A long time ago people did not quite understand what THC is. Today that is the case with psilocybin. Psilocybin is to magic mushrooms what THC is to cannabis. So we thought it would be a good idea to make the link between both psychoactive compounds. We came to this conclusion: THC is to cannabis what Psilocybin is to magic mushrooms. Relatively speaking, both THC and psilocybin are similar in their relationship to the source material – cannabis and mushrooms – and also to the consumer, you.
Before decriminalization and legalization measures swept the world (and especially Canada since we are the only nation to legalize recreational cannabis on a federal level), cannabis and mushrooms each featured prominently in counterculture, showing up in psychedelic art, music, movies and the party scene.
While the two substances share some similarities, using either one is a distinctly different experience.
But lets first talk about the similarities of THC and Psilocybin.
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1. They are both active compounds in their respective plant/fungi
2. They are both psychoactive – meaning they affect the functions of your mind, body, and senses
3. They both interact with the human body: THC via the Endocannabinoid system and psilocybin via serotonin neurotransmitter receptors.
4. The effects of both can vary widely depending on the dose, the strain, the potency, method of consumption, and tolerance
For example, if you were to vaporize a 30% THC strain of cannabis you would feel the potent body and mind-focused effects quite rapidly. In comparison, if you eat a 10mg cannabis edible, it would take 30 to 60 minutes for you to feel mild body-focused effects
Some people can feel lethargic and lazy when they consume cannabis. Whereas other people can feel focused and productive. Even when consuming the exact same strain through the exact same method of consumption. Weird right? Goes to show how unique each human is and how unique each plant or fungus is.
Now let’s narrow in on magic mushrooms.
While there are over 200 strains of magic mushrooms, most live under the genus Psilocybe, with the most prominent member being Psilocybe cubensis. Cubensis is one of the most widespread species, its resistance to contamination and generous fruiting has made it a choice of interest when it comes to engineering new hybrids. Today, cubensis is cultivated worldwide and is considered the universal strain, the mother of them all.
If you are curious have a look at our 70+ strains, alongside our list of strains perfect for beginners.
How does THC and psilocybin contrast?
As with THC, psilocybin alters sensory perception. But the magic mushroom effects are quite a bit more noticeable and striking.
A study done in 2012 suggests that psilocybin decreases activity in areas of the brain responsible for constraining your experience of the world and keeping it orderly
When this process slows down, your perception of the world around you shifts and as a result:
– You may experience spiritual epiphanies
– You may experience philosophical breakthroughs
– You may experience creative breakthroughs
– Your perception of time changes which can lead to increase in focus and creativity
– Your perception of YOU chances which can lead to personal growth and development in a very short period of time
– You may experience intense euphoria which according to this study can lead to a remarkable relief in sever depression and anxiety
THC affects the Endocannabinoid system but what part of the body does psilocybin affect?
A study shows that psilocybin affects the claustrum. The claustrum is an extremely thin sheet of neurons deep within the cortex, yet it reaches out to every other region of the brain.
Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers compared the brain scans of people after they took psilocybin with their scans after taking a placebo.
Their findings were published online on May 23, 2020, in the journal NeuroImage.
The scans after psilocybin use showed that the claustrum was less active, meaning the area of the brain believed responsible for setting attention and switching tasks is slowed down when working together with psilocybin. The researchers say that this ties in with what people report as typical effects of psychedelic drugs, including feelings of being connected to everything and reduced senses of self or ego.
In conclusion, as you can see THC is to cannabis what psilocybin is to magic mushrooms.
Shrooms and psilocybin can make you feel fantastic.
Shrooms and psilocybin can make you hallucinate.
Some researchers think shrooms and psilocybin could work “like a surgical intervention” for mental illness.
Some researchers think shrooms could also help relieve anxiety after they’re used.
Shrooms will make you feel more open and imaginative
Source for the above.
