What are psychedelics? The lost package insert

Artsy Shot: Troubles in Paradise (© Chiara Weis)

An article by Alexander

Executive Summary

Psychedelics are psychoactive substances and come with risks, side effects, and contraindications that must be carefully weighed against their expected benefits. Depending on the dose, psychedelics can cause unpleasant physical (such as nausea or dizziness) and psychological side effects (such as anxiety or panic attacks). Contraindications include, among others, minority, severe mental illness, and the use of strong medications. To reduce the potential harm of consumption, precautions can be taken, which can be summarized as set, setting, and dosage.

Anyone who wishes to be treated by a doctor must be informed by them about possible risks, side effects, and contraindications of the treatment – this is required by law. And anyone who buys medication at a pharmacy invariably receives a package insert that serves the same purpose – even if we are only dealing with a nasal spray or cough drop.

However, anyone who has decided to consume psychedelics is entirely on their own when it comes to obtaining information about risks, side effects, and contraindications, as these are almost always illegal, and most states therefore do not see themselves responsible for protecting consumers.

We condemn the consumption of illegal substances and point out that risk-free drug use does not exist. However, this does not change the fact that drug use still occurs, and we therefore believe it is wrong for legislators to bury their heads in the sand and leave citizens to their own devices.

Therefore, we firmly believe that free information services on the safe and responsible consumption of psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, or cannabis, like ours, are needed to minimize consumption risks.

With our blog, we make a valuable contribution to harm reduction, as we help increase the safety of all those who self-determinedly choose to consume. While this exposes us to a risk, we feel compelled to step in for the failure of our state.

So, enough with the dry prelude – let's dive straight into our topic of the day: The consumption of psychedelics – like any medicine – carries risks, side effects, and contraindications that must be internalized and which we will discuss below.

☝🏻 Important note: We hereby explicitly and seriously point out that the LSD derivative 1S-LSD available in our shop is not intended for human consumption, but only for research purposes, even if their chemical properties are confusingly similar (or precisely because of that?).

Risks and side effects of psychedelics

The consumption of psychedelics is associated with both psychological and physical risks. Most potential side effects are temporary and usually subside within a few hours. The probability and intensity of psychedelic side effects depend primarily on i) the type of psychedelic used, ii) the dose, and iii) the individual constitution of a person.

Possible physical side effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tremors, chills, racing heart, high blood pressure, and pupil dilation.

Possible psychological side effects include anxiety, panic attacks, paranoia, confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, and mood swings.

Furthermore, there is a risk that the consumption of psychedelics could have long-term effects on the brain and thus lead to cognitive impairments such as memory loss or concentration problems. Although the research in this area is still quite scarce due to the illegality of most psychedelics in most countries around the world, we point out this uncertainty for the sake of responsibility and caution.

Please do not misunderstand this: Not everyone who takes psychedelics will necessarily experience side effects. Nevertheless, it is important to inform oneself before any potential consumption of psychedelics about the meaning and possible negative side effects, which you are doing right now – Mom is proud of you. However, certain groups of people or individuals with specific medical histories should avoid the consumption of psychedelics altogether, which brings us to the next point:

What are contraindications for psychedelics?

A contraindication, often also called a counter-indication, is a circumstance that absolutely prohibits the use of a therapeutic procedure (here: psychedelics) or only permits it after a strict weighing of the resulting risks.

Since most people love lists, we have decided to list the charts of the most important contraindications in such a form:

• Age: Psychedelics should definitely be avoided by children, i.e. people under 21, as their brains are still developing and psychedelics can influence them.
• Severe mental illnesses: Individuals with a history (or close relatives) of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression should not take psychedelics, as this can worsen symptoms or lead to psychotic episodes.
• Taking strong medications: The simultaneous use of psychedelics and strong medications such as antidepressants or antipsychotics can lead to interactions and should therefore be avoided.
• Cardiovascular diseases: Psychedelics should only be taken under strict medical supervision in cases of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, or arrhythmia, as some psychedelic substances can strain the cardiovascular system.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Psychedelics should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as their effects on the unborn child or breastfed baby are still insufficiently researched and thus unpredictable.

In addition, out of caution, people with autistic traits or color blindness should also keep their hands off psychedelics, as anecdotal reports circulate on the Internet that these do not tolerate such conditions particularly well. In case of doubt, one should in any case first consult with their trusted doctor and, ideally, also involve their therapist.

☝🏻 A warning to be cautious, which you will unfortunately rarely hear, but which in our opinion is all the more important: Anyone suffering from more serious psychological problems (who doesn't?) and either suppresses or represses them should first address their management, as often much of what lies dormant behind long-locked doors in the subconscious comes up on a psychedelic journey.

However, one does not necessarily have to practice psychedelic abstinence just because one has psychological problems – provided one is aware of them and has prepared thoroughly, which provides a smooth transition to the last chapter:

Harm reduction when consuming psychedelics – what is it?

Anyone who has conducted a classic cost-benefit analysis, i.e., weighed the risks and side effects listed above against possible (therapeutic) benefits and does not have to count themselves among the group of people with contraindications, should take additional precautions to minimize potential harm during consumption.

The most important recommendation is: one should, especially for their psychedelic defloration, definitely be in a safe and familiar place (setting) and engage a trusted, trustworthy, and responsible person for the duration of the journey – one often speaks of a guide or tripsitter.

The psychological state (set) is similarly important. This means that one should generally feel good – physically and psychologically – at the start of a trip, i.e., not be sick or in a bad mental state, nor be in a difficult life situation such as divorce or a period of mourning.

In addition to the aforementioned advice on set (state of mind) and setting (environment), the dosage also plays a fundamentally important role, because it determines the intensity of a psychedelic magical journey more than any other factor; and thus also the associated risks and the probability of side effects.

People with psychological problems or a fragile psyche in general should be particularly careful and, if possible, only take psychedelics under medical supervision. If this is not possible (which it isn't for most people, as psychedelics, despite their enormous therapeutic potential, are unfortunately still criminalized globally), we strongly advise you to at least consult a qualified doctor or therapist who can probably assess your personal health situation better than we or you can.

Finally, a very simple piece of advice to remember: Start low, go slow.

Outro

Psychedelics not only hold enormous potential, but also have a dark side that can sometimes throw you off track or even take your life. Therefore, it is important to inform yourself about possible risks, side effects, and contraindications. In this article, we have shown you the most common dangers and provided you with valuable tips to minimize the likelihood of unpleasant experiences (such as bad trips or horror trips) on psychedelic adventures.

And if you are now (still) unsure whether it is a good time for a first trip with psychedelics, we advise you to exercise reason and, if in doubt, decide against it. Sometimes it is better to play it safe and enjoy a hallucination-free life. Psychedelics will not run away from you and will find you – once the time is right for you. And there are also other ways to find a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you: meditation, yoga, breathwork, or even psychotherapy.

FAQ on LSD side effects

What general LSD side effects should one be aware of?

Psychedelics can cause both physical and psychological side effects such as nausea, circulatory problems, anxiety, and disorientation. However, reactions are individual, as they depend heavily on dosage, type of substance, and internal state. Even with so-called "natural" psychedelics like magic mushrooms, these risks are possible and should not be underestimated. Appropriate preparation, as you are doing through this article, minimizes the risks enormously!

What are the LSD risks with repeated consumption?

Repeated LSD consumption does not automatically entail higher risks, as long as it is done responsibly and with sufficient breaks. The actual risk lies less in the substance itself than in the lack of integration between experiences. Those who consume too often without processing what they have experienced internally can become emotionally or psychologically overwhelmed. Fortunately, LSD quickly builds up a tolerance – the effect significantly diminishes with too short intervals. Therefore, the crucial factor is not the frequency, but the quality of integration. Psychedelics unfold their potential especially when given space to take effect.

How can one minimize LSD trip risks?

LSD trip risks and side effects can be reduced through conscious (mental) preparation (set), a safe setting (environment), and a low or slowly increased dosage. It is very important to ensure psychological stability and to be in a trusted and familiar environment. This can significantly reduce the probability of a bad trip or an uncontrollable course.

What helps to avoid an LSD horror trip and prevent worse outcomes?

At the first unwanted LSD side effects and signs of a supposed "horror trip," it helps to calm the surroundings, reduce stimuli, and concentrate on slow breathing. A trusted, sober person can help relativize fears and provide security. These measures can often prevent a full-blown horror trip and regain control. From our own team experience, we can say that the most challenging experiences were usually the most valuable ones – you got this!

What are the risks of consuming LSD with other psychedelics?

Combining LSD with other psychedelics is not for beginners – it requires experience, preparation, and a safe setting. Such combinations can amplify each other, but also overlap in their effect profile – caution is rather advised in combination with cannabis, as you can see in the table below from TripSit. Dosage, set, and setting are also crucial here. Anyone experimenting with this should inform themselves intensively beforehand – awareness and clarity before combining are the best protection.