Sarah Brown
Not all mushrooms are hallucinogens. However, some mushrooms contain hallucinogenic substances, such as psilocybin and psilocin, which are commonly referred to as magic mushrooms. These mushrooms can induce hallucinations, distort reality, and cause a range of physical and psychological effects, from euphoria to anxiety and paranoia. The effects of magic mushrooms are highly variable and can be influenced by dosage, individual physiology, mood, and expectations. While they are not considered physically addictive, magic mushrooms carry risks, including the potential for adverse reactions, poisoning, and negative psychological impacts such as bad trips and flashbacks. Due to these risks, activities related to magic mushrooms, such as sale and possession, are often controlled or illegal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of mushrooms with hallucinogenic effects | Psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, and psilocin |
| How they are consumed | Eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea |
| Effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, heightened emotions and senses, nausea, fear, anxiety, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, flashbacks, and a distorted sense of reality |
| Time taken for effects to kick in | 5-45 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours, with changes in sensory perception and thought patterns lasting longer in some people |
| Risks | Bad trips, poisoning from consuming the wrong type of mushroom, disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, paranoia, and death in rare cases of high consumption |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada and controlled under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) |
| Potential therapeutic uses | Clinical trials with psilocybin have shown promising results, but there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin |
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What You'll Learn
What are magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, or psychedelic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychoactive drug psilocin upon ingestion. This chemical is found in approximately 190 species of edible mushrooms that are indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been isolated from a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus, Copelandia, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Magic mushrooms are typically consumed fresh, dried, or brewed into a tea. They may also be mixed with food to mask their bitter taste or turned into extracts or food products such as mushroom edibles. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes when eaten, and can last approximately four to six hours. The duration and intensity of the effects depend on the user's mood, personality, and expectations and the potency and dosage of the mushrooms.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely, ranging from mild to intense. Early effects typically include nausea, excessive yawning, and drowsiness. Higher doses or stronger mushrooms can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and an altered perception of time, place, and reality. In some cases, magic mushrooms can induce a bad trip, characterised by terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. Additionally, some users may experience flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences, which can be disturbing.
While magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, regular use may lead to tolerance and cross-tolerance with other drugs such as LSD and mescaline. There is also a risk of poisoning from consuming the wrong types of mushrooms, as some species can be extremely poisonous. Furthermore, magic mushrooms can impair judgment and affect one's ability to drive or perform certain tasks safely. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution when consuming magic mushrooms or any other substance.
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How are they consumed?
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", are consumed in a variety of ways. They can be eaten fresh or dried, and some people choose to cover them in chocolate to mask the bitter taste. They can also be brewed into tea, which can reduce the time it takes for the effects to begin from 30 minutes to 5-10 minutes. However, it is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable and vary from person to person. The length and intensity of the "trip" depend on factors such as the strength of the mushrooms, the amount consumed, the user's mood, personality, expectations, and the environment in which they take the mushrooms.
It is crucial to be extremely cautious when consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms due to the risk of misidentifying them as poisonous mushrooms, which can have severe consequences, including death. Even professionals sometimes mistake poisonous mushrooms for hallucinogenic ones. Therefore, it is recommended to work with a trusted guide or grower to ensure the quality and safety of the mushrooms.
In terms of legality, it is important to note that the possession and consumption of psilocybin mushrooms are currently illegal in most parts of the US, with the exception of a few cities. However, there is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, particularly in the treatment of mental and behavioural health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that while current research suggests that psilocybin is not addictive, some people may experience negative side effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. The risk of a ""bad trip"" increases with higher doses or stronger mushrooms, and it can lead to terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. Therefore, it is essential to be well-informed and cautious when consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms.
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What are the effects of magic mushrooms?
Not all mushrooms are hallucinogens, but certain types of mushrooms, commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms", contain the hallucinogenic substance psilocybin. Magic mushrooms can cause a range of effects, including both positive and negative experiences.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. People may see colours, shapes, or scenes, hear things that aren't real, or lose their sense of time and space. Some people may also experience a sense of euphoria, connection, and distorted sensory perception. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 20 to 40 minutes when eaten, or within 5 to 10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. However, in some people, changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can last longer, and some individuals may experience flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences, which can occur weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely depending on various factors, including dosage, age, weight, personality, emotional state, environment, and history of mental illness or drug use. The quantity of the drug consumed, past experiences, and expectations of how the experience will take shape can also influence the effects.
While some people take magic mushrooms for spiritual experiences, self-discovery, or a peaceful high, negative side effects can also occur. These may include nausea, yawning, feeling drowsy, nervousness, paranoia, panic, hallucinations, and psychosis. In some cases, individuals may experience a ""bad trip", which can be influenced by higher doses or feelings of anxiety before taking the drug. It is important to note that magic mushrooms can cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, and there is a risk of poisoning from misidentifying mushrooms. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution when consuming any type of drug, including magic mushrooms.
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What are the risks of consuming magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic and hallucinogenic compound. While certain cultures have used the hallucinogenic properties of some mushrooms for centuries, the use of magic mushrooms comes with risks.
Firstly, there is a risk of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms can make you severely ill and can even be fatal. Even professionals sometimes mistake poisonous mushrooms for psilocybin mushrooms, so it is very dangerous to attempt to identify psilocybin mushrooms without proper training. If you believe you may have eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Contact poison control right away. If the person has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a fit, or is suffering an anaphylactic reaction, immediately call an ambulance.
Secondly, magic mushrooms can cause adverse side effects, such as fear, paranoia, and other unwanted effects, known as a "bad trip". The risk of a bad trip may increase if a person takes a higher dose of psilocybin or has feelings of anxiety before taking it. Bad trips can also be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise. During a bad trip, a person may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, or paranoia. Although rare, a bad trip can lead to dangerous behaviour, which may result in injuries.
Thirdly, regular use of magic mushrooms may cause people to become tolerant to the effects of psilocybin, and cross-tolerance occurs with other drugs, including LSD and mescaline. Tolerance develops quickly with regular use, meaning that a person will need to consume more of the drug to achieve the same effect. This can be especially risky as consuming a large amount can result in overdose symptoms, including tachycardia (heart beating too fast), hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperthermia (body tissue becomes too hot), nausea, or vomiting.
Finally, some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving a previous magic mushroom experience. Flashbacks can happen weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken and can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled.
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Are magic mushrooms addictive?
Not all mushrooms are hallucinogens. Only a few varieties of mushrooms contain psilocybin, the hallucinogenic chemical found in certain mushrooms known as magic mushrooms. These mushrooms are typically small and brown or tan in colour.
Magic mushrooms are not considered to be addictive in the same way as commonly abused substances like opioids or stimulants. There is no significant physiological dependence associated with the drug, and no physical symptoms occur after stopping use. However, some sources suggest that psychological dependence can develop, and regular users may continue to use magic mushrooms to attain pleasurable feelings associated with their use, which can lead to problematic, compulsive patterns of use.
While the risk of addiction is low, magic mushrooms can have other negative effects on users. For example, regular use can lead to significant tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs such as LSD and mescaline. In rare cases, magic mushrooms may trigger or worsen certain mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, manic episodes, or depression. Additionally, users may experience flashbacks or hallucinations long after the drug was last used, which can be disturbing or unpleasant.
It is also important to note that magic mushrooms can be poisonous and picking the wrong type of mushroom can be dangerous. Furthermore, the hallucinogenic effects of magic mushrooms can cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, which may result in injuries or accidents. Therefore, while magic mushrooms may not be addictive in the traditional sense, they can still have negative consequences for users and should be approached with caution.
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Frequently asked questions
No, only certain species of mushrooms are hallucinogenic. These are commonly referred to as magic mushrooms and contain the hallucinogenic substances psilocybin and psilocin.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely and can range from euphoria and heightened senses to hallucinations and an altered perception of reality. Other possible effects include nausea, yawning, fear, anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia.
Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They are also sometimes mixed with food to mask their bitter taste.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 15-45 minutes of consumption and can last for approximately four to six hours.
Yes, there are risks associated with consuming magic mushrooms. The effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable and may lead to a bad trip, which can include terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. Additionally, there is a risk of poisoning from picking the wrong types of mushrooms.
Additional Information:
It is important to note that the use and distribution of magic mushrooms are regulated and may be illegal in certain jurisdictions. Please refer to local laws and regulations for more information.
