Psychedelic therapy Netherlands

Better alternative ayahuasca

Ayahuasca has many benefits for mental health. However, ayahuasca also has a number of physical disadvantages that can lead to brain damage or death. When you think to yourself that there are better alternatives that work just as well and without the risk of physical damage, it is actually strange that so many people choose ayahuasca. We think ayahuasca is hip and popular because of the fame that hipsters give it. If you really look at safety and operation, the best alternative is our old trusted mushroom!

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 provides the trip in the ayahuasca drink and with magic mushrooms it is the substance psilocybin that is converted by stomach acid and the liver to the active substance psilocin. Both DMT and psilocin are very similar to serotonin.

read our post on serotonin carefully to fully understand it.

How is ayahuasca absorbed?

DMT, the active substance in ayahuasca, is also produced in humans in the pineal gland. DMT is mainly released when sleep sets in. DMT can make dreams come alive. If DMT is drunk, for example by making a tea from plants containing 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?

Magic 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 psilocybin containing truffles or mushrooms, the stomach acid and the liver will convert the psilocybin to psilocin. Psilocin can then go to the brain where it gives 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 arise from a possible serotonin deficiency, will immediately (and temporarily) disappear.

Due to an increased stimulation of the serotonin receptors, the brain enters a state of hyperconnectivity. This means that different brain areas connect with each other to pass on and process information. This is similar to how sleep and dreaming process and store information. During a state of hyperconnectivity, the brain can permanently create new connections. Bad connections are restored, especially those in the frontal lobe of the brain. Bad connections in the frontal lobe of the brain can be the result and cause of depression. By restoring the connections, DMT and psilocin can help fight depression.

The ayahuasca trip

The mixture of DMT and MAO inhibitors often causes physical effects such as diarrhea and vomiting. When this is over, the trip can really begin. Ayahuasca is usually experienced as a deeply meaningful dream while 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 are subconsciously or consciously hidden away. Old emotions, trauma and behavior 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 will be. For example, a trip can still cause 8 hours of after-effects.

The mushroom trip

The mushroom trip does not have the adverse physical effects. In the beginning you may feel shaky and warm or cold. The trip usually starts after half an hour and in the beginning you will be relieved of everything you think you need. You will first enter 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 up during a deep trip. One can see and experience things that are subconsciously or consciously hidden away. 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 medicines and foods, in combination with the MAO inhibitors in ayahuasca, can make the user sick or, in extreme cases, cause death.

Select triple sheet

It is wise not to immediately reach the highest triple level on a first trip. With mushroom trips you can first get acquainted with a lower trip level so that you are comfortable next time. There is not really an easy dosage possible with ayahuasca ceromonies.

Physical discomfort

With ayahuasca, vomiting and diarrhea almost always occur at the beginning. With truffles and magic mushrooms, diarrhea does not occur and vomiting is very limited, which is also easy to prevent. During a magic mushroom or truffle trip you can just move, which is not easy or not easy with ayahuasca.

Adjust trip

While on a light mushroom trip you can partly steer yourself, an ayahuasca trip cannot be steered at all. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Even with a deep truffle/mushroom trip (up to level 4) a light guidance is possible by a coach. If you are a control freak, ayahuasca can be too intense.

Legislation in the Netherlands

Possessing and trading 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 substances as mushrooms are legal in the Netherlands. A 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 get the full attention of our coach during our therapy.

Price

Ayahuasca ceremonies are often more expensive because the organization around it 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 the costs for shelter do not have to be incurred.

Duration of the trip

The ayahuasca trip is difficult to predict. You better take into account that you can do nothing else for 14 hours. The truffle or mushroom trip can be dosed better and you can start doing other things after 3 hours with a less deep trip. With deeper trips this can already be after 6 hours. In case of the deepest trip you can start doing other things after 8 hours.

The triple levels

With ayahuasca you will proceed fairly smoothly to triplevel 5, which can be seen as an advantage and a disadvantage. Magic mushrooms can be dosed better. A trip coach can better estimate the achievement of a trip level.

Read here more information about the triplevels.

Preferred psilocybin Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is now primarily 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, the mushroom trip / truffle trip is our preference. This is because of the same advantages as ayahuasca, the legislation, the easier use, dosage and control of a trip session, which can simply take place at your home. What is a very big plus about magic mushrooms is that no MAO inhibitors are needed and that means that no complications can arise from the MAO inhibitors.

your preference

Your preference will of course depend on your circumstances. Do you still believe that ayahuasca is better for you? Then read very carefully about what you should and should not do. Be sure to read information from multiple sources on this topic. Choose a skilled shaman where you feel good and where the setting is good, as was done with the ayahuasca rituals in the Amazon regions. Do you see the benefits of the magic mushroom trip, just like we do? We like to help you.

Read more about this how a trip with magic mushrooms or magic truffles works

Find out more here information about how we work.

You can sign up for a trip session via the intake form.

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