Emily Johnson
Magic mushrooms and LSD (acid) are both popular psychedelics, but they produce different types of highs or trips. While LSD is a man-made chemical compound, magic mushrooms are naturally grown and well-known for providing a calming high and spiritual experience. Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, whereas an LSD trip is largely cerebral. Both substances can lead to substance use disorder if not taken seriously. Taking mushrooms and LSD together increases the intensity of each, and can also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms | “Magic" mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally-occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. |
| --- | Mushrooms have been consumed for their hallucinogenic properties for centuries, and their use in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies predates recorded history. |
| --- | Mushrooms are typically eaten raw or dried, either alone or mixed with food or drinks, or brewed into a tea. |
| --- | The effects of mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, euphoria, disorientation, lethargy, giddiness, joy, and depression. |
| --- | Mushrooms produce a "whole-body experience" and a trip usually lasts about 6 hours. |
| LSD (Acid) | LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a synthetic chemical compound that is man-made from a substance found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye. |
| --- | LSD is commonly sold in the form of drops on gelatin sheets, blotting paper, or sugar cubes, or as a liquid, tablets, or capsules. |
| --- | LSD produces hallucinogenic and mind-altering effects, including mild changes in perception, thought, and mood at lower doses, and more intense effects such as visual hallucinations and distortions in perception of space and time at higher doses. |
| --- | LSD produces a largely "cerebral" trip, with a longer duration of up to 10 hours, and is perceived as proceeding at a more rapid pace compared to mushrooms. |
| Combining Mushrooms and LSD | Taking mushrooms and LSD together increases the intensity of each, and can also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. |
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What You'll Learn
What are magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the United States. However, psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been used for centuries in various cultures for their hallucinogenic and spiritual properties.
Psilocybin mushrooms encompass a diverse range of species, with the most potent belonging to the genus Psilocybe, including P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybe cubensis, a popular species, has been reported to contain significant levels of psilocybin and psilocin, which is responsible for the psychoactive effects. Other genera that contain psilocybin include Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina. These mushrooms typically grow in subtropical and tropical environments, favouring soils rich in organic matter and plant debris.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary significantly, depending on the user's mood, personality, expectations, and the potency and dosage of the mushrooms. The experience, often referred to as a "trip," can last up to six hours and may include a range of psychological, perceptual, and physical effects. Lower doses may induce feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception, while higher doses can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. In rare cases, excessive consumption of magic mushrooms can result in severe side effects, including a long-term mental health condition known as psychosis.
Magic mushrooms are typically ingested orally, either by consuming fresh or dried mushrooms, preparing herbal tea, or combining them with food to mask their bitter taste. It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms are unpredictable, and consuming them carries inherent risks. Some people experience adverse reactions such as nausea, panic attacks, or lingering distress. Additionally, combining magic mushrooms with certain medications, such as antidepressants, can lead to serious conditions like serotonin syndrome.
While magic mushrooms are often compared to LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), a synthetic psychedelic, they produce different types of experiences. Mushroom trips tend to be more whole-body experiences, while LSD trips are predominantly cerebral. Additionally, the onset time, duration, and intensity of effects differ between the two substances.
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How are magic mushrooms consumed?
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are consumed for their psychedelic effects, which can include euphoria, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and spiritual experiences. However, negative side effects such as nausea, panic attacks, paranoia, and fear can also occur.
The most potent species of magic mushrooms are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybe cubensis, which grows naturally in tropical and subtropical conditions, is the most popular species.
Magic mushrooms can be consumed in several ways:
- Fresh or dried: They can be eaten directly, either alone or mixed with food or drinks to mask their bitter taste.
- Tea: They can also be brewed into a tea, which is another common method of consumption.
- Edibles: Mushroom edibles, such as chocolate bars and gummies, are also available in some jurisdictions and can be purchased at psychedelic mushroom stores.
- Injection: In rare cases, people have intravenously injected mushroom extracts, but this can lead to serious medical complications and is not recommended.
The dosage of magic mushrooms depends on their psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary between species and even within the same species. Microdoses of psilocybin range from 0.1 g to 0.3 g, while psychedelic doses range from 1.0 g to 3.5–5.0 g in the case of dried mushrooms. It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms are unpredictable and can vary greatly from person to person, depending on factors such as mood, personality, expectations, and dosage.
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What are the effects of magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are typically consumed dried or powdered and have been used in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies for thousands of years.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely and are influenced by factors such as dosage, age, weight, personality, emotional state, environment, and history of mental illness. The psilocybin in magic mushrooms can cause a range of psychological, perceptual, interpersonal, and physical effects. Users may experience a distorted sense of time and altered perceptions of reality, including hallucinations and sensory distortions. They may also feel intense emotions ranging from euphoria and bliss to terror and paranoia. Physical side effects can include increased heart rate, nausea, and vomiting.
While magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, regular use can lead to tolerance and cross-tolerance with other drugs. Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms, as hallucinogenic and poisonous mushrooms can look similar. Combining magic mushrooms with certain antidepressants can result in high levels of serotonin and potentially serotonin syndrome.
Researchers are currently exploring the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in treating mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Some studies have shown promising results in relieving emotional distress in individuals with life-threatening cancer diagnoses. However, it is important to note that the use of psilocybin and magic mushrooms is currently restricted to controlled research and medical settings under professional supervision.
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Can you overdose on magic mushrooms?
Although it is rare, it is possible to overdose on magic mushrooms. An overdose on magic mushrooms is not usually fatal, but it can lead to physical and psychological harm. The nature of a magic mushroom overdose is different from that of many other substances, such as opioids or alcohol. While psilocybin is not known to be toxic, the physical risks associated with a psilocybin overdose are generally secondary. The behavioural effects of magic mushrooms can be extreme, causing impaired judgment and coordination, severe psychological distress, and delusional beliefs.
The symptoms of a magic mushroom overdose are primarily psychological and include severe anxiety or panic attacks with extreme fear or paranoia, psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of connection with reality. These symptoms are often referred to as a ""bad trip". The effects of a bad trip can be terrifying and overwhelming, and although they always subside, psilocybin's distortion of time can make them feel interminable.
The risk of a magic mushroom overdose is increased when consuming mushrooms that have been laced with other potent drugs. It is not uncommon for poisonous or laced mushrooms to be misidentified as psychedelic mushrooms. Magic mushrooms are also more likely to be abused when purchased on the black market, where they may be laced with PCP or other riskier drugs.
It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable, and the purity of the drug is often unknown. Researchers advise against psilocybin because it can be difficult to measure the dose being taken. The risk of overdose is also higher when combining magic mushrooms with other substances, such as LSD or antidepressants, which can result in high levels of serotonin and a condition called serotonin syndrome.
While magic mushrooms are generally considered to be the safest recreational drug, with very few emergency room visits, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with their use.
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How do magic mushrooms compare to LSD?
Magic mushrooms and LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) are both well-known psychedelics, but they produce very different experiences. Magic mushrooms are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the United States. LSD, on the other hand, is a synthetic chemical compound heavily popularized for its hallucinogenic and mind-altering effects. It is commonly called 'acid' and is typically made from ergot, a fungus that grows on rye bread and other grains.
Magic mushrooms have been used for centuries in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies, particularly in Mesoamerica, where their use was first documented by Spanish chroniclers in the 16th century. In the 1950s, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana. Hofmann's team then synthesized several structural analogs of these compounds to examine their psychoactivity, leading to the development of ethocybin and CZ-74. Magic mushrooms can be eaten raw or dried, or made into a tea or other food to mask their bitter taste. The effects of magic mushrooms depend on the number of mushrooms taken and can include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, euphoria, giddiness, and spiritual experiences. However, they can also cause adverse reactions such as nausea, panic attacks, and paranoia. A magic mushroom trip usually lasts about 6 hours.
LSD, on the other hand, is a synthetic chemical that was first synthesized in 1938 by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann. It is a white or crystalline substance that is typically diluted into a liquid form for consumption. LSD can be dropped onto food or sugar lumps, or small pieces of paper that are swallowed. The effects of LSD vary depending on the dose level, the user's mindset, and the environment in which it is taken. Like magic mushrooms, LSD can cause hallucinations and an altered perception of time. However, LSD trips are largely cerebral, and people tend to report more extreme experiences, with a higher risk of a "bad trip". LSD trips can last up to 10 hours and are perceived to proceed more rapidly than magic mushroom trips.
While both magic mushrooms and LSD have similar side effects, they differ in terms of potency, onset time, duration of effects, and frequency of use. LSD is more potent than magic mushrooms, meaning it takes less to get high and it is easier to ingest more than your body can handle. This increases the risk of intoxication and overdose, as well as the likelihood of a "bad trip". Magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, while physical tolerance and dependence can develop with LSD use. Additionally, magic mushrooms are more likely to produce a whole-body experience, while LSD trips are primarily cerebral.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally-occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are referred to by many names, including mushrooms, caps, or boomers.
The effects of magic mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. They can also cause adverse reactions such as nausea, sickness, diarrhoea, and panic attacks.
While there are no explicit mentions of magic mushrooms being laced with acid, people have reported combining mushrooms and LSD, with the consensus being that taking them together increases the intensity of each.
