Which Are The Strongest Psychedelics Out There? Brief Overview, Rankings And Practical Insights
Psychedelic substances have been used for centuries for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Following their widespread, sometimes chaotic use during the hippie era, they were outwardly and widely banned for all and every purpose.
Nonetheless, researchers have in recent years taken up these substances to study their healing potential for treating a variety of health conditions, with some extraordinary results, particularly for MDMA, psilocybin, DMT, LSD and ibogaine.
Although virtually all psychedelics still remain illegal in most parts of the world, recreational use runs its own race, and thus many organizations have consistently been working toward educating users for harm reduction purposes.
Also Read: 30 Psychedelics Executives, Scientists & Influencers To Watch In 2024 And Beyond
While a list of the “strongest” psychedelics gives room for an interesting debate, below you’ll find some guidance to the most potent, widely known and used psychedelic substances along with a short description of each.
For informational purposes, the criteria used here stick to what is largely considered a psychedelic.
Key Backdrop
Although some are similar, each psychedelic substance works through its own mechanisms and effects. These substances can be incredibly strong and potentially induce mystical experiences, transporting users to other universes.
Certain factors contribute to their potency and effects, which are also subjective and thus difficult to measure. Also, potency is not a straightforward concept when talking psychedelics.
For instance, Salvinorin A (salvia divinorum) is generally considered very potent, and dangerous at even small doses. Or, a minor dose of mescaline can reportedly produce considerably long trips. These two, along with DMT, often have a challenging “purge phase.”
Some say every psychedelic can induce a breakthrough experience when taken at a high enough dose -which, again, can vary from individual to individual. These experiences are strongly suggested not to be undergone alone, as they typically bring about mental and physical challenges.
General considerations can be taken for a potentially “good” trip, including knowing beforehand the drug’s typical side effects, ensuring sourcing from a reliable supplier, having someone sober acting as a trip-sitter nearby, taking the substance in places where it is lawful and that one feels is a safe space, ideally not mixing with other substances -like alcohol,- and starting low and going slow.
Additionally, as trips can last hours, it’s key to give oneself enough time to process the experience before resuming normal life. Trips can be challenging, and result in remarkable personal insights or traumatizing experiences.
See Alexander and Ann Shulgin’s famous TIHKAL for a comprehensive list of tryptamine substances.
Marijuana, Psilocybin, LSD, Mescaline, Salvia Divinorum, 5-MeO-DMT And MDMA
Zamnesia’s list ranks psychedelics based on a subjective scale of intensity, including variables related to the onset and duration of the experience, as well as the potential visual and cognitive effects.
Marijuana
Its psychoactive component THC can be smoked, vaporized or ingested as food or tincture. Its effects typically range from relaxation to euphoria, heightened sensory perception, altered time perception, laughter and increased appetite. It can also provoke anxiety, fear, distrust or panic.
Psilocybin
It can be taken either by eating “magic” mushrooms (the most available is the Psilocybe cubensis species), …