From "bad trips" to "transformative and potentially therapeutic trips": harnessing the potential of psychedelics - narrative review.
Nikolaos Statharakos, Elisavet Papadopoulou, Aaron J. Alvares, Aikaterini Mara
Postepy psychiatrii neurologii August 25, 2025 DOI: 10.5114/ppn.2025.153603 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Narrative review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Psychedelic experiences Entheogenic therapy Psychedelic substances Mental health treatment Psychological healing Therapeutic encounters Mental well-being Emotional health Mental health support Personal transformation Personal growth Self-improvement Psychological development Positive change Integration Self-discovery Clinical support Therapeutic support Medical supervision Preparation Responsible use Structured therapy |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | The authors argue that difficult psychedelic experiences, while distressing, can act as catalysts for psychological growth when managed in controlled therapeutic settings with trained facilitators, potentially supporting emotional processing, trauma resolution, and long-term mental health improvement. They emphasize informed consent and aftercare, and call for further research to refine protocols and clarify long-term effects. |
Abstract
Purpose: Psychedelic substances are attracting attention for their therapeutic potential in mental health disorders. Emerging research suggests that even negative psychedelic experiences, or "bad trips," may hold therapeutic potential when managed in controlled settings. This narrative review explores the nature of "bad trips", their contributing factors, and their integration into therapeutic practices. Views: Data for this review were identified through systematic searches of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus using keyword "bad trip", "psychedelic therapy" with the use of Boolean variable AND. Articles were selected based on their relevance, recency, and methodological rigor. Key studies were analyzed to extract findings on psychological mechanisms and therapeutic frameworks related to challenging psychedelic experiences. Bad trips frequently involve intense fear, anxiety, and unresolved traumas. Controlled therapeutic settings allow for these experiences to catalyze emotional processing, trauma resolution, and transformative insights. Historical and contemporary studies highlight long-term mental health improvements following the effective integration of such experiences. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and aftercare, are critical to mitigate risks and optimize outcomes.
Conclusions: While distressing, bad trips may act as catalysts for psychological growth in therapeutic contexts with trained facilitators. Further research is needed to refine therapeutic protocols and elucidate the long-term effects of challenging psychedelic experiences, offering innovative approaches to mental health treatment.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Working with post-psychedelic difficulties: a meta-aggregation of users’ experiences and implications for counselling practice Counselling Psychology Quarterly September 27, 2026
- Field Notes From Inner Space: Global Psychedelic Survey Participants Report Health Benefits, Personal Growth, and Life Transformations Contemporary Drug Problems April 25, 2026