Should you Smoke Weed on Psychedelics? | Culture

With scientific findings increasing each and every day, there has been a new spotlight on psychedelics as a form of therapeutic treatment. This attention on these mind-altering substances has only created a new desire for people to try them, which begs the question: how do cannabis and psychedelics go hand in hand? Next time you're tripping on shrooms or LSD and want to light up, consider these tips.

The Continued Decriminalization Efforts of Psychedelics

Science has made huge strides in breaking down the barriers and stigmas to psychedelics, which is very similar to what has happened within the cannabis community. In the 1950s through the 1970s, psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, were deemed drugs of abuse with no medicinal value.

However, there has been a revival and renewal of using these substances to treat illnesses in recent years. Cities and even entire states are slowly working to eradicate laws against these substances, and this year Oregon was the first state to decriminalize drugs and legalize mushrooms for medicinal purposes. Denver has a love for both psilocybin and marijuana, as it was the first city to decriminalize mushrooms, while also being one of the first cities with legalized recreational marijuana.

What Can Psychedelic Treatment Help?

This revival emphasizes the paramount importance of set, setting and the therapeutic clinician-patient relationship for healing experiences and positive outcomes. Treatments include aiding in addictions, especially tobacco and alcohol, PTSD, anxiety, depression and easing end-of-life anxiety in terminal patients. As always, research is still in its infancy, but many people have reported an "afterglow" effect due to psychedelics, paired with positive transformative life experiences.

It's important to note that even though strides are being made, cannabis, LSD and psilocybin are still considered Schedule 1 illicit substances.

How Do LSD & Psilocybin Work Within the Body?

LSD and psilocybin are both traditionally found in plants or fungi and were used in spiritual folk healing rituals. They both produce altering effects through acting on circuits within the brain that uses the neurotransmitter serotonin, specifically the 5-HT2A receptor.

When thinking of psilocybin specifically, the substance can cause a stronger communication between parts of the brain that are normally disconnected and trigger different connectivity patterns that are only present in the hallucinogenic, dream-like state. LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) acts with serotonin receptors and affects the way our retinas process and conduct information to the brain, while also changing the brain's blood flow and electrical activity.

Both psychedelics can induce hallucinations, distortions and alter sensory experiences, emotions, memories, time and awareness. Psychedelics do not cause craving, withdrawal or dependence, which may be why they are gaining popularity once more. These substances will also increase introspection, illusions and a dream-like state. If you're still wondering, "Is weed or acid more intense?" the answer here is definitely acid. Cannabis can induce hallucinations, but LSD will typically produce a stronger effect.

How does Marijuana Affect the Body?

Cannabis works with the body through a very little-known system called the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system works tirelessly with homeostasis to keep your body at bay. There are two receptors to know within this system, the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptor, which has an affinity to binding with psychoactive cannabinoid THC, regulates pain, nausea and depression. The CB2 receptor works to regulate appetite, immune support, inflammation and pain. This receptor tends to bind with CBD, another cannabinoid that does not have psychoactive properties.

This system within the body is working diligently to ensure balance. When using cannabis, cannabinoids enter the system mimicking the natural ones found in the body to preserve homeostasis. Cannabis affects so many natural processes and is used in part to keep your body on track. These ideas may lead you to think that combining LSD and weed is a good idea, but let's examine their interactions.

How Cannabis & Psychedelics Interact

When debating how cannabis can pair with psychedelics, it's important to note that there is no exact science here. Everything depends on the potency of what you're taking, whether it be LSD or marijuana, and your tolerance to each. To ensure a positive experience, it's important to always remember that less is more, and gradually increasing your dose is best to achieve whatever effect you are chasing.

Due to their federally illegal status, there aren't many scientific findings on how these can interact. So, looking through thoughtful testimonials is the next best thing. Combining the likes of weed and shrooms or acid and weed will likely produce intense cerebral effects. Senses can be enhanced by cannabis, and it can also be used to combat nausea and to relax with the anxiety that tripping can bring about. This is a double-edged sword, however. Smoking while tripping can create too strong of an experience if you're not careful. It's also important to remember that while THC can create euphoria and an amazing cerebral buzz, it can also create anxiety, high blood pressure and racing thoughts. Basically, all the things you don't want while tripping.

You Should Probably Light Up Before, or After

General consensus from those who have dabbled with combining substances suggests consuming either before or after/coming down from the tripping experience is best. People have reported that smoking after doing acid lets them "come down to earth" a bit more gently and eased those uneasy come-down feelings that can accompany a trip.

Smoking cannabis before a trip is starting can help you ease into it, creating a calm headspace and general feelings of happiness before you dive in. As they say, your headspace is everything when it comes to having a psychedelic experience. If you're still pondering about what to do while on shrooms, maybe don't turn to marijuana unless you're very experienced with both. Luckily, it is nearly impossible to overdose on any of these substances, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Have you mixed a psychedelic while using cannabis? What was your experience with it? Let us know how it was below!