Can I Combine Hashish With Psychedelics? Dangers vs. Advantages

Is Hashish a Psychedelic?

The phrase psychedelic means “thoughts manifesting.” Colloquially, the time period refers to substances that produce adjustments in sensory notion. They might produce full-fledged hallucinations and alternate realities — or they might trigger objects within the atmosphere to look to maneuver and merge collectively.

Most individuals who’ve used each a psychedelic like magic mushrooms or LSD and marijuana will agree cannabis isn’t notably psychedelic.

It doesn’t produce hallucinations or induces ego-death — one thing many think about to be the climax of the psychedelic expertise.

Nevertheless, there’s a stunning quantity of overlap with cannabinoids and psychedelics when it comes to their mechanism of motion.

In actual fact, very excessive doses of the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana — THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) — can produce visible and auditory distortions just like LSD or psilocybin (the lively ingredient in magic mushrooms).

How Do Psychedelics Work?

There are a stunning variety of psychedelic compounds — each pure and artificial. Nevertheless, most of them work by roughly the identical mechanics.

A lot of the classical psychedelics, like LSD, mescaline, DMT, and magic mushrooms, work by activating the 5HT2A serotonin receptors, sometimes called the psychedelic receptor.

These receptors are situated all through the mind however are particularly plentiful within the prefrontal cortex, the place the visible middle is situated. When these receptors are activated, it might probably alter our notion of sensory data — which produces visible and auditory hallucinations.

Activation of this receptor may also produce adjustments in different cognitive processes, such because the default mode community (DMN). The DMN is an interconnected community of mind areas that drive our underlying thought processes and rumination. It’s considered the bodily supply of our “ego.”

After we take psychedelics, the DMN turns into much less lively, which is considered the reason for what many think about “ego-dissolution”, which is usually a life-changing expertise.

A Fast Overview of Widespread Psychedelics

Earlier than we get an excessive amount of additional, let’s briefly go over a few of the hottest psychedelics persons are combining cannabis with.

1. LSD

LSD stands for lysergic acid diethylamide. It’s one of the vital potent psychedelics on the earth — producing robust hallucinations at sub-milligram doses.

To place this into context, the psychoactive dose of THC often begins round 10 mg.

Like most psychedelics, LSD has a really mild affect on the physique — bodily, a minimum of. There has by no means been a reported overdose on this drug.

Nevertheless, the psychological results could be enormous. Most individuals who use LSD think about it to be one of the vital impactful experiences of their life.

2. Magic Mushrooms

The lively elements in magic mushrooms are psilocybin and psilocin. There are lots of of various species of mushrooms that comprise these elements, however the largest and most typical group, by far, is the Psilocybe genus.

Magic mushrooms are often psychoactive at doses of round 2 grams or extra. The results are similar to LSD however have a tendency to supply a stronger physique load.

3. DMT

DMT stands for dimethyltryptamine. There are numerous completely different sorts of DMT, however the most typical are 5-MeO-DMT (discovered within the Bufo alvarius toad in addition to in artificial type), and N,N-DMT — which is the lively ingredient within the psychoactive brew from the Amazon rainforest often called ayahuasca.

The results of DMT are very short-lived. The whole expertise lasts simply 20 or half-hour when smoked. Ayahuasca is the one exception, which may final a number of hours.

4. Mescaline

Mescaline is the lively ingredient in Peyote or San Pedro cactus. It’s similar to each LSD and magic mushrooms however with extra stimulating motion behind it.

Many different artificial psychedelics have been made utilizing mescaline as a base, equivalent to 2C-B, 2C-C, and DOM.

5. Ketamine

Ketamine is taken into account a “soiled drug.”

Whereas this sounds dangerous, it doesn’t imply what you assume it means.

A unclean drug is a time period that refers to substances that don’t goal one particular receptor — somewhat, they activate many alternative receptors to supply the mixed results.

One of many many receptors ketamine prompts is the CB1 endocannabinoid receptors. That is considered the first mechanisms concerned within the painkilling exercise of this substance [6].

Cannabinoids could potentiate (toughen) the painkilling results of ketamine.

Hashish & The Psychedelic Receptors

Most of the cannabinoids in hemp and marijuana vegetation additionally work together with the psychedelic receptors — although in a unique context than psychedelic substances.

Most cannabinoids work by activating or in any other case modulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS) — which is a sequence of receptors and neurotransmitters tasked with regulating homeostasis (stability).

Curiously, the ECS is intimately linked with the serotonin system. When compounds work together with one in all these methods, they not directly have an effect on the opposite one too.

Each the serotonin system and the endocannabinoid system are closely concerned with homeostasis and the regulation of temper, starvation, sleep, cognition, and extra.

A examine printed in 2015 found that one of many ECS receptor sorts (CB1) varieties heteromer complexes with the 5HT2A receptors [2]. This implies they generally merge collectively into one “super-receptor” that may do issues neither receptor can on their very own. These heteromer complexes have binding websites that each 5HT2A receptor agonists (like LSD) and CB1 receptor agonists (like THC) can each bind to.

It’s thought that THC’s capability to bind to the CB1 portion prompts these mixture receptors — inflicting results which are comparable to the consequences of different psychedelics like LSD or magic mushrooms.

Different research have discovered these CB1/5HT2A heteromer complexes mediate each the constructive painkilling advantages of THC, in addition to THC’s amnesiac (memory-loss) results [3].

Different cannabinoids have been proven to upregulate or improve serotonin exercise on the 5HT2A receptors within the prefrontal cortex [4].

This relationship works each methods. One examine discovered that a rise in 5HT2A exercise stimulated the discharge of endocannabinoids [5].

The connection between the 5HT2A psychedelic receptors and the endocannabinoid system is taken into account to be one of many main mechanisms for the antidepressant results of psychedelics like LSD or magic mushrooms.

Cannabinoids & Different Serotonin Receptors

There’s multiple sort of serotonin receptor. Whereas the 5HT2A sort is considered the first agent liable for the psychedelic results, there are additionally a number of others that may affect issues like temper, starvation, aggression, anxiousness, and extra.

Research have discovered that anandamide, one of many physique’s main endocannabinoids, prompts the 5HT1A serotonin receptors. CBD has a really comparable form and performance as anandamide and also will bind to this serotonin receptor.

Curiously, CBDA (the non-decarboxylated model) has a stronger binding affinity for the 5HT1A receptors than the decarboxylated type. It’s thought that this impact is the explanation why uncooked, unheated CBD merchandise supply the best anti-nausea assist.

The activation of the 5-HT1A receptor by CBD has been proven to result in a lower in blood strain, diminished physique temperature, decrease coronary heart price, and fewer ache [1].

Mixing Hashish & Psychedelics: Advantages, Dangers, & Analysis

It’s widespread follow for folks to combine cannabis merchandise with their psychedelics. Some folks declare it helps mellow out the expertise and keep off “dangerous journeys” — others swear in opposition to it, stating the mix was scary and terrifying.

So which is true? Ought to cannabis and psychedelics be taken collectively?

The reply is, sadly, “it relies upon:”

• Generally marijuana makes the journey extra intense — which could be both scary or fulfilling
• Generally marijuana doesn’t trigger any change by any means
• Generally hemp or CBD make the expertise extra relaxed and fulfilling
• Generally hemp or CBD make the consequences of psychedelics extra intense

The reality is that mixing cannabis with psychedelics, in any context, is totally unpredictable. It completely is dependent upon your private expertise with each substances, the dose you utilize, and whenever you take every compound.

Danger vs. Advantages of Mixing Hashish & Psychedelics

Why Combine Hashish and Psychedelics?

There are just a few causes somebody could select to mix marijuana or hemp with their psychedelics:

• To scale back anxiousness and ego-pushback throughout a psychedelic expertise
• To alleviate nausea
• To “soften the touchdown” close to the tip of a psychedelic expertise
• To extend the consequences of a psychedelic
• To accentuate the journey

We’re going to wish to cowl every of those in a bit of extra element as a result of the easiest way to make use of cannabis will differ relying in your objective.

1. Utilizing Marijuana for a Smoother Touchdown

Most individuals will use marijuana proper after the psychedelics peak to assist promote a “smoother touchdown” throughout the come-down of psychedelics. Because the substances put on off, it may be a tough expertise. Chances are you’ll really feel delinquent and strongly introspective, anxious, or confused. Marijuana appears to assist with these results — however it might probably additionally inject you straight again right into a peak expertise if taken too early.

If utilizing marijuana to assist the come-down, most individuals discover it finest to begin utilizing smaller quantities, equivalent to just a few puffs on a vape pen or joint across the 4 or 5-hour mark on mushrooms and the 5 or 6-hour mark on mescaline or LSD.

One cannabinoid, particularly, delta 8 THC, is being talked about lots not too long ago for this objective.

Delta 8 THC is psychoactive, like different THC merchandise, but it surely has a a lot decrease likelihood of inflicting anxiousness. It’s sometimes called a “extra chilled out” model of THC.

2. Utilizing Hemp or CBD To Offset a “Unhealthy Journey”

Unhealthy journeys are the bane of psychedelic explorers. Most individuals skilled with psychedelics (myself included) want to refer to those experiences as “difficult” somewhat than dangerous as a result of these scary or uncomfortable experiences often ship essentially the most development and studying. They’re uncomfortable and could be very confronting, however as soon as the expertise is over, they’re virtually all the time constructive.

Nonetheless, many individuals need to keep away from these difficult experiences — particularly if the objective of utilizing psychedelics is for the aim of participating in an fulfilling journey with pals.

One of many principal causes of a nasty journey is ego pushback. When the ego begins to dissolve, it typically resists — resulting in panic, paranoia, and a way of concern and terror. Anecdotally, CBD will help resist the pushback from the ego and mean you can sit again and make the expertise extra brazenly — which considerably reduces the severity of a nasty journey.

Hemp and CBD are the very best choices for this, and most of the people who use these cannabis merchandise together with psychedelics discover it’s finest to take it proper in the beginning of the journey when the consequences first begin to kick in.

At all times begin with a really low dose and add to it as you see match. Taking an excessive amount of could have the alternative impact, so begin with just a few puffs from a joint of vape pen or a half dose of CBD (in comparison with what you’d usually take). You possibly can all the time add extra later, however when you’ve taken it, you’ll be able to’t undo it.

Many individuals discover smoking the uncooked hemp flower to be the easiest way to make use of it when combining with psychedelics. There’s one thing very grounding about smoking (or vaping). It’s a follow that’s been used for hundreds of years alongside psychedelics — often with tobacco.

When you ever end up in a maloka consuming ayahuasca, there are all the time just a few pre-rolled lapacho (ceremonial tobacco) cigarettes close by to assist floor you whenever you begin to really feel chaotic or uncontrolled. I’ve discovered hemp leaf has the identical grounding impact, if not much more so than tobacco — which is usually a bit too stimulating.

3. Utilizing Hashish to Alleviate Nausea

Some psychedelics, equivalent to magic mushrooms, peyote, or san Pedro generally tend to make customers really feel nauseous. Even gentle nausea can really feel amplified as soon as the psychoactive results begin to kick in.

There are many methods to offset nausea signs, like utilizing lemon tek, consuming the mushrooms as a tea, not consuming them on an empty abdomen, or consuming ginger tea together with the dose.

Many individuals use cannabis to assist alleviate nausea as nicely — however the dose issues lots.

Generally, you’ll want decrease doses of THC (lower than 20 mg) and better doses of CBD or hemp (greater than 20 mg) to negate the nauseating results of some psychedelics.

4. Utilizing Hashish to Delay the Results of Psychedelics

Utilizing cannabis to extend the period of results with psychedelics isn’t really useful. You’re strolling a advantageous line between making the expertise higher and probably pushing you over the sting into a really uncomfortable scenario.

Nonetheless, it’s widespread follow within the psychonaut group.

To do that, customers will mix marijuana with their psychedelics all through the journey, with a specific emphasis close to the tip of the journey.

Most psychedelic experiences will undergo cycles of elevated depth, adopted by periodic breaks of diminished results. Folks will often take marijuana within the type of a vape pen or joint throughout the “down” instances when the consequences aren’t as intense.

Many individuals counsel this follow permits you to squeeze one other 1 and even 2 hours of expertise out of the psychedelics and may make the excessive factors much more intense.

The draw back is that it might probably additionally enhance emotions of hysteria and paranoia and will result in a nasty journey.

Some customers will wait till the journey is nearing the tip earlier than taking marijuana. This follow can inject you straight again right into a peak expertise for a couple of minutes once they would usually be carrying off.

Last Ideas: Ought to I Combine Hashish With Psychedelics?

Mixing cannabis merchandise and psychedelics is widespread — but it surely’s not with out its inherent dangers.

Whereas the mix could be very constructive for some — decreasing negative effects like anxiousness, nausea, or paranoia — this isn’t all the time the case.

The reality is that the consequences you’re going to expertise when mixing the 2 are completely unpredictable — everyone is totally completely different. Components like your private expertise with these substances, the doses you used, your set and setting, and particular person genetic components can all affect how the mix goes to really feel.

With that mentioned, the final concept is to make use of a small quantity of marijuana or hemp constantly all through the expertise to extend the period, enhance the depth, and offset some negative effects. For these seeking to have a smoother touchdown when the substances put on off, hemp is often smoked nearing the tip of the journey to maintain you grounded and mellow out a few of the uncomfortable side-effects. 

References Cited in This Article

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2. Viñals, X., Moreno, E., Lanfumey, L., Cordomí, A., Pastor, A., de La Torre, R., … & Robledo, P. (2015). Cognitive impairment induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol happens by heteromers between cannabinoid CB 1 and serotonin 5-HT 2A receptors. PLoS Biol, 13(7), e1002194.
3. Galindo, L., Moreno, E., López-Armenta, F., Guinart, D., Cuenca-Royo, A., Izquierdo-Serra, M., … & Robledo, P. (2018). Hashish customers present enhanced expression of CB 1-5HT 2A receptor heteromers in olfactory neuroepithelium cells. Molecular neurobiology, 55(8), 6347-6361.
4. Franklin, J. M., & Carrasco, G. A. (2013). G-protein receptor kinase 5 regulates the cannabinoid receptor 2-induced up-regulation of serotonin 2A receptors. Journal of Organic Chemistry, 288(22), 15712-15724.
5. Parrish, J. C., & Nichols, D. E. (2006). Serotonin 5‐HT2A receptor activation induces 2‐arachidonoylglycerol launch by a phospholipase c‐dependent mechanism. Journal of neurochemistry, 99(4), 1164-1175.
6. da Fonseca Pacheco, D., Romero, T. R. L., & Duarte, I. D. G. (2019). Ketamine induces central antinociception mediated by endogenous cannabinoids and activation of CB1 receptors. Neuroscience letters, 699, 140-144.