A groundbreaking public health initiative in Colorado is challenging the widespread narrative surrounding hallucinogenic substances, highlighting serious psychedelic side effects that remain largely unknown to the public. The “Before You Trip” campaign specifically targets Generation Z with evidence-based information about the potential psychedelic harm associated with these increasingly popular substances.

Real Stories of Psychedelic Consequences

Liam Kelly’s experience serves as a stark reminder of unpredictable psychedelic side effects. Despite extensive research and careful preparation, the 26-year-old from Denver suffered a terrifying episode during their first semester at university. What began as a routine LSD experience transformed into an “inescapable sense of cosmic death,” leading to paranoia, delusions, and aggressive behaviour that required police intervention and hospitalisation.

“Being in that kind of headspace is extremely dangerous,” Kelly explains. “Psychedelics are very personal, and every single trip is going to be its own unique experience.”

Rising Usage Creates New Concerns

Recent data from Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety reveals alarming trends in psilocybin consumption. In 2023, approximately 31.3 million Americans reported lifetime use of psilocybin, representing a significant increase from 25 million in 2019. Among young adults aged 18-29, past-year usage climbed 44% during the same period.

Dr Andrew Monte, medical director of Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety, warns that increased availability inevitably leads to higher usage rates and, consequently, more adverse events. This correlation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive education about psychedelic harm.

Campaign Addresses Knowledge Gap

The “Before You Trip” initiative, developed by the Coalition for Psychedelic Safety and Education (CPSE), launched in May 2025 across Denver, Boulder, and Aspen. The £370,000 campaign utilises social media influencers, including RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Symone, to reach young adults with science-backed information about psychedelic side effects.

Co-founder Kristin Nash emphasises the campaign’s balanced approach: “We know that ‘just say no’ strategies don’t work with young people. We need to provide them with the best information about risks, contraindications, and harm reduction strategies.”

Tragic Personal Motivations

The campaign stems from devastating personal losses experienced by CPSE’s founders. Nash’s son Will died in 2020 after entering a state of psychosis whilst under psilocybin’s influence. The 21-year-old accidentally consumed protein powder whilst seeking water, leading to fatal asphyxiation.

Co-founder Susan Sagy lost her 20-year-old child in 2022 following what she describes as a “profoundly distressing” psilocybin experience. Both tragedies highlight how psychedelic harm can manifest in unexpected and fatal ways.

“There were no warnings, no information on what could go wrong, no emergency contact number,” Sagy recalls. “We receive more guidance from a bottle of aspirin.”

Research Reveals Underreported Harms

Whilst psilocybin is considered non-addictive and physiologically non-toxic, research into psychological and emotional harm remains limited. A 2023 study found that 8.9% of users experienced functional impairment lasting more than 24 hours after adverse experiences, with 2.6% requiring medical or psychiatric intervention.

Jules Evans, director of The Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project, has documented numerous cases of psychedelic side effects through his research. His own teenage experience with psychedelics resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder, paranoia, and social anxiety that persisted for over five years.

Unpredictable Nature of Psychedelics

Evans’ research reveals the inherently unpredictable nature of psychedelic substances. “They can help you sleep better, or they can make you an insomniac. They can make you feel incredibly connected to other people, or incredibly disconnected,” he explains.

This unpredictability makes psychedelic harm particularly challenging to assess and manage. Unlike conventional medications with predictable effects, hallucinogens can amplify emotions and experiences in numerous, often contradictory directions.

Educational Approach to Harm Reduction

The “Before You Trip” website encourages critical reflection through six key questions, including motivations for use, uncertainty processing abilities, and understanding of set, setting, and support systems. This approach acknowledges that complete abstinence messaging may not resonate with young adults already inclined towards experimentation.

The campaign’s harm reduction philosophy focuses on empowering informed decision-making rather than prohibition. By providing comprehensive information about psychedelic side effects, organisers hope to prevent traumatic experiences and potential fatalities.

Educational Approach to Harm Reduction

As psychedelic legislation continues evolving across various jurisdictions, campaigns like “Before You Trip” represent crucial efforts to balance optimistic narratives with realistic risk assessment. The initiative plans expansion to other markets throughout 2025, potentially reaching broader audiences with vital safety information.

Kelly, who now shares their story publicly, hopes the campaign will help others avoid similar traumatic experiences. “I think having this information more widely available will save lives and prevent extremely traumatic experiences that could turn people away from psychedelics entirely.”

Source: Denver Post