Magic mushroom trips can be a wild and wonderful ride. But sometimes one may find oneself wishing it over and wondering how to come down from the high as fast as possible. There are instances in which a trip can take a sudden turn in an unpleasant direction. This unpleasantness may be due to scary feelings or thoughts induced from the ingested substance, feeling physically ill, or an unexpected responsibility, such as a work call or an emergency situation.
Although there is no way to immediately end a psychedelic mushroom trip, there are ways to reduce the negative experience, possibly turning things around for the better. There are also a few pro tricks that can possibly speed up an individual’s ability to come down from a bad mushroom trip. Below, we will explain what affect entheogenic psilocybin has on our bodies, what to expect, how to turn around a bad trip, and some useful tools for coming down from a mushroom trip as fast as possible.
Psilocybin in the Brain
After ingesting psilocybin, the body quickly breaks down the organic matter. This process releases psilocin, a psychoactive metabolite that is responsible for the out-of-this-world thought process and rainbow fractal visuals sometimes experienced as a result of eating magic mushrooms. Psilocin works in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, acting on neural highways that use the neurotransmitter serotonin. The affect psilocin has on the 5-HT2A receptors in the prefrontal cortex of the brain plays a huge part in the heightened sensitivity to emotions, the unique perception of an individual’s surroundings, and the limitless, abstract thought process that occurs.
As your body metabolizes the psilocybin, glucuronidation occurs, a process that flushes many toxins, including psilocybin, from the body. During glucuronidation, the body breaks down the organic matter to dispose of as quickly as possible through the liver.
Psilocin usually leaves the body within 12 hours of ingesting while psilocybin take about 24 hours to leave the body.
Mushroom Trip Timeline
The timeline for a mushroom trip varies from person to person, with numerous factors in play. There are over one hundred eighty varieties of psychedelic mushrooms, varying widely in potency. The age of the psilocybin and the technique used for drying are two major factors in the quality of the product’s effects. Mushrooms are not a one-size-fits-all experience. They can range from one gram equaling a light, pleasant high, to an overwhelming, wild psychedelic journey. Pay close attention to the magic mushroom strain before ingesting. Also, make sure to be well-informed before deciding the proper dosage.
Phases of a Trip
As mentioned above, the experience from ingesting entheogenic psilocybin depends greatly on the variety, dosage, freshness, and on the individual eating the substance. In general, the onset of a trip will begin with visual changes. These can include tracers and light, fractal-like visuals, combined with a mild body high. Within 20-–40 minutes of the trip beginning, an individual usually reaches the peak of the high. Peaks can last at least two hours, while a heavy trip can last up to eight hours. Experiencing a peak can include strong visuals, personal realizations, intense feelings of connecting and analyzing, and indescribable experiences. Psychedelic trips are incredibly personal in the sense that they are tailored to the person experiencing them. Explaining a trip is like explaining a dream. It doesn’t really make sense, and you can never quite do it accurately.
Tips for How to Come Down on Shrooms
Remember, ingesting entheogenic plants is essentially signing up for a ride that can be hard to impossible to get off of, until fit has fully run its course. But it will run its course; every trip has an end. If you are desperate to expedite the end of the experience there are a few pro tips. There are some ways to speed up the process and possibly end the trip a little earlier. And if nothing else, help give your mind something to focus on to get you through the challenging experience.
Get Moving
Speeding up your metabolism can aid your body in flushing your system of psilocin. Go for a walk, or jog around the block. This will speed up your body’s metabolic processes, helping to work the drugs through your system. Exercise is also incredibly grounding, but again this should only be done safely. If you are experiencing a bad trip, you may not want to increase your heart rate.
Trip Stopper 3000 is known as a safe and natural option to aid in coming down from mushrooms. The Trip Stopper 3000 comes in a pack with two pills. The first contains valerian root, known for its extreme calming effect. The second pill contains maltodextrin, known to reduce the effects of a bad trip. If you are concerned about having facing a challenging trip, it may be worth stocking up on this supplement.
Change Your Environment
A challenging trip can be triggered by a number of factors, but is greatly affected by the surrounding environment. Refer to our article, Bad Trips: Practical Tips for Challenging Journeys, for a thorough guide.
Something as simple as a change of scenery can shift the direction in which a trip is headed. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to find a safe, comfortable, and quiet spot to relax, and even lie down. Soothing sounds, such as light music or sounds from nature, can aid in calming the mind and spirit when experiencing a bad trip. If you are in a loud space such as a concert or festival, try putting in earplugs—or even some tissue in the ear to lessen the loud sounds. Talk to someone you trust about what you are experiencing. Don’t hold it in and DO NOT feel embarrassed. It is not your fault, so don’t go down a blame spiral. All psychedelics enthusiasts have experienced a less-than enjoyable trip.
Have a Snack
Eating isn’t something your body generally desires when tripping. But it can be helpful when attempting to come down from a trip. The act of eating is familiar, and can therefore help normalize the situation and make you feel more grounded. Certain foods can also help your body accelerate the digestion of the pre-entheogenic substances in psilocybin. This allows your body to flush them from your system at a faster rate.
There are a handful of nutrient-based supplements and foods that can aid glucuronidation, and help your body flush the psilocybin quick and efficiently. Curcumin is the star nutrient in turmeric, and has shown promise in supporting glucuronidation. Apples and kale are two common foods found in many kitchens that also support this function. Other nutrients include grape seed extract, milk thistle, hawthorn, omega-3 fatty acids, resveratrol, and magnesium. Consuming these may help speed up your body’s ability to metabolize psilocybin.
Medical Attention
No one has died directly from psychedelic mushrooms*. Psilocybin has one of the lowest emergency room visits for psychedelic substances. Moreover, of those visits, a large portion are due to individuals picking and ingesting the wrong type of mushroom.
The two most common reasons an individual may want to go to the hospital is if he or she is experiencing an emotional and mental “bad trip”, or feeling physically ill. If you, or someone you are with, feels he/she needs medical treatment, it is likely the hospital will administer an IV of fluids and a benzodiazepine, like Xanax, Klonopin, or Valium. Benzodiazepines raise the levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain, leading to a calm, sedated state. Experienced psychonauts have said keeping a Xanax or similar benzodiazepine tablet on hand might be worth trying before heading to the hospital. Always plan ahead and understand drug contradictions and/or speak to a medical professional.
In case you or someone you are with has become overwhelmingly nauseated, strictly from the high, and there is zero concern about ingesting the wrong type of psilocybin, it is worth seeking some electrolytes, like coconut water or Gatorade. You can also take some Pepto Bismol (which is essentially pink, flavored charcoal).
If you are concerned you may have eaten the wrong type of mushroom, seek help immediately!
Conclusions
Tripping on psychedelics is a commitment usually accompanied by immeasurable rewards. It is also extremely personal, and never a guarantee of what will be experienced. The one guarantee, however, is that it will end. So keep that in mind if you are feeling overwhelmed. If you do experience a challenging journey, don’t hold it in. Talk to someone. There is nothing to be embarrassed about; t is not your fault, and it does not mean it will happen every time. If something comes up and you need to be sober, do not let the stress of it take over your experience. Stay as calm as possible. Do not do anything unsafe—for instance, driving. If you stay calm and talk it over, you’re likely to find a solution.
Tripping is like swimming, in the sense that you need to stay calm. Don’t panic; don’t let yourself drown when you know good and well you most certainly have the tools to stay afloat. Easier said than done—but preparation is the best form of insurance.
Disclaimer: MDMA is potentially categorized as an illegal drug. Reality Sandwich is not encouraging the use or making of this drug where it is prohibited. However, we believe that providing information is imperative for the safety of those who choose to explore this substance. This guide is intended to give educational content and should in no way be viewed as medical recommendations.
Do read about potential reactions between MAOIs, SSRIs, and other medications with psilocin, or consult your doctor if you are taking antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, prior to ingesting magic mushrooms, for information on serotonin syndrome.
RS Contributing Author: Pimienta Fantasma
Pimienta Fantasma is a nature enthusiast and parent of two beautiful children and some amazing animals. Pimienta’s desire to give back to the earth and dive deeper into the beautiful weirdness that is being alive has proven to be nothing short of a wild ride filled with irreplaceable experiences, through snow-peaked mountains, lush valleys, colorful coral reefs (that need our help), dolphin-filled waters, and the epic wonder of Pimienta’s hummingbird-filled garden. Expand your mind and your heart, dance, laugh, explore, learn, speak up and ask questions, is Pimienta’s advice to readers. Pimienta can be found protecting the innocent and trying to live the best life possible.
