Psychoactive vs. Psychotropic: How Mushroom Gummies Affect Your Brain
If you're new to the world of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), perhaps because you're exploring new ways to manage a stressful lifestyle, you may have come across the terms psychoactive and psychotropic. While these terms are often used interchangeably as many of their properties and uses overlap, they aren't exactly the same thing, and which one you go for will depend on what results you really want. It can be a little confusing, but don't worry; in this article, we'll dive into the differences between each type of ingredient, and which one could be right for you, as well as how to safely incorporate them into your daily routine through mushroom gummies.
What are Psychoactive Ingredients?
Psychoactive ingredients broadly cover anything that alters brain function and the central nervous system. They can cause changes to your general consciousness, mood, cognitive abilities, perception, or behavior. This might sound a little sinister, but there are many psychoactive ingredients in the foods and drinks we consume every day, for example, stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, and depressants like alcohol. Other examples of psychoactive substances are antidepressants like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), and cannabis (where THC comes from).
Put simply, "psychoactive ingredients" is an umbrella term, referring to essentially any substance that alters your mental state in any way, or stimulates the release of hormones to regulate your emotions.
What are Some Examples of Psychotropic Ingredients?
Psychotropic ingredients fall under the psychoactive umbrella but are a slightly more specific group. Basically, all psychotropic ingredients are psychoactive, but not all psychoactive ingredients are psychotropic.
Psychotropic ingredients alter your brain function and nervous system in a more profound way. They are used primarily in the treatment of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder. They particularly affect mood, cognition, or behavior.
Examples of psychotropic ingredients include antidepressants, used to treat depression; antipsychotics, used to treat schizophrenia; mood stabilizers, used to treat bipolar disorder; sedatives or tranquilizers, used to reduce anxiety and induce sedation; and stimulants, used to treat ADHD.
How Do These Substances Affect the Brain?
So, how exactly do they work? Psychoactive substances can increase alertness, induce euphoria, and – when used in large amounts – can lead to hallucinations. Psychotropic substances, more specifically, target mood, cognition, and behavior.
This distinction matters because people should make informed decisions about what they're putting into their bodies. Some psychoactive substances, like THC, can become psychotropic when used in larger amounts. While this might be the desired outcome if you're trying to manage a psychological disorder like depression or anxiety, it might not be what you want if you're just after a bit of stress relief. The legal landscape surrounding psychoactive substances is also quite complex, so being fully informed on what exactly you're looking for is important in that respect, too.
How to Know What's Right for You
There's a lot of information out there, and it's important to do your research first so you stay informed about what's going into your body. We recommend turning to reputable providers like HempLucid to make sure you're armed with the right information before making your choice. If you need something more on the psychotropic end of the spectrum, we would always recommend seeking professional advice first.
If you want an inconvenient (and tasty) way to incorporate psychoactive ingredients into your daily routine, mushroom gummies are an increasingly popular way to achieve that. There are many varieties available, all formulated to achieve different effects. For example, do you struggle with maintaining a healthy sleep routine? These CBN gummies, carefully formulated with reishi mushrooms and valerian root – which, when combined, can help reduce fatigue – could be your answer. They use cannabinol (CBN), a mild psychoactive substance, and cannabidiol (CBD), considered non-psychoactive as it doesn't cause the "high" often associated with regular use of cannabis, to help induce a restful sleep. If you can't stand the taste of mushrooms, don't worry: these gummies are flavored with blueberry and lemon, making them a tasty way to help you unwind at the end of a stressful day.
Start Your Journey to Feel Like Yourself Again Today
If you're considering taking the first step into incorporating psychoactive substances into your daily routine, we hope this article has helped you understand a bit more about how they work and what you should look out for.
We know it can feel a bit overwhelming to make that first step, so we're always here to answer any questions or concerns you might have. If you want to chat, just drop us a line today and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. If you want to read more about how mushroom gummies in particular work, just check out our mushroom gummies guide.
