According to research, 48.2 million people use cannabis in the United States. While not as many people use psilocybin, there are many similarities between both of them. What are some of the similarities between psilocybin and THC?
One of the main similarities is that they’re both psychoactive drugs and both have a history of being used as plant medicine.
They are both considered entheogens, which are naturally occurring substances compounded of plant origin that are eaten to induce a nonordinary state of consciousness for religious or spiritual purposes.
Cannabis has been well known in recent years to help symptoms of mental illness. Now, researchers have been finding evidence of the positive effects of psilocybin and mental illness.
What Is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin, more commonly known as shrooms, are sometimes also known as magic mushrooms. These are a type of psychedelics that fall into the psilocybin drug class.
It is a naturally occurring compound, and it can cause hallucination-like side effects. However, some people can experience side effects including anxiety and discomfort. Others enjoy a relaxed and typically euphoric experience with it.
Psilocybin is known for causing a hallucinogenic state and many use it for mental relief or spiritual healing. Psilocybin treatments in a medical setting usually involve a session with experienced medical staff and guidance. There is usually talking and integrative therapy with the psychedelic experience.
What Is THC?
Cannabis is also known as marijuana or weed, and it comes from Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis Indica. Cannabis has THC in it, which is a psychoactive compound (cannabinoid) that causes the mind-altering effects we associate with the plant.
People consume cannabis and intake THC in many different ways, whether combustion (smoking), brewing it in tea, infusing or eating in food, absorbing it through their skin using a topical application, or taking pills.
The compound THC interacts with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain, which is a part of your nervous system, known as the Endo-cannabinoid system.
What Are The Similarities?
One of the main similarities is that both substances are naturally occurring with unique compounds associated and only found with these plant/fungi. Psilocybin is the main psychoactive ingredient for magic mushrooms. Whereas THC is just the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.
Both Psilocybin and THC affect the brain’s default mode network (DMN). DMN is a network of interacting brain regions that is active when the brain is at rest. This causes the brain to create new channels and pathways. Over time, this can change thought patterns and reduce the impact of overwhelming external stimuli.
THC and psilocybin all interact with serotonin receptors. Although they interact with different serotonin receptors, they both produce psychoactive effects. The difference lies in how long-lasting/intense the effect is.
Cannabis contains cannabinoids and terpenes, which promote anti-inflammatory and neurogenic properties. Psilocybin contains psilocin and other compounds which contain more neurogenic properties. Both of these substances exhibit neurogenic properties, so essentially both substances can boost brain cell growth with medicinal use.
Effects
THC and magic mushrooms (psilocybin) can cause a wide range of different effects, but in general, they are both very simular in the sense of producing healthy psychoactivity in the brain.
Mushrooms and Psilocybin has been shown to have lasting alleviating effects on depression and anxiety if combined with talk therapy. Using cannabis and THC while keeping other good habits (eating well, sleeping, exercising) has been known to reduce the use of antidepressants or other medications.
With THC, you might experience relief from nausea and pain, relaxation, changes in your energy levels, and an elevated mood. When you take it, you’ll also have psychedelic-like effects, and it may even feel like time is slowing down.
Shrooms can affect you in a very similar way, however, they’re more known to cause mind-altering effects. It is classified as a psychedelic, like LSD or peyote. Psychadelics can typically produce a spiritual like experience that at times can be life-changing for certain individuals.
They can intensify emotions, alter your brain’s thinking, give you perceptual hallucinations, or make you see intense imagery. Sometimes, these hallucinations can give you a mystical experience, and you might feel a positive emotional state. Keep in mind that everyone reacts differently.
Side Effects of Psilocybin and THC
As with any drug, these also come with side effects. Some of the negative effects of shrooms have been known to include:
- Headache
- Weakness
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Numbness
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Loss of coordination
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Altered perceptions of reality
THC in cannabis can also leave you with similar negative side effects if mis-used:
- Hallucinations
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Nausea
- Loss of coordination
- Changes in mood
- Trouble concentrating
- Tiredness
- Altered perceptions of reality
- Headache
Before using any of these substances, it is important to consult with a medical professional, physician or licensed expert first. If it’s your first time using either, make sure that you have someone with you that you can trust to supervise your experience to ensure its a positive one.
Safety
In general, studies have found that both magic shrooms (psilocybin) and cannabis (thc) are both safe to use if they’re used in moderation. While there are side effects that could happen, it’s rare that any of them could be life-threatening.
THC is also a safe compound, and many studies have concluded that it’s actually difficult to overdose on it. However, there isn’t enough research to understand how these two would react if taken together.
While both are plant-derived and can heal, they are not always suitable for everyone. Cannabis has been shown to trigger schizophrenic fits in adolescents with a known history of mental illness or psychosis. Sometimes, people can have a “bad trip” off of psilocybin. However, the therapeutic value of psilocybin lies in your mindset, setting, and intention before using psilocybin.
If you are taking other prescription medications, talk with your doctor to understand how those might react when mixed as well.
Legality
Another similarity that both of these drugs share is issues regarding the legality of using them. In most states, using or possessing either of these substances is illegal.
In most states, magic mushrooms are illegal, but the laws are always changing. Make sure that you check out the local regulations before using them.
Marijuana is legal for adult use in some states, like Colorado, Oregon, or Washington. However, marijuana is more available in some states that offer medical marijuana cards.
Discover More About Shrooms vs. Weed
These are only a few of the similarities between shrooms vs. weed, but there are many other commonalities between these two. There is actively research on psilocybin and weed to show its’ positive effects as well as new scientific breakthroughs.
While you should make sure that you talk with a doctor before using any of these, keep in mind that if you want to use marijuana medicinally, you should consider getting a medical marijuana card or recommendation.
Thankfully, PrestoDoctor specializes in providing access to licensed cannabis physicians that are able to issue you your medical marijuana recommendation upon approval. Contact us today and we can help you get your medical card so that you can safely use THC and other useful cannabinoids to your advantage.
