⬇️ Prefer to listen instead? ⬇️
- 🧠 Psilocybin temporarily rewires brain connectivity, facilitating deep emotional introspection and self-examination.
- ⚠️ Nearly 70% of psilocybin users experience guilt or shame, challenging the idea that psychedelic experiences are uniformly positive.
- 🔄 Younger individuals report higher levels of these emotions, possibly due to identity development and societal conditioning.
- 💡 Processing guilt and shame during a psychedelic experience is linked to improved long-term well-being and mystical experiences.
- 🛑 30% of users experience an increase in shame post-trip, emphasizing the need for proper therapeutic support and integration.
Bad Trips and Guilt: Are They Good for Psychedelic Healing?
Psychedelic therapy, particularly with psilocybin—the active ingredient in magic mushrooms—has gained traction as a powerful tool for mental health treatment. While much of the hype surrounds psilocybin’s ability to induce mystical, euphoric experiences, recent research suggests that encountering difficult emotions such as guilt and shame—often linked to so-called “bad trips”—may be integral to the healing process. Instead of purely negative experiences, these intense emotional states might provide opportunities for deep psychological change and self-reflection, ultimately contributing to the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
What Are “Bad Trips”?
A “bad trip” is often described as an unpleasant or overwhelming psychedelic experience characterized by fear, confusion, and emotional distress. These experiences can range from unsettling moments of self-doubt to deeply disturbing sensations of doom or paranoia.
Traditionally, bad trips have been viewed as dangerous side effects of psychedelics, something to be avoided through careful preparation, proper dosage, and a controlled setting. However, emerging research challenges this perspective, suggesting that confronting difficult emotions during a psychedelic session may play a crucial role in personal transformation.
The Science Behind Psilocybin and Emotional Processing
Psilocybin interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, to temporarily alter connectivity between brain regions. This results in greater neural flexibility, enhanced introspection, and **reduced activity in the default mode network (DMN)**—a brain system associated with self-referential thought and ego.
These changes lead to several psychological effects:
- Increased emotional openness – Users often report heightened sensitivity to emotions, including joy, sadness, and regret.
- Dissolution of the ego – Psilocybin can break down habitual thought patterns and offer new perspectives, sometimes surfacing subconscious guilt or shame.
- Catharsis – The emotional intensity of a psychedelic experience can act as a form of release, allowing repressed emotions to surface and be processed.
While these mechanisms can contribute to feelings of unity and transcendence, they can also amplify distressing thoughts and unresolved emotions, making the experience challenging for some individuals.
New Research: How Common Are Shame and Guilt During Psychedelic Use?
A study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs analyzed the emotional states of individuals who used psilocybin, providing insight into how often shame and guilt emerge during psychedelic experiences. The results surprised many, highlighting that confronting negative emotions during a trip is far more common than previously assumed.
Key Findings from the Study:
- Nearly 70% of participants reported experiencing either shame or guilt.
- 56% of users experienced shame, while 52% reported guilt.
- 12% of participants reported these emotions at the highest intensity.
- The duration of these emotions ranged from 10 minutes to an hour.
These findings emphasize that psychedelic therapy is not just about accessing blissful, mystical states—it often involves facing difficult personal emotions and memories.
Why Younger Individuals May Experience Guilt and Shame More Frequently
One of the most notable patterns in the study was the correlation between age and the likelihood of experiencing guilt and shame. Younger individuals reported these emotions more frequently and intensely than older participants.
Possible Explanations:
- Identity Formation – Adolescents and young adults are in the process of shaping their beliefs, values, and self-perception, making them more susceptible to self-criticism and unresolved guilt.
- Social Conditioning – Younger users are often more influenced by societal and cultural expectations, which can amplify feelings of guilt over past actions or perceived moral failures.
- Emotional Plasticity – The younger brain is more malleable and prone to emotional turbulence, which may heighten the intensity of psychedelic experiences.
This highlights the importance of tailoring psychedelic therapy to different age groups, ensuring that younger users receive the necessary support to navigate intense emotions productively.
The Surprising Benefits of Overcoming Difficult Emotions During a Psychedelic Trip
Contrary to the belief that bad trips have no intrinsic value, the study found that those who experienced and worked through feelings of guilt and shame reported better outcomes than those who had purely positive experiences.
Key Benefits of Emotional Confrontation:
- Greater Mystical Experiences – Individuals who navigated difficult emotions were more likely to report profound spiritual or transcendent insights.
- Improved Psychological Well-Being – Successfully processing shame and guilt led to long-term emotional relief and increased clarity about one’s personal values and actions.
- Emotional Resilience – Facing fears and insecurities during a trip can strengthen emotional resilience, equipping individuals with better coping mechanisms in daily life.
This suggests that the true potential of psychedelic therapy might lie not only in accessing euphoric states but also in confronting and resolving deep-seated emotional wounds.
The Role of Psychological Support in Psychedelic Therapy
For those undergoing psilocybin-assisted therapy, guidance from a trained professional can significantly influence the therapeutic outcome. Proper psychological support can help individuals process challenging emotions in a constructive way, reducing potential harm and increasing the likelihood of long-term benefits.
Essential Elements of Psychedelic Therapy:
✔ Pre-Session Preparation – Setting an intention for the experience helps individuals frame their journey in a way that facilitates growth.
✔ Guided Support During The Experience – A trained therapist or facilitator can provide reassurance and grounding for participants encountering distress.
✔ Post-Session Integration – Structured therapy sessions post-trip help process emotions and apply insights to real-life challenges.
Without these safeguards, experiences of guilt or shame could become overwhelming rather than therapeutic.
Potential Drawbacks: When Guilt and Shame Become Harmful
While guilt and shame can lead to healing when properly processed, they can also become psychologically damaging if unresolved. The study found that 30% of users reported an increase in overall shame levels post-trip, which could contribute to depressive symptoms or self-critical thought patterns.
Risk Factors for Negative Outcomes:
- Pre-existing mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
- Lack of psychological support before, during, or after the experience.
- Interpretation of the trip as “punishment” rather than an opportunity for growth.
This reinforces the importance of proper aftercare to prevent lingering distress from overshadowing the potential benefits.
What This Means for the Future of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
With increasing acceptance of psychedelic therapy in clinical settings, this research raises important questions about how to integrate difficult emotions into therapeutic frameworks. Instead of treating challenging feelings as undesirable side effects, clinicians might need to actively incorporate emotional processing techniques to guide patients through guilt and shame constructively.
Key Takeaways for Psychedelic Therapy Development:
✔ Emphasizing Emotional Processing rather than avoidance.
✔ Personalizing Treatment Approaches based on age, trauma history, and psychological resilience.
✔ Developing Clear Guidelines for navigating distressing psychedelic experiences.
By refining these therapeutic models, psilocybin-assisted therapy could become a more robust and effective tool for mental health treatment.
Rethinking “Bad Trips” as Part of the Healing Process
Rather than avoiding or fearing bad trips, new research suggests that the discomfort of guilt and shame can serve as a catalyst for growth and transformation. If processed correctly, these emotions can unlock deeper self-awareness and long-lasting psychological benefits.
However, ensuring proper guidance, integration support, and aftercare is essential to distinguish between healing experiences and potential psychological harm. As the field of psychedelic therapy evolves, incorporating these insights will be crucial in maximizing therapeutic benefits while minimizing risks.
Citation
Mathai, D. S., Roberts, D. E., Nayak, S. M., Sepeda, N. D., Lehrner, A., Johnson, M. W., Lowe, M. X., Jackson, H., & Garcia-Romeu, A. (2025). Shame, guilt and psychedelic experience: Results from a prospective, longitudinal survey of real-world psilocybin use. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2025.2461997
