If you’ve ever attended a music festival, you may have heard of the term flipping. Maybe a friend invited you to try Hippie or Jedi flipping, and you’re wondering whether it’s safe.
At first glance, flipping may seem harmless and fun. However, before you try it, you should always consider its risks and dangers.
In this article, we walk you through what flipping really is and discuss how the different drug combinations can affect your health.
What Are Flips in Psychedelic Culture?
In psychedelic drug culture, the term “flip” refers to the act of mixing substances like LSD and MDMA. People make these drug combinations to achieve a more intense effect than an individual drug.
For some, flipping gives a psychedelic experience. That’s because it blends emotion, visuals, and altered perceptions. Psychonauts say flipping feels transformative. Flipping has become popular at music festivals and raves for this reason.
Yet, the reality is that it can have serious risks, especially if you have no knowledge and it’s your first time.
Understanding the Substances in Flips
Flipping is the practice of combining substances to achieve emotional intensity. The practice can be risky as flipping can quickly turn unsafe.
Understanding the effects of these drug combinations can help you make informed decisions.
1. LSD
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a potent hallucinogen. It works by binding to the serotonin receptors in your brain. When this happens, your perception of time, shapes, colors, and sounds becomes distorted.
What’s interesting about LSD is that it can cause hallucinogen persisting perception disorder. This means it makes you experience flashbacks even months after the last dose, which can affect your daily life.
Other effects of LSD include increased blood pressure, heart rate, and tremors. You may also feel sleeplessness and a loss of appetite.
2. MDMA
MDMA, or ecstasy, is a psychedelic drug that causes an energizing effect. It distorts your sense of time, and it can make you feel euphoric.
One of the effects of MDMA is the altered perception of touch. Through this, MDMA can make you enjoy feelings of closeness with others.
MDMA is particularly dangerous because most of the available tablets contain several other drugs. These include methamphetamine, ketamine, fentanyl, and cocaine.
3. Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, are a type of drug that provides feelings of euphoria. It’s a Schedule I substance because it’s highly addictive and it serves no medical purpose.
When you use magic mushrooms, you may experience disturbing psychosis and anxiety. Moreover, you may start to see and hear things that aren’t there.
4. Other Substances
Although less common, some people also include these substances in flips.
- DMT: DMT is a naturally occurring hallucinogen that can give you an intense psychedelic experience. Possible side effects of DMT include increased blood pressure, chest tightness, and agitation.
- Ketamine: Ketamine is a drug that makes users lose control. You become dissociated from pain and may experience memory loss and immobility.
- 2C-B: 2C-B is a psychedelic that causes changes in visuals and lights. When taken in high doses, it can lead to hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), and you still feel it even after detox.
What Are the Popular Flip Combinations?
In psychedelic culture, certain drug combinations have distinct names. The names help differentiate drug combinations and are meant to normalize the experience.
You should know that while these drug combinations sound fun, flipping can cause serious harm.
Below, we discuss some of the most popular flip combinations.
1. Hippie Flip (MDMA and Psilocybin)
Hippie flipping can give some people the feeling of warmth and laughter. It can cause psychosis and put you in a dream-like state.
The MDMA increases the release of your feel-good hormones, while the shrooms act on your serotonin receptors. You may start seeing vivid colors and halos of light, and sad emotions seem to melt away.
Unfortunately, you crash once the hippie flip wears off. The serotonin depletion causes emotional instability, which urges you to retake the drug. It’s a cycle that can be difficult to stop without medical help.
2. Jedi Flip (MDMA, Psilocybin, LSD)
Jedi flipping is one of the riskiest practices because it combines MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD. Its name is a reference to the mental discipline required to become a Jedi in Star Wars.
As you can imagine, if you mix so many substances, there’s no guarantee you’ll have a good time. Some people only do it accidentally when they take different drugs by mistake.
Note that experiences differ depending on the ratio of the drugs.
You may have side effects like long-lasting hallucinations, strong psychedelic visuals, and pain. In worst-case scenarios, you may lose consciousness, develop neurotoxicity, and even have a seizure.
3. Candy Flip (MDMA and LSD)
Candy flipping is when you mix MDMA and LSD. When combined, LSD increases the potency and duration of MDMA. At the same time, it decreases the chance of overdosing on MDMA.
Once the candy flip takes effect, you experience a strong emotional reaction. People and objects start to distort, and you become more impulsive.
Sadly, combining MDMA and LSD increases your chances of panic attacks and anxiety.
4. Kitty Flips (MDMA and Ketamine)
Kitty flipping’s name originates from ketamine, which is a common cat tranquilizer. The ketamine makes you dissociate, while the MDMA causes emotional openness.
Users say kitty flips are euphoric but surreal, as if you’re spiritually disconnected.
The side effects of kitty flips include neurotoxicity, heatstroke, and hyponatremia.
5. Nexus Flips (MDMA and 2C-B)
The main purpose of Nexus flipping is to extend the effects of MDMA. People usually do it after they come down from drug use.
That said, Nexus flipping is potentially dangerous. You may become overstimulated, causing panic and an increased heart rate. It also causes serotonin syndrome, which is a bad crash after usage.
The Dangers of Flipping
Flipping is a risky practice that can cause a variety of side effects and mental health problems. Here’s what you need to understand about the dangers of mixing drugs.
1. Addiction
Many of the drugs used in flips, like MDMA and ketamine, are highly addictive. You can easily lose control, especially if you have a pre-existing mental health condition.
Over time, taking flips can become compulsive. Withdrawal symptoms are severe, and you’ll need help from a healthcare professional to recover.
2. Physical Risks
Substance abuse puts a strain on your organs. You can develop heart conditions, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure. Plus, you may experience seizures, loss of consciousness, and accidental injury.
If you’re at a music festival, flipping also puts you in danger of dehydration and overheating.
3. Psychological Risks
Bad trips are a common occurrence when you combine substances. Some people become traumatized by the experience, and even one dose can result in lasting damage.
Psychological risks of flipping include panic attacks, paranoia, dissociation, and emotional burnout. Moreover, it can worsen depression, anxiety, and PTSD in people with mental health conditions.
Are You Struggling With Flips? Here’s How We Can Help
If you’ve been taking flips and are finding it hard to stop, know that you’re not alone. At Recreate Behavioral Health Network, we understand the challenges of flip addiction.
In fact, we’re here to help you recover in a safe and judgment-free environment!
Here’s what we can do for you.
1. Assessment
First, we ask you about your medical background and tailor a treatment plan specific to your needs. Our medical experts will gladly answer all of your concerns. Additionally, we can help lessen the cost of treatment with your insurance.
2. Polysubstance Abuse Support
If you’re struggling with two or more substances at the same time, you’ll need a more nuanced treatment. The withdrawal symptoms for each drug may be different, and your doctor may diagnose them separately.
Don’t worry. At our facility, we offer detoxification methods that keep you comfortable as you take on this challenging time. We can watch you 24/7 through residential treatment to ensure you remain stable.
3. Therapy
Therapy is a vital part of recovery as it addresses the root cause of the addiction. Recreate has various therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy and group therapy.
Through these, we can identify your triggers and destructive habits. On top of this, we can help you rebuild broken relationships and support systems.
4. Aftercare
Lastly, we have an alumni program that’ll keep you engaged even after you graduate from the facility. We hold virtual and in-person meetings to ensure you remain sober even years after your last dose.
We want you to have fun while living a better life. That’s why our alumni coordinators organize fun social activities where you can meet people with similar experiences.
Conclusion
Hippie flipping and Jedi flipping may seem fun at music festivals, but they have real-life consequences. Flipping drugs is extremely unpredictable, and it can have lasting effects on your body.
The good news is that recovery is possible even if you’ve been flipping for years. With the proper help, you can rebuild your life and overcome the addiction.
If you’re ready to take the next step, be sure to reach out to us. We’re here to help you move forward and change your life for the better!
