Trip-killers: a concerning practice associated with psychedelic drug use

The authors of this research letter to the Emergency Medicine journal write: "Psychedelic drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin (‘magic mushrooms’) induce hallucinations and distort thought-processes. The intensity of a psychedelic ‘trip’ can cause distress, agitation, and even psychosis. A recent report showed that at least 8.4% of drug-related presentations to European emergency departments involve psychedelics. This proportion may increase as the clinical use of these agents expands. There are multiple ways to control a ‘bad trip’ and avoid hospitalisation. One is to take psychedelics under the supervision of a ‘trip-sitter’—a non-intoxicated friend who can provide psychological support. Another is to use additional psychoactive drugs—‘trip-killers’—to attenuate or prematurely end the psychedelic experience. Trip-killers are not new, but have received increased attention on social media in recent years. Information on trip-killers is not available through drug advice services, despite the probable risks they pose. To our knowledge, no relevant papers have been published in the medical literature. It was the aim of our study to gather descriptive data on the use … We recommend that emergency physicians ask patients about trip-killers if psychedelic drug use is suspected. This conversation should occur promptly on arrival to hospital, and before any benzodiazepines or antipsychotics are prescribed"

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