Extended Difficulties After Psychedelics: Understanding the Experience and Finding Support

Psychedelic experiences can be profound, offering moments of joy, healing, and inspiration. However, not all journeys are smooth, and some individuals may face challenges along the way.

Jules Evans

In collaboration with

Jules Evans
Director of the Challenging Psychedelic Experiences project

This resource was developed in collaboration with Jules Evans, director of the Challenging Psychedelic Experiences project. Jules has been at the forefront of research and public education around difficult psychedelic experiences and the extended challenges that can follow — from emotional disorientation to spiritual crisis.

Drawing on academic research, personal stories, and years of work in the field, this section aims to provide context, validation, and support for those navigating the often complex aftermath of a psychedelic journey. Jules’ broader work — which includes books like Breaking Open and his Substack Ecstatic Integration — explores the intersection of altered states, mental health, and spiritual growth, offering tools for making sense of these experiences with care and discernment.

We’re grateful for his contribution to this space, and hope this section serves as a meaningful starting point for those seeking understanding and support.

The Reality of Challenging Psychedelic Experiences

While many benefit from psychedelics, studies show that intense or difficult experiences are not uncommon. In fact, 52% of respondents in one survey reported a highly challenging trip, and 45% felt no immediate benefit from it (Lake et al., 2023). Additionally, 39% of individuals who encountered difficulties described their experience as one of the five most challenging moments of their lives (Carbonaro et al., 2016).

Even mystical or deeply insightful experiences can sometimes bring moments of confusion, fear, or existential uncertainty (Argyri et al., 2025). Some of the most common challenges during difficult trips include:

  • Mental or sensory overload (61%)
  • Social paranoia (51%)
  • Concerns about mental or physical health (42%)
  • Fear of permanent change (34%)
  • Fear of dying (26%) (Lake et al., 2023)

When Challenges Extend Beyond the Experience

For most people, any difficulties during a psychedelic experience fade after a short time. However, for some, these effects linger for days, weeks, or even longer. A study found that 8.9% of individuals using psychedelics in non-clinical settings experienced functional impairment lasting more than a day after a challenging trip (Simonsson et al., 2023).

At the Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project (CPEP), we surveyed 608 people who faced prolonged difficulties. While many recovered within days or weeks, a third reported challenges lasting over a year (Evans et al., 2023). The most commonly reported struggles included:

  • Anxiety: “For about 18 months, I awoke with the sun every morning full of a feeling of absolute terror…Sometimes my anxiety would be so high in the morning that I would physically shake from the energy.” 
  • Social disconnection:“A feeling of being distant, withdrawn, ’socially outcast’… Even from other Ayahuasca users.” 
  • Derealization:“Almost exactly 2 months after the trip, something happened. I was in a restaurant and all of a sudden I began to feel like something was wrong. I went to the bathroom. All of a sudden, the bathroom was not real. It just looked WRONG. I had to get out of there. But when I left the restaurant, the street outside was not real either. The whole world was simply not real, and I felt like I had to vomit.” 
  • Existential struggle: “Most days I would feel anxiety, fear, sit in disorientation and deeply saddened by my existence, which progressed into existential crisis… the questioning of this whole universe, why are we here, what’s the point of this?”
  • Visual distortions: “Multiple times throughout the day if I focus on something, my vision looks like it’s stretching and moving around gets worse the more I try to look for it.” 

Other reported post-psychedelic difficulties include sleep disturbances (nightmares, insomnia), depression, a sense of a diminished or broken self, weight loss, increased sensitization to light or sound, or in rare cases, manic episodes or psychosis. Psychedelic drugs are powerful and somewhat unpredictable – we are still learning about their effects on the mind and central nervous system.

What Helps in Recovery?

The good news is that many people who experience post-psychedelic difficulties find ways to heal and integrate their experiences in a positive way. In our research (Robinson et al., 2024), participants shared effective coping strategies, including:

  • Seeking support from friends, family, or professionals – Compassionate, understanding people can make a world of difference. While not all therapists or peers will be well-informed about post-psychedelic difficulties, finding the right support system is crucial.
  • Practicing mindfulness and self-care – Meditation, prayer, exercise, yoga, and spending time in nature can help restore balance.
  • Educating oneself and connecting with others – Reading recovery stories, researching symptoms, and engaging in online or in-person support groups can be reassuring.
  • Developing a mindset of acceptance – Learning to sit with uncertainty and trust in the process of healing is often an important part of recovery.

For specific challenges, different approaches have been helpful (Robinson et al., 2025):

  • Anxiety: Support from loved ones, therapy, or coaching.
  • Social disconnection: Spending time in nature and accessing community resources.
  • Derealization: Learning about the condition, connecting with others, and practicing acceptance.
  • Existential struggles: Meditation, reading, and adopting an open mindset.
  • Visual distortions: Understanding the experience and practicing patience and acceptance.

Here is a table showing what, in our 2025 study, people said was particularly helpful for different sorts of post-psychedelic difficulty. 

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to recovering from and integrating post-psychedelic difficulties. People find different techniques, and different explanatory frameworks, helpful. 

Resources for Support

You are not alone in this journey. There are many resources available to help you navigate post-psychedelic challenges:

Books that have helped many on their recovery journey include The Stormy Search for the Self by Stanislav Grof and Breaking Open edited by Jules Evans and Tim Read. However, healing looks different for everyone—some find comfort in spirituality, while others prefer secular or medical approaches. What matters most is discovering what works for you.

If you’re facing extended difficulties after a psychedelic experience, know that improvement is possible. Many have been where you are and have come through to the other side. Be patient with yourself and seek support. If you need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at contact@challengingpsychedelicexperiences.com. While we are not therapists, we are here to guide you toward useful information and supportive communities.