Laura Smith
While both LSD and magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic substances that can induce altered states of consciousness, they are not the same thing. The two differ in their chemical composition, sources, and effects on the brain. Mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, while LSD is a synthetic compound derived from ergot, a type of fungus that grows on rye. Mushrooms are usually dried and eaten or brewed into a tea, while LSD is typically taken from a dropper or dissolved in the mouth in the form of small tabs of paper. The effects of mushrooms are often described as more grounded in nature, with users reporting vivid visual hallucinations, an altered sense of time, and a sense of connectedness to the environment. On the other hand, LSD is known for producing highly visual and mind-bending experiences, sometimes including complex thought patterns and distorted reality. While both substances present few major risks, there are some physical and psychological complications to be aware of, such as psychosis, anxiety, and impaired judgment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural or synthetic | Mushrooms are natural, LSD is synthetic |
| Origin | Mushrooms are fungi, LSD was first synthesized in a lab |
| Active compound | Mushrooms contain psilocybin, LSD is a lysergic acid diethylamide compound |
| Administration | Mushrooms are eaten or brewed into tea, LSD is taken from a dropper or dissolved in the mouth |
| Onset time | Mushrooms and LSD take about 1 hour to kick in on an empty stomach |
| Duration of effects | Mushroom trips last about 4-6 hours, LSD trips can last 8-12 hours |
| Perceived pace of effects | LSD trips are perceived to proceed more rapidly than mushroom trips |
| Overdose | Overdose is rare but possible with LSD, extremely rare with mushrooms |
| Dependency | Physical tolerance and dependency can develop with both |
| Side effects | Mushrooms can cause anxiety, paranoia, and frightening hallucinations; LSD can affect the central nervous system and lead to muscle tension and incoordination |
| Health risks | Both can lead to psychological dependency and long-term health risks, including psychosis, anxiety, and impaired judgment |
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Differences in consumption
Mushrooms and LSD are both hallucinogens that can induce a psychedelic experience. However, there are key differences in their consumption and effects.
Consumption
Psilocybin mushrooms, often called "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", are naturally occurring fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. They are typically consumed orally, either by eating dried mushrooms or brewing them into a tea. Eating dried mushrooms can be intense due to their strong taste and texture, so some users mix them into food or drinks to mask the flavour.
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), on the other hand, is a man-made chemical compound, typically synthesised from ergot fungi, a mould found on rye bread and other grains. LSD is usually consumed in liquid form, either dropped onto blotter paper or sugar cubes, or directly into the mouth.
Effects
The effects of mushrooms typically begin around 30 minutes after consumption and last between 4 and 6 hours, although some effects may linger for several days. In contrast, LSD takes between 20 minutes to 2 hours to take effect and the trip can continue for up to 10 hours, with some users reporting lingering effects for a day or more.
Mushrooms are associated with a more mellow, chilled-out trip, often described as a whole-body experience that can induce nausea. They are linked to introspection and self-reflection, and may facilitate self-healing or working through personal issues.
LSD, on the other hand, is known for its stimulating and uplifting high, perceived as more of a cerebral experience. Users report more intense trips, both extremely positive and negative, with a stronger sense of ego dissolution, impaired control, and anxiety.
While both substances are considered physiologically safe and non-addictive, they can lead to psychological dependency and substance use disorders. Additionally, both mushrooms and LSD can induce a ""bad trip""", characterised by paranoia, fear, and anxiety.
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Health risks
While both LSD and magic mushrooms can produce hallucinogenic effects, they differ in terms of how they are used and their side effects.
LSD
LSD is a synthetic drug made from ergot, a mould that occurs naturally on rye bread and other grains. It is a powerful chemical compound that can cause unpredictable side effects, including various mental and emotional changes. It can also affect the central nervous system, leading to increased monosynaptic reflexes, muscle tension, and muscular incoordination. These issues are rare but can become more likely with repeated use.
Additionally, LSD can cause psychological dependency and long-term health risks. Behavioural issues associated with LSD include psychosis, anxiety, and impaired judgment. It is possible to overdose on LSD, although deaths due to overdose are rare. The substance affects each person differently, and it is unclear how much LSD is needed to cause an overdose.
Magic Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. They are usually consumed dried and eaten raw, brewed into a tea, or mixed with food or drinks. While magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, they can cause adverse reactions such as anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion. These episodes are known as "bad trips", and their occurrence is unpredictable.
The biggest risk associated with magic mushrooms is their similarity in appearance to poisonous mushrooms, which can lead to accidental ingestion and severe health issues. Consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms can cause stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, magic mushrooms can alter a person's sense of reality and affect their judgment, increasing the risk of accidents if driving under the influence.
Both LSD and magic mushrooms have been associated with a rare condition called hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where people experience recurring hallucinations or "flashbacks" long after the initial psychedelic experience.
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Origins
The origins of LSD differ greatly from those of mushrooms. While psilocybin mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi, LSD is a synthetic compound derived from ergot, a type of fungus that grows on rye bread and other grains. Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman first synthesized LSD in a laboratory in 1938. In the same year, Hoffman also isolated psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for centuries in various cultures for their hallucinogenic properties. Commonly referred to as "shrooms," these mushrooms are wild and contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Psilocybe cubensis is the most common species of mushroom with psychoactive properties, but other species include Psilocybe semilanceata and Psilocybe cyanescens.
Psilocybin mushrooms are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States. They have long, slender stems topped with caps that have dark gills on the underside. When consumed, the psilocybin in the mushrooms is broken down into psilocin, which interacts with the serotonin receptors in the brain, influencing mood, perception, and consciousness.
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a man-made chemical compound known for its hallucinogenic and mind-altering effects. It is typically sold in the form of drops on gelatin sheets, pieces of blotting paper, or sugar cubes, which are ingested orally. LSD can also be found in capsules, tablets, liquid droppers, or applied as small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth.
While both LSD and magic mushrooms can induce altered states of consciousness and have been used for centuries in spiritual and therapeutic contexts, they differ significantly in their chemical composition, physiological effects, and subjective experiences. Understanding these differences can provide valuable insights into how each substance interacts with the brain and how they may be applied in various psychological or medical settings.
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Duration of effects
The duration of the effects of LSD and psilocybin mushrooms differs. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms will begin around 30 minutes to an hour after consumption and may last up to 5 hours, with some effects lingering for several days. The effects of LSD can last between 6 to 12 hours and may kick in anywhere between 20 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion. The longer duration of effects of LSD may explain why there are generally more reports of "bad" trips. The duration of the effects of both substances is dose-dependent, with higher doses producing longer effects.
The active ingredient in psilocybin mushrooms is psilocybin, which is broken down into psilocin, a chemical that causes psychoactive effects. Psilocybin mushrooms are not considered physically addictive and rarely lead to compulsive use. However, regular use can lead to a psychological dependency on the drug, and some users may grow accustomed to the hallucinations and mind-altering effects, resulting in increased consumption and tolerance.
The effects of LSD and psilocybin mushrooms are comparable, with both substances inducing hallucinations and altering perception, thoughts, and feelings. However, the two substances produce separate experiences due to differences in onset time and duration of effects. Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, while an LSD trip is largely cerebral.
Chronic users of LSD or psilocybin mushrooms may develop hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), which causes recurring hallucinations or "flashbacks" weeks, months, or even years after a psychedelic experience.
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Dependency
While LSD and magic mushrooms are not known for their addictive characteristics, their widespread use means that accessible treatment options are important in cases of abuse. Both substances can induce altered states of consciousness, and while many users report profound and positive experiences, the psychological effects can be unsettling or distressing for others.
Physical tolerance and dependence can be developed with the use of both LSD and magic mushrooms. However, LSD is more potent than magic mushrooms, meaning it takes less of the substance to get high and become dependent. As a result, users are more likely to ingest more LSD than their bodies can handle, increasing the risk of intoxication and overdose. This, combined with the longer duration of its effects, may explain why there are generally more reports of "bad" trips with LSD.
The active compound in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, is a Schedule I drug according to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use in the United States. However, the odds of experiencing physical issues with repeated use of LSD are higher than with magic mushrooms. While psilocybin mushrooms are generally considered non-toxic, with overdose being extremely rare, there can be risks associated with misidentifying mushrooms in the wild.
Effective treatment options for LSD and mushroom dependency include drug detoxification, group therapy, and holistic practices.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are usually dried and eaten or brewed into a tea, while LSD is typically consumed orally from a dropper or small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth. Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, whereas an LSD trip is largely cerebral. The effects of mushrooms are often described as more grounded in nature, with vivid visual hallucinations, an altered sense of time, profound emotional experiences, and a sense of connectedness to the environment. On the other hand, LSD is known for producing highly visual and mind-bending experiences, sometimes including complex thought patterns, distorted reality, and profound shifts in consciousness.
While mushrooms and LSD are generally considered safe for most people when used responsibly and in controlled environments, there are some potential physical and psychological complications. There is a risk of unpleasant trips involving paranoia, fear, anxiety, or frightening hallucinations. While these effects typically wear off within 24 hours, some people experience lingering distress. Several psychedelics, including LSD and mushrooms, have been associated with a rare condition called hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where people experience recurring hallucinations or "flashbacks" long after the trip. It is also possible to overdose on LSD, although deaths due to LSD overdose are rare.
Both mushrooms and LSD are hallucinogenic substances that can induce altered states of consciousness and have been used for centuries in spiritual and therapeutic contexts. They are two of the most widely used hallucinogenic drugs, with an estimated 5.5 million Americans using them. They can lead to psychological dependency and long-term health risks, including psychosis, anxiety, and impaired judgment.
