What is trip sitting?

Trip sitting is when a sober person helps look after someone who’s taken a psychoactive drug, usually psychedelics - for example psilocybin (magic mushrooms) or LSD.^{1, 2}

Psychedelics can alter a person’s thinking, senses, emotions and perception of time.

They can also cause hallucinations, where you see or hear things that don’t exist or are distorted.³

For substances that impact your mental state (psychoactive drugs), the effects can vary depending on your mood (often called the ‘set’) or the environment you’re in (the ‘setting’).⁴

Being mindful of your set and setting when using psychedelic and dissociative drugs can reduce the risk of a negative experience, or a ‘bad trip’.²

A ‘trip’ is an experience people can have when taking a psychedelic or dissociative drug.¹

This ‘trip from reality’ can take place over minutes or hours (depending on the drug type and amount taken) and can involve feeling intense emotions or sensations.

One way to reduce the risk of having a bad trip or other harms is by having a ‘trip sitter’.

Here, we look at what trip sitting involves and some key things to consider if you’re thinking about being a trip sitter for others.

What does a trip sitter do?

A trip sitter can reduce the risk of someone having a bad trip or experiencing other harms by:

• being a calm presence
• providing essentials, like water and food
• ensuring the environment is safe and comfortable
• being mindful of timing (psychedelic effects can extend into the night if taken during the day)
• keeping an eye out for potential dangers and responding if anything goes wrong
• staying alert to people’s needs and any changes in their condition
• supervising activities that are risky as people’s reflexes and judgement will be impacted, making swimming, crossing the road, or other activities that require alertness dangerous.^{1, 2, 4-6}

The role of a trip sitter is not to provide psychedelic-assisted therapy or treatment,⁷ which is done by a licensed professional.

Consider the setting you’re in

The environment you’re in can affect the experience of someone taking psychedelics.

For example, using magic mushrooms in a familiar, quiet and relaxed environment can lead to a more pleasant experience, but being in a noisy, crowded place could lead to a bad trip.^2,3

Music can also affect someone’s experience on psychedelics.

Playing intense music could lead to anxiety or panic, but relaxing music may help people feel calm and have a more positive experience.^2,4,8

The type of music that people find comforting can vary, so check in with everyone on how the music’s making them feel, or what they might find relaxing to listen to.

Parties or festivals might be difficult for the sitter to manage as more things are outside your control. And, some evidence suggests a party setting could be more likely to lead to a bad trip.⁴

Think about how the setting you’re in can influence a trip:

• Is the location familiar to everyone? Such as a friend’s house
• Is it comfortable?
• Is there space for people to lie down if they need to?
• Is there a bathroom available?
• Is there an internet or phone signal in case of emergencies, or if you need to contact someone?
• If you plan to be outdoors, are there any risks to be mindful of? Such as a lake, steep hills, cliffs, or wildlife?
• Is there enough shade from the sun, or cover in case it rains?

Sometimes people can wander from the group and get lost when they’re tripping. Try to stay together in the same location. Each person can also carry a piece of paper with their details (name, the drug taken, and relevant phone numbers), just in case they get lost.²

Be aware of people’s mindsets

Someone’s mindset (set) refers to their emotional state, the experience they want when taking the drug, as well as their previous experiences with the drug.^2,4,9

If someone is stressed, depressed, or in a bad mood they may be more likely to have a negative experience.⁹

Some questions you can ask beforehand to understand someone’s mindset include:

• How are you feeling today?
• Why do you want to take a psychedelic?
• What kind of experience are you hoping for?

If any of their answers are negative or concerning, they’re at a higher risk of having a bad trip.

Your mindset is also important – if you’re anxious or easily panicked, this may negatively impact the people tripping.⁴

It’s important to remain calm and alert if you’re trip sitting to make sure you are looking after everyone.

Responding to a bad trip

A bad trip can involve having unpleasant or intense hallucinations, or experiencing anxiety, paranoia, panic or other negative emotions.^3,10,11

Taking a large dose is the most likely factor to cause a bad trip.¹¹

Other factors include age, sex, personality, mental state, and previous experience with the drug.^9,11

Understanding the difference between a bad trip and an overdose is important.

While a bad trip can be scary, it’s generally not life threatening and the effects will go away as the drug leaves someone’s system.¹⁰

Remaining a calm presence throughout someone’s trip can help reduce any anxiety they may be feeling. Talking to them reassuringly and holding their hand, if appropriate, can also help.

Responding to an overdose

Signs of an overdose can vary depending on the drug taken. Visit the ADF’s Drug Facts to find out the specific signs for different drugs.

Watch out for:

• loss of consciousness
• difficulty breathing
• intense shaking
• seizures
• extreme risk-taking or attempts at self-harm.

If someone has any concerning physical symptoms or experiences, call an ambulance straight away by dialling triple zero (000).

Stay with the person, follow directions from emergency services and provide ambulance officers with as much information as you can. Emergency services are there to help and can provide instructions over the phone.

More info

For more information about trip sitting or alcohol and other drugs, visit:

• Dancewize
• ADF Drug Facts
• Hi-ground