When exploring the use of hallucinogens or other psychedelic substances, having a trip sitter is a key aspect of ensuring a safe and responsible experience. Similar to how a designated driver abstains from drinking to safely drive others home, a trip sitter remains sober to watch over the user, ensuring their safety throughout the psychedelic journey. When doing low to moderate dosages a Trip Sitter doesn't have to someone professional or experienced just a person who the user trust and feels comfortable with.
Before the Trip
1. Research the Substance
Although trip sitters can be valuable for any mind-altering substance, they are particularly common for experiences involving hallucinogens, which fall into three categories: psychedelics, deliriants, and dissociatives. It's crucial for both the trip sitter and the user to understand the specific substance being used, its expected effects, and its duration.
-
Psychedelics such as LSD, peyote, and psilocybin mushrooms are known for altering cognition and perception. Typical effects include visual and auditory hallucinations, sensory changes, and feelings of happiness, euphoria, and relaxation.
-
Deliriants, like atropine, lead to a state of delirium marked by vivid hallucinations, confusion, and a stupor, which is a lack of responsiveness.
-
Dissociatives, including ketamine, PCP, and DXM, induce a state of detachment from reality, along with distortions in sight and sound.
Unwanted side effects common across all these drug classes can include nausea, anxiety, paranoia, fatigue, and heart rate irregularities.
2. Understand the Levels of Psychedelic Experience
Timothy Leary's book, The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead, outlines five levels of psychedelic experience, which vary depending on the substance used and its dosage. Understanding these levels can help the trip sitter and user set expectations and prepare for the experience more effectively.
The Role of a Trip Sitter:https://www.verywellmind.com/what-does-a-trip-sitter-do-6742171
The trip sitter's responsibility is to maintain a safe environment, provide reassurance, and assist the user in navigating any challenging aspects of their experience. This includes being knowledgeable about the substance, its effects, and how to support the user through various stages of their psychedelic journey. The goal is to ensure a safe and positive experience, minimizing risks and maximizing the therapeutic or exploratory potential of the psychedelic substance.