Day trip to hell: A mixed methods study of challenging psychedelic experiences

Challenging psychedelic experiences, or 'bad trips,' involve a broader range of characteristics than previously recognized. Based on interviews with 38 participants and a survey of 319 participants (median age 33, 81% male) recruited from online communities, confusion emerged as an important aspect alongside the near-ubiquitous fear. Despite often dramatic narratives, participants were convinced the experience had positive long-term consequences. Meditation practice had paradoxical effects on challenging experiences, suggesting a fruitful area for further research.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims This article presents a mixed methods study of challenging psychedelic experiences or “bad trips”, with the aim of exploring the nature and characteristics of such experiences. While challenging psychedelic experiences have been studied in previous research, the article posits that the focus of this research has been overly narrow in terms of the characteristics and etiology of these experiences, and that it would be helpful to broaden our understanding of what a challenging psychedelic trip might be and how it affects users. Methods In the first study, respondents ( N = 38) were recruited at various online fora for individual anonymous interviews via private messaging. The Cannabis and Psychedelics User Survey used for the second study was constructed on the basis of the knowledge obtained from interviews, and recruited 319 participants (median age 33; 81% male) from seven different online communities. Respondents were asked to characterize both a typical and their worst psychedelic experience, allowing for comparisons between the two and for regression analyses of associations between challenging experiences and other factors. Results Both in interviews and in the survey, respondents reported a broader range of characteristics for challenging psychedelic experiences than what has previously been recognized in the research literature. Despite the often dramatic narratives, they were convinced that the experience had positive long-term consequences. Conclusions The two studies found that challenging psychedelic experiences have a greater thematic range than what has previously been identified. Besides the near ubiquity of fear in these experiences, confusion was also identified as an important aspect. Meditation practice had paradoxical effects on challenging psychedelic experiences, appearing as a fruitful area for further research.