a bad trip occurs when the lovely, nice, glowy effects of a drug turn into nasty, paranoid, and horrible scariness

bad trips happen for a reason, usually one of the following:

• adverse environment influences noise, strangers etc preying on the vulnerable, tripping mind
• attempt to mentally resist the effect of the drug because you are scared or you can't relax
• the surfacing of difficult and uncomfortable unconscious material or memories
• the amplification of issues or problems between tripping people
• a larger dose than you have experienced before

Even experienced users can have bad-trips, although experience makes you less vulnerable.

Clearly the best way to avoid a bad trip is not to take a drug at all.

signs of a bad trip
They start small and can snowball into anxiety, fear, paranoia, and paralysis. People experiencing a bad trip may appear withdrawn and silent or , visibly upset, scared or wild. They may curl up into foetal position.

You may feel like you are going insane, or losing control or dying. You may get caught in circular thoughts, like a hall of mirrors. The anxiety may trigger breathlessness or even a full-blown panic attack.

any drug
Any drug can bring on a bad trip - even E, even alcohol (never got home, drunk, and cried?).

The more powerful psychedelic drugs (LSD, magic mushrooms, ketamine) are most likely to cause a bad trip, but 'lesser' mind drugs such as amphetamines, cannabis, and cocaine can all induce paranoia and weirdness.

preparation
You can reduce the chance of a bad trip by ensuring you are in a safe comfortable environment with someone you trust. Read up on the drug you are taking.

Be informed and be careful. Measure the dosage accurately and when trying a new drug or a new supply always start low to guage its strength.

bad trips: what to do
The most important thing to remember in the midst of a bad trip is not to panic. Bad trips can be diverted, lessened, and stopped by certain careful techniques.

if you are having a bad trip

• change the music to something light and familiar
• change the location go outside, into another room, or find a quiet, non-threatening environment
• talk to a friend someone you are close to who you can trust
• concentrate on your breathing a bad trip can be worsened if you try to resist it. Instead divert your mind by counting your breaths in and out.
• the drug will not harm you repeat to yourself the phrase 'I am immortal'. Your anxiety is purely an effect of the drug and will pass. You will be okay.

and if someone else is having a bad trip

• change something - the location, music, lighting. do not force anyone to move if they do not want to. Gently coax, invite or encourage instead
• reassure them they have taken a drug, the trip will end, and they will be okay>
• tell them the time with their sense of time distorted, bad trippers often feel caught in eternity. Give them a schedule for when they will feel better
• relaxing and breathing the fear is often heightened by the tensing and trying to resist. Letting go will make them feel better. Breathing will relax them and give them something to focus on
• don't leave them alone but don't crowd them either