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 in ayahuasca that causes the trip, and in magic mushrooms, it's the substance psilocybin, which is converted by stomach acid and the liver into the active ingredient psilocin. Both DMT and psilocin are very similar to serotonin.
Read our message about serotonin carefully to understand the whole thing properly.
How is ayahuasca absorbed?
DMT, the active ingredient in ayahuasca, is also produced in the human pineal gland. DMT is primarily released when sleep occurs. DMT can make dreams vivid. If DMT is consumed, for example, by making a tea from plants containing it, it will be broken down directly in the stomach acid by an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO). If DMT is taken with MAO inhibitors, such as ayahuasca, DMT is not broken down and does reach the brain, leading to a trip.
How are magic mushrooms absorbed?
Mushrooms and magic truffles have the same active ingredients, namely psilocybin and psilocin. Hundreds of fungi produce psilocybin, but humans don't produce this substance themselves. When you eat psilocybin-containing truffles or mushrooms, stomach acid and the liver convert the psilocybin into psilocin. Psilocin can then travel to the brain where it has its effects.
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 upon absorption. This is in addition to the existing serotonin stimulation. Because of this, most symptoms, such as depression and addiction, resulting from a potential serotonin deficiency, will disappear immediately (and temporarily).
Due to increased stimulation of serotonin receptors, the brain enters a state of hyperconnectivity. This means that different brain regions connect to each other to transmit and process information. This is similar to how information is processed and stored during sleep and dreaming. During a state of hyperconnectivity, the brain can continuously create new connections. Poor connections are repaired, particularly those in the frontal lobe. Poor connections in the frontal lobe can be the result of, and the cause of, depression. By restoring these connections, DMT and psilocin can help combat depression.
The ayahuasca trip
The combination of DMT and MAOIs often causes physical effects such as diarrhea and vomiting. Once this is over, the trip can truly begin. Ayahuasca is typically experienced as a dream with deep meaning while awake. This is thanks to DMT, which is also released during sleep. Ayahuasca can bring your "subconscious" to the surface. You may see and experience things that have been suppressed, either consciously or unconsciously. Old emotions, traumas, and behavioral patterns can surface. An ayahuasca trip typically lasts 2 to 6 hours, and it's difficult to predict how deep and how long the trip will be. For example, a trip can cause aftereffects for up to 8 hours.
The mushroom trip
A mushroom trip doesn't have any adverse physical effects. You might initially feel shaky and hot or cold. The trip usually begins after half an hour, and initially, you'll be relieved of everything you think you need. You'll initially enter a state of contentment. This is thanks to the psilocin, which stimulates the serotonin receptor. Once the trip really gets going, a deep trip can bring your "subconscious" to the surface. You might see and experience things that have been suppressed, either consciously or unconsciously. The length of a mushroom trip can range from 2 to 8 hours and can be adjusted by adjusting the dosage and adding (citric) acid.
Difference between mushroom trips and ayahuasca trips
MAO inhibitors
The main difference is that magic mushrooms do not require MAOIs. MAOIs, in fact, cause physical discomfort and can lead to complications. Certain medications and foods, when combined with the MAOIs in ayahuasca, can make the user ill or, in extreme cases, cause death.
Choose Triplevel
It's wise not to reach the highest trip level immediately on your first trip. With mushroom trips, you can first experience a lower trip level so you'll be comfortable the next time. With ayahuasca ceremonies, there's no easy way to determine the dosage.
Physical discomfort
With ayahuasca, vomiting and diarrhea almost always occur at the beginning. With truffles and mushrooms, diarrhea doesn't occur, and vomiting is very rare, which is also easily preventable. During a mushroom or truffle trip, you can move normally, which isn't possible, or not easily so, with ayahuasca.
Adjust trip
While a light mushroom trip allows for some self-direction, an ayahuasca trip is completely uncontrollable. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Even during a deep truffle/mushroom trip (up to level 4), a coach can provide some guidance. If you're a control freak, ayahuasca can be too intense.
Legislation in the Netherlands
Possession and trade of DMT and ayahuasca is illegal in many countries, including the Netherlands. Ayahuasca ceremonies are unfortunately also illegal in the Netherlands. Possession and trade of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is also illegal. Magic truffles, on the other hand, which contain the same active ingredients as magic mushrooms, are legal in the Netherlands. Therefore, trip therapy with magic truffles is legal.
Guidance during trip
Ayahuasca ceremonies typically take place in groups. Our trip therapy is one-on-one, ensuring you receive our coach's undivided attention.
Price
Ayahuasca ceremonies are often more expensive because they require much more organization. You often have to travel somewhere and stay overnight with several other psychics. With our psych therapy, you can stay in your own home, eliminating the cost of accommodation.
Duration of the trip
An ayahuasca trip is difficult to predict. It's best to expect that you won't be able to do anything else for 14 hours. The truffle or mushroom trip can be dosed more effectively, and with a less intense trip, you can resume other activities after 3 hours. With deeper trips, this can happen after 6 hours. For the deepest trip, you can resume other activities after 8 hours.
The triple levels
With ayahuasca, you'll reach triple level 5 relatively quickly, which can be seen as both an advantage and a disadvantage. Magic mushrooms allow for better dosage control. A trip coach can better assess the achievement of a triple level.
Read here more information about the triple levels.
Preferred psilocybin Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is currently conducting research primarily with psilocybin/psilocin instead of DMT (ayahuasca). We believe they prefer the active ingredients from mushrooms because they work slightly differently and with less risk.
Our preference
While we're not at all opposed to ayahuasca, we prefer the mushroom/truffle trip. This is due to the same advantages as ayahuasca: the legal regulations, the ease of use, dosage, and guidance during a trip, which can take place in the comfort of your own home. A major advantage of mushrooms is that they don't require MAOIs, meaning there are no complications associated with them.
Your preference
Your preference naturally depends on your circumstances. Do you still believe ayahuasca is better for you? Then thoroughly research what you should and shouldn't do. Make sure you read information from multiple sources on this topic. Choose a skilled shaman with whom you feel comfortable and who offers a suitable setting, just as they did for ayahuasca rituals in the Amazon. Do you, like us, still see the benefits of a mushroom trip? We're happy to help.
Read more about it here how a trip with mushrooms or magic truffles works
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 get in touch first? You can contact us by email or submit a call request here.