
Cannabis sales are slowing down but magic mushroom and LSD sales are booming, what’s the point?
Magic Mushrooms And LSD Are Booming, But How Safe Are They?
Drugs that have been illegal since the hippie era of the 1960s are now being used again on a large scale.
Sometimes for recreation, others to heal emotional problems, and often for medicinal purposes. Psilocybin and LSD, in particular, have attracted the interest of medical professionals due to their powerful healing properties, especially for conditions that traditional medications have not been 100% successful at treating.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also begun to recognize the potential of these drugs: in 2018, they gave certain psychedelic treatments “breakthrough therapy” status, meaning they have therapeutic potential. Several prestigious medical schools and hospitals across the United States have also opened psychedelic medicine departments dedicated solely to studying the effects of psilocybin and LSD.
In addition, these drugs are also more widely available to recreational users. More and more people are getting into the microdosing trend, consuming magic mushrooms and LSD in the comfort of their own home or with friends, on vacation, or in rituals, even though they’re still federally illegal.
But how safe are they?
Safety of Magic Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms are one of several types of mushrooms that contain the psilocin or psilocybin compound. Ancient cultures around the world have used magic mushrooms for their hallucinogenic properties. It is consumed in a variety of ways: dried or fresh, mixed into food and drink, placed in capsules, or even eaten freshly picked mushrooms.
Due to its entheogenic properties, it is commonly used to treat treatment-resistant anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other types of trauma. However, when consuming mushrooms, users may experience a number of side effects including nausea, paranoia, and hallucinations, although these can still be managed and tolerated depending on the user.
In May 2022, a major international drug survey, the results of which were published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, showed that magic mushrooms were generally well tolerated. Only 0.2% of users indicated that they needed emergency medical care after using the drug. The survey used data from the 2017 Global Drug Survey, which asked 9,233 people about their drug use and medical treatment. Those who sought treatment reported these side effects in descending order: anxiety and panic, paranoia, and seeing or heating things. There were also 37% of people who reported passing out, while 32% reported having trouble breathing and 26% had seizures.
Keep in mind that most of the people who reported needing emergency medical care said they had also mixed substances: many mixed magic mushrooms with either cannabis or alcohol. They also said that thinking the wrong way, not in the right environment, and mixing substances likely contributed to their negative experiences.
That being said, magic mushrooms can be a delightful, euphoric experience that everyone can benefit from: small (micro)doses can boost focus and creativity, or add a little extra joy to your day if you have no intention of healing. The recommended starting dose for a micro dose starts at 0.5 grams to 1 gram, and a macro dose can start as low as 10 grams depending on body weight and experience. The journey can take between 4 and 8 hours.
It’s also important to remember that the set and environment are incredibly important to the success of your experience; For those interested in the medicinal properties of mushrooms, search for psychedelic assisted psychotherapy available in or near you.
Safety of LSD
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is another extremely popular hallucinogenic drug. Unlike magic mushrooms, which come straight from nature, LSD is a chemical, although it comes from a fungus known as ergot. It can also be made synthetically in the lab.
Also known by the names Acid, Lucy or Dots, LSD is used both recreationally and medicinally. It can induce energetic, uplifting, and happy moods, but its side effects can also include anxiety, confusion, flashbacks, and overwhelm.
Acid is consumed by putting a “tab” in the mouth, although these aren’t actually tablets: it’s a piece of blotting paper that’s absorbed when placed on the tongue. There are other forms of consumption: Acid is also available as a clear liquid that can be placed on the tongue. The effects of acid can last anywhere from 5 to 12 hours, depending on your tolerance and the amount you take. A microdose is usually 5 micrograms, although experienced gonorrhea can take 10 to 20 micrograms for a stronger trip.
The state of mind you are in can greatly affect how good or bad your LSD trip will be. If you are depressed or anxious when you take LSD, it can lead to a seriously negative experience, making the world and life in general feel painful and scary. Sometimes the negative emotions can be so overwhelming that people who aren’t in the right frame of mind can even end up harming themselves during a bad LSD trip.
LSD use is small or microdoses are usually well tolerated, although serious physical side effects can occur if taken in excess or mixed with other substances. These include seizures, dry mouth, tremors, loss of appetite and nausea.
Conclusion
Before self-medicating with any of these popular psychedelics, consider planning ahead. There are certain things to keep in mind and make sure you only use high quality medication that has not been cut with other substances.
Plan your trip and be with experienced friends. It is always recommended to use these drugs in the right frame of mind, although you can also engage in healing methods under the guidance of a professional.
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