Michael Davis
Magic mushrooms and LSD (acid) are two of the most well-known psychedelic substances. While they can produce similar effects, there are also many differences. Magic mushrooms are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Psilocybe cubensis is the most common species of magic mushroom. LSD, on the other hand, is a synthetic chemical derived from ergot, a fungus found on rye bread and other grains. It was first synthesized in a laboratory by Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman in 1938. While magic mushrooms are typically eaten raw or dried, brewed into tea, or mixed with food or drinks, LSD is usually ingested orally in the form of drops on gelatin sheets, blotting paper, or sugar cubes, or applied to small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Mushrooms: Magic mushrooms, Shrooms, Boomers, Caps |
| LSD: Acid, Tabs | |
| Origin | Mushrooms: Natural |
| LSD: Synthetic | |
| Administration | Mushrooms: Eaten raw, brewed into tea, mixed with food and drinks |
| LSD: Dropper, tabs of paper, gelatin sheets, blotting paper, sugar cubes, tablets, capsules | |
| Effects | Mushrooms: Heightened sensory awareness, impaired judgment, mystical experiences, hallucinations, terror, depression, panic attacks, paranoia, anxiety, fear, nausea, sickness, diarrhoea |
| LSD: Hallucinations, delusions, visions, altered perception, change in senses, feeling of detachment from reality, fear, panic, uncontrollable laughter, a sense of overlapping realities, body distortions, paranoia, anxiety, fear, flashbacks, loss of coordination, dizziness, slurred speech, increase in monosynaptic reflexes, muscle tension, muscular incoordination | |
| Duration of effects | Mushrooms: 6 hours |
| LSD: 9-12 hours | |
| Overdose | Mushrooms: Possible |
| LSD: Possible, but deaths due to overdose are rare | |
| Addiction | Mushrooms: Not considered physically addictive, but can lead to psychological dependency |
| LSD: Not considered addictive, but repeated use can build up tolerance |
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What You'll Learn
- Mushrooms are the fleshy spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi
- Some mushrooms are edible, some are poisonous, and some are unpalatable
- Acid is a substance with a pH of less than 7
- Common acids include hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, and citric acid
- Lewis acids form a covalent bond with an electron pair
Mushrooms are the fleshy spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi
Mushrooms, or "toadstools", are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi. Typically produced above ground on soil or another food source, mushrooms are formed within the mycelium, the mass of thread-like hyphae that make up the fungus. The primordium, a nodule or pinhead, enlarges into a round structure of interwoven hyphae called a "button". As the egg-like structure expands, the universal veil—a cottony roll of mycelium—ruptures and may remain as a cup at the base of the stalk. Many mushrooms lack a universal veil, and so do not have a cup or volval patches.
The gills of the mushroom produce microscopic spores, which help the fungus spread across the ground or its occupant surface. These spores are called basidiospores and are produced on the gills, falling in a fine rain of powder from under the caps. At the microscopic level, the basidiospores are shot off basidia and fall between the gills. As a result, if the cap is cut off and placed gill-side-down overnight, a powdery impression reflecting the shape of the gills is formed.
Mushrooms may be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. However, the term "mushroom" is also used to describe the fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota. Forms deviating from the standard morphology usually have more specific names, such as "bolete", "truffle", "puffball", "stinkhorn", and "morel".
Some mushrooms contain the psychedelic and hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin, which is found in approximately 190 species of edible mushrooms that are indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States. These mushrooms typically contain less than 0.5% psilocybin, plus trace amounts of psilocin, another hallucinogenic substance. Users may refer to this drug as "magic mushrooms", "shrooms", or "caps", among other names.
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Some mushrooms are edible, some are poisonous, and some are unpalatable
Mushrooms are fungi that can be either edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. Edible mushrooms are consumed for their nutritional and culinary value. They can be cultivated or harvested in the wild. Examples include the Giant Puffball, Beefsteak Fungus, and the prized Truffle. However, it is crucial to correctly identify wild mushrooms before consumption to avoid poisonous species, such as the deadly Amanita family.
Some general guidelines can help avoid poisonous mushrooms. It is recommended to avoid mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous base. Mushrooms with red on the cap or stem should also be treated as poisonous. If the flesh of a mushroom stains blue when cut in half, it is likely toxic. Additionally, the taste test can be used for the Russula family; a chilli-like burn indicates poison, while a pleasant taste suggests edibility.
Identifying edible mushrooms can be challenging due to the diverse appearance of fungi species. Some poisonous mushrooms closely resemble edible ones, such as the False Morels, which resemble the edible Morchella species. Chanterelles, a celebrated beginner foraging option, can be mistaken for the toxic Jack O'Lantern Mushroom, which causes severe gastrointestinal issues.
Furthermore, mushrooms can absorb chemicals from polluted environments, accumulating lethal levels of arsenic and iron. Even normally edible mushrooms can become dangerous when growing in such areas. Additionally, some mushrooms, known as magic mushrooms, contain psychedelic compounds. These include Amanita muscaria (Fly Agaric) and Psilocybe cubensis, which are consumed recreationally.
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Acid is a substance with a pH of less than 7
Mushrooms, or "shrooms", are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally-occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Psilocybin is the active chemical in hallucinogenic mushrooms, and is found in approximately 190 species of edible mushrooms that are indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States. These mushrooms typically contain less than 0.5% psilocybin, along with trace amounts of psilocin, another hallucinogenic substance. Shrooms are usually dried and eaten or brewed into a tea.
LSD, or acid, on the other hand, is a man-made chemical compound popular for its hallucinogenic effects. It is a synthetic chemical that is used recreationally and is made from a substance found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye. LSD is often 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. Acid is a substance with a pH of less than 7, and it produces mild changes in perception, thought, and mood at small doses.
While both mushrooms and LSD can produce similar hallucinogenic effects, the two drugs differ greatly in terms of how they are used and their effects. Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, whereas an LSD trip is largely cerebral. As a result, the concepts of "set" and "setting" are more important for an LSD experience. People tend to report more extreme experiences on either end of the spectrum when taking LSD. A mushroom trip usually lasts about 6 hours, while an LSD trip can continue for 10 hours. Despite the longer duration of an LSD trip, people tend to perceive it as proceeding at a faster pace than a mushroom trip.
Both mushrooms and LSD present various risks, including severe mood swings, anxiety, paranoia, and hostility, as well as psychosis. There is also the risk of an unpleasant trip, marked by paranoia, anxiety, and fear. Additionally, people with underlying mental illnesses are more likely to experience hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where they experience recurring symptoms or flashbacks for weeks, months, or even years after an LSD or mushroom trip. It is important to note that the information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not endorse the use of any illegal substances.
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Common acids include hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, and citric acid
Mushrooms, specifically "magic" mushrooms, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known as acid, are two of the most well-known psychedelics. While they have similarities, they can produce very different experiences. Mushrooms are usually dried and eaten or brewed into a tea, while LSD is typically applied to small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth.
Now, common acids include hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, and citric acid. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a clear, highly corrosive, inorganic mineral acid and is classified as a strong acid. It is commonly used in drain and toilet cleaners, as well as mould removal products, due to its ability to dissolve mineral deposits. It is also used in swimming pools to lower pH levels. In the laboratory, it is used for titration to determine the amount of base.
Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is a colourless, pungent-smelling organic acid. It is the main component of vinegar and is present in all types, from table vinegar to pickling varieties. It is used in the food industry as a food additive (E260) to regulate acidity and preserve food. In the oil and gas industry, it is used as an acidifying agent in the stimulation of oil wells.
Sulfuric acid is a highly corrosive strong mineral acid with the molecular formula H2SO4. It is commonly used in domestic acidic drain cleaners, as an electrolyte in lead-acid batteries, and in various cleaning agents. It is also used in the chemical industry and is an excellent dehydrating agent.
Citric acid, also known as fruit acid, is a weak organic tricarboxylic acid that occurs naturally in citrus fruits. It is widely used as a flavour enhancer and preservative in the food and beverage industry, especially in soft drinks, to impart a tart and sour taste. It is also used in cleaning products and detergents, where it acts as a binding agent to increase dirt and soil removal. In pharmaceuticals, citric acid is used to produce effervescence for antacids and water-soluble tablets, and in personal care products such as bath bombs and face creams.
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Lewis acids form a covalent bond with an electron pair
The term "mushrooms and acid" typically refers to the comparison between "magic" mushrooms and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). While both substances are classified as psychedelics, they differ in their chemical composition, effects, and duration of the trip.
Now, focusing on the topic of Lewis acids:
Lewis acids and bases were proposed by G.N. Lewis in 1923 to describe acids and bases based on their structure and bonding rather than just proton transfer. According to Lewis, an acid is a species that can accept an electron pair, while a base donates an electron pair. This theory allows for a more generalized explanation of acids and bases and enables chemists to predict a wider variety of acid-base reactions.
A Lewis acid is a species that contains an empty orbital capable of accepting an electron pair from a Lewis base. This empty orbital is known as the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO). When a Lewis base donates its electron pair to the Lewis acid, they form a coordinate covalent bond, also known as an adduct. In this context, a Lewis base is any species that has an electron pair available for donation, often characterized by its nucleophilic nature, "attacking" positive charges with its lone pair.
The interaction between the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) of the Lewis base and the LUMO of the Lewis acid results in the formation of bonded molecular orbitals. This type of bonding, where electrons from one reactant are shared with another, is what defines a coordinate covalent bond. The resulting product, an addition compound or adduct, is a stable complex where the Lewis acid and base share an electron pair furnished by the base, forming a dative bond.
In summary, Lewis acids form covalent bonds with electron pairs by accepting an electron pair from a Lewis base, creating a coordinate covalent bond or adduct. This theory has expanded our understanding of acids and bases beyond proton transfer, allowing chemists to predict and explain a broader range of chemical reactions.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms and acid are two of the most well-known psychedelics. Mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", are wild mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally-occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. LSD (acid) is a synthetic chemical compound popularized for its hallucinogenic effects.
While both substances produce similar effects, they differ in terms of the experience they create and how they are consumed. Mushrooms produce more of a whole-body experience, whereas an LSD trip is largely cerebral. Mushrooms are usually dried and eaten or brewed into a tea, while LSD is typically applied to small tabs of paper that dissolve in the mouth or dropped onto food or sugar lumps.
Both substances present various risks, including severe mood swings, anxiety, paranoia, hostility, psychosis, and psychophysical dependence. There is also the risk of an "unpleasant trip", also known as a bad trip, which can be marked by paranoia, anxiety, fear, terror, depression, or panic attacks.
