Separately, psilocybin mushrooms and marijuana present intriguing possibilities to both those dipping their toes into psychedelics, as well as experienced psychonauts seeking to deepen their connections. But, what about mixing the two? Shrooms and weed might be naturally occurring psychedelic substances, but they present unique differences and benefits to anyone looking to experiment. Whether it’s the joint passed around during the peak of a mushroom trip or the herb that eases someone’s meditative experience — mixing shrooms and weed can influence the duration, intensity and conclusion of a mushroom trip.
Difference Between Shrooms and Weed
When psychonauts discuss plant medicines, shrooms and weed are often first to come to mind. Yes, shrooms and weed are both naturally occurring but they affect the brain and change perception in different ways. Shrooms, or magic mushrooms, are considered “magic” because of the psychoactive compound psilocybin. Psilocybin exists in a variety of different mushrooms and, depending on dosage, induces experiences ranging from anxiety reduction and increased focus to powerful conscious altering states.
Though researchers are uncertain of the full range of psilocybin’s effects on the brain, there is some research highlighting its ability to increase communication between regions of the brain and decrease the brain’s ability to organize thoughts and sensations. While the brain is functioning with less restraint, people on psilocybin mushrooms see alterations in sensory perceptions and mood.
Psilocybin therapies are revolutionizing the way medical practitioners treat a variety of health disorders and anecdotally, magic mushrooms allow people to heal and transcend. At dosages of four grams or higher, mushrooms can take people on an ego-dissolving journey, but microdosing mushrooms is becoming increasingly more popular as public opinion shifts and people seek alternative solutions for their ailments and goals.
Weed, or cannabis, refers to a family of plants, cannabis indica, cannabis sativa and cannabis ruderalis that are full of cannabinoid compounds. These cannabinoids interact with the human endocannabinoid system and produce psychoactive and non-psychoactive effects. The two most popular cannabinoids are THC and CBD. The former is known for its psychoactive highs and the other for its mellowing, muscle-relaxing and anxiety-reducing properties. Weed affects people differently, depending on their unique body chemistry and how they engage with cannabis — strains, dosage and frequency of use all matter.
Shrooms and weed are similar in their abilities to enhance creativity and help provide perspective, but they differ greatly in terms of intensity. A microdose of mushrooms might provide a similar body high or shift in perspective to cannabis, but at higher doses, the two provide juxtaposed experiences. High doses of shrooms dissolve barriers between self and the universe, whereas high doses of cannabis sedate and may increase anxious feelings.
Can You Smoke Shrooms?
If interested in taking shrooms, curious minds might want to try smoking them. Usually, people consume fresh or dried mushrooms or brew them in teas, but some find this unpalatable. Though there is limited research on the effects of smoking shrooms, it is inadvisable for those seeking the traditional psilocybin experience. Psilocybin is thermally labile, meaning that when exposed to heat the molecules break down and the traditional effects of psilocybin alter. Anecdotally, smoking psilocybin mushrooms is minimally psychoactive and can have some negative side effects like nausea. Research is needed to know the full effects but best to stick to traditional consumptions in order to have a traditional psilocybin experience.
What Is It Like to Trip on Shrooms and Weed?
There are a variety of ways to combine shrooms and weed. Just as the set and setting influence a psychedelic trip, when and how people combine cannabis influences the chemical interactions and psychoactive effects.
Cannabis Before A Mushroom Trip
Psilocybin can be harsh on the digestive system, causing some people to experience nausea, cramping or vomiting. Some people find mushroom teas or mixing mushrooms with light foods like a smoothie to help with gastrointestinal discomfort. Anecdotally, cannabis can be a friend to people experiencing these effects of mushrooms by easing nausea and allowing the gastrointestinal muscles to relax. CBD-rich strains of cannabis seem to be particularly helpful.
Cannabis can also help ease anxiety at the beginning of a mushroom trip. Right after taking mushrooms, some people may experience some nervousness about the impending journey, paired with the natural response to any tummy troubles. Cannabis may help some ease into their experience with a gentler spirit and less pushback from their anxious ego.
Cannabis During A Mushroom Trip
Around two hours into the psychedelic experience, adding in a little cannabis can actually intensify the trip. Though there is no clinical research, tales of mushroom trips enhanced with weed are common in the psychonaut community. Some say weed enhances the open and closed eye visuals as well as helping push someone deeper during a stagnant portion of their journey.
Cannabis After A Mushroom Trip
After the most intense moments of the trip subside and people start to come down, introducing cannabis can provide a number of benefits. Some people say that a well-timed joint or tincture can help prolong the effects of psilocybin, re-engage them with fading visuals or pathways of thought. Others use post-trip cannabis differently — rather than re-engaging, weed can help make the landing ground softer on their come down.
Come downs can be uncomfortable as psychonauts transition from one reality to another, for some people cannabis can make this experience less abrupt. Others say that mixing cannabis and shrooms after the effects of psilocybin have worn off, allowed them to better integrate the revelations and feelings they had experienced. There are no guarantees of how mixing shrooms and weed will affect each individual and more research is needed before conclusions can be drawn for a general population.
Should You Mix Weed and Shrooms?
Any time someone is interested in taking a psychedelic substance a proper education and the right environment are their best bets towards having a positive experience. Not everyone is comfortable consuming weed, it heightens their anxiety and makes them paranoid. Some people can experience a heightened sense of paranoia when mixing shrooms and weed. The intensification of the trip might also not be what some psychedelic users are looking for, especially people new to the world of psychedelia.
For some people — particularly regular cannabis users — mixing the two helps relax and ground them, allowing a more peaceful trip. Anecdotally, weed has also helped people turn their psilocybin around when experiencing a bad trip. Sometimes, mushrooms can lead psychonauts into darker spaces and people have found weed lifts them out of that headspace and into a calmer one.
Starting slow when mixing weed and shrooms can help people get more comfortable and avoid negative side effects. Weed can cause dry mouth or cottonmouth, and having water or hydrating fruit around can also be a pleasant addition. Making sure to have a safe companion, adjusting dosages to the desired level and respecting personal experience with weed and shrooms can allow positive integration of these powerful substances.
Psychonaut Thoughts
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