When talking about drugs, you come across terms like tripping, hallucinating and getting stoned or high. They are all words that represent that your consciousness has changed. But if you are not familiar with such resources, you are probably wondering what they mean. Are these words synonyms of each other or do they still have different meanings? And in what way then? In this blog, we explain the differences between tripping, being stoned and being high.
Tripping: hallucinating with psychedelics
Tripping is what you do when you use classic psychedelics. These include substances such as magic mushrooms, magic truffles, ayahuasca, DMT and mescaline cacti. These are all serotonergic psychedelics. What they have in common is that they affect the parts of the brain that respond to serotonin. This is a neurotransmitter that affects your mood, sleep and digestion, among other things. When the substance is produced it creates a satisfied and happy feeling.
Classical psychedelics make contact with the same receptor on cells as serotonin. This causes the system that normally causes your brain to function in a normal way (the DMT, default mode network) to be sidetracked. Therefore, different parts of the brain can communicate with each other that normally cannot. This allows you to see and hear things that are not there at all, to look at the world in an unbiased way and to enjoy everything around you more. You can also come up with all kinds of creative and wild ideas.
So when we talk about tripping, we are talking about hallucinating. That means colors become brighter and brighter, and you can see moving patterns. At higher doses, these can turn into creatures that walk through your room or move around you. Tripping can likewise lead to new insights, both about yourself and the entire world.
Tripping got this name because the experience resembles a journey: a journey into your inner self or even to other worlds or dimensions. Be aware that tripping can be a great, positive experience, but also in some cases a negative one (bad trip). It depends on the dosage, the set and the setting.
What is being high or stoned?
Being high or stoned is very different from tripping and can be caused by various drugs, such as cannabis. Weed is a plant that produces substances called cannabinoids. Well-known cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol). But a few grams of marijuana contains more than 500 active compounds, not only cannabinoids, but also terpenes and flavonoids.
The effects of cannabis come from the fact that these cannabinoids make contact with receptors in the brain. Only these are different receptors from psychedelics, namely the CB1 and CB2 receptors. THC favors the CB1 receptor, which can cause feelings of relaxation, euphoria and an increase in appetite. In higher doses, marijuana can stimulate creativity, cause synesthesia (fusion of the senses) and arouse emotions. But cannabis, therefore, will not cause hallucinations.
But what are high and stoned and how are they different from tripping? Being high gives you blissful feelings, as if you are in seventh heaven. Worries fall away from you and you feel that your self-confidence grows. Being high is felt mainly in your head. If you use cannabis and want to get the experience of a high, you should choose a Sativa strain.
Stoned is a more physical experience. It is a deeply relaxing feeling, numbing; it is the feeling that couch lock can cause. Your body feels heavy and chill. It is the indica strains that are more likely to produce a stoned feeling. Usually, weed produces a combination of stoned and high, which is not surprising, since most strains are a mix of Indica and Sativa.
Tripping with weed?
Can you still trip with cannabis? Surely that is physically impossible. THC is not a psychedelic drug. A study was conducted at Johns Hopkins University on the effects of various drugs, including cannabis, salvia and magic mushrooms. In all cases, no visual or auditory hallucinations occurred with cannabis, in whatever way you used the drug (smoking, vaping or via an edible). Thus, those who do not feel like tripping can safely use cannabis.
However, it is true that drugs can produce unpredictable reactions. Everyone reacts differently. Just look at a cup of coffee: some people lie awake all night after one cup, while others notice nothing. And also the setting is very important for how you experience the drug. Anyone who wants to use psychedelics or other stimulants should always do so in a safe environment where you feel comfortable.
Are you curious about magic mushrooms or magic truffles and what it feels like to trip? Then start with a lower dose and choose a mushroom or truffle strain with mild effects. In our shop you will find mushroom grow kits from different brands, and truffles are also available in different strengths.