Michael Davis
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin when ingested. The effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms typically last from three to eight hours, with the first 3-4 hours being referred to as the 'peak'. Not all mushrooms are psychedelic, but certain species across several genera contain these drugs, including Psilocybe, Panaeolus, Inocybe, and Pluteus. The use of magic mushrooms can lead to hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, and sensory distortions, but it may also result in negative experiences known as bad trips and flashbacks. While the production, sale, and possession of magic mushrooms are illegal in some countries, there is increasing interest in their potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in treating depression and anxiety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of psychedelic mushrooms | Psilocybin mushrooms, Magic mushrooms, Shrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, psychosis, hilarity, lack of concentration, muscular relaxation, dilated pupils, heightened anxiety, visual and auditory hallucinations, emotional changes, altered perception of time and space |
| Duration of effects | 3-8 hours |
| Dosage | 0.1 to 0.3 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms for microdosing |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada and Australia |
| Therapeutic uses | Treatment for depression, anxiety |
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What You'll Learn
What makes mushrooms psychedelic?
Not all mushrooms are psychedelic. However, certain mushrooms are hallucinogenic and contain substances such as psilocybin and psilocin, which cause hallucinations and distort a person's sense of reality. Psilocybin is a prodrug that turns into the psychedelic psilocin when ingested. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, but psilocybin has also been found in a dozen other genera, including Copelandia, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary significantly between individuals. The mind-altering effects typically last between three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. The first 3-4 hours after ingestion are typically referred to as the "peak," where users experience more vivid visuals and a distorted sense of reality. Other early effects include nausea, excessive yawning, and dilated pupils. As the trip progresses, individuals may experience hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness.
The "trip" or psychedelic experience is influenced by the user's mood, personality, expectations, and environment. A negative environment or anxious state of mind can contribute to a "bad trip," while a comfortable and familiar setting can lead to a more pleasant experience. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be enhanced when combined with additional substances, a practice known as "stacking." However, mixing psilocybin with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can lead to unpredictable and dangerous consequences.
While the recreational use of psilocybin mushrooms is well-known, there is also growing interest in their therapeutic potential. Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin, administered in a therapeutic setting, can bring significant and long-lasting relief to individuals with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Psilocybin has been described as a breakthrough medicine by the US Food and Drug Administration, offering hope for transformative treatments for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.
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How many mushrooms are psychedelic?
Not all mushrooms are psychedelic. Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. 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 over a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Psilocybin mushrooms are the most widely used natural hallucinogen in the world due to their wide geographical distribution and easy cultivation. They have played a significant role in defining the psychedelic era of the 1960s and 1970s, and psychedelic cultural customs remain in places where magic mushrooms are legal, such as the Bahamas, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Nepal, the Netherlands, and Samoa.
According to research, psilocybin is the main psychoactive ingredient in more than 200 species of psychedelic mushrooms. It alters perception and mood and produces hallucinations in individuals who ingest them. The mind-altering effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms typically last from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. The first 3-4 hours after ingestion are typically referred to as the 'peak', during which the user experiences more vivid visuals and distortions in reality.
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary among individuals. While some people experience positive effects, such as heightened senses, hilarity, and muscular relaxation, others may encounter negative consequences, including panic reactions, psychosis, and flashbacks involving previous mushroom experiences. These negative experiences are often influenced by the user's state of mind, the environment they are in, and the dosage consumed.
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What are the effects of psychedelic mushrooms?
Not all mushrooms are psychedelic. The ones that are, contain psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in certain mushrooms known as magic mushrooms. Eating mushrooms that contain psilocybin can have a variety of effects, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations. The mind-altering effects of psilocybin-containing mushrooms typically last from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. The first 3–4 hours after ingestion are typically referred to as the 'peak', during which the user experiences more vivid visuals and distortions in reality. The effects can seem to last much longer due to psilocybin's ability to alter time perception. Noticeable changes to the auditory, visual, and tactile senses may become apparent around 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion, although effects may take up to two hours to manifest.
The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects are often mild or moderate and may resolve with time. However, some people may require medical treatment. The experience, or 'trip', is strongly dependent on the user's state of mind and the environment in which the drug is consumed. Hilarity, lack of concentration, and muscular relaxation (including dilated pupils) are all normal effects, sometimes in the same trip. A negative environment could contribute to a bad trip, whereas a comfortable and familiar environment would set the stage for a pleasant experience. Psychedelics make experiences more intense, so if a person enters a trip in an anxious state of mind, they will likely experience heightened anxiety. Many users find it preferable to ingest the mushrooms with friends or people familiar with 'tripping'.
The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and psychosis may also occur, particularly if a user ingests a large dose. In certain cases, users may experience frequent or overly intense psychedelic events that may induce abrupt "flashbacks", i.e., reliving a previous experience. Flashbacks can happen weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken. This can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. Flashbacks can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise and usually last a minute or two.
There is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of magic mushrooms and psilocybin. While clinical trials with psilocybin have shown promising results, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin.
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Are psychedelic mushrooms safe?
Not all mushrooms are psychedelic. Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been deemed the safest "recreational" drug to take, according to the 2017 Global Drug Survey. Out of almost 10,000 people who took them, only 0.2% needed emergency medical treatment. However, it is important to note that psilocybin is a controlled substance in many countries and is classified as a class A drug in the UK, similar to heroin and crack cocaine.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are subjective and can vary among individuals. The mind-altering effects typically last from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. The first 3-4 hours after ingestion are typically referred to as the 'peak', where the user experiences more vivid visuals and distortions in reality. Noticeable changes to the auditory, visual, and tactile senses may become apparent around 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion, although effects may take up to two hours. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and psychosis may also occur, particularly with large doses.
While psilocybin mushrooms are not considered physically or psychologically addictive, it is possible to develop a tolerance to their effects with regular use. Additionally, there is a risk of experiencing a bad trip, which may be influenced by the user's state of mind and the environment they are in. A negative environment or anxious state of mind can contribute to a bad trip, which may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgment during these bad trips may lead to risk-taking behaviour and, in rare cases, traumatic injuries or even death. Furthermore, consuming magic mushrooms with other substances, including certain medications, can elevate the risks of serious side effects and adverse events.
There is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, particularly in treating various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use. However, at this time, there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin.
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Are psychedelic mushrooms legal?
Psilocybin, the best-known psychedelic substance derived from "magic" mushrooms, is a Schedule I substance: an illegal drug considered to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. The possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances, and offenders often face severe legal penalties. Federal law and most states in the US classify psilocybin as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal to possess, sell, or grow.
However, there are some exceptions. Colorado and Oregon have legalized certain uses, and a few cities have deprioritized arrest and prosecution for personal possession of psilocybin. Colorado is the only state where personal use and private cultivation of small amounts of magic mushrooms are legal for adults 21 and older, although the state is still developing a regulatory system to allow consumer access. Oregon has licensed "psilocybin service centers," where people 21 and older can consume magic mushrooms in a supervised setting.
In addition, there is ambiguity in many national, state, and provincial drug laws regarding the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms, and a strong element of selective enforcement in some places. For example, spores of psilocybin mushrooms do not contain the drugs and are legal to possess in many areas, creating a loophole in the law.
Outside of the US, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies. The United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971) requires its members to prohibit psilocybin, but the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government. Many countries have amended their drug laws to reflect the terms of the convention, but some have not. For example, in Australia, federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, or selling magic mushrooms, but in November 2020, the District of Columbia passed an initiative that allows for the possession and non-profit gifting or distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. In 2022, the Canadian province of Alberta became the first to regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes, and in 2023, Australia approved psilocybin for prescription medications for PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
It is important to note that the legality of psilocybin mushrooms is subject to change, and consulting a lawyer is advisable for specific information.
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Frequently asked questions
No, only a small number of mushrooms, about 200 across the globe, produce a substance called psilocybin that causes hallucinations.
The effects of consuming psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and vary among individual users. Common effects include hallucinations, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches. The experience, often referred to as a "trip", is strongly influenced by the user's state of mind and the environment they are in.
Yes, consuming psychedelic mushrooms can lead to what is commonly known as a "bad trip", which may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgment during a "bad trip" may lead to risk-taking behaviour and potential injuries. Mixing psychedelic mushrooms with other substances, including certain medications, can also increase the risk of adverse effects.
There is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psychedelic mushrooms, especially in the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Small clinical trials have shown that psilocybin, when used in a therapeutic setting, can make significant and long-lasting improvements for individuals with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.
