Trip killers: Addressing a critical knowledge gap in psychedelic research.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) May 1, 2026 Brian O'Mahony, Colm Harrington, Andrew Harkin et al.
Psychedelic drugs are being studied as treatments for mental health conditions and used recreationally, but they can cause intense psychological distress known as a "bad trip," which may lead to emergency care or psychiatric hospitalization. Managing these episodes should prioritize non-pharmacological strategies, but when those are insufficient, medications that can safely end the psychedelic state are needed. This review systematically evaluates candidate abortive agents, including serotonin antagonists, antipsychotics, and certain anxiety and depression drugs, considering their mechanisms, safety, and suitability for acute care. The authors propose a provisional framework for pharmacological management and identify priorities for future research.