Can You Mix Weed and Magic Mushrooms

Can you mix weed with shrooms? The internet is full of anecdotal reports and articles about this interesting pair and how it produces a synergistic effect. But does it really, or will you just end up having a bad trip? When looking at the biochemistry behind both compounds, the effects they produce are well understood, although combining them may seem like a mystery. Without further ado, let’s break everything down and see if weed and shrooms actually synergize when combined together.

Cannabis vs Magic Mushrooms

Comparing cannabis with magic mushrooms is like comparing apples and oranges, it’s just not possible. They have two totally different active compounds, and the effects are incomparable. It is also unclear whether these two substances are compatible when used together, as there have been no clinical trials conducted so far. All the information we currently have are from anecdotal reports providing a slight glance into the effects of combining weed and shrooms.

According to these reports, some users claim that products high in CBD can help mitigate the side effects of magic mushrooms, while products with high levels of THC can enhance the hallucinogenic effects. In order to understand this, we will have to break down each compound and figure out its mechanism of action.

Cannabis

When it comes to weed, as you guessed it, it’s usually smoked due to its simplicity and quick onset of effects. Now since smoking isn’t the healthiest way to go, many people opt for vaporizing their herbs or taking edibles. The effects of vaping are pretty similar to those of smoking weed.

On the other hand, edibles have a different story to tell. When cannabis-infused foods or beverages are consumed, cannabinoids undergo first-pass metabolism, converting the primary psychoactive molecule THC into the more potent metabolite known as 11-hydroxy-THC. As a result, the onset and duration of effects from oral ingestion of cannabis are typically longer, and the effects tend to be much stronger.

For the sake of this article, we will stick to smoking cannabis flowers since it’s usually what people tend to do, especially when combining it with shrooms.

Effects

Smoking weed exhibits a wide range of short-term effects that vary from person to person. Some may experience a profound sense of calm and tranquility, while others may notice an increase in their anxiety levels. These differences are usually due to the individual body chemistry and how it reacts when exposed to THC. For that reason, it’s important to know how cannabis makes you feel before combining it with shrooms, as it may lead to a bad trip. Cannabis high typically lasts for a few hours before wearing off, and some of the most common effects are:

• Relaxation
• Sedation
• Pain relief
• Memory impairment
• Increased energy
• Drowsiness
• Increased appetite
• Dry mouth
• Red eyes
• Laughter
• Dizziness
• Feeling physically heavy or “couch-locked”
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Mechanism of Action

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a prominent cannabinoid found in cannabis and is responsible for the “high” effect. When THC enters your body, it interacts with your endocannabinoid system (ECS) by binding to receptors, similar to endocannabinoids. Its potency is attributed, in part, to its ability to bind to both CB1 and CB2 receptors, according to research. As a result, THC can have various effects on both your body and mind, some of which we discussed above.

Shrooms

Magic mushrooms, or shrooms as some may call them, can be consumed in various ways, but usually they’re eaten raw or brewed into a tea. There are numerous recipes about how they can be mixed with foods or smoothies and even turned into chocolate truffles and gummy bears. Whatever the case, the most common method of ingestion is through the oral route. While it is technically possible to smoke magic mushrooms, doing so is likely to diminish their potency. Therefore, oral consumption remains the preferred method for experiencing the effects of magic mushrooms, and we will stick solely to this method of ingestion.

Effects

Magic mushrooms are well known for their profound impact on consciousness and perception. When taking a moderate dose, the effects typically last around 4-6 hours, with the peak occurring approximately 2-3 hours after ingestion. As with any substance, the dosage will determine the strength and the duration of the trip. However, we will focus mostly on common effects that are noticeable when taking moderate doses of shrooms, which are:

• Altered perception of time and space
• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Distorted sensory perceptions
• Euphoria
• Disorientation
• Improved creativity
• Enhanced focus
• Anxiety
• Mystical experiences

Mechanism of Action

According to studies, psilocybin interacts with the serotonergic system in the brain, mimicking serotonin. When ingested, psilocybin undergoes rapid metabolic processes that convert it into psilocin, its active metabolite. Psilocin then binds to serotonin receptors, subtly altering the serotonergic system, leading to a significant and temporary change in cognitive processing.

Mixing Weed with Shrooms

As already discussed, information about mixing weed and shrooms is limited and relies solely on anecdotal accounts. The effects experienced from consuming psychedelic substances, let alone combining two distinct psychedelics like psilocybin and cannabis, are highly subjective. Factors such as an individual’s mindset and social environment, often referred to as “set and setting,” can influence the experience.

Nevertheless, according to these reports mixing cannabis with magic mushrooms enhance the trip and take it to a new level. Terence McKenna, in one of his interviews, mentioned his use of cannabis in combination with higher doses of psilocybin mushrooms. McKenna believed that smoking “reefers” during the “peak of the trip” could enhance the effects of psychedelics and open up new dimensions of consciousness.

However, not all people want to intensify their experience in such a way and because of that, we can divide mixing weed and shrooms into three separate categories, smoking before, during, and after the trip.

Weed Before the Trip

For some, smoking weed before the effects of shrooms kick in can help them achieve their desired mental state before diving into the psychedelic realm. For those who experience some pre-trip, strains high in CBD may help them relax both mentally and physically, while high-THC strains can intensify the come-up, which can be a good thing for people who are more experienced and comfortable with their own environment. 

Weed During the Trip

Smoking weed in the middle of a shroom trip should be left for those who have prior experience in the realm of psychedelics and are familiar with how things will unwrap. According to reports, high-THC strains can significantly intensify the psychedelic experience, especially when consumed at the peak of the trip. Some even claim that this practice can prolong the duration of the trip itself.

Weed After the Trip

The effects of shrooms are slowly wearing off, and the afterglow settles in. Smoking at this point of your trip can help you get a gentle, decent back to reality. People report that this practice can help them reflect on their recent experience with a greater sense of calm, incorporating the insights gained into their future life.

Risks of Mixing Cannabis and Magic Mushrooms

Determining the risks of mixing weed and shrooms is challenging since there are no clinical trials done on this topic. However, there have been reports of people persistently vomiting after smoking weed during the trip or getting a fever and even losing consciousness. It’s important to note that there is only a handful of these reports, therefore, it’s hard to determine if these are the real risks and if they can happen to you.

However, the primary risks associated with mixing cannabis and magic mushrooms pertain to mental health issues, making it advisable for individuals experiencing or predisposed to such conditions to avoid this combination.

The Bottom Line on Mixing Cannabis and Mushrooms

If you choose to mix marijuana and magic mushrooms together, the best practice is to experience them both individually beforehand. Once you are familiarized with both substances, and how they affect you, it will be much easier to determine whether combining them is a good idea. If you do decide to combine them, start slowly, ideally with lower doses, shrooms cans sometimes be overwhelming on their own, let alone when combined with cannabis. Stay safe, stay lifted, and happy tripping!