Darrick May: Examining “Bad Trips” on Psilocybin - Positive & Negative Consequences

Challenging experiences during psilocybin sessions - often colloquially termed "bad trips" - are characterized as complex events that do not inherently lead to negative outcomes. Many individuals instead attribute profound and lasting beneficial personal or spiritual shifts to these difficult sessions. Consequently, the term "bad trip" is framed as an unhelpful misnomer that overlooks their potential for integration and internal growth. Effective management of potentially overwhelming states relies on safety strategies such as maintaining a calm environment, ensuring the presence of a supportive guide or sitter, and adopting a "talk through" approach that encourages individuals to face emotions rather than suppressing them. Despite these safeguards, the inherent risks of psychedelic use remain, particularly when unsupervised in uncontrolled settings.