Michael Davis
Magic mushrooms are fungi that contain hallucinogenic compounds, most commonly psilocybin and psilocin. They are considered a psychedelic drug, which means they can alter a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions, and cause hallucinations. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and can range from mild feelings of relaxation to frightening hallucinations and delusions. Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, with evidence of indigenous people in Central America using them for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 B.C. Today, there is a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, with studies exploring its effectiveness in treating conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. However, it is important to note that the use of magic mushrooms also carries risks, including the possibility of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming poisonous varieties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered state of consciousness, perceptual distortions, heightened emotions and senses, euphoria, connection, distorted sense of time, flashbacks, mystical experience, heightened creativity, lucid awareness, minimal effects on memory, changes in personality, panic, paranoia, psychosis, suicidality, seizures |
| Onset of effects | 15-40 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Forms | Fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, dried, powdered, tablets, capsules, injected intravenously |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada and the US, controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions |
| Medical uses | Treatment of compulsive disorders, chronic depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug or alcohol dependency, pain, neurodegenerative disorders, emotional distress in people with life-threatening cancer diagnoses |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms' history of use
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted to psilocin, a psychedelic chemical with psychoactive properties.
Psilocybin mushrooms may be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but they are more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas. Rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE from Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformation of the user under their influence. Prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago. The hallucinogenic species of the Psilocybe genus have a history of use among the native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination, and healing, from pre-Columbian times to the present day. A Psilocybe species known to the Aztecs as teōnanācatl (literally "divine mushroom") was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. After the Spanish conquest, Catholic missionaries campaigned against the cultural tradition of the Aztecs, dismissing them as idolaters, and the use of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms, along with other pre-Christian traditions, was quickly suppressed. Despite this history, the use of teonanácatl has persisted in some remote areas.
The first mention of hallucinogenic mushrooms in European medicinal literature was in the London Medical and Physical Journal in 1799: A man served Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms he had picked for breakfast in London's Green Park to his family. In 1960, pure synthetic psilocybin (Indocybin®) was marketed by Sandoz for experimental and psychotherapeutic purposes. At present, there are no medical indications for psilocin or psilocybin, although research has been reported on the treatment of compulsive disorders in humans. In 1970, magic mushrooms were officially made illegal in America. In 1976, writer and ethnobotanist Terence McKenna released a book called “Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide,” which was a huge deal and caused magic mushrooms to become a staple. In 2018, researchers at Johns Hopkins University confirmed that magic mushrooms could be used medicinally to treat things like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The following year, amid a massive push for nationwide decriminalization of marijuana, Denver, Colorado, decriminalized magic mushrooms.
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The legality of magic mushrooms
In the United States, 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, some states have passed legislation to decriminalize or legalize the use of psilocybin for supervised non-medical or medical purposes, including Oregon, Colorado, California, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Washington.
In Canada, magic mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin are controlled under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Activities with these substances, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorized by Health Canada.
In Europe, there is variation in the legal status of magic mushrooms. For example, in Germany, the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores are illegal, while in the UK, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 regulates psilocybin and psilocin.
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The effects of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, philosopher's stones, liberties, amani, and agaric, are hallucinogenic drugs that can cause a range of effects. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic that can be found in certain types of mushrooms. When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted into psilocin in the body, which is the chemical responsible for the drug's psychoactive properties.
The onset of effects typically occurs within 20 to 40 minutes of ingestion, with the effects lasting between four and six hours. Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They can also be mixed with food or drinks, or even smoked when combined with cannabis or tobacco. The use of magic mushrooms is associated with a low risk of addiction, and current research suggests that psilocybin is not addictive. However, there are potential risks involved, including the possibility of a "`bad trip'", delayed headaches, and, in rare cases, poisoning from consuming the wrong types of mushrooms.
While magic mushrooms have been traditionally used for spiritual experiences and self-discovery, recent research has explored the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. Studies have indicated that psilocybin may be effective in treating mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance use disorders. Additionally, psilocybin has shown promise in relieving the emotional distress associated with life-threatening cancer diagnoses. However, it is important to note that psilocybin is currently classified as a Schedule 1 drug, which restricts its availability for medicinal use.
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The risks of taking magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are psychedelic drugs that can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They are mostly illegal in the US, but some cities have decriminalized them. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted to psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the chemical with psychoactive properties.
Poisoning: There is a risk of accidental poisoning from mistaking poisonous mushrooms for psilocybin mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe illness and even death. Even professionals sometimes mistake these mushroom types, so it is very dangerous to identify psilocybin mushrooms without proper knowledge.
Bad trips: Magic mushrooms can induce a ""bad trip,"" which involves negative effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. The risk of a bad trip may increase with higher doses or feelings of anxiety before taking the mushrooms. The environment and one's mental state can also influence the experience, potentially leading to a bad trip.
Flashbacks: Some people experience flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences, which can be disturbing. These flashbacks can occur weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken and may involve visual distortions or changes in emotions or perception.
Tolerance and overdose: Regular use of magic mushrooms can lead to tolerance, where larger amounts are needed to achieve the desired effects. Consuming a large amount can result in overdose symptoms, which, while not fatal, can include adverse effects.
Adverse side effects: While psilocybin is not considered addictive, some people may experience mild to moderate side effects that require medical treatment. These effects can include gastrointestinal illness, euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortions.
It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely among individuals, and there may be other risks that are not yet fully understood due to the ongoing nature of research in this area.
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The therapeutic benefits of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or hallucinogenic mushrooms, are fungi that contain hallucinogenic compounds, most commonly psilocybin and psilocin. They are considered psychedelic drugs, which means they can alter a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and senses.
While the use of magic mushrooms can be risky and may lead to negative experiences or "bad trips", they have also been found to have therapeutic benefits. Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, has been used by some Indigenous communities for over 1000 years and is now being explored for its potential therapeutic effects.
One area where magic mushrooms have shown promise is in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Researchers at UC San Francisco have found that psilocybin may help improve mood, cognition, and motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder. The participants in the study experienced clinically significant improvements that lasted for weeks without any serious side effects or worsening of symptoms.
Additionally, psilocybin has been found to have therapeutic effects in treating substance use disorder and easing existential distress caused by life-threatening diseases. Clinical trials at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research have shown that psilocybin can produce experiences resulting in substantial and sustained personal meaning when taken in a controlled lab setting.
In Australia, the medicinal qualities of psilocybin have been recognized, and from July 1, 2023, medicines containing psilocybin can be prescribed by authorized psychiatrists to people with treatment-resistant depression. This change also allows for the prescription of MDMA for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While the therapeutic benefits of magic mushrooms are being explored, it is important to note that the use of any drug carries risks. Magic mushrooms can affect individuals differently, and it is crucial to be cautious and informed about the potential effects and risks associated with their consumption.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are fungi that contain hallucinogenic compounds, most commonly psilocybin and psilocin. They are typically consumed dried, powdered, fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea.
When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted in the body to psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties. Psilocin attaches to and activates receptors for the brain chemical serotonin, leading to altered and unusual perceptions.
Magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations, perceptual changes, heightened emotions and senses, and an altered state of consciousness. They can also lead to a distorted sense of time and space, and a sense of mental and emotional clarity.
The use of magic mushrooms can carry risks and should be approached with caution. The effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable and vary from person to person. There is also a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming poisonous ones, which can result in severe illness or even death. Additionally, magic mushrooms can trigger mental and emotional problems and may have negative interactions with other substances.
