Psilocybin can cause intense alterations in perception, thought, and emotion. In some cases, these experiences may resemble or trigger psychotic symptoms — such as hallucinations, paranoia, or disorganized thinking. However, in most people, these effects are temporary, or a “bad trip.”
A bad trip can feel overwhelming or distressing, but typically resolves as the drug wears off, usually within 4 to 8 hours. For a small subset of users — particularly those with a personal or family history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or other serious mental illness — psilocybin may trigger a longer-lasting or more serious episode of psychosis. These cases are rare, but they do happen. It’s also important to understand that many things besides psychedelics can cause psychosis.
So while the risk of psychosis is real, it’s not unique to psilocybin. For most people without underlying vulnerabilities, the acute psychedelic state is temporary and doesn’t lead to chronic mental illness.
there’s a risk of developing psychosis from self medicating with hallucinogens
Psilocybin can cause intense alterations in perception, thought, and emotion. In some cases, these experiences may resemble or trigger psychotic symptoms — such as hallucinations, paranoia, or disorganized thinking. However, in most people, these effects are temporary, or a “bad trip.”
A bad trip can feel overwhelming or distressing, but typically resolves as the drug wears off, usually within 4 to 8 hours. For a small subset of users — particularly those with a personal or family history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or other serious mental illness — psilocybin may trigger a longer-lasting or more serious episode of psychosis. These cases are rare, but they do happen. It’s also important to understand that many things besides psychedelics can cause psychosis.
So while the risk of psychosis is real, it’s not unique to psilocybin. For most people without underlying vulnerabilities, the acute psychedelic state is temporary and doesn’t lead to chronic mental illness.
that’s actually fairly accurate, pretty well said.