In 2018 researchers made a shocking discovery that pertains to medical marijuana. After reviewing thousands of Medicare reports, the experts found that in states where medical marijuana is fully legal, opioid addiction treatment has gone down. This seems to suggest that medical marijuana, a new revolutionary therapy in pain management, is replacing the need for opioids. More studies have shown the great promise of weed and psychedelics in the treatment of mental health issues. But is cannabis a psychedelic?
Understanding the Unique Differences Between Weed and Psychedelics
Psychedelics in nature, including substances such as LSD and magic mushrooms, impact perception and consciousness. These substances interact with serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, altering a person’s mood and behavior.
Weed doesn’t impact serotonin receptors. Instead, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system. It binds to cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, influencing mood, memory and appetite. Understanding these effects also helps to address the question, “Is weed a stimulant or depressant?” We’ll examine that later.
Let’s focus on its psychedelic properties. Even though it seems that both weed and psychedelics like psilocybin affect an individual’s feelings and mind, they are fundamentally different in the way they act.
Experts postulate that at higher doses, THC fully mimics the traits of psychedelics - leading to hallucinations and altered states of consciousness. However, the Journal of Pharmacology found in 2020 that this effect is limited and short lived. So, is weed psychedelic? The answer is no, but it's complicated.
How marijuana interacts with the brain
Weed is not a psychedelic medicine, and this answer may come as a surprise to many. After all, weed causes euphoria and pain relief and activates a rush of good feelings. That’s all true except for the fact that medical grade marijuana interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system responsible for these states of feelings.
Because of its mode of action, marijuana doesn't qualify as a psychedelic. It would take extremely high doses of weed to attain the level of euphoria and dissociation that is common with psychedelics such as LSD and magic mushrooms. Nonetheless, the soothing nature of weed has made it essential in the treatment of PTSD, chronic pain and depression. Is marijuana a depressant? The answer is yes. Weed can improve mood and stress relief without affecting your perception or reality.
The science behind psychedelic and marijuana therapies
Is marijuana a psychedelic? To answer this question, we must first understand that psychedelics reset the brain leading to altered consciousness. Substances such as LSD react with the brain’s serotonin receptors, optimizing neuroplasticity or the ability of the brain to form new neurons and new thought patterns. This is very crucial, especially when treating trauma in PTSD or repetitive behavior in autism and ADHD.
On the contrary, THC modifies dopamine levels. This leads to improved mood stabilization and euphoria. These effects of weed are crucial in mental health treatment and the management of pain. The benefits of weed therapy go beyond the mind, but psychedelics provide much more powerful effects at much smaller doses. On the other hand, medical marijuana can be prescribed in liberal doses without the risk of triggering hallucinations.
Legalities: Weed vs Psychedelics
Both weed and psychedelics are classified as Schedule 1 substances, meaning they have a high risk for abuse. Is weed a hallucinogen? According to Healthline, the answer is both yes or no, depending on the specific dosages. Nonetheless, the world has made great strides in accepting medical marijuana in the mainstream.
Thousands of studies done on the subject have shown promising results leading to the widespread legalization of medical marijuana in in the US and countries like Canada. Anyone can self medicate on marijuana provided they get a prescription from a doctor.
As for psychedelics, the verdict is still out. The scientific community is pushing the envelope every day to communicate the revolutionary potential of LSD, psilocybin and other substances in medical care. But because of the mind altering potential of psychedelics, self medicating is out of the table. Psychedelic therapies are only legal when done under strict clinical supervision in a licensed establishment.
Safety of Weed vs Psychedelics
While medical marijuana has made news for its efficiency in treating anxiety, depression and other conditions, its use is not devoid of risks. Some of the dangers of repeated cannabis use include anxiety, paranoia and addiction. In a study published in 2023 in JAMA Psychiatry, it's established that marijuana can elevate the risk of mental health conditions such as psychosis.
By comparison, psychedelics have a lower risk of addiction thanks to the concept of microdosing. The “life-transforming” potential of these substances, thanks to their dissociative effects, can last for days or even months. This cancels the need for frequent treatments and drastically lowers the risk of addiction. Be that as it may, psychedelic therapies have been associated with visual disturbances and paranoia.
In Treating Depression, Is Weed a Downer or Upper?
At lower doses, weed acts as a stimulant, activating the nervous system, while at lower doses, it acts as a depressant, slowing the activity of the brain. These unique properties of marijuana make it an interesting drug for mental health conditions.
Is weed a depressant? The answer is yes! Patients with seizures, panic attacks and anxieties can benefit from the depressant properties of medical marijuana. However, weed is also a stimulant that works wonders for conditions such as ADHD.
Choosing Between Marijuana and Psychedelics
Both psychedelics and weed have shown great potential in reshaping the direction of the medical industry. They are both beneficial in treating mental health conditions, but they both carry risks. When choosing the best therapy for your case, there are a couple of considerations. Always seek medical advice before commencing treatment with weed or cannabis.
Choose weed therapies if you are looking for pain relief for chronic back pain or cancer management. THC therapies have also proven effective for epilepsy and seizures, Alzheimer's disease, and HIV/AIDS. Is marijuana a stimulant? The answer is yes. THC can elevate mood and improve energy and alertness. However, the effects of THC therapies in all these cases are short term.
Choose psychedelics for long term healing for deep trauma, PTSD, OCD and addictions. Psychedelics such as psilocybin work by activating the growth of new neurons. This therapy also increases synaptic connections between neurons, leading to improved experiences in patients.
Is THC Psychedelic Medicine?
The answer is complex. High amounts of THC, marijuana's chief psychoactive ingredient, may foster changes in sensory experiences. Some even describe psychedelic weed effects akin to mild hallucinations. High-THC psychedelic weed strains include Durban Poison and Panama Red.
Conclusion: Can You Use Weed as a Psychedelic?
Psychedelics are gradually making their entry into the mainstream thanks to their therapeutic benefits in treating depression, anxiety and PTSD. Studies suggest that psilocybin may rewire the brain to process traumatic events faster and better hence marking a profound paradigm shift in mental health. It's hard to replicate these effects with weed, but this does not in any way denigrate the value potential of medical marijuana in mental health and pain relief.
