AI Is Becoming the New Tripsitter for Psychedelic Users

In the past, if you wanted guidance during a psychedelic experience, you might have relied on your dorm’s laid-back roommate—perhaps someone with dreadlocks and a playlist of ambient music—to help navigate the trip. But now, even that role is being handed over to artificial intelligence.

According to MIT Technology Review, a growing number of individuals are turning to AI tools to serve as digital “trip guides” during psychedelic experiences. Rather than depending on a friend or a licensed professional, some people are taking substances like psilocybin while using ChatGPT for emotional support and grounding. Of course, one thing the chatbot still can’t do is physically help you—like holding your hair back if the trip gets overwhelming.

This trend is part of a broader shift where AI is increasingly being used as a substitute for human therapists. With mental health care becoming prohibitively expensive or hard to access, tools like “TripSitAI” and “The Shaman” are emerging as alternatives in a space where traditional support systems have often failed to keep up.

For example, a single session with a licensed psychedelic therapist in Oregon can cost between $1,500 and $3,200. In contrast, platforms like ChatGPT are free or available at a much lower cost—making them an appealing option for those seeking mental clarity or simply a safe and structured trip without the financial burden.

One user interviewed by MIT, named Peter, recounted his experience in 2023 when he took a potent dose of eight grams of mushrooms and relied on ChatGPT to guide him through the journey. The AI selected music, offered soothing responses, and ultimately helped him envision himself as a multi-eyed “higher consciousness being.” For him, the experience was transformative—albeit unusual.

But the reliance on AI for such deeply personal and vulnerable moments raises significant concerns. While users are immersed in altered states of consciousness, the AI’s limitations become more apparent. These systems, lacking true empathy or moral discernment, can unintentionally reinforce distorted beliefs or delusions. Without professional oversight, an AI assistant can become an overly agreeable, uncritical presence—ready to affirm anything, even the belief that you are a divine entity.

In essence, these AI “trip-sitters” may be supportive in tone, but they lack the wisdom, accountability, and human connection that real therapeutic relationships provide. As more people turn to bots in place of therapists, it’s worth asking whether convenience is coming at the cost of safety and psychological depth.