Sounds like what you needed was someone you trust, that’s sober, that would tell you: 'listen, you are currently under the influence of this drug, that effect will pass and you’ll go back to normal, nothing terrible has happened, you are just having a panic attack that’s being magnified by the drugs, but really, nothing bad has happened, none of this will last, the drugs will lose their effect soon, and there is nothing to worry about except for your panic attack right now, that must be very uncomfortable. so let’s try to calm down, let’s focus on breathing together for a bit so we can stop your panic reaction.
In my experience such words can make a world of difference, a moment of fear can be turned round, back into a pleasant experience. I’ve regretted having a sitter present when I introduced LSD to some friends. One of them got a message on his phone, that got him very confused, and although we managed to calm him down eventually, he experienced some severe panic, that I feel I could’ve handled a lot better when I was sober, but unfortunately I was also under the influence. I myself having taken psychedelics monthly for over a decade now, I tend to underestimate the psychological risks for new users, that’s what I took from that experience, and I won’t let it happen again. Psychedelics always need proper set and setting, and new users should have an experienced, familair tripsitter present, always. My friend didn’t have lasting negative effects from the experience but your story proves that it’s definitely risky and measures should be taken to always take them with precaution.
Did you mean you regretted not having a sitter present?
Not meaning to discount your experience at all I just want it clear what you mean to people reading.
I think trip sitters are a downer even when they’re a pschonaut. They could be a pure soul just there to help or whatever but they can’t vibe.
I’ve always, except for one time, been able to calm friends or even people I barely know. One man I just met that day, the brother of a friend, asked me to hold his hand while we were blasting through the crazy part. Of course I did. I held his hand for what felt like forever while we all lay in the floor together.
The only person I’ve been unable to calm is my wife. We have our issues. But if you’re a person’s easiest target when they don’t know what to do with their feelings, it can be tough. When that person literally tells you to go away and not bother them while they make a bad trip for themself, how could I violate that.
Yes, you’re right I regretted NOT having a sitter present. I can understand that sitters can be an uncomfortable presence when all is well and I wouldn’t say you always need them there, but specifically when it’s peoples first time taking psychedlics I think it can be a wise precaution to take. Surely, most of the time everything will be fine, but it’s a safeguard for the occasion that it’s not. I think the sitter should probably bring a book or something and do his own thing, as you’re not on the same level you should probably not intervene in any way when it’s not needed. When you’re mind is doing strange things to you, it’s pleasant to know that the ones around you are in more or less the same situation, I guess it makes it easier to let go and be weird, without the gaze of a normal person.
When that person literally tells you to go away and not bother them while they make a bad trip for themself, how could I violate that.
I agree, Go with the flow, if one does not want help, pushing help onto them is probably not the least bit helpfull.
Sounds like what you needed was someone you trust, that’s sober, that would tell you: 'listen, you are currently under the influence of this drug, that effect will pass and you’ll go back to normal, nothing terrible has happened, you are just having a panic attack that’s being magnified by the drugs, but really, nothing bad has happened, none of this will last, the drugs will lose their effect soon, and there is nothing to worry about except for your panic attack right now, that must be very uncomfortable. so let’s try to calm down, let’s focus on breathing together for a bit so we can stop your panic reaction.
In my experience such words can make a world of difference, a moment of fear can be turned round, back into a pleasant experience. I’ve regretted having a sitter present when I introduced LSD to some friends. One of them got a message on his phone, that got him very confused, and although we managed to calm him down eventually, he experienced some severe panic, that I feel I could’ve handled a lot better when I was sober, but unfortunately I was also under the influence. I myself having taken psychedelics monthly for over a decade now, I tend to underestimate the psychological risks for new users, that’s what I took from that experience, and I won’t let it happen again. Psychedelics always need proper set and setting, and new users should have an experienced, familair tripsitter present, always. My friend didn’t have lasting negative effects from the experience but your story proves that it’s definitely risky and measures should be taken to always take them with precaution.
Did you mean you regretted not having a sitter present?
Not meaning to discount your experience at all I just want it clear what you mean to people reading.
I think trip sitters are a downer even when they’re a pschonaut. They could be a pure soul just there to help or whatever but they can’t vibe.
I’ve always, except for one time, been able to calm friends or even people I barely know. One man I just met that day, the brother of a friend, asked me to hold his hand while we were blasting through the crazy part. Of course I did. I held his hand for what felt like forever while we all lay in the floor together.
The only person I’ve been unable to calm is my wife. We have our issues. But if you’re a person’s easiest target when they don’t know what to do with their feelings, it can be tough. When that person literally tells you to go away and not bother them while they make a bad trip for themself, how could I violate that.
Yes, you’re right I regretted NOT having a sitter present. I can understand that sitters can be an uncomfortable presence when all is well and I wouldn’t say you always need them there, but specifically when it’s peoples first time taking psychedlics I think it can be a wise precaution to take. Surely, most of the time everything will be fine, but it’s a safeguard for the occasion that it’s not. I think the sitter should probably bring a book or something and do his own thing, as you’re not on the same level you should probably not intervene in any way when it’s not needed. When you’re mind is doing strange things to you, it’s pleasant to know that the ones around you are in more or less the same situation, I guess it makes it easier to let go and be weird, without the gaze of a normal person.
I agree, Go with the flow, if one does not want help, pushing help onto them is probably not the least bit helpfull.