Why does time feel different during a psychedelic trip?

"Has it really only been half an hour?"

One of the most remarkable things people describe during a psychedelic experience is that their sense of time seems to change completely. Five minutes can feel like an hour, whilst an entire afternoon seems to fly by. Perhaps you’ve heard someone say, after a truffle trip, as they looked at the clock in surprise: “That can’t be right! I thought we’d been at it for hours.”

This altered sense of time is a common feature of psychedelic experiences. Yet no two people experience it in exactly the same way. One person might feel that time is slowing down, whilst another might feel that time hardly plays a role at all.

Why is that, actually?

During a psychedelic trip, it is not time itself that changes, but your perception of it. As a result, minutes can sometimes feel like hours.

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What happens to your sense of time during a psychedelic trip?

During a psychedelic experience, your perception of minutes and hours may temporarily change. A short period may feel much longer, whilst longer stretches of the experience may seem to pass quickly. Some people even describe moments when they are barely aware of the concept of time at all.

That doesn’t mean that time itself changes. A minute still lasts sixty seconds on the clock. It is the subjective experience of that minute that can change.

Can time feel slower during a trip?

Yes. This is an experience that is frequently described. For example, half an hour can seem much longer when a great many thoughts, emotions, images or other impressions are being experienced during that time.

Can time actually pass more quickly during a trip?

That is also possible. When someone is completely absorbed in music, thoughts, conversations or their surroundings, their awareness of the clock may actually fade. In hindsight, it can then be surprising how much time has actually passed.

Can you lose your sense of time whilst on a trip?

Some people describe moments when minutes and hours seem to have almost no meaning at all. This varies greatly from person to person and from experience to experience, and does not mean that everyone loses their sense of time during a psychedelic trip.

Why does your sense of time change?

Your brain is constantly processing stimuli. Normally, your brain helps to organise events into a logical sequence, giving you a reasonably accurate sense of time.

During a psychedelic experience, that information is processed differently. Researchers believe that changes in brain networks and attention can cause time to be experienced differently. The more deeply you are absorbed in an experience, the less you are concerned with the clock.

That doesn’t mean that time actually passes more slowly or more quickly. It’s just your perception of it that changes.

What role does psilocybin play in our sense of time?

Psilocybin is the psychedelic substance associated, amongst other things, with the effects of magic truffles. Research suggests that psilocybin not only influences perception, attention and consciousness, but also the way in which time is estimated and processed.

Controlled studies have found changes in the assessment and reproduction of time intervals whilst under the influence of psilocybin. Recent research also reports changes in subjective perception of time and the accuracy with which participants estimate time.

That does not mean, however, that it is possible to predict exactly how time will feel for an individual user. Psychedelic experiences remain highly dependent on the person, the situation and other circumstances.

Why does a truffle trip sometimes seem to last forever?

Many people wonder beforehand: ‘Does a truffle trip really last that long?’

In reality, an experience with magic truffles usually lasts a few hours. Yet, whilst you’re on it, it can feel as though much more time has passed. This is partly because you’re processing so many new impressions. Colours, sounds, thoughts and emotions can be experienced more intensely, making a single moment feel fuller than usual.

What’s more, your attention often shifts from the outside world to what’s happening inside you. As a result, the need to keep checking the clock disappears.

Would you like to find out more about the different types of truffles and their characteristics? Then take a look at our range of magic truffles.

New experiences make time feel different

Just think back to a holiday. The first day at a new destination often seems to last longer than a normal working day. That’s because your brain is processing a lot of new information.

Something similar can happen during a psychedelic experience. Because you see, think and perceive things differently, every moment feels richer. This can make time seem to stretch out, even though the clock is ticking away as normal.

Why does music sometimes seem to go on forever?

Music plays an important role for many people during a truffle trip. Some songs seem to last much longer than they actually do, whilst others fly by.

This isn’t so much to do with the music itself, but with the way your attention shifts. When you’re completely absorbed in a melody or certain sounds, your normal sense of minutes and seconds fades into the background.

Are you curious about what music is often chosen during a trip? Then do read our blog about the best psychedelic music for your trip.

Does everyone experience an altered sense of time whilst on a trip?

No. Just like other aspects of a psychedelic experience, the sense of time also varies from person to person.

Factors that may play a role include:

• your mindset;
• the environment you’re in;
• the dose;
• previous experiences with psychedelics.

That is why there are no set expectations. Some people notice hardly any difference, whilst others describe the perception of time as one of the most striking aspects of their trip.

How a psychedelic experience is perceived depends very much on the individual and the circumstances. You can read more about this in the sections on setting, intention and preparation.

What if you think the trip will never end?

For beginners, an altered sense of time can sometimes be a bit unsettling. When half an hour feels much longer, you may get the impression that the experience is going on forever.

That is precisely why it helps to know in advance that a distorted sense of time can be a normal experience. Reminding yourself that the sensation is temporary often brings a greater sense of calm.

A familiar environment, thorough preparation and realistic expectations can help with this.

Thorough preparation also means consciously considering whether it is sensible to use psychedelics at that particular moment. So please also read about when to use them and when not to.

See also: Preparing for a truffle ceremony: how, what, why and for whom.

How long does a truffle trip actually last?

An important distinction is that the actual duration of a truffle trip and the way in which that time is experienced are not the same. A psychedelic experience with magic truffles usually lasts a few hours, but due to the altered sense of time, part of the trip may feel much longer or, conversely, much shorter.

Nor does a trip remain the same throughout the entire experience. After ingestion, the effects build up gradually, after which a more intense phase may follow. The effects then subside again. It is precisely during these more intense moments that it can be harder to accurately gauge how much time has actually passed.

Furthermore, how long and intense an experience feels varies from person to person and can be linked to factors such as the amount taken, personal sensitivity, mindset and environment.

You can read more about why the same experience can be perceived differently from person to person under‘personal experience and context’.

Time, visuals and consciousness

An altered sense of time often goes hand in hand with other changes in perception. For example, some people notice that colours seem more vivid, patterns stand out or music is experienced differently.

This does not mean that everyone has the same experience. Psychedelic experiences are personal and are influenced by many different factors.

Want to know more? Read also: Where do visuals come from whilst tripping on psychedelics?

Why time can feel different during a psychedelic trip

The sensation that time feels different during a psychedelic trip is an experience many users recognise. The clock keeps ticking as normal, but your perception of it may temporarily change. How strongly you notice this varies from person to person and from situation to situation.

By knowing in advance that an altered sense of time can be normal, you can approach the experience with greater peace of mind and realistic expectations.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

1. Wittmann M. et al. – Effects of psilocybin on time perception and temporal control of behaviour in humans
2. Scholle P. et al. – The effects of psilocybin on time perception in humans: A comparative analysis of subjective and objective measures
3. Shebloski K.L. & Broadway J.M. – Commentary: Effects of psilocybin on time perception and temporal control of behaviour in humans

The study by Wittmann and colleagues showed that psilocybin could disrupt the processing of longer time intervals. A more recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study also found a subjective slowing of time and reduced accuracy in estimating time whilst under the influence of psilocybin.

Disclaimer

This information is intended solely for general and informative purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Psychedelic experiences can vary greatly depending on the individual and the situation. Do not use psychedelics if you have any concerns about your health, are taking medication or are experiencing mental health issues without first seeking professional advice. Legislation regarding psychedelics and psilocybin varies by country. Always check which rules apply to you.