In the world of psychedelics, there are a few substances that can undoubtedly be called the “kings of the trip.” We’re talking, of course, about magic mushrooms and LSD, two of the most commonly used psychedelics in the world. Many people wonder what exactly the differences and similarities are between the two. For instance, many (novice) psychonauts wonder to what extent the visuals overlap, but also which of the two is safer to use. Today’s Dutch Smart blog post covers it all!
Magic Mushrooms and LSD in a Nutshell
To fully understand the differences between magic mushrooms and LSD, it’s important to clearly know what these two psychedelics are, what they’re used for, and what the trip is like for each.
Magic mushrooms: Let’s start with magic mushrooms. These psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been used for thousands of years by communities around the world. A typical dose of psilocybin ranges from 10 to 40 mg, which corresponds to about 1 to 4 grams of dried mushrooms. There are now more than 180 known species of psychedelic mushrooms. A typical magic mushroom trip lasts about 6 to 8 hours, and the risk of addiction is virtually nonexistent. In the Netherlands, magic mushrooms are only legal to grow; you cannot buy them ready-to-use. However, for a similar experience, you can opt for magic truffles, which also contain psilocybin.
LSD: lysergic acid diethylamide, unlike magic mushrooms, is not a naturally occurring substance. It was first synthesized in 1938 and first used in 1943 by Albert Hofmann. When you take LSD, you often do so via small tabs, onto which a drop of LSD has been applied. A typical dose ranges between 100 and 250 micrograms, and a trip lasts about 8 to 12 hours—significantly longer than that of magic mushrooms. With LSD, too, the risk of addiction is negligible, but unlike psilocybin, LSD is completely illegal in the Netherlands. For that reason, magic mushrooms and magic truffles are much more accessible than these synthetic psychedelics, but according to many studies, they are also safer to use.
The visuals
One of the main reasons people try magic mushrooms or LSD is because of the intense visual effects both produce. Incidentally, this applies not only to magic mushrooms but also to magic truffles, which contain the same active ingredient as magic mushrooms. When people take LSD, there’s a good chance that objects will appear to breathe or that “trails” of moving objects will be visible. LSD has visual effects that are comparable to its cognitive effects, so things look clear and clean, and colors appear more vivid while remaining “intact.” With magic mushrooms, visuals are often more intense in the sense that reality changes more significantly. Static objects may start to move, and in some cases, entire objects or beings are visualized. Color is also significantly altered.
Mental and physical effects
There is also a real difference between magic mushrooms and LSD in terms of mental and physical effects. LSD undoubtedly alters the way you think, but somehow retains a paradoxical sense of awareness, even in the depths of confusion. With magic mushrooms, however, it is much more likely that you will detach from the sense of “self” and everyday thinking. This can be refreshing, but also disorienting and intense. Physically, LSD induces a sharp, somewhat jittery energy. Sometimes you need to move your body to help manage it; otherwise, it turns into anxiety or restlessness. The effects of magic mushrooms are often reported as more “grounded.” A deep connection with nature is another aspect of magic mushrooms that is frequently discussed.
