Is weed a psychedelic drug? It’s such a simple question, but it doesn’t really have a simple answer.
So, what’s the issue here, what kind of drug is cannabis, and how does it compare to other drugs?
Is Marijuana a Psychedelic Drug?
The problem with defining whether or not weed is a psychedelic is that we don’t really have a strict definition for what a psychedelic is.
There are a couple of different definitions for psychedelic drugs.
The first focuses on the method of action.
Psychedelics usually bind with 5-HT2A serotonin receptors in the brain, which is why they are also known as serotonergic hallucinogens.
Cannabis doesn’t do this, and based on that definition, it’s not a psychedelic.
However, there are some flaws with this definition. Firstly, while classical psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and mescaline all fit this serotonin receptor definition, ketamine and MDMA do not. So, if you define ketamine and/or MDMA as psychedelics (as many people do), you can’t dismiss marijuana so readily.
The second definition relates to the experiences that a drug produces. Psychedelics are characterized as producing changes in sensory perception, as well as hallucinations.
You could argue that the effects produced by high doses of cannabis fit this description perfectly. This is especially true for edible cannabis.
The effects are not the same as LSD or magic mushrooms, but some users do experience so-called psychedelic effects under the influence of marijuana.
This is also a flawed definition, though, as we’re talking about subjective effects that may only occur with specific doses of edible pot.
What Kind Of Drug Is Weed?
Weed is psychoactive, which means it produces effects that alter mind and mood. But psychoactive drugs work in many different ways and produce a variety of effects.
Some drugs, like cocaine and amphetamines, are stimulating. They increase your heart rate and cause racing thoughts. Other psychoactive drugs are sedating, making you feel relaxed, content, and calm, a category into which you can place all opioids and hypnotics.
Weed is a bit of a chameleon, as it can fit into several different categories depending on the strain, dose, method of ingestion, and the user’s tolerance.
Weed can be classed as a depressant, as it calms the nerves and slows down brain function similarly to alcohol.
In smaller doses, smoking marijuana may stimulate you. It won’t produce the sort of intense stimulation seen in drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine, but it can lead to bursts of creativity, racing thoughts, and a feeling that you need to get up and do something.
Finally, as noted above, weed can also have hallucinogenic and psychedelic effects, although this is usually only the case when consumed in its edible form.
Generally speaking, it produces a variety of mental and physical effects and these vary widely from user to user. As a result, it’s hard to pin weed down into any specific category of drug.
What Is The Difference Between Psychoactive and Psychedelic?
A psychoactive drug is simply a drug that produces a change in consciousness. In layman’s terms, it’s a drug that you can feel, one that has a distinct onset and peak.
But just like the term “psychedelic”, it’s a definition that hasn’t been strictly defined.
For instance, many people argue that low/no-THC hemp is psychoactive as it produces a sense of calm. But those effects aren’t felt by all users and they don’t lead to any pronounced changes in perception or mood. What’s more, if everything that led to a sense of calm was considered psychoactive, then we’d be label lavender, chamomile, and even a warm glass of milk in the same manner.
The accepted definition, therefore, is a recreational substance that markedly affects perception or mood.
As for psychedelic drugs, they affect perceptions in a very unique way.
A psychoactive drug can make you feel calm, relaxed, and content without necessarily changing your perceptions. It could slow down your thought patterns and even make you a little giddy, but it won’t necessarily lead to hallucinations.
Psychedelics can make you more relaxed, as well, but they also cause shifts in perception. You won’t always hallucinate, but you might experience sharper and brighter colors.
Are Psychedelic Drugs Legal?
The legal status of psychedelic drugs varies greatly from region to region. In the United States, most psychedelics are illegal, but the laws are steadily changing. Many cities have decriminalized small amounts of psilocybin and in 2020, Oregon became the first state to legalize them for use in a supervised setting.
Magic mushrooms are also illegal in Canada, but the law is not enforced and psilocybin is often added to foods like chocolate and sold online.
The laws regarding DMT, LSD, and mescaline are a little stricter, but again, it depends on where you are.
In parts of South and Central America, for instance, plant medicines containing DMT, psilocybin, and mescaline are consumed as part of spiritual ceremonies.
What Is Meant By Hallucinogenic Drugs?
Hallucinogenic drugs are simply substances that produce hallucinogenic effects. These drugs change a person’s perception of reality and lead to visual and auditory illusions that seem real.
Hallucinogens are split into two categories: classic hallucinogens and dissociatives. The former category includes drugs like psilocybin and LSD and changes the user’s perception. The latter includes drugs like salvia and PCP and causes the user to disconnect from reality.
Where Did the Word “Hallucinogenic” Come From?
The polymath Thomas Browne introduced the word “hallucinogen” to the English language. It was a derivation of the Latin “alucinari”, which was used to reference a wandering mind. Alucinari was likely adapted from the Greek “ἀλύω” which had a similar meaning.
Hallucinogenic is simply a substance that can cause hallucinations.
Summary: Is Weed a Psychedelic Drug?
Whether or not you class weed as a psychedelic drug comes down to semantics and personal experience, as well as dose. You may experience a psychedelic trip if you consume large amounts of edible marijuana, and those effects can include hallucinations. But that doesn’t mean that weed bears any similarities to magic mushrooms, LSD, and other psychedelics.
One thing everyone can agree on is that marijuana is a psychoactive drug that produces an array of different effects.