Most people would prefer never to talk about a “bad trip” at all. That makes sense, too; usually we withhold things that don’t go well and only discuss our successes and triumphs. But as annoying as a bad trip can be, there are lessons hidden in it that can be of great use in your daily life. Therefore, in this blog you will read about the possible benefits of a bad trip.
Are there benefits to having a bad trip?
Those who go tripping with a psychedelic drug, such as magic mushrooms, truffles or mescaline cacti, naturally hope for a wonderful, euphoric or magical trip. Chances are you’ll get one, too. But of course, there is always a (small) chance that your experience will be less pleasant. In that case, we speak of a bad trip.
You are more likely to have a nasty trip if you use mind-altering substances more often. But when you are wise and pay close attention to the right dose, set and setting, tripping is generally safe and the experience is enjoyable as well. But suppose you do end up in a bad trip? Feeling like you are losing control, you feel anxious and desperate. Unpleasant memories may surface and hallucinations are eerie and chilling. Can it really be that such a trip can bring something good?
As mentioned, bad trips are usually something we would rather not talk about. Still, psychedelic use is becoming more mainstream and there are those who speak candidly about their negative experiences. As a result, a picture emerges that is a bit more nuanced. It seems that there can also be benefits to a bad trip.
Terrifying but also instructive
A trip that doesn’t go as planned is usually terrifying or uncomfortable. Of course, you can say, This is not what I want, I want nothing to do with this, and as soon as it’s over, I push the experience into the darkest corner of my brain so I never have to look at it again. But remember that challenges are a way to learn something about yourself and that they allow you to discover your own strengths.
We often call an experience nasty or bad because it hurts us or makes us feel sad or uncomfortable. But calling something good or bad is really just arbitrary. They are a bunch of labels, which you can also subtract from the experience. Usually an event that is difficult can teach you a lot. For example, imagine getting lost during a vacation in the mountains. First you panic, your cell phone has no coverage and your water is running low. But then you discover a new path, you ask an old farmer for help in poor Italian, and then when you are back in civilization, you feel tired but also proud of yourself.
That too was terrifying, but you learned a lot about yourself. You have discovered that you have perseverance, are stronger than you thought and also resourceful. It can be the same way with a bad trip. You must first pass through dark, murky areas to learn wise lessons about yourself. A bad trip can confront you with your own fears or other difficult emotions. You are forced to face certain issues, such as fears and undesirable aspects of your personality. Take time to analyze the trip to see what gems of wisdom were hidden within it. If you can integrate these into your life, you will come out the other side of the trip stronger, wiser and more experienced.
The misunderstood sides of a bad trip
Experienced users know that there is always a small chance of an unpleasant trip. This makes it clear that discomfort is a part of the cosmonautic journey after all. This is also because you have to let go of control. Tripping automatically means going outside your normal comfort zone. That presents challenges.
But you go through a bad trip for a reason. They are actually a misunderstood and misinterpreted phenomenon. And that’s a shame, because many people are so afraid of a nasty trip that they don’t dare to use a psychoactive drug. And so while there are benefits to a bad trip. We’re certainly not saying that you should seek out these experiences, but turns out that you have one, try to see that such a difficult trip can lead to mental and even physical healing.
Always look at what you yourself need, though. Some people like to retreat to a quiet place during an unpleasant trip. You may also just feel the need to be with someone else and talk for a while (a good friend or trip sitter). That person can help you calm down again and put you at ease. Take time after the trip to review the experience to see what it had to tell you. You are bound to get important lessons from it.