5 Reasons You Might Not Trip (Even with High Doses)

Defining the Psychedelic ‘Trip’

Using the standard definition of the word, a trip is an act of going to a place and returning—a journey or excursion, especially for pleasure. 

In the psychedelic sense, the term “trip” describes the hallucinogenic event that occurs after taking a certain dose of a psychedelic substance. Perhaps some might describe the experience as visiting or touring different realities. 

Despite the US government’s early attempts to use psychedelic drugs for coercive purposes, modern scientific research has shown many potential positive mental health effects from psychedelic use (Reiff, 2020).

Alleviating treatment-resistant addiction, depression, anxiety, and PTSD are now well-known benefits of these substances, especially psilocybin, the psychedelic component found in magic mushrooms. 

Science has yet to determine the exact mechanisms that cause a psychedelic trip, but anecdotally we do know that these altered states of consciousness can be profound, life-changing, and even result in mystical experiences.

Common Themes of a Therapeutic Psychedelic Experience

Though different depending on the particular substance, a psychedelic trip has common themes which permeate the experience whether you’re taking magic mushrooms or LSD.

Visual Components & Perceptual Changes

For most, the visual components of a psychedelic experience are unlike anything ever experienced before. They include:

• Visual acuity
• Light sensitivity
• Hallucinations
• Attention to small detail
• Pattern recognition and intricacy
• Color enhancement
• Warping and swirling of objects
• Appearance of objects and landscapes breathing
• Pulsation of light and objects
• Kaleidoscopic and geometric fractals, patterns, and shapes
• Hearing music or sounds

Specific patterns or details that normally go unnoticed may draw in one’s attention and receive newfound appreciation for their beauty or complexity, and this phenomena can happen both outwardly (with eyes open) and internally (with eyes closed).  

Interestingly, these perceptions can become so vivid that, in combination with specific body sensations, they fully override all visual and physical perception, leaving the psychonaut feeling as though they have “broken through” into a new reality. 

This imagery is also consistent with a state of consciousness where most transcendental, spiritual, or mystical insights are gained, an “ego death” takes place, or where a connection with spiritual entities occurs. 

Emotional & Mood Changes 

Mood changes can range depending on the particular set and setting, from sorrowful to joyful, introspective to adventurous, or even anxious to calm, but the psychedelic trip can influence our emotions through:

• Enhancing bodily sensations
• Enhancing emotions (ex. ecstacy or despair)
• Lowering inhibitions
• Invoking a feeling of interconnectedness with life and the environment

The release of the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, serotonin, associated with psychedelic use may also create a pleasant body high. 

For many, the tripping mind is still clear and aware but becomes an ungovernable observer of these new and intensified emotions and senses. 

Thought Patterns

The relative control you have over your thoughts ebbs and flows as the power of the psychedelic takes over. When it comes to our thoughts, we may experience a drastically new way of thinking while tripping such as:

• Altered processing of time
• Increased awareness of symbolism and meaning
• Recollection of repressed or significant memories
• Cyclical patterns of thinking

Temporary changes to your brain chemistry may allow you to shift the perspective of your thinking, changing personality and spirituality and connecting the dots and events in your life in a more meaningful way.   

The psychedelic experience is inextricably linked with an element of surrender, a loosening of the reins, and the concept of entrusting your mind to the natural or synthetic substance they’ve consumed. 

Transcendent & Mystical Experiences

This can be both exciting and absolutely terrifying. No two trips are the same, and many elements of the trip itself are ineffable and difficult to process. This is why we are so big on integration work!

Some common mystical experiences of the psychedelic journey are:

• Feeling absorbed or “one” with the universe
• Connecting to spirits, energies, beings, or the divine
• A noetic quality of purpose, contentment, and faith
• Gratitude for life or one’s loved ones
• Extrasensory perceptions or out of body phenomena

Why Doesn’t Everyone Feel Psychedelic Effects?

The reason we can spend so much time discussing the experiences that arise when one is tripping is because—comparatively speaking—we have a much greater understanding of what a trip is compared to how a trip works. 

Some scientists have tried to make some sense of how these experiences happen and of how our brain can produce the imagery we’ve mentioned here. 

In fact, Euclidean geometry has actually been discovered as being one way to describe how the brain produces certain hallucinations (Bressloff, 2020).

The patterns of connection linking the retina (the visual cortex) and its neuronal circuitry allow us to make sense of contours and edges. It’s thought that this is also the area of the brain that produces geometric hallucinations. 

While scientists have devoted a tremendous amount of work to psychoactive drugs and their mental health benefits, the scientific literature is almost entirely devoid of investigations as to the recreational practices of psychedelic use (Bohling, 2017).

Many people seek out the pleasurable “tripping” experiences for reasons outside of therapeutic potential, yet we still have relatively little understanding of the psychedelic “trip” itself. 

Given the prohibition and federal scheduling of these substances, there’s a scarcity of research into how the trip occurs. For that reason, much of the evidence in this space is anecdotal. 

Relatedly, it’s important to mention that experiences vary significantly, and it may be difficult to draw any conclusions about why you’re not tripping. 

However, through insight from our community, we’ve compiled 5 common reasons one might not experience a psychedelic trip. 

Everyone experiences psychedelics differently. We understand the frustration of taking magic mushrooms, wanting to harness the healing power of psychedelics, only to have nothing happen after consuming the substance. 

Regardless of the case, it’s helpful to be able to share experiences and feel supported by those who might understand where you’re coming from. 

If you’re tired of scouring internet forums only to be more confused than you previously were, Psychedelic Passage is here to give you the hands-on support and actionable mental health knowledge that you’ve been seeking. 

Our pre-vetted network of psychedelic facilitators and integration specialists are ready to help.  

5 Reasons You Might Not Be Tripping on Psychedelics 

1. Impact of Environment

Two of the most important words when it comes to psychedelics are set and setting, with set referring to your mindset and setting referring to your surrounding environment. 

The context of the psychedelic experience—as in the physical space—is absolutely crucial, not just from a safety standpoint, but also because it plays a huge role in the experience of the trip itself. 

Early psychedelic research that neglected set and setting was associated with unpleasant experiences. Not only were these less positive, but they also frequently resulted in someone not being able to feel the psychedelic substances. 

Alternatively, when study participants were given a “psychedelic” (which in actuality was a placebo) along with an appropriately designed set and setting, many of them reported that they tripped (Olson et al., 2020).

This shows the importance of set and setting in facilitating the psychedelic trip. Considerations for set include an examination of your current state of mind as well as identifying stressors that may impact your experience. 

For example, you may be going through a difficult life circumstance where your mind is in survival mode, and therefore rejects the release of control often associated with psychedelic use. 

The same may occur if you don’t have an intentional setting. The preparation of setting most notably revolves around feeling safe and comfortable in one’s physical environment. 

It can also involve preparation like fasting for at least three to four hours prior to a trip. If you’re interested in learning more, check out our guide for how to prepare for a psychedelic journey. 

2. Ego Causing Resistance

While the physical environment could be considered the setting of the equation, the ego also plays a major role in your mindset, or set. 

In psychoanalysis, the ego may be defined as the bridge between the conscious and unconscious mind and the mechanism behind reality testing. It is also responsible for your sense of personal identity, whether limiting or not. 

Think of your ego as the culmination of your thoughts, beliefs, and feelings about yourself and your life. 

The ego is all about stability and familiarity to increase your chances of survival, but in this modern world, an overactive or rigid ego may have some drawbacks. 

Though dependent on your intention, the mere curiosity of wanting to try a psychedelic substance threatens the ego because it means something may potentially change. 

Since psychedelics challenge our perception of reality and who we are on a deeply spiritual level, the ego may cause resistance to the psychedelic trip. 

It goes without saying that it takes a certain level of comfort and acceptance for whatever will arise in order to fully experience psychedelics. 

While a more common response to psychedelics is a dissolution of egoic thought, on a rare occasion, it is reportedly possible for psychedelic trippers to double down on their identity and coping mechanisms.  

A certain level of anxiety is common before an encounter with psychedelics. If this persists, it can be thought of as the ego gripping too hard, preventing one from fully surrendering to the experience. 

Similarly, the continuous doubts around it not working may have an analogous effect. Given our tendencies to overthink and constantly evaluate our daily lives, it can be difficult to avoid doing the same during a psychedelic experience. 

It may seem scary, but fully letting go and trusting in the experience can help produce a smoother and more profound trip. 

If it’s not already in your practice, a daily meditation routine will help you quiet the ego in ways that’ll also help you trip. Thoughtful discourse in preparation of the trip, including setting intentions, are also vital to quieting the ego.

3. Tolerance

Like with some other substances, a tolerance with psychedelics has been observed. 

Another reason you may not trip is tolerance, which can include your body’s natural tolerance (or conversely, sensitivity) to a specific substance, as well as temporary tolerance build-up from recently consuming a psychedelic drug. 

Many users report that all you need is 3 days in between, but others claim that tolerance is complicated and they’ve needed an extended period of time to reset before attempting to have more trips. 

In fact, several studies have discovered that there’s a very rapid tolerance to psychedelics like LSD (Nichols, 2016). Interestingly, there has also been a cross-tolerance reported when study participants use both LSD and psilocybin (Isbell et al., 1961).

Aside from DMT (which hasn’t been associated with cross-tolerance), many psychedelics involve the same mechanisms as well as a common pathway in the brain. 

It’s thought that if psychedelics are consumed two days in a row, use on the third day will produce few or even entirely non-existent effects. 

For you to feel the effects of a psychedelic substance, it’s recommended to put at least a few days between trips—but it’s probably better to wait a week (or a few weeks). 

We’ve written an article that goes in-depth on standard psychedelic dosage which may help you further identify what dose is appropriate for the type of experience you are intended to have.

4. Drug Interactions

Many other drugs, both legal and illegal, will impact the psychedelic experience. 

Check out this full chart of drug combinations, but it’s also important to emphasize that approaching psychedelics with extreme caution is important, especially if you’re unsure. 

Some users on Reddit report that even coming off SSRIs 2 weeks in advance is sometimes still not enough, and that antidepressants often have blunting effects for a more extended period of time than expected.