What You Shouldn’t Do on Your First Tripp: Avoid These Rookie Mistakes!
So, you’ve decided to take your first psychedelic journey—welcome to a world that’s as magical as it is mysterious. But hold up! Before you jump in headfirst, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t do on your first tripp (yes, that’s “tripp” with two Ps—Google knows what’s up!).
I learned the hard way so you don’t have to. 😅
This post is a reality check with a personal twist, jam-packed with real-life stories and hard-earned wisdom to help you navigate your first psychedelic experience safely, meaningfully, and maybe even joyfully.
Let’s dive in.
H2: Don’t Trip in a Bad Environment — Set and Setting Matter!
H3: My Rookie Mistake: Tripping in a Noisy Apartment Complex
When I took my first psilocybin trip, I thought I was prepared. I had the substance, snacks, and a playlist. What I didn’t have was peace and quiet.
I was in a cramped city apartment with thin walls and upstairs neighbors who sounded like they were bowling. Not exactly the serene backdrop for a soul-opening journey. Within 45 minutes, I was overwhelmed by the chaos and ended up hiding in the bathroom for an hour, convinced my shower curtain was trying to give me life advice.
Lesson: Always choose a calm, safe, and private space for your first tripp. Nature? Yes. Loud city apartment? A big NO.
H2: Don’t Trip Alone — Especially the First Time
H3: The Lonely Loop of Doom
Ah, solo trips. They sound introspective and peaceful, right? Not always.
I decided to take 2 grams of mushrooms alone at night. At first, I felt a warm buzz. But then the loop began: I was overthinking everything—my job, my relationships, my cat’s possible resentment toward me (yes, really). There was no one there to ground me or talk me down. I spiraled into anxiety and ended the night crying on my kitchen floor.
Takeaway: Always have a trusted, sober sitter on your first tripp—someone who can remind you you’re okay and bring you back to reality if things get intense.
H2: Don’t Overdo the Dose — More Isn’t Better
H3: “I Think I Took Too Much…”
Spoiler alert: I did.
Like a lot of overconfident newbies, I thought I’d be fine taking 3.5 grams of shrooms because “I’ve done weed, how different can it be?” 🤦
Let me tell you—IT’S DIFFERENT. Within an hour, I was convinced I had become part of my couch. I couldn’t tell whether I was breathing or if the couch was. Time dissolved. Language broke down. It was fascinating and terrifying.
Pro tip: Start low. 1 to 1.5 grams is a solid beginner dose. You can always take more next time, but you can’t take less once it’s in your system.
H2: Don’t Mix Substances — Keep It Clean
H3: The Weed + Shrooms Combo That Went Very Wrong
Here’s a biggie in the list of what you shouldn’t do on your first tripp—do not mix substances.
I thought, “Hey, I love smoking weed. Why not add a little joint into the mix to enhance the visuals?”
Bad. Move.
Within 10 minutes, the walls started melting too much, and I couldn’t form a single coherent thought. The weed amped up my paranoia, and what could’ve been a chill ride turned into a full-on psychological tornado.
Rule of thumb: Don’t combine psychedelics with anything else—especially not on your first experience.
H2: Don’t Ignore Your Mental State
H3: “I’ll Trip to Feel Better” = Disaster
I was going through a breakup when I decided to trip—thinking it would help me “gain perspective.”
Wrong again.
The trip magnified everything. My sadness, my feelings of unworthiness, and all the memories I was trying to suppress came rushing to the surface like a cinematic heartbreak montage. I wasn’t prepared for the emotional flood, and it was one of the longest nights of my life.
Advice: Only trip when you’re in a relatively stable headspace. Psychedelics aren’t a cure—they’re a mirror.
H2: Don’t Expect a Party Drug Experience
H3: It’s Not Like Ecstasy or Alcohol
One of the most common misconceptions is thinking psychedelics = fun, colorful party time.
Yes, there may be giggles, colors, and insight—but this isn’t your average Saturday night rave.
On my first trip, I kept waiting for the “fun part.” Instead, I was launched into a deep inner dialogue about who I am, why I lie to myself, and whether time is even real. Cool? Yes. But it sure didn’t feel like a party.
Remember: Psychedelics are tools for introspection, not just trippy visuals.
H2: Don’t Skip Integration — The Trip Isn’t Over When It Ends
H3: “That Was Wild… Now What?”
After your trip, you might be left with a mind full of profound thoughts. Or confusion. Or both.
The mistake I made? Doing nothing about it.
I didn’t journal. I didn’t reflect. I just went back to my regular life, hoping the “magic” would linger. Instead, I felt weird and detached for days.
Post-trip integration is vital. Write about your experience, talk to someone who understands, and reflect on what came up. It’s in the unpacking that real growth happens.
H2: Don’t Take Psychedelics If You’re on Certain Medications
H3: Know Your Body. Know Your Risks.
A close friend of mine learned this the hard way. He was on SSRIs (a common type of antidepressant) and decided to take LSD. Not only did it dull the effects, but it also gave him a splitting headache and a feeling of numb disconnection.
Important: If you’re on any prescription meds, especially antidepressants, do your research or talk to a knowledgeable professional. Your safety comes first.
H2: Don’t Film Yourself (Seriously)
H3: The Embarrassing Evidence You Don’t Need
Look, I get it—you want to remember your first tripp. Maybe you’re thinking of documenting it like a psychedelic diary.
Please. Don’t.
A friend of mine recorded himself thinking he was “channeling the universe.” What he actually captured was 45 minutes of him babbling to a houseplant. It’s funny in hindsight, but super cringey.
Pro tip: Be present. Keep the cameras off. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later.
Final Thoughts: Play It Safe, Go In With Respect
Your first psychedelic journey can be incredible—but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t prepare properly.
Let’s recap what you shouldn’t do on your first tripp:
- Don’t trip in chaotic or unsafe environments
- Don’t go solo
- Don’t overdo the dose
- Don’t mix with other substances
- Don’t trip when emotionally unstable
- Don’t treat it like a party
- Don’t skip the integration
- Don’t trip while on incompatible meds
- Don’t try to record or document the entire experience
The key is respect. Respect the substance, your mind, and your surroundings. Treat the experience like a sacred ceremony, and you’re much more likely to come out the other side with wisdom, peace, and maybe even a new perspective on life.
And above all—go easy on yourself. There’s no “right” way to trip, but there are definitely wrong ones. Now that you know what to avoid, you’re already ahead of the curve.
Safe travels, psychonaut! 🌌