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Traumatic Psychedelic Experiences
Abigail E Calder1, Vincent J Diehl1, Gregor Hasler2,3
1Molecular Psychiatry Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland.
Abstract:
Psychedelic experiences involving extreme feelings of horror, helplessness, and perceived threats can be traumatizing. Traumatic psychedelic experiences are a rare, extreme, and largely preventable form of challenging experience which can arise due to frightening psychedelic drug effects, unsafe settings, and emergence of pre-existing trauma. Some people recover quickly, but others develop prolonged anxiety, sleep disturbances, derealization, or other potentially trauma-related symptoms. This chapter discusses the causes, phenomenology, and potential outcomes of traumatic psychedelic experiences, as well as how to prevent them and minimize their negative impact.
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