Emily Johnson
LSD and magic mushrooms are two of the most well-known psychedelics, but they can produce very different experiences. While both substances can lead to psychological dependency and long-term health risks, they differ in their sources, effects, and overall experiences. LSD is synthetic, longer-lasting, and often more intense, whereas magic mushrooms are natural, shorter-acting, and tend to produce a more introspective and emotional journey.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural or man-made | LSD is a man-made chemical compound. |
| Mushrooms are natural. | |
| Trip length | An LSD trip can last up to 10 hours. |
| A mushroom trip usually lasts up to 6 hours. | |
| Trip pace | LSD trips are perceived to proceed more rapidly than mushroom trips. |
| Trip intensity | LSD trips are more intense. |
| Emotional experience | LSD trips are more erratic. |
| Mushroom trips lead to more emotional introspection and feelings of empathy, connectedness, and reflection on personal issues. | |
| Overdose | It is possible to overdose on LSD. |
| It is possible to overdose on mushrooms. | |
| Bad trip | There are more reports of bad trips with LSD than mushrooms. |
| Dependency | Both LSD and mushrooms can lead to psychological dependency. |
| Both can lead to substance use disorder. | |
| Treatment | Treatment options for LSD and mushroom dependency include drug detoxification, group therapy, and holistic practices. |
| Therapeutic applications | Both LSD and mushrooms are being studied for their potential therapeutic applications, particularly in the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. |
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What You'll Learn
Natural vs synthetic
While both LSD and magic mushrooms are powerful psychedelics, they differ in their sources, effects, and overall experience. Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi, while LSD is a synthetic chemical compound.
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. Psilocybin mushrooms have long, slender stems topped with caps that have dark gills on the underside. They are typically dried and eaten or brewed into tea. When consumed, psilocybin is broken down into psilocin, which interacts with the serotonin receptors in the brain, inducing hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms usually begin around 30 minutes after consumption and last up to 6 hours, sometimes with lingering effects lasting several days. Psilocybin tends to induce more emotional introspection, often leading to feelings of empathy, connectedness, and reflection on personal issues. It provides a calming high and a spiritual experience. However, it is possible to overdose on psilocybin mushrooms, and a "bad trip" can result in adverse physical and mental effects.
On the other hand, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), also known as acid, is a synthetic chemical compound derived from ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. It is man-made and heavily popularized for its hallucinogenic, mind-altering, and mood-changing effects. LSD is typically sold in the form of drops on gelatin sheets, blotting paper, or sugar cubes, which are placed in the mouth, or in liquid, tablet, or capsule form. The effects of LSD can last up to 10 hours and are often perceived as proceeding at a more rapid pace compared to mushroom trips. LSD produces a more cerebral experience, and the concepts of "set" and "setting" are crucial to the experience, depending on the mindset of the user and the environment in which the use occurs. LSD trips can be more intense and unpredictable, with varying side effects that include mental and emotional changes. While LSD is more potent than magic mushrooms, it can lead to a higher risk of intoxication and overdose if users ingest more than their bodies can handle.
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Duration of trip
The duration of a trip depends on the substance being used. A trip on magic mushrooms usually lasts up to 6 hours, with some sources stating that it can last up to 8 hours. On the other hand, an LSD trip can continue for a full 10 hours, with some sources stating that it can last anywhere between 6 to 12 hours.
The duration of the trip also depends on the dosage and the time taken for the substance to kick in. For mushrooms, the effects usually begin around 30 minutes after consumption, whereas, for LSD, it can take anywhere between 20 minutes to 2 hours.
It is important to note that the duration of a trip can vary from person to person, and there may be other factors that influence the length of the experience. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that the effects of a bad trip on mushrooms can linger for several days before they finally fade.
Both LSD and mushrooms can lead to psychological dependency and long-term health risks. While these effects are usually temporary and cause no harm, they could be a concern for individuals with cardiac or vascular disorders. Some people may also experience lingering distress for days or even years after a psychedelic experience, a condition known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD).
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Intensity of trip
The intensity of a trip varies between LSD and mushrooms, with the former being more potent and unpredictable. While both are powerful psychedelics, LSD is synthetic, longer-lasting, and often more intense, whereas psilocybin mushrooms are natural, shorter-acting, and produce a more introspective and emotional journey.
Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, while an LSD trip is largely cerebral. As a result, the concepts of "set" and "setting" are more crucial to an LSD trip. The mindset of the user before use and the environment in which the use occurs play a significant role in the outcome of the experience. People tend to report more extreme experiences on either end of the spectrum with LSD, and it is also associated with severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings of despair, fear of losing control, or fear of insanity and death.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically begin around 30 minutes after consumption and last up to 6 hours, with some reports of trips lasting up to 8 hours. On the other hand, LSD can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours to take effect, and the trip can continue for up to 10 hours or even 12 hours in some cases. Despite the longer duration of LSD trips, people often perceive time passing more rapidly compared to mushroom trips.
Both substances can induce a ""bad trip""", where the effects become scary and anxiety-inducing. A "bad trip" on psilocybin mushrooms is typically referred to as a psilocybin bad trip and can last between 6 to 8 hours, with some effects lingering for several days. While it is possible to overdose on psilocybin mushrooms, it is quite rare, and the low toxicity of the mushrooms means that extremely large amounts need to be consumed to reach toxic levels.
LSD, on the other hand, is one of the most potent perception-changing chemicals, and it is possible to overdose on it. The amount required for an overdose is unclear, and the effects can vary widely depending on the person and their experience with the drug.
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Emotional experience
Psilocybin mushrooms are known to induce more emotional introspection, often leading to feelings of empathy, connectedness, and reflection on personal issues. Users often report a sense of unity with nature or deep emotional insight. These emotional experiences are typically less erratic than those of LSD.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are often described as more grounded in nature, with users reporting vivid visual hallucinations, an altered sense of time, and a profound emotional experience. Psilocybin mushrooms are generally considered non-toxic, and overdose is extremely rare. However, bad trips may occur, involving confusion, anxiety, or frightening hallucinations.
On the other hand, LSD is a synthetic compound and is known to produce highly visual and mind-bending experiences, sometimes including complex thought patterns, distorted reality, and profound shifts in consciousness. LSD can induce intense hallucinations and emotional experiences that can be overwhelming, especially for people with a history of mental health issues. A "bad trip" on LSD can cause paranoia, confusion, or fear, which can be psychologically distressing and potentially harmful.
LSD can also affect your central nervous system and lead to an increase in monosynaptic reflexes, muscle tension, and muscular incoordination. These issues are rare, but the odds of them occurring can increase with repeated use.
Both substances can lead to substance use disorder if not taken seriously. Combining them may increase the intensity of the experience, as well as the risk of a bad trip or overdose.
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Side effects
While LSD and magic mushrooms share many of the same side effects, the experiences differ due to factors like onset time, duration of effects, dosage, and frequency of use.
Onset Time
After ingestion, both substances take about an hour to kick in on an empty stomach. Taking either after a meal can make this timeframe longer. However, the effects of magic mushrooms typically begin around 30 minutes after consumption and may last up to 6 hours, while LSD can take anywhere between 20 minutes to 2 hours to kick in and the effects may last 6 to 12 hours.
Duration of Effects
The duration of the effects of magic mushrooms is typically 6 hours, while LSD trips can continue for up to 10 hours.
Dosage
While you can develop a tolerance to either substance over time, it usually takes less LSD than psilocybin to produce psychedelic effects. As a result, it is easier to ingest more LSD than intended, which may explain the higher number of reports of "bad trips" associated with LSD compared to magic mushrooms.
Frequency of Use
The longer and more frequently one abuses LSD or magic mushrooms, the higher the risk of developing adverse side effects. Both substances can lead to psychological dependency and long-term health risks. Behavioural issues associated with their use include psychosis, anxiety, aggression, violence, impaired judgment, and risky behaviour.
Other Side Effects
Other potential side effects of LSD and magic mushrooms include disconnection from one's body and environment, paranoia, fear, and hallucinations. Additionally, combining these substances can increase the intensity of the effects and the risk for serotonin syndrome. Dehydration and loss of consciousness are also possible adverse reactions, especially if basic needs are neglected during use.
It is important to note that individual responses to LSD and magic mushrooms can vary, and it is nearly impossible to predict how someone will react to either substance.
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Frequently asked questions
LSD is a man-made chemical compound, whereas magic mushrooms are naturally grown. The effects of LSD are largely cerebral, while mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience. An LSD trip can last up to 12 hours, whereas a mushroom trip usually ends within 6 hours.
It is possible to overdose on both substances. While deaths due to LSD overdose are rare, there is a risk of severe, terrifying thoughts and feelings of despair, fear of losing control, or fear of insanity and death. Mushrooms have low toxicity, but a high dose can lead to adverse physical and mental effects, usually referred to as a "bad trip". Both substances can lead to psychological dependency and long-term health risks, including psychosis, anxiety, and impaired judgment.
Both substances are being studied for their potential therapeutic applications, particularly in the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.
