Mushrooms Vs Weed: Similarities And Differences

Shrooms, or magic mushrooms, and weed, or cannabis, are two of the most well-known and widely used recreational drugs. They have been intertwined in popular culture, influencing music, art, and movies, and have been used for spiritual and medical purposes for thousands of years. Both substances can induce hallucinations and alter perception, but they differ in their chemical composition and effects on the brain. While weed contains cannabinoids like THC and CBD, shrooms contain psilocybin, a natural psychoactive compound with hallucinogenic effects. The specific strain, dosage, and method of consumption also play a role in the overall experience. As the legal landscape surrounding these substances evolves, understanding their unique effects and potential risks is crucial.

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Hallucinogenic effects

While there are some similarities between the effects of shrooms and weed, they are distinct substances with different chemical properties and overall impacts on the brain. Both can produce hallucinogenic effects, but the severity of these symptoms differs.

Shrooms, or magic mushrooms, are a type of psychedelic that falls into the psilocybin drug class. Psilocybin is the main psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms. It is a natural psychoactive compound that causes hallucinogenic side effects. Psilocybin decreases brain activity in certain areas, specifically those responsible for constraining one's experience of the world and keeping it orderly. This can lead to a dramatic shift in perception, with stationary objects appearing to move or melt and humans appearing deeply distorted. These effects can last up to six hours and can result in either spiritual epiphanies or discomfort and fear. Psilocybin is also addictive and can cause extremely uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing symptoms. It has the potential for abuse and can be dangerous when combined with other drugs or alcohol.

Weed, or cannabis, contains hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes that promote anti-inflammatory and neurogenic properties. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. While weed can also alter one's perception of the world, the degree of this effect depends on the strain and dosage. Consuming high quantities of cannabis edibles or potent, high-THC strains can produce effects that more closely mirror those of mushrooms. Additionally, combining mushrooms with THC-rich cannabis strains can increase the intensity of the mushroom trip, enhancing hallucinations and altering thought patterns.

In summary, while both shrooms and weed can induce hallucinogenic effects, the specific type and dosage of each substance will determine the nature and severity of the experience. Shrooms have a more pronounced impact on perception and can be more unpredictable and dangerous, especially when mixed with other substances.

Legality

The legality of mushrooms and weed varies across different jurisdictions. In the United States, cannabis or weed is legal in 39 out of 50 states for medical use and 24 states for recreational use. Four out of five permanently inhabited U.S. territories and the District of Columbia (D.C.) have also legalised the use of cannabis for medical purposes. Ten other states have laws that limit the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to allow access to products rich in cannabidiol (CBD). CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal and unregulated at the federal level, but the legality and enforcement vary by state.

The states that have legalised the use of recreational marijuana include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. The territories that have legalised recreational marijuana include Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

On the other hand, psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse and no recognised medical use. However, the convention does not specifically mention mushrooms containing the drug, and there is ambiguity in the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in many national, state, and provincial drug laws. While the possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances in most countries, there are some exceptions. For example, Oregon has legalised the use of psilocybin mushrooms for mental health treatment in supervised settings, and the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, which allows for the possession and non-profit distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. In addition, spores of psilocybin mushrooms, which do not contain the drug, are legal to possess in many areas, including the US states of California, Georgia, and Idaho.

While the effects of both mushrooms and weed can be similar, such as hallucinations and psychosis, the two drugs differ in their chemical properties and overall impact on the brain. The specific strain, type, and dose of each can also affect the experience. It is important to note that the legality of both substances is subject to change, and it is the responsibility of the user to stay informed about the laws in their specific jurisdiction.

Medical uses

While shrooms and weed have often been compared to each other, they are not the same. The two differ in the severity of their symptoms, which may vary depending on the strain and dose ingested. The side effects of shrooms can also be more unpredictable than those of weed.

Weed, also known as marijuana, is best known as a drug that people smoke or eat to get high. However, medical marijuana refers to using marijuana to treat certain medical conditions. In the United States, over half of the states have legalized marijuana for medical use. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two prescription medicines that contain man-made cannabinoids: Dronabinol (Marinol) and Nabilone (Cesamet). Dronabinol treats nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and loss of appetite and weight loss in people with HIV/AIDS. Nabilone treats nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy in people who have not had relief from other treatments. Marijuana is also used to treat glaucoma, although this is not often the recommended treatment.

Psilocybin, or 'magic mushrooms', belongs to a group of drugs called psychedelics. It is usually eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. In a clinical setting, a pre-determined and controlled dose of psilocybin is given to the patient under the supervision of a medical professional. This makes it unlikely that there will be a bad reaction. In 2021, the Australian Government announced $15 million worth of grants to researchers studying the mental health benefits of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin. Psilocybin has been used by some Indigenous communities around the world for over 1000 years. Medicinal mushrooms have been reported to have numerous pharmacological actions, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticancer, antiallergic, antihyperlipidemic, and prebiotic properties. They are primarily used in cancer treatments as biological response modifiers (BRMs), useful for treating cancer, reducing the side effects of therapies, and improving the quality of the patient’s life.

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Cultural significance

Magic mushrooms and cannabis (weed) have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and medical purposes. Civilizations have used both substances to induce a strong appreciation of nature, art, and music in users, as well as significant shifts in consciousness and personality.

In terms of cultural significance, both substances have been intertwined with counterculture, influencing music, art, and movies. They have also been associated with alternative social movements and have been made illegal over the past century or so.

In the context of traditional mycological knowledge of the Zapotecs from Oaxaca, Mexico, edible mushrooms hold cultural significance in terms of their frequency of mention, perceived abundance, use frequency, taste, multifunctional food use, knowledge transmission, health, and economy. For example, the Tricholoma magnivelare mushroom is believed to have health-enhancing properties, including "strength", "virility", and "intelligence". Other mushrooms such as Neolentinus lepideus, Hydnum repandum s.l., Cantharellus cibarius spp., Ramaria spp., and Lactarius volemus s.l. are also considered nutritious and good for the body.

In Asia (Korea, Japan, China), almost 300 fungal species are used as medicines. On the other hand, some mushroom species are avoided due to their resemblance to toxic varieties, such as Agaricus pampeanus, the Amanita caesarea complex, and Cortinarius secc. Malacii sp.

In terms of health, magic mushrooms and cannabis share some similarities. Both substances have the potential to treat a wide range of conditions, including drug and alcohol abuse, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and autism. They both interact with serotonin receptors in the brain, albeit in different ways. Psilocybin, the main psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, interacts with serotonin 2A receptors, and a single large dose combined with therapy can alleviate depression and anxiety for up to a year. Cannabidiol (CBD), a compound found in cannabis, and psilocybin both affect the brain's default mode network (DMN), altering patterns of thinking and reducing the impact of overwhelming external stimuli.

In addition to their therapeutic effects, magic mushrooms and cannabis can induce a psychedelic experience that some users describe as life-changing and profound. However, a "bad trip" can occur with both substances, and it is important to help the user ride out the experience in a comfortable environment.

Differences in consumption

While mushrooms are technically a type of fungus, nutritionally they are similar to vegetables. They are a good source of antioxidants and vitamins, including vitamin D, B6, and selenium. Mushrooms can be eaten raw or cooked and are known for their savory umami flavor. Common ways to cook mushrooms include sautéing, roasting, grilling, and steaming. They can also be blended into meat dishes or added to salads. However, fresh, uncooked mushrooms should not be frozen.

On the other hand, cannabis, also known as weed, is typically consumed for its psychoactive effects rather than nutritional value. It is often consumed through smoking or vaping, but can also be ingested orally through edibles such as snacks, candies, drinks, capsules, and drops. Edibles can provide a longer-lasting and more intense high compared to smoking or vaping. It is important to note that the effects of edibles may take longer to onset, so consumers are advised to start with a low dose and increase gradually if needed.

In terms of legality, the possession and use of cannabis and magic mushrooms have been decriminalized and legalized in certain states, although it is important to follow the laws and regulations specific to your location. The legalization of these substances has led to increased accessibility and changing societal views, with adult recreational use of cannabis being legal in 21 states as of 2023.

While both mushrooms and weed can alter one's perception of the world, they produce different effects and vary in severity. The specific strain and dosage of each can significantly impact the experience. Combining mushrooms with THC-rich cannabis strains can intensify the trip, enhancing hallucinations and altering thought patterns. However, mixing substances comes with increased risks and potential dangers to one's health and safety.

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