Bad trip: Can psychedelic experiences be traumatic? (Rebroadcast)

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On this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison discuss "bad trips". They talk about the difference between bad trips and challenging experiences; the factors during prep, facilitation, and integration that can prevent bad trips or turn them into useful challenging experiences; the prevalence of triggered psychosis and HPPD among psychedelic users; how to pick the right psychedelic therapist/guide/facilitator; and much more.

 *This episode originally aired 3/21/23

(1:35) Are bad trips possible?
(4:00) What is the difference between a bad trip vs a challenging experience?
(7:00) How preparation affects the psychedelic experience
(9:58) The importance of supportive community
(14:05) What does informed consent in psychedelic-assisted therapy really mean?
(16:00) How prevalent are challenging psychedelic experiences?
(19:18) How the therapist/guide affects the psychedelic experience
(24:28) Be discerning and take it slow
(27:25) Emotional breakthrough, catharsis, and abreaction
(36:32) The Happiness Hypothesis, by Jonathan Haidt
(40:22) Understanding the psychodrama that can happen in a psychedelic experience
(46:50) Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) and psychedelic flashbacks
(51:01) Dream interpretation
(55:14) How to integrate and make meaning of a psychedelic experience
(59:23) After the Ecstasy, the Laundry, by Jack Kornfield
(01:01:31) How to navigate a bad trip
(01:10:07) Using "trip stoppers" like benzodiazepines

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