Before weed and magic mushroom possession were decriminalized and legalized in certain states, they were common in counterculture and influenced music, art, and movies. As a result, many people who have tried one have either come in contact with or have tried the other. Following the legalization of marijuana in a number of states, psychedelics are now coming into the spotlight. As more people embrace the idea of using these drugs recreationally, our drug and alcohol treatment center in Boca wanted to specify the difference between shrooms and weed as well as elaborate on their dangers.

Are Weed and Shrooms Similar?

Although shrooms and weed are intertwined through factors like culture, art, music, and movies, they aren’t the same. While the two drugs may share some similarities, they both cause different effects and experiences.

Cannabis

Cannabis, also known as weed or marijuana, is derived from the Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica plants.1 It can be ingested in a variety of ways, such as smoking, brewed as a tea, in pill form, cooked in food, or even absorbed through the skin in creams and other ointments. The main ingredient in marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a cannabinoid that is responsible for producing psychological side effects. It works by attaching itself to cannabinoid receptors in the brain, affecting thinking, memory, coordination, reward, and perception of time.

Some effects of marijuana use include:

• Heightened senses (such as seeing brighter colors)
• Difficulty with movement and coordination
• Impaired memory
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Altered perception of time
• Trouble concentrating
• Delusions
• Altered mood

Just because marijuana is naturally grown doesn’t mean it’s entirely safe. Long-term marijuana use can cause memory loss and trouble with cognitive function. It’s also possible to become addicted or dependent on weed. People who do develop a dependency often require a medically monitored detox to flush it out of their system.

Shrooms

Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are a type of psychedelic that fall into the psilocybin drug class, which is the natural psychoactive compound that causes hallucinogenic side effects. Psilocybin is addictive and can cause extremely uncomfortable and anxiety-inducing symptoms.

As a hallucinogen, shrooms can trigger mental and emotional side effects that increase the risk of accidents under the influence. When mixed with other drugs and alcohol, as they often are, these risks become more probable.

Some side effects of shrooms include:

• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Lack of coordination
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Altered perception of time and place
• Euphoria
• Hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Fluctuating heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure
• Numbness

Psychedelics like shrooms also have the potential for abuse and can be especially dangerous when combined with other drugs or alcohol. At Banyan Boca, we offer residential drug and alcohol treatment that can help those struggling with an addiction to psychedelics or any other substance get sober.

What’s the Difference Between Marijuana and Mushrooms?

While there are some shrooms and weed effects that are similar, like hallucinations and psychosis, both drugs vary in their chemical properties and overall impact on the brain. The main difference between shrooms and weed is that there is more research pointing towards the possible benefits of marijuana when it’s controlled by medical personnel. Marijuana and mushrooms also differ in the severity of their symptoms, which may vary depending on the strain of cannabis and the dose ingested. The side effects of shrooms can also be more unpredictable than those of weed.

What are shrooms like compared to weed? The simple answer is that both can be dangerous and increase the risk of accidents. Any form of drug abuse can cause long-term repercussions on your mental and physical health. Substance abuse should be avoided at all costs.

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call Banyan Treatment Centers Boca today at 888-280-4763 to learn more about the levels of care we offer.

 

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