As a drug rehab in Chicago, we know all too well that people abuse drugs for a variety of reasons.
In some cases, people will take drugs because they give them a burst of energy and leave them feeling happy. Others abuse drugs because of their relaxing side effects. But what about the drugs that cause mind-altering side effects, like hallucinations and delusions? Acid is one such drug whose hallucinogenic properties have some people coming back for more. If you’ve ever wondered, “what is an acid trip,” we’ve got plenty to talk about.
What is An Acid Trip Like?
LSD, commonly referred to as acid, is a hallucinogenic drug that alters the user’s perception and often leads to intense hallucinations. An acid trip refers to the psychedelic side effects that people experience when they’re high off LSD.
The acid trip experience is different for everyone and can range from highly enjoyable to incredibly uncomfortable. Users report that an LSD trip, in particular, may include time distortion and a pleasant epiphany about themselves or life in general. In other cases, people who have a negative experience on LSD are said to have a bad trip. Bad acid trips are characterized by side effects like terrifying thoughts and feelings, fear of losing control, fear of insanity and death, and despair.
How Long Does an Acid Trip Last?
Hallucinations from LSD are common, but different for everyone. How long an acid trip lasts depends on a variety of factors including the dose, tolerance, other substances present in the system, and the mental health of the person taking LSD. In general, an acid trip will begin 30 to 90 minutes after administration and peak after two to four hours.
After around 12 hours, the short-term effects of LSD will drastically decline, but they may not fully disappear for 24 hours. Between 12 and 24 hours is also when negative effects of LSD like trouble concentrating, headaches, dizziness, imbalance, and nausea are most common.1
What Does a Bad Acid Trip Feel Like?
One person’s acid trip can be very different from someone else’s. While good trips may seem dream-like and enlightening, bad acid trips can be frightening and anxiety-inducing. Although you may still experience LSD’s side effects – such as mixed up senses, hallucinations, and distortions – bad acid trips can have an element of fear, paranoia, and even depression. Some people on bad acid trips may experience overwhelming effects, to the point where they accuse people around them of negative behaviors. Although rare, these feelings can become so unbearable that the person may consider suicide.
It’s not always possible to know what your acid trip will be like or how long the side effects will last. While the effects of LSD wear off within a day, there are cases of acid flashbacks or rebound hallucinations among users even years after last taking the drug. Although the person may not be on acid at the time, they will feel like they are on an acid trip and experience hallucinations similar to those that they had before while under the influence of LSD. This is also known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD).
How to Stop an Acid Trip
Although there are ways to reduce the side effects of an acid trip, like staying hydrated and resting, the only way to prevent or stop an acid trip is to not take LSD in the first place. Once LSD is in your system, nothing can stop an acid trip; you have to wait for the effects to pass. If you are having a bad LSD trip, you should avoid taking other drugs or drinking alcohol, avoid overstimulating environments, drink plenty of water, go somewhere safe and familiar, and get help.
While LSD may seem like a fun drug to experiment with, it may also be accompanied by many dangers. If you or someone you care about is experimenting with drugs or any kind, get help. Our drug treatment in Chicago can help people with various substance abuse problems get clean.
Drug abuse of any kind can be dangerous. Get help today at Banyan Chicago by calling 888-280-4763.
Related Reading:
LSD Psychosis
LSD Myths Debunked: The Truth Behind Acid
