Bad trip prevention: what actually helps (and what's just superstition)

What has consistent evidence: set and setting is real. Your psychological state and physical environment predict much of experience quality. A private, comfortable, secure physical space; a trusted companion present; having resolved any pressing life stressors you can resolve; starting in a good mood. These are not superstition.

What's oversold: specific music playlists, specific body positions, specific foods. These can contribute positively but they're not protective in any systematic way. Set (your psychology) matters much more than setting (your environment). Someone in the wrong headspace will have a difficult experience in a beautiful setting.

The strongest predictor: relationship to your own psychology. People who struggle with control, who have unprocessed trauma they're avoiding, who are using substances to escape rather than explore — these patterns predict difficult experiences more reliably than any external factor. The most effective 'bad trip prevention' is honest self-assessment before you dose.