Sarah Brown
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, commonly known as 'magic mushrooms' or 'shrooms', are mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic substances psilocybin and psilocin. They are consumed for their mind-altering effects, which can include euphoria, heightened senses, and hallucinations. While some people use them recreationally, others explore them as a tool for self-exploration or as a potential treatment for mental health disorders. However, the dangers of consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms include the risk of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, unpredictable behaviour, disturbing hallucinations, and negative experiences referred to as ''bad trips'. Additionally, mixing hallucinogenic mushrooms with other drugs can be dangerous, and their use is illegal in many places.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effects | Euphoria, sensory distortion, heightened emotions and senses, laughter, fixation on certain things, emotionality, paranoia, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, depersonalisation, panic, flashbacks, disturbing hallucinations, perceptual changes, visual and auditory hallucinations, distorted sense of reality, mixing up senses |
| Risks | Poisoning from picking the wrong type of mushroom, unpredictable behaviour, increased risk when mixed with other drugs, risk of a 'bad trip', delayed headaches, flashbacks, adverse side effects, risk of accidentally taking the wrong kind of mushroom, risk of a relapse or worsening of psychiatric condition, tolerance to the drug's effects with continued use |
| Safety | Magic mushrooms are the safest "recreational" drug to take according to the 2017 Global Drug Survey. They are also far less toxic to internal organs than heroin or cocaine. However, they are illegal in many places, including the UK, Canada, and most of the US. |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogenic effects
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted to psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the chemical with psychoactive properties.
Magic mushrooms are eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 15-45 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours. The hallucinogenic effects of magic mushrooms can cause perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there, or are distorted). They can also cause changes in sensory perception, thought patterns, emotions, and the sense of self. Some people who take larger doses of magic mushrooms may experience heightened emotions, paranoia, anxiety, fear, and muscle twitches accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely, and adverse side effects are often mild or moderate. However, some people may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, and a sense of depersonalisation, commonly referred to as a ""bad trip". The risk of a bad trip can be influenced by factors such as the environment, mood, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations of the experience.
In addition to the immediate hallucinogenic effects, some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving previous experiences with the drug. These flashbacks can occur weeks, months, or even years after the last use and are typically triggered by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise.
While magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, it is possible to become tolerant to their effects with continued use, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. It is important to note that the use of any drug carries risks, and magic mushrooms are no exception. The biggest danger associated with their use is the potential for ingesting poisonous mushrooms, which can result in severe illness or even death. Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs or medications can also lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes.
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Poisonous mushrooms
Mushroom poisoning is usually the result of mistaking toxic mushrooms for edible species. This misidentification is often due to the close resemblance in colour and general morphology between toxic and edible mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms contain a variety of toxins that differ in toxicity, including amatoxins, which cannot be neutralised by cooking. The symptoms of mushroom poisoning range from gastric upset to organ failure and death. Most "poisonous" mushrooms contain gastrointestinal irritants that cause vomiting and diarrhoea, which may require urgent care.
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", also pose a risk of poisoning if the wrong type is ingested. Magic mushrooms are psychoactive and contain the compound psilocybin, which has effects similar to LSD. They are considered relatively safe, with only 0.2% of users requiring emergency medical treatment. However, they can cause disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, and depersonalisation. Magic mushrooms can also increase the chances of a "bad trip" when taken with other drugs, and should not be taken with certain psychiatric medications.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is important to familiarise yourself with the mushrooms you intend to collect and any similar-looking toxic species. The safety of eating wild mushrooms may also depend on how they are prepared for cooking.
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Drug interactions
The effects of taking hallucinogenic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous. Combining magic mushrooms with stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, ice, speed, ecstasy, or MDMA can increase heart rate and blood pressure, leading to potentially fatal hypertension and tachycardia. Extreme cases may result in heart attacks or seizures. Magic mushrooms should also not be taken with alcohol or opioids, as this can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. This is because psilocybin may increase the depressing effect of opioids on the central nervous system, leading to loss of coordination, confusion, drowsiness, slowed breathing, or even cessation of breathing.
Psilocybin also interacts negatively with other hallucinogens and antidepressants, as the combination could lead to serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal. Additionally, magic mushrooms should not be taken by people on psychiatric medications as a relapse or worsening of the condition could occur. It is important to note that polydrug use, or the use of more than one drug simultaneously or in succession, can be dangerous and should be approached with caution.
Furthermore, magic mushrooms can cause "flashbacks," or visual distortions involving changes in emotions or perception, that can occur weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken. These flashbacks can be triggered by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise. While the risk of a "bad trip" can never be completely eliminated, it is heightened by the use of other drugs, particularly stimulants.
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Mental health risks
The mental health risks associated with hallucinogenic mushrooms are varied and depend on several factors, including the user's mental state, personality, and immediate environment. While some people may experience positive effects such as heightened emotions, creativity, laughter, and a sense of mental clarity, others may encounter negative and potentially harmful consequences.
One of the most commonly discussed risks is the possibility of a "bad trip". During a bad trip, users may experience extreme fear, anxiety, panic, paranoia, or a distorted sense of self and reality. These experiences can be frightening and may lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, which can result in injuries. Factors such as stress, anxiety, or the use of other drugs can increase the likelihood of a bad trip. Additionally, consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms with other drugs, including certain psychiatric medications, can be particularly dangerous and may lead to a relapse or worsening of the individual's condition.
Another risk associated with hallucinogenic mushroom use is the potential for flashbacks, which can occur even weeks, months, or years after the drug was last taken. Flashbacks typically involve visual distortions, changes in emotions or perception, and can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience is recalled.
Hallucinogenic mushrooms can also lead to long-term mental health issues, such as psychosis. This risk is heightened when consuming high doses or stronger varieties of mushrooms. Additionally, the impairment in thinking clearly and awareness of physical surroundings caused by mushroom consumption can result in dangerous behaviours, such as driving, which may further contribute to the risk of developing long-term mental health conditions.
While research on the therapeutic potential of hallucinogenic mushrooms for treating mental health disorders is ongoing, it is important to note that the use of these substances currently lacks approval from regulatory bodies such as the FDA and Health Canada. Therefore, individuals considering the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms should be aware of the potential mental health risks involved and seek clinical supervision or guidance to ensure their safety.
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Legality
The legal status of hallucinogenic mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin, the active ingredients in hallucinogenic or magic mushrooms, are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse and no recognised medical use. However, magic mushrooms have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in dozens of cultures throughout history and have a significantly lower potential for abuse than other Schedule I drugs.
In the United States, the use, sale, and possession of psilocybin are illegal under federal law. Psilocybin is federally classified as a Schedule I controlled substance with "no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." The drug was banned by the 1970 Controlled Substances Act. However, there is ambiguity in the legal status of magic mushrooms in many US state courts, as the mushroom is considered a "container" of the illicit drugs. Some jurisdictions have specifically prohibited the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores, including Germany and the US states of California, Georgia, and Idaho. In contrast, New Mexico's Court of Appeals ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms for personal use is not considered "manufacturing a controlled substance." As of August 2024, decriminalisation efforts have not included synthetic psychedelics.
In Canada, activities involving magic mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorised by Health Canada. In the United Kingdom, magic mushrooms are regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Despite the illegal status of magic mushrooms in many places, there have been efforts to decriminalise and legalise their use in some jurisdictions. In November 2020, the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, which came into effect in March 2021. This bill allows for the possession and non-profit gifting or distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. Oregon became the first US state to decriminalise psilocybin and legalise its supervised non-medical use after a ballot measure passed in November 2020. However, much of this measure was repealed in 2024, effectively recriminalising the substance. In January 2022, Washington State legislators proposed a bill to legalise psilocybin for "supported use" among adults over 21. As of May 2024, a bill introduced in New York State would allow people 18 and older to obtain a permit to grow mushrooms or purchase psilocybin from licensed vendors after undergoing a health screening and education course.
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Frequently asked questions
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, are considered by some to be the safest "recreational" drug. However, they are illegal in many places. They can cause hallucinations, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches. They can also lead to a "'bad trip", which may result in unpredictable, potentially dangerous behavior. The biggest danger to your health when taking magic mushrooms is accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can make you very sick and can even be fatal.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes to an hour of consumption and can last between four to six hours. They can cause hallucinations, sensory distortion, and euphoria. They can also lead to heightened emotions and senses, making people feel happy, creative, or giggly. However, they can also cause anxiety, panic, and depersonalisation, which may result in a "bad trip".
Magic mushrooms are not considered to be addictive, and there is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on them. However, it is possible to develop a tolerance to their effects with continued use, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect.
