Emma Wilson
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and magic mushrooms are two of the most well-known and widely used hallucinogenic substances. Both are classified as psychedelics, significantly altering sensory experiences, emotional states, and thought processes. However, they differ in their chemical composition, physiological effects, and subjective experiences. While both substances share similarities in their side effects, they can produce very different experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drug type | Hallucinogen |
| Natural or synthetic | LSD is synthetic, mushrooms are natural |
| Active ingredient | LSD: Lysergic acid diethylamide; Mushrooms: Psilocybin |
| Duration of effects | LSD: 10 hours; Mushrooms: 6 hours |
| Perceived pace of effects | LSD is perceived as faster-paced than mushrooms |
| Form | LSD: liquid, tablets, capsules, gelatin sheets, blotting paper, sugar cubes; Mushrooms: fresh or dried |
| Method of ingestion | LSD: dropped on tabs of paper, gelatin sheets, sugar cubes, or directly into the mouth; Mushrooms: eaten raw, brewed into tea, mixed with food or drink, coated with chocolate |
| Onset time | Both: 1 hour on an empty stomach |
| Side effects | Both: visual hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety, fear, flashbacks (HPPD), stomach problems |
| Potential for abuse | Both: high potential for abuse |
| Potential for addiction | Both: potential for addiction and physical tolerance |
| Overdose | LSD: possible to overdose, but rare; Mushrooms: no mention of overdose |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogenic effects
Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that alter your awareness of your surroundings, thoughts, and feelings. Hallucinogenic drugs like psilocybin mushrooms (magic mushrooms) and LSD (acid or liquid acid) are known to induce hallucinations and make users feel disconnected from their body and environment.
Magic mushrooms are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally-occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are typically dried and eaten raw, brewed into tea, or mixed with food and drinks. When psilocybin enters the body, it is turned into psilocin, a chemical that interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain and causes hallucinations. Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience and can cause stomach problems such as nausea, sickness, and diarrhea.
LSD, on the other hand, is a synthetic chemical derived from ergot, a substance found in a fungus that grows on rye. It is commonly sold in the form of drops on gelatin sheets, blotting paper, sugar cubes, or as tablets and capsules. LSD is usually taken from a dropper or applied as small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth. It can also be injected intravenously, although this is extremely rare and dangerous. LSD affects the central nervous system and can lead to increased monosynaptic reflexes, muscle tension, and muscular incoordination.
Both LSD and magic mushrooms can induce hallucinations, but they differ in their chemical composition, duration of effects, dosage, and frequency of use. While a mushroom trip usually lasts about 6 hours, an LSD trip can continue for up to 10 hours. LSD is more potent than magic mushrooms, meaning it takes less of the substance to get high and become dependent. Users of both substances commonly report visual hallucinations, intensified colors, geometric patterns, and distorted or moving objects. However, the specific experiences vary greatly between the two, with people reporting more extreme experiences on LSD.
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Duration of effects
The duration of the effects of LSD (acid) and mushrooms (shrooms) differ. While a mushroom trip usually lasts about 6 hours, an LSD trip can continue for 7 to 12 hours, with some sources saying it can last up to 15 hours. However, it's important to note that the duration of effects for both substances can vary depending on factors such as dosage, tolerance, age, and individual differences.
Psychedelic mushrooms take effect within 20 to 90 minutes after ingestion and can last anywhere from 6 to 12 hours. However, some people may feel the effects for a shorter or longer duration. After a mushroom trip, there may be lingering effects that can last into the next day, but most people return to feeling like themselves within 24 hours. Mushrooms are metabolized quickly, making it difficult to detect them in blood or saliva tests.
The effects of LSD typically last longer than those of mushrooms. On average, an LSD trip can last anywhere from 6 to 12 hours, with some sources reporting a range of 4 to 22 hours. After the trip, there may be "afterglow" effects for another 6 hours, which can include feelings of happiness, anxiety, or lightness. It can take up to 24 hours for the body to return to its typical state after an LSD trip.
LSD is also metabolized quickly, especially in the liver, which affects its detectability on drug tests. It has an exceptionally long residence time when bound to serotonin receptors, which is consistent with its long-lasting effects. The onset of action for oral ingestion of LSD is within 0.4 to 1.0 hours, with a range of 0.1 to 1.8 hours.
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Dosage and frequency
The dosage and frequency of taking any substance depend on a variety of factors, and the same is true for both LSD (acid) and magic mushrooms. While there are similarities between the two, they can produce very different experiences.
LSD (Acid)
LSD is a synthetic chemical, typically developed from a substance found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye. It is often sold in the form of drops dried onto gelatin sheets, blotting paper, or sugar cubes, all of which are ingested orally. Liquid formulations, tablets, and capsules are also common. The potency of each LSD product varies.
The effects of LSD typically last between 6 and 15 hours, with most trips not lasting more than 12 hours. However, the "afterglow" effects can be felt for another six hours after the trip ends. These include feelings of happiness, anxiety, or a feeling of "lightness". The duration of the effects also depends on the potency of the drug, the user's size, and any other medications they may be taking.
LSD is typically taken in small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth. The effects of one tab can be felt within 20 to 90 minutes of ingestion.
Magic Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. The psilocybin molecule can also be produced in a laboratory, allowing researchers to administer precise and consistent doses to clinical trial participants. The dosage is typically given as milligrams of synthetic psilocybin, and some studies take into account the participant's body weight.
The psilocybin content in dried mushrooms can vary between species, ranging from 0.1% to 2% of dry weight. For example, 3.5 grams of dried Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms are likely to contain 35 mg of psilocybin, considered a high dose, while 2.0 grams would contain 20 mg, a standard dose.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually last about 6 hours. Mushrooms are typically dried and eaten or brewed into a tea. Microdosing involves consuming small, non-perceptual amounts of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, with no mind-altering effects. These protocols typically contain 100 mg to 250 mg of dried magic mushrooms, consumed across dosing days and days off.
Comparison
While the duration of the effects of magic mushrooms and LSD differs, with LSD trips lasting longer, people tend to perceive LSD trips as proceeding more rapidly than mushroom trips. The onset time also varies, with LSD taking about an hour to kick in on an empty stomach, while mushrooms take a similar amount of time.
Both substances can lead to the development of physical tolerance and dependence over time. However, LSD is more potent than magic mushrooms, meaning smaller amounts are needed to get high and become dependent.
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Method of ingestion
While there are certainly similarities between LSD and mushrooms, they can produce very different experiences. Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, whereas an LSD trip is largely cerebral.
Methods of Ingesting Mushrooms
Mushrooms are usually dried (if they aren't already) and eaten or brewed into a tea. Tea is a favourite method of ingestion as it allows the user to improve the taste and bypass the need to ingest chitin, a compound in the cell walls that gives the mushroom structure and stability. Chitin can cause nausea and stomach upset, which isn't ideal while tripping. To make mushroom tea, heat water to 70ºC, grind or chop the mushrooms, and steep them in the hot water for around 20 minutes. Lemon juice can also be added to the tea to convert the psilocybin into psilocin faster, making the trip more potent. Consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach can also speed up the onset of effects and intensify the experience.
Methods of Ingesting LSD
LSD is commonly sold in the form of drops dried onto gelatin sheets, blotting paper, or sugar cubes, all of which are ingested orally. Liquid formulations, as well as tablets and capsules, are also common. LSD is usually taken from a dropper or applied as small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth. It can also be inhaled through the nose (snorted) or injected into a vein (shot up).
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Safety concerns
Psychedelics like LSD (acid) and magic mushrooms are well-known substances with psychoactive properties. While they have similarities, they can also produce very different experiences. Both substances present various risks and side effects, especially for people with cardiac or vascular problems.
LSD (Acid)
LSD is a synthetic chemical, whereas magic mushrooms are wild mushrooms that contain the naturally-occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound psilocybin. LSD is more potent than magic mushrooms, meaning it takes less to get high and become dependent. It is also easier to ingest more LSD than intended, and the effects last longer, which may explain why there are generally more reports of "bad" trips.
Some safety concerns and adverse side effects of LSD include:
- Increased risk of dehydration, loss of consciousness, and other adverse reactions if basic needs like hydration are neglected.
- Risk of an unpleasant trip marked by paranoia, anxiety, and fear, and disturbing hallucinations.
- Potential to develop physical tolerance and dependence with frequent use.
- Higher likelihood of experiencing hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), especially if there is any underlying mental illness.
Magic Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms are classified as Schedule I drugs by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. While magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, adverse side effects may require medical treatment.
Some safety concerns and adverse side effects of magic mushrooms include:
- Risk of poisoning from picking the wrong types of mushrooms.
- Unpredictable, potentially dangerous behavior that can lead to injuries.
- Disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic.
- Development of physical tolerance and dependence with frequent use.
- Increased likelihood of experiencing HPPD, especially with underlying mental illnesses.
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Frequently asked questions
Acid (LSD) and mushrooms are two of the most well-known psychedelics. They have similar side effects and both can cause a ""bad trip". They have a long history of use in spiritual or shamanic contexts. They also have similar effects on perception, cognition, and consciousness.
While acid and mushrooms share similarities, they produce very different experiences. Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, whereas an acid trip is largely cerebral. Acid is a synthetic substance derived from a fungus that grows on rye, while psilocybin mushrooms are produced naturally and contain the naturally occurring compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Acid trips can last up to 10 hours, while mushroom trips usually last around 6 hours.
Mushrooms are typically dried and eaten raw or brewed into a tea. They can also be mixed with food or drinks, or coated with chocolate to disguise their taste. Acid, on the other hand, is usually taken from a dropper or applied to small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth. It can also be dropped onto sugar cubes. Acid is also available in capsules, tablets, gelatin sheets, and liquid form.
