Managing 'bad trips': Nursing considerations and safety of psychedelic 'trip killers'.
Nursing – July 01, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
As interest in psychedelics for mental health grows, ensuring safety during their use becomes paramount. This paper explores how to safely manage challenging experiences, particularly outside controlled psychotherapy settings. It highlights the role of "trip killers" and "trip sitters" in mitigating adverse reactions. Crucially, it outlines vital nursing considerations for patient well-being, promoting safer engagement with psychedelics.
Abstract
Psychedelic use in clinical settings is emerging as a way to treat a variety of psychiatric illnesses. However, psychedelic use primarily occurs in recreational settings, and the absence of standard protocols elevates the risk of users experiencing adverse reactions or "bad trips." This article discusses the use of and risks associated with "trip killers" or "trip sitters," and key considerations for nurses when caring for patients who use any of these drugs.