What do people see when they're tripping? Analyzing Erowid's trip reports

Subjective Effects Across Substances

• 2C-x series: 2C-E described as intensely visual with heavy body load and nausea but relatively “sober” headspace; 2C-B and similar reported as mostly visual (tracers, pattern enhancement) with only mild mood lift and short duration.
• LSD: recurring themes of time distortion, difficulty reading (letters become meaningless symbols), extreme visual enhancement (breathing walls, morphing textures, fractals), and occasional full amnesia for parts of the trip. Some compare it to temporary psychosis or schizophrenia.
• Mushrooms: often less overtly visual and more introspective; “popping out” or sharpening of perception more than new objects appearing. Experiences range from mild pattern movement to deep emotional insight and major depression relief.
• DMT: very rapid onset, intense geometric or entity-filled spaces, sometimes “VR headset”–like replacement of reality; some users never reach the more famous “breakthrough” state.
• Ketamine: powerful dissociation, ego separation, and immersion in music; some report long‑term softening of depression, others mostly novelty.
• Salvia: repeatedly described as uniquely strange and often frightening (becoming objects, living as a plant or inanimate thing for “years”). Several warn strongly against it.
• Datura and other deliriants: almost universally condemned as dangerous, unpleasant, and insight‑free, with high risk of poisoning and prolonged psychosis.

Profundity, Insight, and Meaning

• Many describe seemingly world-shattering insights (about time, self, or reality) that later read as gibberish; others report enduring, life-improving realizations about empathy, relationships, and personal patterns.
• Meta‑insight: feeling that something is profound is not evidence it truly is, but realizing this can itself recalibrate one’s sense of meaning.
• Debate over whether psychedelics are better for “EQ problems” (emotions, empathy) than “IQ problems” (technical creativity), though some cite research and anecdotes suggesting creativity boosts.

Risks, Set/Setting, and Mental Health

• Reports of persistent visual disturbances (visual snow, subtle movement) and HPPD; others note long‑term panic and cognitive issues, especially from misrepresented or DOx‑type drugs.
• Strong advice that people with anxiety, bipolar, psychosis risk, or fragile mental states can be badly harmed; some say trips that dredge up trauma can still be healing, but only with preparation, support, and willingness.
• Emphasis on set and setting, sober or trusted sitters, cautious dosing, and having benzodiazepines as an “emergency brake.”

Patterns, Commonalities, and Theory

• Discussion of “form constants” (grids, spirals, tunnels) and recurring motifs like spiders on certain drugs or cigarettes on datura, suggesting shared neural mechanisms.
• Mixed reactions to the article’s claim that different psychedelics don’t differ much visually: some think this reflects analysis limits; others insist the character of LSD, psilocybin, DMT, salvia, etc. is dramatically distinct at experiential level.

Erowid, AI, and Culture

• Some want to mine Erowid trip reports with LLMs for better taxonomies and harm reduction; Erowid’s anti‑scraping stance is respected but seen as a lost opportunity by some.
• Light speculation on whether AI could “trip” via perturbations of its own parameters, and broader surprise at how common serious drug use is among technically inclined people.