Laura Smith
Mushrooms and LSD (acid) are both hallucinogenic drugs that can induce euphoria and alter perception. However, they differ in their onset time, duration of effects, and the nature of the psychedelic experience they produce. While mushrooms are typically consumed orally or brewed into tea, LSD is often taken from a dropper or applied to tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth. This article will explore the differences between mushrooms and acid in terms of their euphoric effects and other subjective experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How administered | Mushrooms are usually dried and eaten or brewed into tea. LSD is typically applied to small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth or dropped into the mouth. |
| Onset time | Both substances take about an hour to kick in on an empty stomach. |
| Duration | A mushroom trip usually ends within 6 hours. An LSD trip can last for up to 10 hours. |
| Type of experience | Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience. An LSD trip is largely cerebral. |
| Intensity | People tend to report more extreme experiences on LSD. |
| Speed of trip | People perceive LSD trips as proceeding at a more rapid pace than mushroom trips. |
| Tolerance | It typically takes less LSD than mushrooms to produce psychedelic effects. |
| Addiction | Psilocybin is not considered addictive, while LSD can lead to substance use disorder. |
| Side effects | Both substances can cause "bad trips", flashbacks, and serotonin syndrome when combined with antidepressants. |
| Legality | Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose. |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms are a naturally occurring psychedelic
- Acid is a synthetic compound with unpredictable side effects
- Psilocybin in mushrooms can induce euphoria and hallucinations
- LSD can cause potent psychedelic effects in small doses
- Mushrooms produce a whole-body experience, while acid is more cerebral
Magic mushrooms are a naturally occurring psychedelic
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a naturally occurring psychedelic. They are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been found in a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in certain mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. Eating mushrooms that contain psilocybin can lead to a range of effects, including euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortion. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours.
Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and are depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe. They are also represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. In addition, Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago in prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain. Magic mushrooms continue to be used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts.
While magic mushrooms are not considered addictive, users may experience negative side effects such as disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. In addition, regular use may cause people to become tolerant to the effects of psilocybin, and cross-tolerance may occur with other drugs, including LSD and mescaline. It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely among individuals, and the only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not taking them.
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Acid is a synthetic compound with unpredictable side effects
While both magic mushrooms and LSD (acid) are popular psychedelics, they differ in their origins, duration of effects, and side effects. Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi that contain the psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound psilocybin. On the other hand, LSD is a synthetic compound, first synthesized by Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman in 1938 from ergot, a fungus that grows on rye bread and other grains.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically last around 4 to 6 hours, while an LSD trip can continue for up to 10 hours. Despite the longer duration of LSD trips, they are often perceived as proceeding at a faster pace compared to mushroom trips. However, it's important to note that the timeframe and experience can vary significantly from person to person.
One key difference between the two substances lies in their side effects. The side effects of LSD are considered more unpredictable and can vary depending on the person's experience with the drug. LSD's cerebral quality makes the user's mindset and environment even more critical factors in determining the nature of the trip. While both substances can lead to extreme experiences, people tend to report more intense and unpredictable outcomes with LSD.
In contrast, magic mushrooms produce a more whole-body experience. The concentration of psilocybin in mushrooms can vary, making it challenging to predict how an individual will react to the drug. However, the side effects of magic mushrooms are generally considered more consistent and less unpredictable than those of LSD.
Both substances have been associated with hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), a rare condition where individuals experience recurring hallucinations or "flashbacks" long after the psychedelic experience. Additionally, combining these substances with certain antidepressants can result in high levels of serotonin, potentially leading to serotonin syndrome. Therefore, it is crucial to approach these substances with caution and prioritize harm reduction practices.
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Psilocybin in mushrooms can induce euphoria and hallucinations
Psilocybin, also known as 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-PO-DMT), is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid found in more than 200 species of mushrooms. These mushrooms are known as "magic mushrooms". Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose. However, it is not considered addictive, and no physical symptoms occur after stopping its use.
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical that can induce euphoria and hallucinations. It is a prodrug of psilocin, which is the compound with psychoactive properties. When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted by the body into psilocin. Psilocybin works by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in parts of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which affect mood, cognition, and perception. The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes of ingestion and can last between four and six hours. The duration can vary from person to person.
The effects of psilocybin can vary widely and include both positive and negative experiences. Positive experiences may include euphoria, joy, giddiness, and enhanced ability for introspection. Negative experiences may include anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and short-term psychosis. Factors such as mental health, setting, quantity ingested, and expectations can influence the experience.
It is important to note that the use of psilocybin and magic mushrooms carries risks. Accidental ingestion of poisonous mushrooms can result in severe gastrointestinal illness or even death. Additionally, combining psilocybin with certain antidepressants can lead to high levels of serotonin in the body, resulting in a condition called serotonin syndrome. Flashbacks or "hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder" (HPPD) can also occur, where individuals experience recurring hallucinations or disturbances in their perception weeks, months, or even years after ingesting psilocybin.
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LSD can cause potent psychedelic effects in small doses
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a potent hallucinogen and entactogen. It is considered one of the most potent psychoactive compounds known, with doses as small as 1-1.5 mcg/kg capable of producing psychoactive effects. An oral dose of 25 mcg can induce potent psychedelic effects. The typical recreational dose range for LSD is 50-250 mcg, with noticeable effects occurring at around 20 mcg. At these doses, LSD is approximately 200 times more potent than psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms.
The potency of LSD means that it can exert its effects at very small doses, with its dose range measured in micrograms (μg). LSD is often diluted with other materials due to its high potency. It is commonly found in the form of drops of LSD solution dried onto gelatin sheets, blotting paper, or sugar cubes. It can also be sold as a liquid, in tablets, or capsules.
The psychedelic effects of LSD are mediated by activation of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. It binds with high affinity to most serotonin receptors, and its effects can be influenced by an individual's serotonin levels. The effects of LSD typically peak at 2-4 hours and can last up to 12 hours. The drug causes changes in thought, mood, and perception, with minimal impact on memory and orientation.
While LSD is considered non-addictive, it can lead to rapid tolerance development. After consecutive days of use, LSD may no longer produce the desired effects. However, tolerance returns to baseline after a period of abstinence, typically within 2-3 days to 2 weeks.
Compared to magic mushrooms, LSD tends to produce a more cerebral experience. The concepts of "set" and "setting," referring to an individual's mindset and environment, are particularly important in shaping the LSD experience. People often report more extreme experiences on either end of the spectrum with LSD, ranging from breakthroughs to breakdowns. The longer duration of LSD trips, typically up to 10 hours, and the higher potency compared to mushrooms, contribute to the increased intensity of the experience.
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Mushrooms produce a whole-body experience, while acid is more cerebral
Although both substances can induce euphoria, mushrooms and LSD (acid) produce very different experiences. Mushrooms are associated with a more whole-body experience, while acid is more cerebral.
Mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. When ingested, psilocybin is converted to psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties. This chemical reaction can lead to euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortions. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, and within 5-10 minutes when taken as a tea or soup. A mushroom trip typically lasts around 4 to 6 hours, with perceptual changes such as visual and auditory hallucinations and distortions in the sense of space, time, and self. Some people may also experience adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, headaches, and delayed flashbacks involving previous mushroom experiences.
On the other hand, LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a synthetic chemical created in a laboratory. It is commonly ingested orally through gelatin sheets, blotting paper, sugar cubes, or liquid formulations. LSD produces a more cerebral experience, with alterations in perception, thought, and mood. The effects of LSD typically last longer than those of mushrooms, with trips lasting up to 10 hours. Due to the longer duration and the ease of ingesting more LSD than intended, there tend to be more reports of "bad" LSD trips.
While both substances can induce euphoria, the differences in their onset time, duration, and the type of experience they produce (whole-body vs. cerebral) are important factors to consider when comparing mushrooms and acid.
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Frequently asked questions
Shrooms are typically dried and eaten or brewed into tea. Acid, or LSD, is a liquid chemical that people usually drop on small squares of paper or sugar cubes, or straight into their mouths. Shrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, whereas an LSD trip is largely cerebral.
Shrooms can lead to euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, disorientation, lethargy, giddiness, joy, and depression. Negative side effects often includes nausea, loss of appetite, and intense body highs like sweating and chills.
Acid can produce changes in thought, mood, and perception. In large doses, it can lead to vivid hallucinations and distortions of space and time. Negative side effects are less common than with shrooms, but bad trips can occur with both substances.
It is difficult to say with certainty which substance produces more euphoria as individual experiences vary. However, it is important to note that both shrooms and acid generate a feeling of euphoria since they activate serotonin receptors.
