Trip Sitting: A Comprehensive Guide For Magic Mushrooms & Truffles

Curious about how to be a great trip sitter? Keep reading to discover the essential responsibilities before, during, and after a psychedelic journey, and learn how to guide someone safely through a mind-altering experience with magic mushrooms or truffles.

Trip sitting is a delicate art, but getting it right can elevate a person's psychedelic experience to new heights. However, for many, the responsibility is off-putting, and it's hard to know what you should (and shouldn't) do as a trip sitter.

Well, we hear you loud and clear, which is why we've put together a comprehensive guide to trip sitting. From best practices to how to prepare, we'll cover everything you should know about the trustworthy art of trip sitting.

WHAT DOES A TRIP SITTER DO?

Trip sitting sounds like an ominous term, but it simply refers to a sober person who stays with the tripper to help facilitate their psychedelic experience. It's a practice that's becoming increasingly common, and helps to build confidence for psychedelic newcomers while also giving experienced psychonauts the safety to explore their otherworldly boundaries. It's also important to note that trip sitting applies to virtually all substances that alter your senses and worldly perception.

As the nominated trip sitter, you'll offer encouragement, help guide trippers through any temporary unease, and make sure their experience is as comfortable as possible. It's a position of trust, so you shouldn't take the role lightly. However, as long as you're prepared and know what to expect, it can be a delightful and rewarding experience as you watch a friend or family member explore the mind-altering realms of substances such as magic mushrooms, truffles, and more.

WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF A TRIP SITTER?

Before agreeing to be a trip sitter, you must understand the role and its responsibilities. Many people assume that the only requirement is to show up, but as any experienced trip sitter will tell you, your duty of care applies before, during, and after the trip.

BEFORE THE TRIP

It's important to have, or build, a relationship with the person you're trip sitting for. Now, most of the time, it'll be a friend or family member, so establishing a rapport will come naturally. You'll also want to discuss several key aspects of the trip. Questions include:

• What substance is the person planning to take?

• What is their experience with psychedelics?

• Do they understand how to manage a bad trip?

• What positive memories do they have?

By discussing the upcoming trip, you'll learn more about the person and give them the reassurance they need. Remember, when dealing with someone travelling through space and time, everyday reasoning doesn't always work. However, just being a calming and trustworthy presence makes a significant difference, and the only way you'll achieve that is by understanding the tripper on a deeper level.

DURING THE TRIP

It's during the trip that you'll be the most "hands-on". However, this doesn't mean physically manipulating the tripper. Rather, you'll stay close by to ensure they have a pleasant experience and to reassure them if they start experiencing signs of a bad trip. It will depend on the individual and the substance, but usual activities for a trip sitter include:

• Having water or food on hand

• Helping the tripper get comfortable (especially if they need to lie down)

• Keeping any dangerous (or potentially dangerous) items out of reach

• Reassuring the tripper (using the positive memories from your preparation)

• Removing other people and distractions from the experience

• Seeking medical attention if needed

AFTER THE TRIP

Regardless of the trip's "success" from the tripper's standpoint, a crucial part of the psychedelic journey is looking back on the experience. Not only does this help the tripper fine-tune future trips, but it allows them to harness the insights gained and evaluate what was seen, felt, and heard.

As their trip sitter, your insight is also crucial, as you will have seen their reaction from a more objective perspective. It's also important to make your own notes and record how you could have improved the tripping experience should that person ask you to trip-sit for them again.

HOW TO BE A GOOD TRIP SITTER

Knowing what to expect as a trip sitter before, during, and after a trip is fundamental to the role. However, if you still want ideas on what it takes to be an excellent psychedelic support system, we've compiled a short list of top tips.

• Remember to look at the world through the eyes of the tripper. While your job is to remain objective (and sober), you must remember that the person you're trip sitting for is experiencing another realm of reality. Sounds, colours, and shapes may appear distorted and even otherworldly to them, so you must consider your language and tone when communicating or giving instructions. Sometimes, you may need to indulge in their fantasies to help encourage them to a safe place during their trip.

• Psychedelic trips rarely follow a specific pattern. Not only do they vary according to the person's experience, but the substance taken can dramatically alter the intensity and overall nature of the trip. As such, patience is vital. Sometimes, it's worth waiting to see if a wave of side effects or panicking passes naturally. Conversely, there may be times when you need to step in immediately and reassure the tripper, especially if they're a newbie.

• If the person you're trip sitting for starts to spiral into negative thoughts and isn't able to manage the trip themselves, don't panic. Often, simple comforts are enough to bring someone back down to earth. Think calming affirmations, a glass of water, a warm blanket, and even encouraging them to take their shoes and socks off to feel the ground beneath them.

• Trip sitting may sound daunting, but an hour or two spent researching different psychedelics will pay dividends. Not only will you better understand the scope of their effects, but also how long a trip should last, dosing recommendations, and which substances you shouldn't mix. A little preparation goes a long way and will help make the entire process seamless.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO PSYCHEDELIC TRIP SITTING

Although trip sitting seems like a big responsibility, you should see it as an opportunity and a privilege. By remaining sober and watching another person experience psychedelics (whether it's the first time or the hundredth time), you can better understand the impact of these substances on the mind and body. Plus, you might learn something that enhances your own experience.

Second to the knowledge gained is the privilege of being another person's trusted trip sitter. That person won't be fully aware of their actions, and placing their safety in your hands is a sign of incredible trust and confidence. Embrace their faith in your ability, and use it to help take your relationship to a higher level.