Michael Davis
Dextromethorphan (DXM) and psilocybin mushrooms are both hallucinogens, but they have different receptor mechanisms of action and subjective effects. DXM is a dissociative hallucinogen that acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist, while psilocybin is a classic psychedelic that acts as a serotonin 2A receptor agonist. DXM has been reported to produce greater feelings of disembodiment, while psilocybin mushrooms produce more visual, mystical-type, insightful, and musical experiences. Psilocybin mushrooms are also reported to be less taxing on the body and mind compared to DXM.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drug type | DXM is a dissociative hallucinogen, while psilocybin is a psychedelic hallucinogen |
| Receptor mechanisms | DXM and psilocybin have different receptor mechanisms of action |
| Effects | Psilocybin produces greater visual, mystical, insightful, and musical experiences, while DXM produces greater disembodiment, dizziness, nausea, and light-headedness |
| User experience | Psilocybin creates new connections in the brain, while DXM slows processing in certain parts of the brain |
| User preference | Most people prefer shrooms over DXM |
| Physical effects | DXM is taxing on the body and can cause physical discomfort |
| Dosage | DXM dosage ranges from 150-530mg, while psilocybin dosage ranges from 10-30mg/70kg |
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What You'll Learn
DXM is a dissociative hallucinogen, while psilocybin is a psychedelic
Dextromethorphan (DXM) and psilocybin are both hallucinogens, but they have different mechanisms of action. DXM is a dissociative hallucinogen, while psilocybin is a classic psychedelic.
Dissociative hallucinogens like DXM are NMDA receptor antagonists, while classic psychedelics like psilocybin are serotonin 2A receptor agonists. DXM slows down processing in certain parts of the brain, while psilocybin makes parts of the brain that don't normally communicate start talking to each other, forming new connections.
In terms of subjective effects, both drugs can lead to states of ego loss and hallucinations. However, psilocybin hallucinations tend to be more colourful, intricate, and imagined, while DXM can produce a darker and creepier experience. Psilocybin also produces relatively greater visual, mystical-type, insightful, and musical experiences, while DXM leads to greater disembodiment, dizziness, nausea, and light-headedness.
Physically, DXM can be taxing on the body and mind, while some people report feeling physically healthier after taking mushrooms. DXM has also been associated with longer-lasting effects, with some users reporting feeling "off" for weeks after taking the drug.
While both drugs have been shown to produce similar overall drug effect strengths, psilocybin has been found to produce significantly greater and more diverse effects in several domains. These include visual effects, mystical-type experiences, psychological insight, absorption in music, and personal insight. DXM, on the other hand, has been associated with greater effects in terms of disembodiment, nausea, and dizziness.
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DXM may cause dizziness, nausea, and disembodiment
DXM, or dextromethorphan, is an ingredient in many over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines. It is also a hallucinogen, producing dissociative effects similar to those of psilocybin (the active ingredient in "magic" mushrooms). However, compared to psilocybin, DXM has been found to produce greater feelings of disembodiment, as well as dizziness and nausea.
In a double-blind study, participants were administered single acute oral doses of psilocybin (10, 20, and 30 mg/70 kg), DXM (400 mg/70 kg), or a placebo. The study found that high doses of both drugs produced similar increases in participant ratings of peak overall drug effect strength, with similar times to maximal effect and time course. However, DXM produced lower scores than psilocybin on subjective ratings of personal insight, visual effects, and spiritual or mystical experiences. DXM also produced higher scores on subjective ratings of dizziness, nausea, and disembodiment.
Dizziness is a common side effect of DXM, with users reporting trouble controlling their limbs and experiencing blurred vision, slurred speech, and impaired judgment. Nausea is another frequent side effect, and some users report vomiting and abdominal pain. Disembodiment, or "out-of-body" sensations, are also commonly reported with DXM use. These sensations are similar to those caused by drugs like ketamine and PCP.
The experience of disembodiment produced by DXM may be related to its effects on brain function. DXM has been shown to depress brain function, particularly in the areas that control breathing and heart function. This can lead to slow and shallow breathing, which, if left untreated, could result in respiratory arrest and death. Additionally, DXM interferes with the body's ability to regulate temperature, and users may experience a dangerous spike in body temperature, which can lead to heat emergencies such as heatstroke.
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Psilocybin may cause hallucinations, which are more visual and complex
Psilocybin and dextromethorphan (DXM) are both hallucinogens, but they have different receptor mechanisms of action. A study comparing the two found that high doses of both drugs produced similar increases in participant ratings of peak overall drug effect strength, with similar times to maximal effect and time-course. However, psilocybin produced greater visual effects than DXM.
Psilocybin is known to cause hallucinations, which are often described as more visual and complex than those caused by DXM. These hallucinations tend to be colourful and intricate, with patterns forming over objects in the person's vision or environment. Some people describe it as "mental paintings" that can be seen with eyes closed. The hallucinations are more imagined in the person's mind rather than actually in front of them, unless they are on a very high dose.
In contrast, DXM is a dissociative hallucinogen, which slows down processing in certain parts of the brain. It can cause feelings of disembodiment, nausea, and dizziness. People who have taken DXM describe it as a darker experience compared to psilocybin. They report feeling "truly fucked up" and having an overwhelming sense of love and contentment.
One study found that psilocybin produced significantly greater and more diverse visual effects than DXM, including greater movement and more frequent, brighter, distinctive, and complex images and visions. Psilocybin also led to more mystical-type and psychologically insightful experiences, as well as greater absorption in music.
Overall, while both psilocybin and DXM can induce hallucinations, the visual and complex nature of psilocybin hallucinations seems to be a distinguishing factor between the two substances.
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DXM can be taxing on the body and mind
DXM (dextromethorphan) is a dissociative hallucinogen that can be extremely taxing on the body and mind. It has been shown to alter performance on episodic memory, psychomotor function, attention, vigilance, continuous performance, executive function, meta-cognition, and visual perception tasks. In addition, DXM can cause dizziness, nausea, and disembodiment.
One individual who took DXM reported not coming down for two days and feeling off for weeks afterward. They also reported feeling extremely nauseous and vomiting several times. Another person who took a high dose of DXM described it as a "taxing experience" on the body and mind, involving extreme nausea and vomiting. They also reported feeling physically healthier after taking mushrooms, in contrast to the negative effects of DXM.
The taxing effects of DXM on the body and mind may be due to its impact on brain function. DXM slows down processing in certain parts of the brain, which can lead to feelings of disembodiment and dissociation. This is in contrast to psilocybin, which is found in mushrooms and acts as an associative hallucinogen, encouraging communication between different parts of the brain and forming new connections.
Furthermore, DXM has been shown to increase systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and pupil dilation, as well as decrease psychomotor performance and balance. These physical effects may contribute to the overall taxing experience of taking DXM. It is important to note that the effects of hallucinogens like DXM and psilocybin can vary depending on individual expectations and histories of drug use.
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Psilocybin may lead to ego loss and new brain connections
Psilocybin, the active compound in "magic mushrooms", is a hallucinogenic and psychedelic drug that has been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits. It has been found to produce a range of subjective experiences, including visual, mystical, insightful, and musical effects. Psilocybin is known to induce ego loss or ego death, a phenomenon where individuals experience a complete loss of subjective self-identity. This experience is often described as a feeling of losing one's sense of self, identity, or worldly desires.
Ego death is not unique to psilocybin but is also associated with other psychedelics such as LSD and ketamine. It is a concept explored in various contexts, including spiritual practices, psychology, and mythology. The idea of ego death suggests a dissolution of the ego, or the "I" and "me" of one's self-identity, resulting in a sense of unity with the universe or a higher power.
Psilocybin may lead to ego loss by altering the brain's connectivity patterns and affecting information processing across specific brain regions. The default-mode network (DMN) is a crucial system in the brain that consists of highly connected core brain regions. Psilocybin increases and diversifies functional connectivity within and across these DMN-associated regions, leading to a reorganization of activation patterns and the formation of new long-range connectivity. This temporary reorganization may be the key to psilocybin's ability to induce altered states of consciousness and provide therapeutic benefits.
In a study conducted by Yale researchers, a single dose of psilocybin administered to mice resulted in a 10% increase in the number of connections between neurons, and these new connections were also found to be 10% larger, indicating increased strength. These findings suggest that psilocybin may facilitate the growth of new neural connections, which could be the structural changes the brain utilizes to store new experiences and potentially treat psychiatric illnesses.
While psilocybin has shown potential in the treatment of mood disorders and substance use disorders, it is important to note that its effects are complex and influenced by various factors. The effects of psilocybin can vary depending on dosage, individual expectations, and previous experiences with hallucinogens. Additionally, psilocybin may produce different effects compared to other hallucinogens, such as dextromethorphan (DXM), which has been found to produce greater disembodiment and different receptor mechanisms of action.
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Frequently asked questions
Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a dissociative hallucinogen.
Psilocybin, the active compound in mushrooms, is a classic psychedelic (serotonin 2A receptor agonist), while DXM is a dissociative hallucinogen (NMDA receptor antagonist). DXM slows processing in certain parts of the brain, while psilocybin makes parts of the brain that don't normally communicate start to talk to each other.
Both drugs have been shown to produce similar profiles of subjective experiences, with psilocybin producing relatively greater visual, mystical-type, insightful, and musical experiences, and DXM producing greater disembodiment, dizziness, nausea, and light-headedness.
Both drugs increase systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and pupil dilation and decrease psychomotor performance and balance.
