John Miller
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and magic mushrooms are both hallucinogenic drugs that can induce a range of psychological effects, including hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an altered state of consciousness. While they share some similarities, there are also key differences between the two substances. This paragraph will introduce the topic by exploring these similarities and differences, as well as the potential risks associated with their use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural/synthetic | LSD is a synthetic drug made from ergot, a fungus that grows on rye. |
| --- | Mushrooms are a naturally occurring fungi. |
| Active ingredient | LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) |
| --- | Psilocybin (a hallucinogenic and psychoactive compound) |
| Common names | Acid |
| --- | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Administration | LSD is sold in drops dried onto gelatin sheets, pieces of blotting paper, and sugar cubes, all of which are ingested orally. Liquid formulations, tablets, and capsules are also common. |
| --- | Mushrooms are usually dried and eaten raw or brewed into a tea. They can also be mixed with food or drinks to mask their bitter flavor. |
| Effects | LSD produces highly visual and mind-bending experiences, sometimes including complex thought patterns, distorted reality, and profound shifts in consciousness. It affects the central nervous system and can lead to an increase in muscular reflexes, tension, and incoordination. |
| --- | Mushrooms produce a more whole-body experience, with users reporting a calming high and spiritualistic experience. |
| Risks | LSD is not considered physically toxic, and overdose is rare. However, disorienting effects can lead to dangerous behavior. |
| --- | Mushrooms are generally non-toxic, and overdose is extremely rare. However, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms in the wild, as some poisonous varieties look similar to magic mushrooms. |
| Treatment | Treatment options for LSD and mushroom dependency include drug detoxification, group therapy, and holistic practices. |
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What You'll Learn
LSD and mushrooms have different methods of ingestion
LSD and mushrooms are both psychedelic drugs that can induce hallucinations and alter a person's thinking, senses, mood, behaviour, and perception of time and reality. However, they differ in their methods of ingestion.
Mushrooms, or "shrooms," are typically dried and eaten raw or brewed into a tea. Consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach can intensify and accelerate the onset of effects, which can include a more profound and immediate psychedelic experience. Conversely, consuming mushrooms after a meal can lead to a milder and slower-onset high. To avoid nausea and stomach upset, users may opt for mushroom tea, which also improves the taste.
Lemon tekking is another popular method of ingesting mushrooms. It involves soaking dried, ground psilocybin mushrooms in lemon or lime juice before consumption. The citric acid in the juice breaks down the mushrooms, resulting in a shorter but more intense psychedelic experience. This method can also improve the absorption of minerals like magnesium and calcium.
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a synthetic chemical compound often applied to small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth. It can also be ingested in liquid form using a dropper or converted into a liquid, tablet, or capsule. Additionally, LSD can be inhaled through the nose (snorted) or injected into a vein (shooting up). The method of ingestion affects the onset of effects, with oral ingestion taking 20 to 30 minutes and injection taking as little as 10 minutes.
While both substances can induce similar psychedelic effects, the methods of ingestion vary significantly. The choice between ingesting LSD or mushrooms depends on various factors, including personal preference, desired intensity, and the user's comfort level with different consumption methods.
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Mushrooms produce a whole-body experience, while LSD is largely cerebral
Mushrooms and LSD are both psychedelics that produce hallucinogenic effects. However, they differ in their method of consumption, duration of effects, and the type of experience they offer.
Mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", are naturally-occurring fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. They are typically consumed by eating fresh or dried mushrooms, or by brewing them into a tea. Psilocybin mushrooms have low toxicity, but it is possible to overdose on them, leading to adverse physical and mental effects, often referred to as a “bad trip”. The effects of mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. A mushroom trip usually lasts for about 6 hours and produces a whole-body experience.
On the other hand, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), also known as "acid", is a synthetic chemical compound that is man-made from ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD is commonly consumed by placing small tabs of paper infused with LSD under the tongue or by using a dropper. It is also sometimes sold in the form of gelatin sheets, sugar cubes, or capsules. LSD is more potent than mushrooms, meaning it takes a smaller amount to get high and become dependent. As a result, users may accidentally ingest more LSD than they can handle, leading to a higher risk of intoxication and overdose. LSD produces a cerebral trip, with users reporting more extreme experiences on either end of the spectrum. An LSD trip can last for up to 10 hours, and people often perceive it as proceeding at a rapid pace compared to mushroom trips.
The differences in the experiences produced by mushrooms and LSD can be attributed to their different compositions and onset times. While mushrooms are natural and produce a whole-body experience, LSD is synthetic and acts more on the cerebral region of the brain. Therefore, the "set" and "setting", referring to the mindset of the user and the environment, are especially important when consuming LSD.
Both mushrooms and LSD can lead to psychological dependency and long-term health risks, including behavioral issues such as psychosis, anxiety, and impaired judgment. Additionally, they have been associated with a rare condition called hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where people experience recurring hallucinations or "flashbacks" long after the psychedelic experience.
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Both substances can cause psychological complications
While both LSD and mushrooms have low potential for physical dependence or misuse, there is a risk of psychological complications and dependency. The effects of both substances can range from very positive to highly challenging, with the latter often referred to as a "'bad trip'". Challenging experiences can include feelings of fear, grief, despair, paranoia, and fear of losing control or death. These feelings can be exacerbated by the user's environment and mindset prior to ingestion. As a result, it is recommended that users are in a positive mindset and safe environment before taking either substance.
The side effects of LSD are unpredictable and can vary from person to person. In many instances, these side effects consist of various mental and emotional changes, such as severe, terrifying thoughts, feelings of despair, fear of losing control, or fear of insanity and death. Users can also experience flashbacks or recurrences of certain aspects of the drug experience for years after use, known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD).
Psilocybin mushrooms, on the other hand, have been associated with behavioural issues such as aggression, violence, and risky behaviour. Excessive consumption of psilocybin mushrooms can lead to what is known as a "'bad trip'", which can last between 6 to 8 hours, with some effects lingering for several days. Psilocybin has also been linked to panic reactions and psychosis, particularly when ingested in large doses.
While the challenging experiences associated with LSD and mushrooms can be mitigated through the co-use of MDMA, this practice should be approached with caution as it has not been thoroughly studied. Furthermore, the co-use of other pharmacological agents, such as lithium and other mood stabilizers, has been associated with greater intensity of challenging experiences.
It is important to note that the information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice or an endorsement of illegal substance use. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or psychological complications related to substance use, it is recommended to seek professional help or contact a substance abuse hotline.
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Mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi, while LSD is synthetic
Mushrooms and LSD are both classified as psychedelics, which means they significantly alter sensory experiences, emotional states, and thought processes. However, they are very different substances. Mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi, while LSD is synthetic.
Magic mushrooms, or "shrooms", are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are commonly found in the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States. There are two main types of magic mushrooms: the most common form is a species called Psilocybe semilanceata or "liberty cap", while the other more potent variety is Amanita muscaria or "fly agaric". There are deadly poisonous species of amanitas, so it is very dangerous to take them without knowing what you are doing.
Psilocybin mushrooms are generally considered non-toxic, and overdose is extremely rare. They are not known to cause long-term physical harm or organ damage. However, there can be risks associated with misidentifying mushrooms in the wild. Mushrooms are usually dried and eaten or brewed into a tea. They can also be mixed with food and drinks to mask their bitter flavour. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. A mushroom trip usually comes to a close within 6 hours, although it can sometimes last up to 8 hours.
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a synthetic chemical that is used recreationally. It is a man-made chemical compound heavily popularized for its hallucinogenic and mind-altering effects. LSD is made from a substance found in ergot, which is a fungus that grows on rye. It is commonly sold in the form of drops dried onto gelatin sheets, pieces of blotting paper, and sugar cubes, all of which are ingested orally. Liquid formulations, as well as tablets and capsules, are also common. LSD is sometimes taken from a dropper, but it is more common for it to be applied to small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth. LSD is not considered physically toxic, and it does not typically lead to overdose or cause direct physical harm. However, the disorienting effects can lead to dangerous behaviour if the user is not in a safe environment. An LSD trip can last for up to 10 hours, and people tend to perceive it as proceeding at a more rapid pace than a mushroom trip.
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The duration of their effects differs
While both LSD and magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic substances, the duration of their effects differs. The effects of magic mushrooms typically last up to 6 hours, while the effects of LSD can last between 7 to 12 hours, with a possible range of 4 to 22 hours.
The duration of magic mushroom effects can vary depending on various factors, including the strength of the mushroom, the dose ingested, and individual factors such as body weight and metabolism. The hallucinogenic effects of mushrooms usually commence within 30 to 45 minutes to an hour after ingestion, with some natural variation. These effects may come on gradually, with minor changes in senses or feelings that progress to stronger hallucinations. A ""bad trip" on mushrooms can last between 6 to 8 hours, but some effects may linger for several days.
LSD, on the other hand, has a longer duration of effects, which may be due to the smaller amounts typically ingested compared to mushrooms. The effects of LSD can last up to 10 hours, and in some cases even longer, with reports of ""afterglow" effects lasting another 6 hours. The onset of action for LSD is typically within 20 to 90 minutes, with an average range of 0.4 to 1.0 hours and a possible range of 0.1 to 1.8 hours. The duration of LSD effects is influenced by factors such as the potency of the drug, individual size, and any other medications being taken.
It is important to note that both substances can lead to psychological complications, including "bad trips" characterized by paranoia, fear, or anxiety. While these effects usually wear off within 24 hours, some people may experience lingering distress or "flashbacks" that can occur days, weeks, or even months after the initial trip.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are usually dried and eaten or brewed into a tea, whereas LSD is typically applied to small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth. Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, while an LSD trip is largely cerebral.
While both substances present few major risks, there are some potential physical and psychological complications to be aware of. There is a risk of developing a psychological dependency on either substance, and long-term health risks include psychosis, anxiety, and impaired judgment.
While deaths due to LSD overdose are rare, it is possible to overdose on LSD. Psilocybin mushrooms are generally considered non-toxic, and overdose is extremely rare.
Both LSD and mushrooms are classified as psychedelics, meaning they significantly alter sensory experiences, emotional states, and thought processes. They are also both known to induce altered states of consciousness and affect the brain's serotonin system.
LSD is a synthetic drug made from ergot, a substance found in a fungus that grows on rye. Mushrooms, on the other hand, are naturally occurring fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin.
