Both LSD and Psilocybin have the ability to produce mystical, therapeutic experiences. The differences between the two are dependent on the mind-set of the individual and the environment in which they are taken. In this article, we will compare these experiences.

Dopamine

Dopamine and Psilocybine are serotonergic hallucinogens that affect the brain and behavior. While they are used for recreational and ethnomedical purposes, they have different receptor activation profiles and molecular structures. The three drugs have not been directly compared in modern studies.

The physiological effect of LSD vs shrooms is similar to that of cocaine. The psychological effects last from 30 to 45 minutes and the sympathomimetic effects last for 1.5 to 2.5 hours. One study by Upshall and Wailling found that the concentrations of LSD in plasma when taken orally were half as high when the drug was taken on an empty stomach, and increased when eaten with a smaller meal. This suggests that the amount of food consumed and the pH of the duodenum influence the amount of LSD absorbed.

However, the differences in the effects of LSD and psilocybin were only marginally compared in this study. Both compounds increased plasma cortisol and PRL levels, markers of serotonergic activity. However, psilocybin exhibited a greater effect on plasma levels of oxytocin and BDNF.

Cortisol

Psychedelics alter the brain’s chemistry. By affecting specific receptors, these drugs trigger temporary changes in the brain’s structure. As a result, they produce hallucinations. The effects of these drugs vary from person to person and can last for hours or even days.

The effects of psychedelic drugs were found to affect BDNF levels in blood plasma. Although preclinical studies have shown that these drugs can increase neuroplasticity, no evidence exists that it is an effective treatment for psychiatric disorders. The BDNF levels in blood were measured after the administration of low-dose psychedelics. In this study, blood samples were collected every two hours for six hours and compared to placebo. The results revealed that LSD increased the amount of BDNF in the blood plasma compared to the placebo.

In this study, the effects of psilocybin and LSD were assessed one hour before and twelve hours after administration. Both substances were administered via capsules. The participants were given six capsules and two solutions during each test session.

BDNF

A recent study reported that BDNF levels increased after taking five and twenty mg of LSD. Although these findings are promising, many questions remain unanswered. These studies have been limited by the lack of adequate sample sizes, and there is no conclusive proof that BDNF increases following LSD use. Further studies are needed to assess whether BDNF levels are affected by LSD, ketamine, or both.

BDNF is a type of neurotrophin involved in neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, and dendritic morphology. In 1997, researchers found that LSD induced an increase in BDNF mRNA levels in rats, which was partially blocked by the drug ketanserin and MDL100907, but was not completely eliminated. The study also noted that low doses of LSD increased BDNF levels in human blood plasma. Recent studies have also shown that psychedelic-induced upregulation of BDNF promotes synaptogenesis and neuroplasticity.

While there are several studies in humans that show BDNF levels increase after a low dose of Psilocybin, many are limited by their size and lack of statistical power. However, one study showed that five mg of LSD increased levels of BDNF by about four hours after the drug was taken. This result was statistically significant, and included zero within the 95% CI.

Spiritual experience

In this study, researchers compared the spiritual experience of LSD with a dose of 15 mg of psilocybin. The two drugs exhibited similar psycho-physiological effects. However, there were some differences between the two. LSD has a better overall effect on the human brain, and psilocybin does not.

Although both drugs have similar long-term effects, the acute effects vary. One user on the r/drugs subreddit compared the two drugs to the movies Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. While both drugs produce euphoria and can help one feel connected to nature, LSD is a longer-lasting drug that can produce deeper epiphanies. The differences between these two substances are based on how the substances affect the user, and there are many factors to consider.

Psychedelics have been used as medicine for millennia. However, the scientific community continues to question their healing potential and spiritual qualities. Some scientists are now giving psilocybin to ordained ministers to study the spiritual effects of the drug.