I had a BAD TRIP... can you help me?

Bad trips, especially those involving potent hallucinogens like Salvia, are caused by the psychological struggle to maintain a sense of self when the brain's processing of reality is being fundamentally altered. The feeling of ego death during a Salvia or DMT experience stems from the substance changing the brain's interpretation of sensory data, making the person believe they are literally dying because they can no longer access their familiar ego or memories. Acceptance of this loss of self and thorough preparation are crucial for navigating psychedelic experiences. Trying to resist the ego death often causes panic and trauma, which persists after the substance wears off. Maintaining a proper set and setting helps mitigate the risk of a distressing experience.