Ativan, the brand name for lorazepam, is a prescription medication belonging to the benzodiazepine class, used to manage anxiety disorders. Psilocybin is the naturally occurring psychedelic compound in certain species of fungi, known for inducing profound alterations in consciousness. Examining the interaction between these two substances is important for understanding the potential outcomes and risks.
The Role of Each Substance
Ativan functions as a central nervous system depressant. Its primary mechanism involves enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA. GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, reducing neuronal excitability. By amplifying GABA’s effects, lorazepam slows down brain activity, leading to sedation, muscle relaxation, and a reduction in anxiety. These properties are why it is medically prescribed for conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and seizures.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms operate through a different neurological pathway. The active compound, psilocybin, is converted in the body to psilocin, which is structurally similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin. Psilocin primarily acts as an agonist at serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor subtype. Activation of these receptors is linked to the classic psychedelic effects, including changes in perception, mood, and cognitive processes. This interaction disrupts normal patterns of brain communication, leading to the psychedelic experience.
How Ativan Interacts With a Psychedelic Experience
The combination of Ativan and psilocybin is often discussed in the context of using Ativan as a “trip killer.” This term refers to the practice of taking a benzodiazepine to diminish or halt a challenging psychedelic experience. Ativan does not chemically neutralize psilocybin or remove it from the body. Instead, it works to counteract the psychological effects of the psychedelic compound through its own distinct mechanism.
The sedative and anti-anxiety effects of Ativan directly oppose the heightened emotional and psychological state induced by psilocybin. For an individual experiencing intense anxiety, paranoia, or overwhelming thought loops during a “bad trip,” Ativan can introduce a calming effect by slowing down the excessive brain activity that may be contributing to the distress. This does not stop the psilocybin’s action at the serotonin receptors but rather dampens the brain’s overall arousal.
The experiential changes from introducing Ativan during a psychedelic state can be significant. Users often report a reduction in the intensity of visual and auditory hallucinations. The powerful emotional states, whether euphoric or fearful, tend to become muted and less consuming. A sense of drowsiness, mental fog, or detachment ensues as the sedative properties of the benzodiazepine take hold. While this can be a relief during a difficult experience, it also alters the nature of the psychedelic state, leading to a less memorable outcome. Research suggests that pre-administration of lorazepam may reduce the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.
Potential Dangers of Combining Ativan and Shrooms
While some users turn to Ativan for harm reduction, combining it with psilocybin introduces risks that differ from taking either substance alone. The most immediate danger stems from the synergistic effect of central nervous system depression. The combination amplifies drowsiness, dizziness, and impairs motor coordination and judgment more than either drug would individually. This heightened level of impairment increases the risk of accidents, falls, or other injuries.
A significant risk associated with benzodiazepines like Ativan is anterograde amnesia, which is the inability to form new memories. When combined with psilocybin, the likelihood of experiencing a “blackout” period, where the user has little to no recollection of the events that transpired, is higher. While this might be seen as desirable by someone trying to escape a bad trip, it can also be disorienting and prevent any potential for processing the experience.
Benzodiazepines can sometimes induce paradoxical reactions. In a minority of individuals, instead of causing sedation, Ativan can lead to an opposite effect, triggering increased agitation, confusion, aggression, or disinhibition. Introducing such a reaction during an unpredictable psychedelic state could escalate a difficult situation.
The risks are magnified if other substances are involved, particularly other central nervous system depressants like alcohol or opioids. Combining psilocybin, Ativan, and alcohol creates a dangerous scenario where the additive depressant effects can lead to severe respiratory depression. This condition, where breathing becomes dangerously slow and shallow, can result in a lack of oxygen to the brain and vital organs, potentially leading to unconsciousness, coma, or death.