Similar tryptamines
There are many types of tryptamines such as tryptophan, serotonin and melatonin. The important tryptamines in this story are dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 4-hydroxytryptamine (psilocin), O-phosphoryl-4-hydroxydimethyltryptamine (psilocybin) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). DMT is the tryptamine that causes the trip in the ayahuasca drink and in magic mushrooms it is the substance psilocybin that is converted into the active substance psilocin by stomach acid and the liver. Both DMT and psilocin are very similar to serotonin.
read our message about serotonin carefully to fully understand the whole.
How is ayahuasca absorbed?
DMT, the active substance in ayahuasca, is also produced in the pineal gland in humans. DMT is mainly released when sleep occurs. DMT can make dreams vivid. If DMT is drunk, for example by making a tea from plants that contain it, DMT will be broken down directly in the stomach acid by an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO). If DMT is taken together with MAO inhibitors, which is ayahuasca, then DMT is not broken down and DMT does reach the brain, which then leads to a trip.
How are magic mushrooms absorbed?
Mushrooms and magic truffles have the same active substances, namely: psilocybin and psilocin. There are hundreds of fungi that produce psilocybin, but humans do not produce this substance themselves. When eating truffles or mushrooms containing psilocybin, the stomach acid and the liver will convert the psilocybin into psilocin. Psilocin can then travel to the brain where it has its effect.
What does DMT and psilocin do in the brain?
Both DMT and psilocin are very similar in molecular structure to serotonin and can stimulate the serotonin receptor in the brain when absorbed. This is in addition to the current stimulation of serotonin. Partly because of this, most complaints, such as depression and addictions, which are caused by a possible serotonin deficiency, will immediately (and temporarily) disappear.
Due to increased stimulation of the serotonin receptors, the brain enters a state of hyperconnectivity. This means that different brain areas connect with each other to transmit and process information. This is similar to how information is processed and stored through sleeping and dreaming. During a state of hyperconnectivity, the brain can permanently create new connections. Bad connections are repaired, especially those in the frontal lobe of the brain. Poor connections in the frontal lobe of the brain can be the result and cause of depression. By restoring connections, DMT and psilocin can help combat depression.
The ayahuasca trip
The mixture of DMT and MAO inhibitors often causes physical effects such as diarrhea and vomiting. Once this is over, the trip can really begin. Ayahuasca is usually experienced as a dream with deep meaning while one is awake. This is thanks to DMT, which is also released during sleep. Ayahuasca can bring out your 'subconscious'. One can see and experience things that have been hidden away unconsciously or consciously. Old emotions, trauma and behavioral patterns can surface. An ayahuasca trip usually lasts 2 to 6 hours and it is difficult to predict how deep and how long the trip is. For example, a trip can cause after-effects for 8 hours.
The mushroom trip
The mushroom trip does not have the adverse physical effects. You may initially feel shaky and hot or cold. The trip usually starts after half an hour and in the beginning you will be freed from everything you think you need. You will then first reach a state of satisfaction. This is due to the psilocin, which stimulates the serotonin receptor. As soon as the trip really gets going, your 'subconscious' can also be brought to the surface during a deep trip. One can see and experience things that have been hidden away unconsciously or consciously. The length of a mushroom trip can be between 2 and 8 hours and can be controlled via the dosage and the addition of (citric) acid.
Difference between mushroom thrips and ayahuasca thrips
MAO inhibitors
The main difference is that magic mushrooms do not require MAO inhibitors. It is precisely the MAO inhibitors that cause physical discomfort and can cause complications. Certain medications and foods, in combination with the MAO inhibitors in ayahuasca, can make the user ill or, in extreme cases, cause death.
Choose triple sheet
It is wise not to immediately reach the highest trip level on your first trip. With mushroom trips you can first get acquainted with a lower trip level so that you are at ease next time. With ayahuasca ceremonies, an easy dosage is not really possible.
Physical discomfort
With ayahuasca, vomiting and diarrhea almost always occur at the beginning. Diarrhea does not occur with truffles and mushrooms and vomiting is very rare, which is also easy to prevent. During a mushroom or truffle trip you can exercise normally, which is not or not easy with ayahuasca.
Adjust trip
While a light mushroom trip allows you to partly control yourself, an ayahuasca trip cannot be controlled at all. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Even with a deep truffle/shroom trip (up to level 4), light guidance by a coach is possible. If you are a control freak, ayahuasca can be too intense.
Legislation in the Netherlands
Possession and trading of DMT and ayahuasca is illegal in many countries, including the Netherlands. Ayahuasca ceremonies are unfortunately also illegal in the Netherlands. Possession and trading in mushrooms containing psilocybin is also illegal. Magic truffles, on the other hand, with the same active ingredients as magic mushrooms, are legal in the Netherlands. Trip therapy with magic truffles is therefore legal.
Guidance during trip
Ayahuasca ceremonies usually take place in groups. Our trip therapy is one on one. This way you can receive the full attention of our coach during our therapy.
Price
Ayahuasca ceremonies are often more expensive because the organization surrounding them is much more extensive. You often have to go somewhere and spend the night with several fellow trippers. With our trip therapy you can simply stay in your own environment so that you do not have to incur the costs of care.
Duration of the trip
The ayahuasca trip is difficult to predict. It's better to keep in mind that you won't be able to do anything else for 14 hours. The truffle or mushroom trip can be dosed better and with a less deep trip you can start doing other things after 3 hours. For deeper trips this can be after 6 hours. In the case of the deepest trip, you can start doing other things after 8 hours.
The trip levels
With ayahuasca you will progress fairly quickly to trip level 5, which can be seen as an advantage and a disadvantage. Mushrooms allow for better dosing. A trip coach can better assess achieving a trip level.
Read here more information about the trip levels.
Preferred psilocybin Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is now mainly conducting studies with psilocybin/psilocin instead of DMT (ayahuasca). We think that they prefer the active substances from mushrooms because they work slightly differently and with less risk.
Our preference
Although we are not against ayahuasca at all, we prefer the mushroom/truffle trip. This is because of the same benefits as ayahuasca, the legislation, the easier use, dosage and control of a trip session, which can take place at your home. What is a very big plus about magic mushrooms is that no MAO inhibitors are required and that means that no complications can arise from the MAO inhibitors.
your preference
Your preference of course depends on your circumstances. Do you still believe that ayahuasca is better for you? Then read carefully about what you should and should not do. Be sure to read information from multiple sources on this topic. Choose a skilled shaman with whom you feel comfortable and where the setting is good, as was done with the ayahuasca rituals in the Amazon areas. Do you, like us, see the benefits of the mushroom trip? We like to help you.
Read more about this here how a trip works with mushrooms or magic truffles
Here you will find more information about how we work.
You can register for a trip session via the intake form.
Would you like to contact us first? You can contact us via email or submit a call request here.