Psychedelics in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Psychedelics, also known as hallucinogens, are drugs that change the way a person sees, hears, feels, and understands the world around them. They can cause hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) or distort reality (for example, making time feel slower or faster).

In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, psychedelics are illegal outside of approved clinical research settings. Using them can be especially risky in our region’s cold winters and variable weather, where impaired judgment outdoors can quickly lead to hypothermia, injury, or accidents.

Common psychedelics include:

  • LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
  • Psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
  • Mescaline (from the peyote cactus)
  • Ayahuasca
  • DMT (dimethyltryptamine)
  • Synthetic psychedelics such as NBOMe and 2C-B

Some other drugs, like cannabis and MDMA (ecstasy), can cause hallucinogenic-like effects in higher doses.

Types of Psychedelics and How They Are Taken

LSD

LSD is a synthetic (man‑made) psychedelic. It is usually:

  • Soaked into small squares of blotting paper or gelatin and swallowed
  • Available in tablets or capsules

The effects can start within 30–90 minutes and last 8–12 hours or longer.

Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain mushrooms, often called “magic mushrooms”. They may be:

  • Eaten raw or cooked
  • Brewed into a tea
  • Dried and placed into capsules
  • Sometimes smoked (often mixed with cannabis or tobacco), though this is less common

Effects usually start within 20–60 minutes and last 4–6 hours.

Mescaline (Peyote)

Mescaline is found in the peyote cactus and some other cacti. It can be:

  • Eaten raw
  • Dried and chewed
  • Brewed into a drink

Mescaline trips can last 8–12 hours.

Ayahuasca and DMT

Ayahuasca is a plant-based hallucinogenic tea traditionally used in parts of South America. Its main psychoactive ingredient is DMT (dimethyltryptamine).

  • Ayahuasca is usually drunk as a tea.
  • DMT can occur naturally in plants or be made synthetically, often appearing as a white crystalline powder that is smoked or vaporized.

DMT’s effects come on quickly and are intense but shorter, often lasting 15–60 minutes when smoked.

Synthetic Psychedelics (NPS, NBOMe, 2C-B)

In recent years, a range of new psychoactive substances (NPS) have appeared in the United States, including in Michigan. Some of these are synthetic psychedelics, such as NBOMe compounds and 2C-B.

These drugs:

  • Are often sold as LSD, MDMA, or other familiar substances
  • May contain unknown or highly potent chemicals
  • Can cause unexpected and dangerous effects, including overdose and death

Because these substances are unregulated, users in Grand Rapids have no reliable way to know what they are actually taking or how strong it is.

How Psychedelics Work

Psychedelics primarily affect the brain’s serotonin system, especially receptors involved in mood, perception, and thinking. This changes how the brain processes sensory information and reality.

Under the influence of psychedelics (often called “tripping”), a person may:

  • Look at a blank wall and see it moving, swirling, or breathing
  • Hear sounds or voices that are not there
  • Feel that time is speeding up or slowing down
  • Feel detached from their body or surroundings

The exact experience depends on:

  • The type of psychedelic and dose
  • The person’s body and brain chemistry
  • Whether other drugs or alcohol are used at the same time
  • The person’s mental health and emotional state
  • The setting (for example, being alone at home vs. at a crowded party or out in the cold)

Common Effects of Psychedelics

While experiences vary, some common effects include:

  • Visual and auditory hallucinations
  • Changes in how colors, sounds, and textures are experienced
  • A blurring of the senses (for example, “hearing colors” or “seeing sounds”)
  • Feeling detached from the body or surroundings
  • Distorted sense of time, direction, and distance
  • Feelings of relaxation or euphoria
  • Dilated pupils
  • Increased heart rate
  • Nausea and loss of appetite

In a city like Grand Rapids, distorted perception can increase the risk of:

  • Walking into traffic on busy streets like Division Avenue, 28th Street, or Michigan Street
  • Falling on icy sidewalks or near the Grand River during winter and early spring
  • Risky behavior in nightlife areas or at local events and festivals

Psychedelics and “Bad Trips”

Psychedelics are unpredictable. Even if someone has an enjoyable trip once, there is no guarantee future trips will be positive. Every person who uses psychedelics runs the risk of having a “bad trip.”

Symptoms of a Bad Trip

A bad trip can include:

  • Scary or disturbing hallucinations
  • Extreme anxiety or panic
  • Paranoia (feeling threatened or persecuted)
  • Intense confusion or fear of losing control
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Feeling trapped in a frightening mental state

A person may also show:

  • Muscle spasms or loss of coordination
  • Convulsions or unconsciousness (especially with synthetic psychedelics or high doses)
  • Aggressive, hostile, or risky behavior
  • Signs of psychosis, such as delusions or losing touch with reality

It is also possible to have a mix of good and bad experiences during the same trip, which can be confusing and emotionally overwhelming.

Overdose and Emergency Situations

Although classic psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin are less likely to cause fatal overdose on their own, dangerous situations can still occur, particularly with:

  • High doses
  • Unknown substances (especially NBOMe and other synthetics)
  • Mixing psychedelics with alcohol, opioids, or stimulants
  • Pre-existing heart conditions or mental health disorders

Signs of a Serious Problem

Call 911 immediately if someone shows:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain or very fast heart rate
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Loss of consciousness or inability to wake up
  • Extremely high agitation, violence, or self-harm risk
  • Severe confusion, paranoia, or psychosis

While waiting for help in Grand Rapids:

  • Stay with the person and keep them as calm as possible
  • If it’s cold, keep them warm with blankets or coats
  • Turn them on their side if they are vomiting or unconscious (recovery position)
  • Do not give them more drugs or alcohol
  • Tell emergency responders exactly what was taken, if known

Local emergency rooms at Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health) Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health – University of Michigan Health are equipped to handle drug-related emergencies.

Dependence, Tolerance, and Withdrawal

Psychedelics do not usually cause physical dependence the way opioids, alcohol, or benzodiazepines do. That means:

  • People generally do not experience classic physical withdrawal symptoms (like shaking or vomiting) when they stop.

However, there are still important risks:

Tolerance

With repeated use, people can develop tolerance, meaning:

  • They need larger doses to get the same effect.
  • This can increase the risk of bad trips, accidents, and overdose, especially with potent or unknown substances.

Psychological Dependence

Some people may develop a psychological dependence, where they:

  • Feel they need psychedelics to cope, be creative, or feel connected
  • Make the drug a central part of their identity or social life
  • Continue using despite problems at work, school, or in relationships

This can be especially harmful for students at Grand Valley State University, Calvin University, Aquinas College, and local high schools, as it can interfere with learning, mental health, and future plans.

Flashbacks and Long-Term Mental Health Effects

A person who has used psychedelics may experience flashbacks—brief episodes where they partially relive aspects of a previous trip without taking the drug again.

Flashbacks can occur:

  • Days, weeks, months, or even years after use
  • Suddenly, or triggered by stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, or intense physical exercise

These episodes can be:

  • Mild and neutral
  • Or very distressing, causing anxiety, panic, or confusion

In some people—especially those with a personal or family history of depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, or schizophrenia—psychedelics may:

  • Worsen existing mental health conditions
  • Trigger new or prolonged episodes of psychosis
  • Lead to ongoing problems with mood, anxiety, or perception

In Grand Rapids, where seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and depression can be more common due to long, dark winters, psychedelics may complicate mental health treatment. Anyone with mental health concerns should talk to a licensed healthcare provider before considering any substance use.

Local Risks in Grand Rapids and West Michigan

Using psychedelics in Grand Rapids carries some region-specific risks:

  • Cold winters and icy conditions increase the chance of falls, frostbite, and hypothermia if someone wanders outside while impaired.
  • Proximity to the Grand River and local lakes and trails can increase drowning or injury risk if perception and judgment are altered.
  • Driving under the influence of psychedelics is illegal and extremely dangerous on local roads and highways like US‑131 and I‑196.
  • Mixing psychedelics with alcohol, which is common in nightlife areas, significantly raises the risk of accidents and medical emergencies.

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you or someone you care about is struggling with psychedelics or other drugs in Grand Rapids, help is available.

In an Emergency

  • Call 911 immediately if an overdose or medical emergency is suspected.
  • Ask for an ambulance and follow the operator’s instructions.

Medical and Mental Health Care

  • Your primary care provider (GP/doctor) – Many clinics in Grand Rapids, including those affiliated with Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, can provide confidential advice, screening, and referrals.
  • Local emergency departments – For urgent or severe symptoms.

Local Public Health and Community Resources

  • Kent County Health Department – Offers information on substance use, mental health, and local treatment referrals.
  • Grand Rapids Public Health and community health centers – Can connect residents to counseling, recovery, and support services.

Substance Use and Addiction Services

While phone numbers and names change over time, common types of services in the Grand Rapids area include:

  • Alcohol and other drug treatment programs – Inpatient and outpatient services through local hospitals and community agencies
  • Counseling and therapy – Individual, family, and group counseling for substance use and mental health
  • Peer recovery and support groups – Including 12‑step and non‑12‑step options, faith-based and secular groups
  • Youth and young adult programs – Specialized services for teens and college students

To find current, local resources:

  • Visit the Kent County Health Department website
  • Check Michigan’s statewide substance use treatment locator (via the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services)
  • Call your health insurance provider for in-network options in Grand Rapids

All reputable services will respect your privacy and provide confidential support.

Key Points About Psychedelics in Grand Rapids

  • Being under the influence of a psychedelic is commonly called “tripping.”
  • Psychedelics can cause hallucinations, distorted time and space, and changes in mood and thinking.
  • Common side effects include nausea and loss of appetite, along with changes in heart rate and perception.
  • Bad trips can involve scary hallucinations, panic, paranoia, and nausea, and can lead to dangerous behavior.
  • Psychedelics can cause psychological dependence, tolerance, and flashbacks, even long after use.
  • In Grand Rapids, cold winters, icy conditions, and local waterways can make psychedelic use especially hazardous.
  • If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s use of psychedelics, talk to a healthcare provider or local addiction service and seek help early.