembering that psychedelics are not for everyone and there is always a risk of negative health effects.If you are getting ready for your first time it is essential to READ about the substance you are going to take and talk about it with more experienced.... Continue reading Bad Trip Czyli Spotkanie z Ciemną Stroną

FlashBack What is flashback after psychedelics? FlashBack, as the name implies, is a recurrence of the state after taking a hallucinogenic substance over a significant time interval since the intake. Theoretically, flashbacks can occur even weeks or months after the last exposure to the substance. FlashBack symptoms FlashBack usually manifests itself in a temporary (lasting a few seconds to a few minutes) disturbance of perception, and mild hallucinations may occur. However, the most common symptom is the sensation of moving objects or surfaces that remain motionless. Another common symptom is a sharpening of colors and comprehension of colors as luminescent (more luminous) than usual. Causes of occurrence It's hard to clearly identify the triggers of flashback, but according to studies conducted so far, one can observe an increased frequency of this phenomenon in stressful situations, during increased relaxation, before falling asleep or after taking other stimulants such as marijuana. Growkits Click Here John W. Allen Father of P. Cubensis John W. Allen Father of P. Cubensis Lemon Tek Simple Recipe Lemon Tek Simple Recipe Rhizomorphism Rhizomorphism Synesthesia - Can You Taste Colors? Synesthesia - Is it possible to taste colors?