Does THC really produce effects similar to psychedelics?

What if cannabis could change the way we see the world? At high doses, THC can cause alterations in perception so marked that, in some cases, the experience approaches effects described with psychedelics. 

Yet between an altered sensation and a psychedelic experience lies a universe of science—and it is precisely into this realm that researchers are beginning to delve.

A pilot study published in the scientific journal Psychopharmacology investigated whether high doses of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, could produce experiences similar to those induced by psilocybin, a classic psychedelic.

The findings drew attention, but must be interpreted with caution: only four healthy adults participated in the study. Therefore, the authors themselves consider the findings preliminary.

Psychedelic THC: what does it mean?

The term can cause confusion. Although THC can produce alterations in perception and consciousness that resemble some psychedelic experiences, this does not mean it is a classic psychedelic.

THC acts primarily on the endocannabinoid system, especially on CB1 receptors. Psilocybin, on the other hand, once converted into psilocin in the body, acts primarily on the serotonergic system, notably on 5-HT2A receptors.

In other words, the substances have different mechanisms of action.

The similarity lies mainly in the subjective experience that can occur under certain conditions.

According to medical cannabis specialist Dr. Marianna Coimbra, the response to THC can vary considerably between individuals. 

“The effects depend on factors such as dose, individual sensitivity, history of use, emotional state, and environment. Some people may experience significant changes in perception, while others will experience very different effects,” explains Dr. Marianna.

What happens with high doses of THC?

The intensity of THC's effects does not depend solely on the amount consumed. As the physician pointed out, each person's body, prior experience with cannabis, and even the environment can influence the response.

At high doses, alterations in time perception, bodily sensation, attention, memory, and stimulus processing may occur.

For some people, the experience can be pleasant. For others, THC can cause discomfort.

Among the possible effects are:

• anxiety;
• confusion;
• drowsiness;
• impaired coordination;
• perceptual alterations;
• increased heart rate.

Therefore, a more intense experience does not necessarily mean a better or more therapeutic effect.

“In cannabinoid medicine, more does not necessarily mean better. Increasing the dose can amplify both desired and adverse effects,” notes the physician.

LEARN MORE: The effects of cannabis on the central nervous system

Are THC and psilocybin the same thing?

No. The comparison made by the researchers serves to investigate possible similarities in the experiences produced by the two substances, not to classify them as equivalent.

In the study, participants received doses of THC and psilocybin in a controlled environment. The researchers observed that high doses of THC produced, in some cases, subjective effects that resembled those reported with psilocybin.

The context also mattered.

Participants stayed in an environment designed for psychedelic research, accompanied by trained professionals, with eye shades and music during the sessions.

This setting is related to the concept of set and setting, which accounts for both the person's psychological mindset and the environment in which the experience takes place.

This helps explain why two people can react in completely different ways to the same substance.

In medical cannabis, the goal is precisely to find an individualized strategy, considering the clinical condition, dose, formulation used, other medications, and each patient's response.

“Professional monitoring makes it possible to evaluate indication, dosage, formulation, and individual response. Treatment must be individualized,” says Dr. Marianna.

What does the study really reveal?

Rather than offering a definitive answer, the research raises a new question for science.

Under certain conditions, high doses of THC can produce subjective experiences similar, in some respects, to those induced by classic psychedelics. But that does not mean cannabis and psilocybin are equivalent or that THC should automatically be classified as a psychedelic.

For those who use medical cannabis, the most important message is caution.

Experimental results should not be interpreted as an encouragement for self-medication or the use of high doses of THC. The response to the compound is individual and can involve both desired effects and adverse reactions.

In the end, perhaps the most interesting question is not only whether THC produces an experience similar to that of psychedelics, but rather understanding how a substance can alter our perception of reality and what these changes reveal about how the brain functions.