Can you mix cannabis and magic mushrooms? Does this mind-altering pair produce a synergistic effect, or will you just end up having a bad trip? Although the biochemistry behind both a cannabis high and a shroom trip is understood, interactions between these processes remain somewhat of a mystery. Continue reading as we walk you through the difference between the two, and see if weed and shrooms work well together.
- Do Cannabis and Psychedelics Mix?
- Growing Cannabis Alongside Mushrooms
- Cannabis
- Shrooms
- Cannabis
- Shrooms
Cannabis and psychedelic fungi are natural sources of chemical compounds—cannabinoids and alkaloids, respectively—that produce altered states of consciousness following consumption. With use spanning far back into human history, various cultures have consumed natural psychoactive substances for a variety of reasons, ranging from the holistic to the ceremonial. Today, they are still used for these purposes in different parts of the world, and many people also use them for recreational purposes or to expand their consciousness.
Because cannabis and psychedelics produce distinct effects on the body and brain, users often mix them in hopes of experiencing a synergistic effect. But are the two substances compatible?
While no clinical trials have outlined the safety or efficacy of taking cannabis and magic mushrooms together, anecdotal reports detail varying effects. Some users report that high-CBD products help to reduce the side effects of shrooms while high-THC levels assist in amplifying the Hallucinogenic Effects. Below, you’ll discover everything you need to know about mixing cannabis and magic mushrooms.
THE ENTOURAGE EFFECT: POTENTIAL STNERGY BETWEEN VANNABINOIDS & TERPENES
But before we get into the effects—what’s the consensus on growing weed and mushrooms together? Should you cultivate the two side by side? For the most part, probably not.
Mushrooms require extra care and attention to stay hydrated and free from contamination. Whereas weed growers can simply toss seeds into the soil, mushroom growers need to sterilise their growing medium to destroy competing microbes. To achieve the first flush, growers use either jars or monotubs to create an environment high in humidity and CO2 that works to keep contaminating microbes out. In contrast, cannabis requires a lower humidity and higher levels of oxygen to thrive.
Consumption
But before we get into the effects—what’s the consensus on growing weed and mushrooms together? Should you cultivate the two side by side? For the most part, probably not.
Many people choose to smoke cannabis because of the simple process and fast onset of effects. However, concerned with the toxic byproducts of smoking, many have now turned to vaporizing their herb.
Cannabis edibles are renowned for their potency. Eating cannabis-infused foods or consuming cannabis-infused beverages exposes cannabinoids to first-pass metabolism. This converts the primary psychoactive molecule THC into the more potent metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC. As such, oral intake of cannabis features a longer onset and duration.
Sublingual administration (placing cannabis extracts under the tongue) sends cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream.
Shrooms are either eaten fresh or dried on their own, added to other foods, or made into tea. The “lemon tek” method has become particularly popular among psychonauts, and involves soaking magic mushrooms in lemon or lime juice for a faster-acting effect and a better taste. Of course, there are many other ways to eat mushrooms, such as infusing them into chocolate bars or making blue honey.
That said, the oral route remains the most viable way to take this form of fungi. If you’re wondering if you can smoke magic mushrooms, you technically can, but it likely reduces their potency.
Effects
Cannabis produces hundreds of different compounds that belong to several chemical families, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. However, the cannabinoid THC underpins the psychoactive effects of the herb.
Likewise, psilocybin mushrooms contain several alkaloids known for their ability to alter consciousness: psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin.
High-THC cannabis strains and extracts produce a “high” often characterised by feelings of euphoria, creativity, and open-mindedness. Typical side effects include red eyes, dry mouth, increased appetite, and anxiety. Edible cannabis, through the conversion of THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, produces a more potent effect that borders on the psychedelic. As such, negative side effects like paranoia, anxiety, and panic are potentially more likely.
Psilocybin mushrooms produce a much more intense cognitive experience, depending on the dose. While small doses give rise to euphoria and enhanced senses, high doses are associated with full-blown hallucinations, ego death, and a complete but transient disconnect from reality in some cases.
