LSD vs Weed

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LSD vs Weed - Comparison of Benefits & Side Effects a

LSD vs Weed – comparison:

LSD, also known as d-lysergic acid diethylamide, belongs to a class of medications called hallucinogens. It is produced from ergot, a fungus that grows on certain grains, and diethylamide – a non-organic chemical.

This hallucinogen was first synthesized in 1938 by Albert Hofman, a Swiss chemist, for the treatment of hypoventilation (better known as respiratory depression). Other names for d-lysergic acid diethylamide are acid, boomers, and yellow sunshine.

It is sold on Sugar Cubes, in thin squares of gelatin, in tablet form, and as blotter paper. Occasionally, it is sold in liquid form. But, no matter what form it comes in, this hallucinogen takes you to the same place – a serious disconnection from reality. According to statistics, an estimated 30 million Americans have used LSD or another hallucinogen.

Effects On The Human Body & Mind

It is believed that this hallucinogen works similarly to serotonin, an important neurotransmitter that is responsible for regulating muscle control, moods, appetite,  sexuality, sensory and sleep perception.

In oral doses of more than 100 μg, it produces vivid psychosensory changes, including illusionary changes in perceived objects, increased sensory perception, enhanced mental imagery, and synesthesia.

Many users also report a more developed sense of taste and sharper sense of smell, an enhanced appreciation for music, and a strong desire to touch other human beings via a sense of connectedness and unity to other life forms.

Medical Uses

According to research, this hallucinogen can be used in treating smoking cessation, depression, and other psychological conditions. Even with just a small dose, this hallucinogen produces some improvements in these mental problems.

Additionally, a 2014 study that was issued in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease established that this hallucinogen reduces anxiety about terminal illness in the long term when administered over two months.

Important Note

Due to the interruption of the normal interaction between the neurotransmitters and brain cells, the effects of this hallucinogen are unpredictable and may vary from user to user.

Other mental effects may include:

  • an artificial sense of euphoria;
  • panic attacks;
  • delusions;
  • fear of death;
  • visual hallucinations;
  • fear of losing control;
  • distortion of the sense of time;
  • terrifying thoughts and feelings;
  • altered perception of the shape of objects.

Dosage

The effects of this hallucinogen are according to its dosage:

  • heavy – 250ug+;
  • strong – 175-225ug;
  • common – 100-150ug;
  • light – 50-100ug.

Note – the first effects of the hallucinogen are experienced about one hour after taking it, but its effects can be experienced between 6 and 10 hours after intake.

Side Effects

Common side effects may include:

  • sleeplessness;
  • sweating;
  • dizziness;
  • dry mouth;
  • numbness;
  • tremors;
  • weakness;
  • reduced appetite.

Note – the effects of a bad trip ease when the drug wears off, but they can persist even for months. These long-term adverse effects are known as persistent psychosis and persisting perception disorder.

Addiction

This hallucinogen does not cause brain damage and is considered to be non-addictive.

Weed

Marijuana, also referred to as herb, weed, grass, pot, ganja, bud, or Mary Jane, is a greenish-gray mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa.

It has been used for at least 5 millennia and has an extensive history of traditional uses as a botanical medicine and an industrial material all throughout Africa, Asia, America, and Europe.

Its amazing healing properties come from its rich cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and flavonoid content.

In the present day, over 60 international and U.S. health organizations — including Health Canada and the American Public Health Association — support granting patients legal access to medicinal marijuana under a doctor’s supervision.

However, federally, it remains listed under Schedule 1 in the Controlled Substances Act.

Uses

The most common use of medical marijuana in the US is for pain control. While marijuana is not strong enough for severe pain, it is effective for the chronic pain which plagues millions of people, particularly as they age.

One of the first big medical issues which medical marijuana was shown to effectively treat is glaucoma (a disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to vision loss). Ingesting medical marijuana helps lower the pressure in the eyeball, giving sufferers a temporary relief.

In 2011, scientists reported that medical marijuana reduces inflammation and pain, which may help relieve pain and discomfort for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

It can also increase lung capacity, according to a study published in the “Journal of the American Medical Association.“

THC, the active ingredient present in cannabis, slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, as per a 2006 study that was done at the Scripps Research Institute.

Cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in cannabis, turns off the “ID-1″ gene, that cancer cells use to spread, according to a study issued in the journal “Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.” In addition, it is a muscle relaxant and has antispasmodic properties which have proven to be beneficial for treating seizures.

Side Effects and Precautions

Long-term side effects of heavy and regular cannabis use may include:

  • a reduced function in the inferior frontal cortex brain region;
  • schizophrenia;
  • psychosis;
  • various types of cancer;
  • weight gain;
  • a decrease in sexual desire;
  • lack of motivation;
  • nasal congestion;
  • a chronic cough;
  • lung problems.

Short-term side effects of cannabis use may include:

  • paranoid feelings;
  • unpleasant thoughts;
  • increased appetite;
  • sleepiness;
  • difficulty thinking and solving problems;
  • distorted perception;
  • memory and learning problems.

Bottom Line – LSD vs Weed

LSD is a hallucinogen produced from lysergic acid, a compound that is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other cereals. It was first developed to act as a circulatory and respiratory stimulant.

Marijuana (weed) comes from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. Its main active ingredient is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC. This substance gives people a feeling of giddiness, elation (a high), and relaxation.

In addition, cannabis produces changes in sensory perception – music seems more vivid, the colors appear brighter, and emotions seem deeper.

In conclusion, the experiences after using these drugs are strikingly dissimilar. LSD is an extremely powerful mind-altering hallucinogen in a way that cannabis simply isn’t.

Image credit – Shutterstock

READ THIS NEXT: M35 Pill – Side Effects

References

https://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/01/16/va-says-it
http://www.jefferson.edu/university/emerging-health-professions/lambert

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