Sarah Brown
The effects of magic mushrooms and weed on mental and physical health have been compared extensively. While both substances have been used in counterculture, art, music, and movies, they have distinct differences. Weed is considered to be more addictive than mushrooms, but mushrooms are not safe to take frequently and can cause unpredictable side effects. Weed's effects can vary depending on the strain and dose, and it is usually smoked or vaporized, with effects lasting up to 2 hours. Mushrooms, on the other hand, are typically eaten dried, steeped as tea, or ground into powder, with effects lasting between 4 to 6 hours. While both substances can induce hallucinations, the main difference lies in the amount of research conducted on each, with more studies pointing towards the benefits of weed when controlled by medical personnel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effects | Weed: Relaxing, enhancing focus and productivity, and altering sensory perception. |
| Mushrooms: Altering sensory perception, leading to spiritual epiphanies, philosophical breakthroughs, discomfort, or fear. | |
| Duration of Effects | Weed: Peaks in about 1 hour and dissipates within 2 hours when smoked or vaporized. Lasts 1 to 3 hours when smoked. |
| Mushrooms: Peaks 1 to 2 hours after ingestion and lasts 4 to 6 hours, but some report effects for up to 12 hours. | |
| Addiction | Weed: Can be addictive and may require medically monitored detox. |
| Mushrooms: Physical addiction is rare, but psychological addiction is possible. | |
| Legality | Weed: Legal recreationally or medically in 19 states and Washington, D.C. |
| Mushrooms: Decriminalized in Oregon and Washington, D.C., and legal for therapeutic use in Oregon. | |
| Growing Conditions | Weed: Prefers a warm and sunny climate. Requires watering and fertilizing. |
| Mushrooms: Require a cool, dark, and humid environment. Need a substrate with high nitrogen content. Less labor-intensive and have a shorter growing cycle. | |
| Side Effects | Weed: May cause memory loss and cognitive issues. Can trigger schizophrenic fits in adolescents and young adults with a family history of mental illness. |
| Mushrooms: May cause uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing symptoms. Can trigger mental and emotional side effects, increasing the risk of accidents. | |
| Health Risks | Weed: No known lethal dose or record of overdose. |
| Mushrooms: Extremely low likelihood of a lethal dose, but possible. Poisoning symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and panic attacks. | |
| Detection in Drug Tests | Weed: Can be detected in drug tests. |
| Mushrooms: Classified as a Schedule I substance, but tests seldom investigate for traces. Detectable in urine for up to 48 hours, blood for up to 24 hours, and hair for up to 90 days. |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogenic effects
The main psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin (and psilocin), which is a natural compound causing hallucinogenic side effects. Psilocybin decreases activity in areas of the brain responsible for imposing order on your experience of the world. This can lead to spiritual epiphanies and philosophical breakthroughs, or discomfort and fear. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically peak 1-2 hours after ingestion and last for 4-6 hours, though some people report feeling the effects for up to 12 hours. Psilocybin is also associated with spiritual healing and can reduce the desire for alcohol and addictive drugs.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, which can induce hallucinations. The effects of cannabis can vary depending on how it is consumed, with smoking or vaporizing leading to a rapid onset within minutes. The experience peaks at around 1 hour and dissipates within 2 hours. Some people feel more focused and productive after consuming cannabis, while others feel more relaxed.
While both substances can induce hallucinations, the hallucinogenic effects of mushrooms are considered more dangerous than those of weed. This is due to the unpredictability of mushroom side effects, the extreme nature of psilocybin effects, and the longer duration of the experience. However, it is important to note that most claims of hallucinogenic-induced psychosis have been overstated, and studies show that people who use hallucinogenic drugs may be less likely to suffer from mental health issues.
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Side effects
While the effects of both mushrooms and weed can be enjoyable for some people, both substances carry risks and side effects. The side effects of mushrooms can be more unpredictable than those of weed, and the experience of a "bad trip" is more common with mushrooms.
Mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are a type of psychedelic that falls into the psilocybin drug class. Psilocybin is the natural psychoactive compound that causes hallucinogenic side effects. These effects can include spiritual epiphanies and philosophical breakthroughs, but they can also cause discomfort or fear. Mushrooms are usually dried and then eaten, steeped as a tea, or ground into a powder that is cooked into chocolates or baked goods, or placed in capsules. They can take an hour or more to kick in, and the experience typically lasts 4 to 6 hours.
The side effects of mushrooms can include hallucinations, psychosis, and a dramatically altered perception of the world. Psilocybin decreases activity in areas of the brain responsible for making sense of the world and keeping it orderly. When this process slows down or deactivates, stationary objects might appear to move or melt, and humans might appear distorted. Your perception of time and yourself changes. Psilocybin is also addictive and can cause extremely uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing symptoms. As a hallucinogen, mushrooms can trigger mental and emotional side effects that increase the risk of accidents, especially when mixed with other drugs and alcohol.
Weed, or cannabis, can also have a range of side effects. When smoked or vaporized, the effects kick in within minutes, peak within an hour, and dissipate within 2 hours. Some people feel more focused and productive after consuming weed, while others feel more relaxed. However, long-term use can cause memory loss and trouble with cognitive function. It is also possible to become addicted or dependent on weed, and people who develop a dependency often require medically monitored detox.
Both mushrooms and weed can spark creativity and new perspectives when used separately or together. However, this combo can also be uncomfortably intense for some and worsen mental health symptoms. Physical addiction to either substance is rare, but psychological addiction is more common.
It is important to note that the side effects of both mushrooms and weed can vary depending on the individual, the strain or type, and the dosage ingested. As with any substance, it is essential to practice responsible and informed use to minimize potential risks and side effects.
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Addiction
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, which has hallucinogenic effects. While psilocybin mushrooms are not as addictive as commonly abused substances like opioids or stimulants, they can still lead to problematic and compulsive patterns of use. The addiction risk is considered low, but psychological dependence can develop. People who use mushrooms may experience "flashbacks" or persisting perception disorders, where they feel the effects of the drug long after the last use. These flashbacks can be intense, unpleasant, and frequent, and may last long after an individual has stopped using the substance. Repeated use of mushrooms can also quickly lead to significant tolerance, and there is evidence that psilocybin may trigger or worsen certain mental health conditions.
Treatment and rehabilitation for psilocybin mushroom abuse may include individual counseling or group therapy to help individuals understand their drug use triggers and develop coping skills. There are currently no medications that specifically treat addiction to psilocybin mushrooms or other hallucinogens.
Marijuana is derived from the Cannabis sativa plant and contains the main psychoactive ingredient THC, which contributes to its reinforcing properties and addictive potential. Marijuana use can lead to physiological changes in the brain that may encourage continued use. Frequent and heavy cannabis use is associated with the development of physiological dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and addiction. Approximately 14.2 million people aged 12 or older met the diagnostic criteria for a cannabis use disorder in 2020, and the risk of addiction is higher for those who start using at a younger age. Marijuana use disorder can range from mild to severe, with severe cases characterized by compulsive drug use despite negative consequences.
Treatment for cannabis use disorder may involve medically monitored detox to flush the drug from an individual's system. Individual counseling or group therapy can also help individuals struggling with cannabis addiction to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to their drug use.
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Growing conditions
Mushrooms require a cool, dark, and humid environment to thrive. They can be grown indoors or outdoors, with indoor setups permitting year-round cultivation and greater control over environmental conditions like temperature, air exchange, and humidity.
For indoor mushroom cultivation, one can use single fruiting blocks, all-in-one bags, monotubs, or grow tents. Fruiting blocks are pre-colonized blocks of amended sawdust that grow best in environments with controlled humidity and airflow, such as monotubs or grow tents. All-in-one bags contain all the necessary ingredients to grow dung-loving mushrooms without the need for mixing substrates or sterilizing equipment.
To grow mushrooms, one must first decide on the type of mushroom and whether to grow them indoors or outdoors. Oyster, button, and shiitake mushrooms are recommended for beginners. The growing medium, such as compost, straw, sawdust, or coffee grounds, should be placed in plastic tubs or a baking pan. The spawn (mushroom seedings) is then mixed into the substrate, and the temperature is raised to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. After 2-4 weeks, the spawn will have taken root and formed mycelium, which looks like white fuzz. The temperature is then dropped to 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit, and the mixture is covered with potting soil and sprayed with water to maintain moisture. Small mushrooms should begin to grow within three weeks.
Weed, on the other hand, prefers a warm and sunny climate. Growing weed indoors allows for year-round cultivation and complete control over the plant's environment, including water, light, nutrients, temperature, and humidity. Growers typically use grow lights, such as HID (high-intensity discharge) lights, to ensure healthy plant growth and maximize yields.
When growing weed indoors, one must choose a dedicated space with access to a window for ventilation due to the strong smell of flowering plants. Grow tents are popular but not necessary, as weed can also be grown in closets, cabinets, spare rooms, or basements. The right seeds, preferably dry, dark-colored, and hard, obtained from a reputable source, are essential. Feminized seeds guarantee female plants, which produce buds, while non-feminized seeds are useful for breeding. Auto-flowering seeds are suitable for beginners as they produce varieties that grow in colder climates and mature based on age rather than light cycles.
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Detection in drug tests
Standard drug tests do not typically detect the use of mushrooms. While mushrooms are metabolized and excreted from the body relatively quickly, they may be detected by specialized hallucinogen tests. These tests are not in widespread use and are typically only used in specific legal scenarios. For example, if someone appears to be under the influence of hallucinogens at the time of an offence or during a trial, a court-ordered test for psilocybin may be requested. Hair and fingernail tests are the most effective methods of detecting recent and ongoing mushroom use. The detection window for hair tests is typically no more than 24 hours after consumption, but once the metabolites reach the hair, detection is possible for as long as the hair sample is available. Each 1 cm of hair represents one month of drug use.
On the other hand, the detection of weed is dependent on several factors, including frequency of use, level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), metabolism, hydration, and the type of test. THC, the chemical in cannabis that produces the "high" feeling, can be detected in the body for several days or even weeks. It is typically detectable for up to 90 days in hair, between 1 day to a month or longer in urine, up to 24 hours in saliva, and up to 12 hours in blood. Urine tests are often the preferred method of detection due to their convenience and reliability. However, saliva tests are also quick, easy, and non-invasive, making them a popular choice as well.
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Frequently asked questions
The main difference between shrooms and weed is that there is more research pointing towards the possible benefits of weed when it’s controlled by medical personnel. Weed is also usually smoked or vaporized, with effects kicking in within minutes, peaking at around 1 hour, and dissipating within 2 hours. Shrooms, on the other hand, are typically dried and then eaten, steeped as tea, or ground into powder, taking 1 hour or more to kick in, with the whole experience lasting 4 to 6 hours.
Shrooms and weed have different effects on individuals, so there is no clear answer to which is stronger. However, shrooms can be considered more dangerous than weed due to their unpredictable side effects and hallucinogenic effects. Additionally, while weed is not known to have a lethal dose, it is possible to ingest a lethal dose of shrooms, although the likelihood is incredibly low.
Physical addiction to both shrooms and weed is extremely rare, but psychological addiction is more common. Weed is considered more addictive than shrooms, with long-term use potentially causing memory loss and trouble with cognitive function. Shrooms, however, can cause extremely uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing symptoms, and their hallucinogenic effects may increase the risk of accidents.
