Can you actually end a bad acid trip? you DO get emergencies, you know!

According to the original product data sheet when LSD was legal, an antidote to an LSD trip is an anti-psychotic/major tranquilliser substance called chlorpromazine (trade name Largactil). It's a central nervous system depressant which can be injected or taken orally. Anaesthetists sometimes mix this with pethidine as your premedication before anaesthesia. It is also used to sedate aggressive/uncontrollable people (usually schizophrenics). BUT the dosage required to be an effective sedative in a combating a bad LSD trip can cause the recipient to suffer a extreme incapaciting effect, this is known to be a highly traumatic experience in itself, and has been likened to a being trapped in a mental straightjacket which can be extremaly traumatic and frightening. Many of those treated with Thorazine to combat bad trips have been left with lasting psychological damage and tramua. According to an informed contributor, Valium or another BZP is a much safer recomendation, and this combined with gentle reassurance is a psychologicaly safer antidote to a bad trip, which reducing the chances of PTSD or any other lasting psychological damage. However, it possible to fataly overdose on these types of drugs so really these or any other antidotes must only be administered by medical doctor authorised to do so.

Since you can't buy these over the counter, you are most likely forced to try look for alternatives. Apart from a change of scene, positive conversation, or any other influences in your current perception, which are supposed to help, one could also grab at any of the commonly abused tranquillising substances. (Mild sleeping pills, tranquillisers etc.) Grabbing at these substances are a matter of escapism though, so if you have to repeat this a few times one should rather skip LSD for a little while and try figure out why you're not having a pleasant trip in the first place.

Remember, the trip is in your brain and you WILL come down in a matter of time. Problems can, and do arise for poly-drug use, so be very careful about downers. See our Coming Down page

Bad Trip antidote urban legends such as orange juice, vanilla essence, vitamin C, and anti-histamines can have a placebo effect (ie they have a psychological effect and not a physiological effect), and sometimes work in making an unhappy tripper think they have done something to make it all better.

If it is a matter of a medical emergency, you should seek professional help, that is go and see a doctor or visit a hospital, and tell them the truth as to what has been taken. They are duty-bound to act professionally and will help you.

 

See also:

• Bad Trip - How to end one
  
  
• RaveSafe page on Acid
  
  
• Coming Down
  
  
  

 

Updated 29th May 2006
Added 4th August 1999

 

Disclaimer This Guide is provided for informational purposes ONLY. RaveSafe, it's volunteers and its sponsors do not condone or advocate the use of illegal substances. RaveSafe accepts NO responsibility for the way the information in this used, nor for any harm that might occur from the use of the information contained in this document. Although a concerted effort has been made to ensure the validity of the information contained in this document, no guarantees or assurances of accuracy are provided by anyone. Read and act at your own risk.