Substances You Absolutely Shouldn’t Trip On Alone

Because your brain is not a playground for ghosts — and sometimes you do need a witness

We’re not saying don’t take drugs. We’re just saying maybe don’t take these ones solo, in your bedroom, with a 9-hour ambient playlist and a vague plan to “go inward.”

There’s a myth — usually spread by men who think owning a didgeridoo makes them a healer — that tripping alone is somehow more “authentic” or “spiritual.” That solo ego death is a rite of passage. That if you take a heroic dose alone and scream into a pillow for four hours, you’ll come out healed and enlightened and suddenly less annoying at parties.

Substances You Absolutely Shouldn’t Trip On Alone

In reality? Sometimes you just end up naked, sobbing, and texting your ex from the bathroom floor. Or worse — in the ER, trying to explain what 5-MeO-DMT is to a nurse named Karen.

So here’s the list. The no-go list. The “don’t do this alone unless you have a death wish or a hotline on speed dial” list.

1. 5-MeO-DMT (a.k.a. God in a Crack Pipe)

If DMT is like blasting off into a sacred jungle rave, 5-MeO-DMT is getting disintegrated by the source of the universe and reborn as a humming noise.

This isn’t a “fun” trip. It’s a complete loss of self. Time, space, body — gone. You might forget how to breathe. You might forget what breathing is.

Why not alone? Because people have literally died trying this solo. Not because the drug is inherently lethal — but because they stop breathing, seize, or collapse without anyone there to pull them back. Also, you’re going to want someone around to remind you you’re human when you come back speaking in tongues.

2. Salvia Divinorum

No one takes salvia twice. There’s a reason for that.

This stuff hits like a glitch in the matrix coded by Satan himself. One second you're here. The next, you're a brick in a wall having an existential crisis while your own mouth melts off your face.

Why not alone? Because it’s terrifying, disorienting, and people flail. You can break furniture, fall down stairs, or full-body yeet yourself into traffic thinking you’re escaping “the fold.” You need someone sober nearby who won’t panic when you start screaming about being trapped inside a zipper dimension.

3. High-Dose LSD (300mcg+ — aka “I’m a Spiral Now”)

Low-dose or party LSD? Sure. Trip lightly, float around your living room, giggle at a lava lamp — no problem.

But once you get into heroic territory (200mcg+), solo tripping turns into full-on psychological spelunking. You’re going to meet your trauma. You’re going to meet your ancestors. You might also meet a demon named Greg who lives in your radiator.

Why not alone? Because high-dose LSD can twist reality so hard you lose your grip — like, can’t tell if you’re real, forgot what language is, think your reflection is plotting against you levels of bad. And if panic sets in? There’s no “off” switch. A grounded sitter is the only thing between “transformational” and “someone found me hiding in a bush at 3AM.”

4. Iboga/Ibogaine

This one’s not for fun — it’s used for deep trauma work and addiction treatment. But people keep trying to DIY it like it’s a trendy new ayahuasca, and that’s a huge no.

Why not alone? Because this shit can literally stop your heart. Iboga messes with your cardio system, and trips can last 24–72 hours. Yes, hours. It’s not a trip — it’s a full-body reboot. You need medical supervision. You need someone with a blood pressure cuff and a crisis plan. Not a blanket and a playlist.

5. Ketamine (in high or repeated doses)

Yeah, it’s legally prescribed now. Yeah, everyone’s calling it “psychedelic-lite.” But ketamine + alone is a risky combo — especially if you’re redosing or snorting your way into a hole.

Why not alone? Because you can black out, dissociate completely, fall, seize, or just lay there for an hour unable to move your limbs. K-holing solo is how you end up calling an ambulance with your nose because your hands don’t work.

Also, if you’re prone to depression, the post-ket drop alone can get seriously dark. It’s not deep healing if you’re sobbing into a pizza crust at 4AM.

Honorable Mentions (a.k.a. Maybe Just Wait for the Group Chat)

• Mescaline / San Pedro / Peyote – gentle but long AF. Like, 12–16 hours long. You’ll need moral support when you hit hour ten and start bargaining with your carpet.

• Ayahuasca – not a solo trip, not a cute idea. It’s a spiritual surgery. You want a guide, not a Spotify playlist.

• DXM – cough syrup doesn’t belong in your spiritual toolkit. And you really don’t want to puke while alone in another dimension.

Tripping Alone Isn’t Bad. But Tripping Smart Is Hotter.

Here’s the thing: solo tripping can be beautiful. Intimate. Even sacred. But not all substances are solo-friendly. Some can straight-up kill you. Others will just make you wish you were dead for 6–12 hours.

So if you’re gonna go deep? Bring backup.

If you're gonna meet God? Maybe have someone there to remind you you're not actually melting into your couch.

Because you’re not stronger for doing it alone. You’re just lucky if you made it back.