Some people swear by using Xanax to stop or prevent a bad acid trip. Others use it to help them sleep after a trip.
In theory, you could see how it might work, since benzodiazepines, like Xanax, are typically used to treat anxiety.
The thing is, there’s no evidence that Xanax will stop an acid trip or comedown. Any claims of its effects on an acid trip come only from people’s personal experience.
Here’s a closer look at how Xanax may or may not affect an acid trip.
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Possibly, but it could also make things worse.
Folks who’ve tried this combo report a mixed bag of effects. Some say it stops a bad trip dead in its tracks. Others say it makes an already intense trip even more uncomfortable.
Everyone reacts differently to substances, so it’s nearly impossible to know how adding Xanax into the mix will affect you.
Your personal reaction to Xanax and LSD also depends on:
While doctors sometimes use benzodiazepines to treat people experiencing substance-related agitation or psychosis, Xanax usually isn’t the first choice.
If you’re going to use LSD and are trying to minimize your chances of having a bad experience, there are several (more reliable) alternatives to taking Xanax:
There’s no guarantee that taking Xanax will help mellow things out if you’re having a bad trip.
Instead, try the following:
Probably not.
There’s no scientific evidence that Xanax — or anything else for that matter — will stop an LSD trip once it’s started.
Once it starts, there’s no way to make a trip end. Your best bet is to follow the tips mentioned above to make the process of waiting things out more bearable.
Remember: All of this will end eventually.
Coming down from an acid trip can be rough, especially if you’re having a hard time sleeping.
Over the next 24 hours, you might also experience:
When you’re on edge and sleep deprived, Xanax might feel like the natural solution. While it does make some people sleepy, a few people online have reported that Xanax made their trip start up again and trigger hallucinations and panic.
There’s no way around it: What goes up must come down. But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it.
Make the comedown more bearable (and maybe even get some sleep) with these tips:
If you’ve been prescribed Xanax for anxiety or panic disorders, it’s probably best to skip LSD.
LSD can cause anxiety and panic in some people. Plus, if you have a history of mental health issues, you may have a higher risk for developing hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) from using LSD.
There’s no straight answer here, as this combo hasn’t been studied in-depth.
Based on anecdotal evidence, taking a small amount of Xanax while using LSD likely won’t cause any major health risks, but it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to mixing substances.
It’s also important to remember that Xanax has a high potential for misuse and can be highly addictive.
If you’re going to use Xanax alongside LSD, there are a few steps you can take that may reduce the potential risks:
There’s no scientific evidence that taking Xanax with LSD will prevent a bad trip or stop one in its tracks. While some people have reported success with the combo, the results aren’t consistent.
If you’re in the middle of a bad trip or looking for ways to avoid having one, your best bet is to stick with tied-and-true tips, like having a trusted friend nearby and making sure you’re in a calm, comfortable setting.
If you’re worried about your substance use and are looking for confidential support, you have a few options:
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a freelance writer and author who has written extensively on all things health and lifestyle for more than a decade. When she’s not holed-up in her writing shed researching an article or off interviewing health professionals, she can be found frolicking around her beach town with husband and dogs in tow or splashing about the lake trying to master the stand-up paddle board.
Last medically reviewed on March 18, 2020
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