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How do I get back to normal after LSD

Bills2017

Greenlighter
Joined
Feb 14, 2017
Messages
3
Last Saturday I tried LSD for the first time, and ever since I've been a little off. I've been all over the place mentally and it's kinda starting to get to me.

The first couple hours hours of the trip was hilarious, my friend and I were telling jokes and laughing at everything, as well as walking around his house and recounting all the memories that we've had in the rooms we'd walk into. I should also mention the friend who's idea it had been to do LSD left us after about half an hour of taking it. Once it got to 3 in the morning, we headed upstairs to lay down in separate rooms while my friend played music. I noticed at some point that the music had stopped and my thoughts started to swirl. I was in a dark room and started freaking out, inside my own head, not out loud. I got up, turned the lights on, paced, nothing could help me from thinking that I'd never return to normal. I went to talk to my friend about it but he was alseep and I didn't want to wake him so I kept pacing and freaking myself out. I eventually woke him up and told him I was freaking out and that I felt as if I wouldn't be able to return to normal. He wasn't really much help, so we called my other friend, who told me I'd be fine after we woke up. I've since talked to both of them, one having done it multiple times before this occasion, and the other, whose house I slept over, was his first time using LSD as well. Both of us smoked weed while the trip was happening, if that makes a difference.

Its since been a week and 3 days and I'm still feeling off, scaring myself out of sleeping and into thinking I have all sorts of things wrong, from anxiety to derealization, and it's probably because I've been reading too far into the internet and I'm a natural over thinker so the combination isn't the best. I'm still a little scared, and I'm wondering if I should go see a doctor. I've read stories since the incident of people returning to normal, stating that all I need is to sleep, eat and maybe excercise a little. I'm just afraid that my irrational thinking has led to me creating more problems than I had before. The whole derealization thing has scared the absolute shit out of me and I know I probably don't have it, being that I'm not a doctor and I've been looking things up on the internet, but it's still a scary thought. I also kind of feel like I'm scaring myself into believing some of the things I've read, being an 18 year old over thinker. I've kind of been over analyzing things since that night, and I did it before but I'm more aware of it now. I guess the question is, is letting time build up the chemicals in my brain again the answer, or is there something else.

If anyone has any insight on what to do, or even if you've felt the same way and gotten through it, I would love to hear it because I feel as if I could use it right now. Also, I should add that this is the only time I've ever done acid, and to be quite honest with you, this is most likely the last. Thank you for any help you guys can give me, I really really appreciate it.
 
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All you can do is chill out and carry on.

You should be fine, you are creating your own prison by thinking the way you are the same way you ended up freaking out.

I took acid at a really young age and at first I didn't know what it was. I can't really say if I have had a bad trip or not, but no bad trips I remember.

I doubt a few times is going to stay with you in a negative way. I have had positive effects stay with me for a while and than I forgot all about them.

Time should wash it away but getting online and reading stuff isn't really going to help, neither is freaking out about seeing trails or dwelling on your last trip.

Just go out and enjoy yourself and life and forget all about it is my advice.
 
First times can be profound, not only for acid but for pretty much anything you do in life. As dopemaster said before, just try to relax. It will pass.
 
All you can do is chill out and carry on.

You should be fine, you are creating your own prison by thinking the way you are the same way you ended up freaking out.

I took acid at a really young age and at first I didn't know what it was. I can't really say if I have had a bad trip or not, but no bad trips I remember.

I doubt a few times is going to stay with you in a negative way. I have had positive effects stay with me for a while and than I forgot all about them.

Time should wash it away but getting online and reading stuff isn't really going to help, neither is freaking out about seeing trails or dwelling on your last trip.

Just go out and enjoy yourself and life and forget all about it is my advice.

That's what I've been hearing mostly, and seeing others that have done the same and forgot all about it, so I'll definitely try to just get right back into myself, I really appreciate it.
 
Yep, normal to feel like this. It will pass. Of course, you are never truly the same after a first trip. Think about what you saw--many people will never have that experience. Its special and significant. Let it give you a sense of calm, knowing the magic underlying everything is still there.
 
First off, new research has been done and attempts to explain why people feel this way days/weeks after taking LSD, although I think it happens for many different reasons. Here's the original thread http://www.bluelight.org/vb/threads/814355-Ever-Had-a-Really-Long-Acid-Trip-Now-Science-Knows-Why
Anyway, I didn't feel normal for a long time after I did LSD my first (and only) time. It was about 2 and half years ago, and I also smoked pot during my trip. Basically, it spiraled out of control and turned into the worst nightmare of my life, making me never want to touch another substance ever again. Perhaps there's some sort of correlation or causation for people who use cannabis along with a tryptamine to encounter many odd mental feelings in the days/weeks/months after use. For me, it took several months, but that's because I legitimately had PTSD from my experience. If yours was slightly traumatic, then this is why you're feeling like this. Just like any traumatic experience, it takes time to heal mentally. Just like when people get in car accidents, and they can't sleep at night sometimes because they're thinking of all the noises, the pain, and everything else associated with the car wreck. A traumatic LSD experience shouldn't be any different.

Give it time, stay off weed for a while and other substances, and you should begin feeling better. Use music to comfort you. It worked wonders for me
 
First off, new research has been done and attempts to explain why people feel this way days/weeks after taking LSD, although I think it happens for many different reasons. Here's the original thread http://www.bluelight.org/vb/threads/814355-Ever-Had-a-Really-Long-Acid-Trip-Now-Science-Knows-Why
Anyway, I didn't feel normal for a long time after I did LSD my first (and only) time. It was about 2 and half years ago, and I also smoked pot during my trip. Basically, it spiraled out of control and turned into the worst nightmare of my life, making me never want to touch another substance ever again. Perhaps there's some sort of correlation or causation for people who use cannabis along with a tryptamine to encounter many odd mental feelings in the days/weeks/months after use. For me, it took several months, but that's because I legitimately had PTSD from my experience. If yours was slightly traumatic, then this is why you're feeling like this. Just like any traumatic experience, it takes time to heal mentally. Just like when people get in car accidents, and they can't sleep at night sometimes because they're thinking of all the noises, the pain, and everything else associated with the car wreck. A traumatic LSD experience shouldn't be any different.

Give it time, stay off weed for a while and other substances, and you should begin feeling better. Use music to comfort you. It worked wonders for me

It's sad, but relieving to see that others have had the same thing happen to them. If time is what it takes. I'm wondering, in your case, was it just all continuously feeling down and unsure of what's happening, or did it slowly but surely work its way out, because that's one of the big questions on my mind right now. Also, have you tried smoking again since, and has it affected the tolerance or the high itself for you? Because I've tried a couple times since to calm myself down but it doesn't seem to help, mostly feels the same in terms of my thoughts.
 
Not just time, but deep thinking and integrating the experience. It takes some mental effort sort of, but at the same time, just letting things be and giving no effort. Yes, I felt down at times because of how much I regretted taking it. Yes, I felt confused and like I was on the verge of going insane/schizophrenic. That trip is the reason I have a bluelight account today. You can go back and see my very first posts about the experience and the worrying I was going through several months after. And also yes, things slowly got better. Very slowly.

I struggled badly with panic attacks for a year afterward whenever I tried to smoke pot. It brought back very similar feelings to the trip and it made me take prolonged breaks of where I wouldn't smoke for a couple months, try again and have a panic attack, go on a break, try again, same thing over and over. Today, I can smoke in low amounts and be okay. I still have to overcome the feelings of a panic attack coming on sometimes, especially with strong sativas, but I'm much better at it than at first. Try indica dominant strains in low doses once you feel comfortable. I recommend taking a little break though for a while. However, there's good news for people like you and me. Since weed could be and probably is the primary cause of what began our bad trips, I believe we can smoke pot now and revisit some of these places in our minds and work things out like that, rather than having to take LSD again. Coming to good terms with marijuana again is an important step in this process I think, and helps with the mental healing. Weed is much more psychedelic to me now.

The real effort is in acceptance. A couple months afterward, I still didn't feel right and I knew it. Even one of my buddies said I hadn't been acting the same. He said I'd been acting more serious and I felt this way too, I had a much more serious and different outlook on life. So, I made a mental pact with myself and over the course of a couple weeks, that the only way to end my suffering was to accept this change as permanent. I kept waiting and waiting, week by week, to go back to normal and then I realized I never would go back to normal, and this acceptance was the start of a kind of transformation. I literally cried at night in my bed having nostalgic feelings of the past and how things "used to be". I also had feelings of how unhappy I used to be, and I was now grateful for many more things and realized I was kinda happier now.
 
Its possible depersonalisation has occurred.
Whilst some may suggest lingering effects from first time LSD usage is normal i would disagree.

Focus on normal as best as you can. Normal being, no drugs or alcohol, regular exercise and outdoor activities. And good healthy food.

If itcis depersonalisation and lingers for several more weeks a visit to a dr might be needed.
Good luck
 
Sucks your first lsd experience was so bad. I would say a lot had to do with environment. Acid is best taken outside on a sunny day in nature. So if you ever want to try it again consider that. And start early because things do get weird after dark.

As for how youre feeling now, I had a pretty shit time after I took 2cb , ketamine and nos and had the most indescribable unpleasant experience. I think it's often hard because nobody else knows what you went through. But rest assured you haven't done any actual physical damage, lsd is a very safe drug. So your spiral thought patterns and anxiety and obsessive thinking need to be addressed. I've found CBT really helpful. Also, forgive yourself. You'll be ok
 
- Try to calm yourself down with things like meditation and breathing exercises
- Try and be in the world a lot and ground yourself a bit in everyday situations, retreating won't do you any good.
- You may just need to get used to having a different perspective for a while, focusing on the differentness of it may exacerbate this whole thing as a problem. It doesn't sound like you have a bad case of this which would sound more like having to get to know yourself all over again.

Overanalyzing can be a problem, I have that and it used to be a big problem. But I have also had a bad case of existential crisis - tripping related mental stuff etc - in the past, all of which I survived.
Unfortunately you talk mostly about how this affects you, and I understand that is difficult, but to say more about it descriptions of what makes you think it is derealization etc would be helpful.
 
I had a similar situation like you after my first joint. Overthinking, confusion and out of body experiences for almost a month. It changed my life for better, even if it was a hard month.

All will subside with time, and once you integrate the experience, you'll find you somehow gained a lot of good value insights to integrate in your life :)
 
Your story resonates with me because of how similar my experience was. Me and a friend, both 18, tripped for the first time and it was wild. I smoked marijuana in the middle of it and although it relaxed me in the moment, I feel it triggered some unaccounted for affects later on. My trip become filled with worry and fear and distrust.

I think the most difficult thing is accepting the drastic change on your outlook to life post trip. It truly is mind blowing and that can make coming back and trying to re-associate yourself with old habits, the world, and even YOURSELF, feel very eery and almost uncomfortable. It fucking sucks man. This feeling stuck around with me for so long. It's like a spiritual depression.

The most beneficial things for me have been working out (lifting weights but even more so long distance cardio), breathing exercises (Wim Hof has some super dope ones that really ignite the soul hahaha), and having faith man. Faith. Knowing how many people have experienced what you're experiencing, believing in yourself and happiness, and, as others have said, relaxing. Take time with yourself, with nature, get some sun and know that time washes away everything. What your experiencing now shall pass, don't worry brother.

Try to laugh a lot too, always helps!

I wish you good luck man :D
 
It sounds like you weren't aware of how long LSD can affect you. As others have said, this is completely normal, it isn't permanent, and it's nothing to worry about. For me, an LSD trip will have a noticeable effect on my cognition for at least a good two weeks.
 
and I'm a natural over thinker...

There's your problem.

You're worrying, and allowing yourself to feed your worries with their own fuel. The only thing that is wrong with you is that you are worrying excessively, which is a self fulfilling prophecy.

To me this sounds like make or break. LSD is a brilliant teacher, but its lessons are often cryptic - so do you want to spend the rest of your life worrying about things; a common affliction, but a burden none the less, or would you rather take the opportunity to break free from that worrying? The latter is entirely possible with commitment.

I'd suggest reading The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle. The first few chapters really redefined the way that I think and interact with my mind, in particular the part about 'watching the thinker' and your thoughts/ego not being you. I think that it's something that all humans should be aware of, and it's a brilliant way of dissociating yourself from and/or controlling negative thoughts i.e worrying. :)


The Power of Now - Eckhart Tolle: Watching The Thinker
"What exactly do you mean by “watching the thinker”? When someone goes to the doctor and says, “I hear a voice in my head,” he or she will most likely be sent to a psychiatrist. The fact is that, in a very similar way, virtually everyone hears a voice, or several voices, in their head all the time: the involuntary thought processes that you don’t realize you have the power to stop. Continuous monologues or dialogues.

You have probably come across “mad” people in the street incessantly talking or muttering to themselves. Well, that’s not much different from what you and all other “normal” people do, except that you don’t do it out loud. The voice comments, speculates, judges, compares, complains, likes, dislikes, and so on. The voice isn’t necessarily relevant to the situation you find yourself in at the time; it may be reviving the recent or distant past or rehearsing or imagining possible future situations. Here it often imagines things going wrong and negative outcomes; this is called worry. Sometimes this soundtrack is accompanied by visual images or “mental movies.” Even if the voice is relevant to the situation at hand, it will interpret it in terms of the past. This is because the voice belongs to your conditioned mind, which is the result of all your past history as well as of the collective cultural mind-set you inherited. So you see and judge the present through the eyes of the past and get a totally distorted view of it. It is not uncommon for the voice to be a person’s own worst enemy. Many people live with a tormentor in their head that continuously attacks and punishes them and drains them of vital energy. It is the cause of untold misery and unhappiness, as well as of disease.

The good news is that you can free yourself from your mind. This is the only true liberation. You can take the first step right now. Start listening to the voice in your head as often as you can. Pay particular attention to any repetitive thought patterns, those old gramophone records that have been playing in your head perhaps for many years. This is what I mean by “watching the thinker,” which is another way of saying: listen to the voice in your head, be there as the witnessing presence.

When you listen to that voice, listen to it impartially. That is to say, do not judge. Do not judge or condemn what you hear, for doing so would mean that the same voice has come in again through the back door. You’ll soon realize: there is the voice, and here I am listening to it, watching it. This I am realization, this sense of your own presence, is not a thought. It arises from beyond the mind.

Link to exert from book

I really suggest buying the book. A quick google for the ebook will bring up a version on archive.org, but I've got no idea if it's a legal copy so don't want to post it.
 
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Had exactly the same experience as some of you guys: took some acid, then smoked a small joint, and even though I used to be super resistant to weed's effects since I smoked very often, it made me go very deep into some sort of panic attack. At that precise time, I really thought the eery impression it gave me on the world, on my friends and on my own thoughts would never go away. For several weeks after that day, I had some pretty intense anxiety about everything, and that anxiety made me even more anxious about myself. I really thought I'd fked myself up. I kind of spiraled down into an existencial crisis, questioning everything I was, everything I thought, even the very nature of reality.

I stopped smoking weed, took back on swimming, and went to see a therapist to do something about the latent anxietyHe gave me a very light treatment (Amisulpride), and the anxiety kind of went away. . I started meditating (Vipassana). I also experienced what one of you called "spiritual depression". I didn't have much will to live anymore. On my 25th birthday, like 3 months after that event, I was depressed to be "old", like all the good times were past me, as if I'd never go back to my "old, na?ve and careless me". But, slowly, the recurrent questions that kept on nibbling started to fade. It's been something like 8 months since that dreaded day and I'm slowly starting to be better.

I still have some "unfinished business" in my mind, some anxieties I haven't come to term with, but it's getting better. Reading all of this also made me feel better. I hope you heal bro, for your sake and mine.
 
Same experience

Last Saturday I tried LSD for the first time, and ever since I've been a little off. I've been all over the place mentally and it's kinda starting to get to me.

The first couple hours hours of the trip was hilarious, my friend and I were telling jokes and laughing at everything, as well as walking around his house and recounting all the memories that we've had in the rooms we'd walk into. I should also mention the friend who's idea it had been to do LSD left us after about half an hour of taking it. Once it got to 3 in the morning, we headed upstairs to lay down in separate rooms while my friend played music. I noticed at some point that the music had stopped and my thoughts started to swirl. I was in a dark room and started freaking out, inside my own head, not out loud. I got up, turned the lights on, paced, nothing could help me from thinking that I'd never return to normal. I went to talk to my friend about it but he was alseep and I didn't want to wake him so I kept pacing and freaking myself out. I eventually woke him up and told him I was freaking out and that I felt as if I wouldn't be able to return to normal. He wasn't really much help, so we called my other friend, who told me I'd be fine after we woke up. I've since talked to both of them, one having done it multiple times before this occasion, and the other, whose house I slept over, was his first time using LSD as well. Both of us smoked weed while the trip was happening, if that makes a difference.

Its since been a week and 3 days and I'm still feeling off, scaring myself out of sleeping and into thinking I have all sorts of things wrong, from anxiety to derealization, and it's probably because I've been reading too far into the internet and I'm a natural over thinker so the combination isn't the best. I'm still a little scared, and I'm wondering if I should go see a doctor. I've read stories since the incident of people returning to normal, stating that all I need is to sleep, eat and maybe excercise a little. I'm just afraid that my irrational thinking has led to me creating more problems than I had before. The whole derealization thing has scared the absolute shit out of me and I know I probably don't have it, being that I'm not a doctor and I've been looking things up on the internet, but it's still a scary thought. I also kind of feel like I'm scaring myself into believing some of the things I've read, being an 18 year old over thinker. I've kind of been over analyzing things since that night, and I did it before but I'm more aware of it now. I guess the question is, is letting time build up the chemicals in my brain again the answer, or is there something else.

If anyone has any insight on what to do, or even if you've felt the same way and gotten through it, I would love to hear it because I feel as if I could use it right now. Also, I should add that this is the only time I've ever done acid, and to be quite honest with you, this is most likely the last. Thank you for any help you guys can give me, I really really appreciate it.

- I got the same experience, I could relate to this post in so many ways, is there anyway I could contact you personally to discuss this further?
 
I never really want to get back to normal, for me being high on LSD is like having more life, more awareness, more synchronized imagination, and more contact with everything around me.
I take moderate to normal doses, but the enhancement is highly appreciated.
Slowly after the trip things become a bit more flat, less patterned or colorful, and I have to work harder to be in contact with everything around me.
 
I had the same experience. It just takes time. Your first acid trip can have an unusual comedown but it gets better.
 
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My last trip was in 2015. It was what I call "the granddaddy of them all" Tons of religious implications, although the real trip stopped after 8 or so hours, there was a nasty transparent residue left over for 6 to 8 months. It consisted of looped thoughts, memory lapses, extreme doubt about the future, increased anxiety and more. When I smoked Cannabis it would intensify. I had to do alot of praying and soul searching.

I spoke to a cousin of mine that told me this "when you take hallucinogens your opening a doorway for good or bad spirits alike, some will attach themselves to your soul. Some will weigh it down"

I really started to get better when I stopped asking myself the question "am I stuck this way?!?!?" And started marching forward with life in the best way possible. The whole ordeal has taught me that life is full of unique processes. We should do our best in the midst of it all.

Its been 3 years and I can honestly say I am recovered. It was no easy thing to do, and I also learned this - If your schizophrenic or anything similiar to that, ya probably shouldnt trip period. Find another way to be "Psychedelic"
 
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