Michael Davis
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose. However, it has been used in indigenous cultures for thousands of years for spiritual and religious rituals, and there is ongoing research into its potential therapeutic benefits. While psilocybin has a low level of toxicity and it would be difficult to overdose on psilocybin mushrooms, poisoning can occur from accidentally consuming other types of poisonous mushrooms or from elevated levels of psilocin causing acute serotonin syndrome.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are psilocybin mushrooms? | Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. |
| How does it work in the body? | Psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which activates receptors for the brain chemical serotonin, primarily the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5HT2a) receptor. |
| What are the effects? | Euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, colourful hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, anxiety, panic, hypertension, tachycardia, visual problems, nausea, asthenia, vertigo, mydriasis, motor incoordination, disorientation, etc. |
| What are the risks? | Poisoning from accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, serotonin syndrome, disturbing hallucinations, unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, physical and psychological withdrawal effects, etc. |
| Where are they found? | Psilocybin mushrooms occur on all continents, but the majority of species are found in subtropical humid forests. They are found in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris. |
| What does it look like? | Psilocybin mushrooms are small and usually brown or tan. |
| What is its legal status? | Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance in the US, meaning it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose. Australian federal and state laws also provide penalties for possessing, using, or selling magic mushrooms. |
| What is its potential for treatment? | Psilocybin is being researched for its potential to treat substance use disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders, and other mental illnesses. |
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What You'll Learn
- Poisonous mushrooms are often mistaken for psilocybin mushrooms
- Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic
- Poisoning symptoms include muscle spasms, confusion, delirium, and serotonin syndrome
- Treatment for poisoning is usually supportive, without medication
- Research is investigating psilocybin's potential to treat mental health disorders
Poisonous mushrooms are often mistaken for psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They are 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. However, psilocybin has also been isolated from around a dozen other genera.
Psilocybin mushrooms are typically consumed dried or powdered, and can lead users to see, hear, and feel things that are not happening in real life, or to experience reality in a different way. They have been used in indigenous cultures for thousands of years, for spiritual rituals and healing. Today, some people use psilocybin mushrooms in the hopes of having a unique, interesting, enlightening, and/or spiritual experience. Others take very small amounts of the substance regularly, a practice called microdosing, to improve their mental state and productivity.
Psilocybin mushrooms are often mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, which can lead to accidental poisoning. This is because they can closely resemble other mushrooms that are poisonous. The accidental ingestion of poisonous mushrooms frequently occurs due to insufficient available data on poisonous mushrooms, including information on their potential toxicity. It is critical to characterise the toxicological profile of mushroom species before using them for human consumption.
Poisonous mushrooms can cause a range of adverse health effects, including liver failure, bradycardia, chest pain, seizures, gastroenteritis, intestinal fibrosis, renal failure, erythromelalgia, and rhabdomyolysis. Some poisonous mushrooms contain muscimol, which causes paralysis around 20-22 minutes after ingestion by acting on the central nervous system. The mushrooms containing muscimol are Amanita muscaria and Tricholoma muscarium, and the antidote is physostimogline.
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Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose. However, it is important to note that current research does not indicate that psilocybin is addictive, and no physical symptoms occur after stopping use.
The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects are often mild or moderate. Psilocybin can lead to hallucinations, euphoria, sensory distortion, anxiety, panic, and disturbing hallucinations. The exact effects experienced depend on a person's personality, expectations, surrounding environment, the amount taken, and the person's age, unique biology, sex, and history of drug use.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use, with evidence of their consumption by indigenous people in Central America for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 BC. They may also be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe and are more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas.
Today, some people use psilocybin mushrooms in the hopes of having a unique, interesting, enlightening, and/or spiritual experience. Others practice microdosing, taking very small amounts regularly to improve their mental state and productivity. Psilocybin is also being researched for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating conditions such as substance use disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders, and anxiety.
While psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic, it is important to note that poisoning can occur from accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms or from taking too many psilocybin mushrooms. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include muscle spasms, confusion, delirium, hypertension, tachycardia, visual problems, nausea, anxiety, asthenia, vertigo, disorientation, and in rare cases, seizures in children.
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Poisoning symptoms include muscle spasms, confusion, delirium, and serotonin syndrome
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in certain varieties of mushrooms, commonly referred to as 'magic mushrooms'. These mushrooms are usually small and brown or tan. People may mistake psilocybin mushrooms for other mushrooms that are poisonous, which can lead to accidental poisoning. It is important to note that psilocybin itself is considered non-addictive and does not cause physical withdrawal symptoms.
Poisoning symptoms from ingesting the wrong types of mushrooms can include muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium. If someone experiences these symptoms after consuming mushrooms, they should seek immediate medical attention. Most cases of accidental mushroom ingestion result in minor gastrointestinal issues, but severe cases may require urgent medical care.
While rare, seizures may occur in children who ingest mushrooms containing certain toxins, such as muscimol and ibotenic acid. In adults, seizures are uncommon with hallucinogenic mushroom poisoning. However, adults may experience CNS (central nervous system) manifestations, including euphoria, fear, agitation, depressed consciousness, confusion, delirium, incoherent babbling, misperceptions, hallucinations, delusions, dizziness, and ataxia.
Additionally, consuming psilocybin mushrooms can lead to serotonin syndrome, a condition caused by excessive serotonin accumulation in the body. Serotonin is a naturally occurring chemical that helps regulate nerve cell function, behaviour, and body temperature. While mild serotonin syndrome may cause shivering and diarrhoea, severe cases can lead to muscle rigidity, fever, and seizures, which can be life-threatening. Illicit drugs and dietary supplements have been associated with serotonin syndrome, and it is crucial to seek medical advice if concerned.
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Treatment for poisoning is usually supportive, without medication
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They are often used as recreational drugs, with feelings of euphoria and sensory distortion being common effects. While psilocybin use is not considered addictive, users may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic.
It is possible to accidentally consume poisonous mushrooms when foraging for psilocybin mushrooms. Poisoning can cause symptoms such as muscle spasms, confusion, delirium, and gastrointestinal illness. If poisoning is suspected, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. While waiting for medical help, there are some steps that can be taken to support the affected person:
- If the person is conscious, encourage them to spit out any remaining substance in their mouth and get out of the contaminated area.
- If the person is unconscious, place them in the recovery position: on their side with a cushion behind their back and their upper leg pulled slightly forward.
- Wipe any vomit away from their mouth and keep their head pointing down to prevent them from inhaling or swallowing it.
- Do not give the person anything to eat or drink.
- If the person is not breathing or their heart has stopped, perform CPR if you are able to.
- Call an ambulance or take the person to the nearest emergency department.
Treatment for poisoning typically involves supportive care, which may include mechanical ventilation and IV fluids, to help the body function while the poison clears. In some cases, activated charcoal may be used to prevent further absorption of the poison into the bloodstream. It is important to note that activated charcoal should only be administered by a healthcare provider. Providing medical staff with as much information as possible, including details of symptoms and the substance ingested, can help them effectively treat poisoning.
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Research is investigating psilocybin's potential to treat mental health disorders
While psilocybin mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are often associated with recreational use, there is a growing body of research investigating their potential therapeutic benefits. Psilocybin is a classic hallucinogen, a chemical produced by over 100 species of mushrooms worldwide. It has a high affinity for several serotonin receptors in the brain.
Psilocybin has been studied for its potential in treating various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and existential distress in serious illnesses. Research has also explored its use in managing obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and substance use disorders. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted "breakthrough therapy" status to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for major depressive disorder in 2019 and treatment-resistant depression in 2018.
One of the earliest clinical studies on psilocybin examined its safety and efficacy in treating psychological distress associated with terminal illness. The study included patients with acute stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety disorder due to cancer, or adjustment disorder with anxiety. Patients received either active psilocybin or a placebo in a controlled environment.
While psilocybin may offer potential therapeutic benefits, it is not without risks. When used inappropriately, psilocybin can induce panic reactions, confusion, and may precipitate psychosis in predisposed individuals. Additionally, there are challenges in obtaining funding for psilocybin research due to the stigma associated with the compound.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are not inherently poisonous. However, they can cause adverse side effects, such as hallucinations, anxiety, and panic. The risk of poisoning arises when people accidentally consume other types of poisonous mushrooms, mistaking them for psilocybin mushrooms.
Symptoms of psilocybin mushroom poisoning include hypertension, tachycardia, visual problems, nausea, anxiety, asthenia, vertigo, motor incoordination, and disorientation. These symptoms typically resolve within 4 to 12 hours without requiring hospitalization.
Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior. They may lead to disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic attacks. Regular use can result in tolerance to psilocybin and cross-tolerance with other drugs like LSD and mescaline.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in various cultures, including in religious and spiritual rituals. Today, they are often used recreationally, with people seeking unique experiences or self-treating mental health disorders. According to surveys, millions of people in the United States and Australia have used psilocybin mushrooms.
