Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms are fungi that contain hallucinogenic compounds, most commonly psilocybin and psilocin. They are considered psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and while they are currently illegal in many places, there is ongoing research into their potential therapeutic benefits for treating conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders.
| 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, mystical experience, flashbacks, heightened creativity, lucid awareness, minimal effects on memory, changes in personality |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Administration | Eaten fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, dried, powdered |
| History | Used by indigenous people in Central America for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 B.C. |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) and internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. |
| Risks | Poisoning, toxic chemicals, bad trips, heightened risk when combined with alcohol and other drugs, seizures |
| Therapeutic potential | Treatment of depression, PTSD, addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders, compulsive disorders, substance use disorders |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, 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 a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Magic mushrooms are considered hallucinogenic due to their ability to induce hallucinations and alter one's state of consciousness. They can cause perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, where individuals see or hear things that are not present or are distorted. The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin within 30 minutes when eaten or 5-10 minutes when consumed as tea, lasting for approximately four to six hours. The duration and intensity of the hallucinogenic experience can vary depending on the dosage and individual factors.
The hallucinogenic effects of magic mushrooms are attributed to the presence of psilocybin and psilocin, which are classified as psychoactive substances. Psilocybin is the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, and when ingested, it is converted by the body into psilocin, which possesses the psychoactive properties responsible for the hallucinations and altered state of consciousness.
In addition to hallucinations, magic mushrooms can induce heightened emotions, an altered sense of reality, and a distorted perception of time and senses. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use can include an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, and psychosis, particularly at higher doses. It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and factors such as mood, environment, and previous encounters with psychedelic drugs can influence the overall experience.
While magic mushrooms have been associated with hallucinogenic and psychoactive effects, there is also growing interest in their potential therapeutic benefits. Recent studies have explored the use of psilocybin in treating various psychiatric disorders, including chronic depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and drug or alcohol dependency. However, it is crucial to approach the consumption of magic mushrooms with caution, as they can pose risks, including negative experiences or "bad trips," and in rare cases, fatal events due to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis.
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The effects of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms are classified as a hallucinogen and a psychedelic drug. They are often referred to as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, philosopher's stones, liberties, amani, and agaric. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted to psilocin in the body. Psilocybin is believed to influence serotonin in the brain, leading to altered and unusual perceptions. It binds to and activates serotonin receptors in parts of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which affect mood, cognition, and perception.
While magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction and a low level of toxicity, accidental ingestion of certain types of mushrooms can result in minor gastrointestinal illness, and in severe cases, may require medical attention. It is important to note that the only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by refraining from consuming magic mushrooms.
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The risks of taking magic mushrooms
Psychedelic mushrooms, often referred to as 'magic mushrooms', are a type of fungus that contains the psychoactive compound psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin can induce a range of effects, including hallucinations, altered perception, and changes in mood and thought patterns. While some people may view mushroom use as a harmless recreational activity or even a path to spiritual enlightenment, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and dangers associated with their consumption.
One of the primary risks of taking magic mushrooms is the unpredictability of the experience. The effects of psilocybin can be highly variable and depend on a number of factors, including the user's personality, mood, surroundings, and the dosage ingested. While some users may experience pleasant and life-affirming 'trips', others may endure deeply disturbing and uncomfortable experiences. 'Bad trips' can include feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and panic, and in extreme cases, can lead to psychotic episodes and even hallucinations that persist long after the drug has worn off.
Physical health risks are also associated with mushroom use. While it is rare for a person to overdose and die solely from ingesting magic mushrooms, there are still dangers. Psilocybin can negatively interact with other drugs or medications, leading to dangerous side effects. Additionally, as mushrooms are typically foraged rather than cultivated, there is a risk of misidentification, and consuming the wrong type of mushroom can result in poisoning or even death.
Magic mushrooms can also have negative long-term effects on mental health, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions or a family history of mental illness. Psilocybin use has been linked to the onset or exacerbation of psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. In some cases, mushroom use can trigger latent mental health issues that may have otherwise remained dormant, and for those with pre-existing conditions, it can worsen symptoms and hinder recovery.
Regular and prolonged use of magic mushrooms can lead to the development of tolerance and dependence. With repeated use, higher doses may be required to achieve the desired effects, which can increase the risk of negative experiences and adverse health effects. Psychological dependence can also occur, where an individual feels that they need the drug to cope with life or to achieve a sense of happiness or fulfillment.
Finally, it is important to consider the legal implications of magic mushroom use. In most countries, psilocybin mushrooms are illegal, and possession, cultivation, and distribution can result in criminal charges and penalties. Aside from the legal consequences, the illegal status of magic mushrooms also means that their quality, potency, and safety cannot be regulated, increasing the potential risks to the user.
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The legality of magic mushrooms
Many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms. For example, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Japanese Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law. In the United States, psilocybin and psilocin were first subjected to federal regulation by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965, and they are classified as Schedule I controlled substances. While the possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances in most places, there is ambiguity in the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms, and a strong element of selective enforcement in some areas.
In some jurisdictions, psilocybin mushroom spores are legal to possess and sell because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. However, a few jurisdictions, including Germany and some US states, have specifically prohibited the sale and possession of these spores. Cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is often considered drug manufacture and severely penalised, though some countries and one US state (New Mexico) have ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms does not constitute manufacturing a controlled substance.
There have been recent moves to decriminalise psilocybin mushrooms in some parts of the United States. In 2020, Oregon became the first US state to decriminalise psilocybin and legalise its supervised non-medical use. The District of Columbia, Washtenaw County in Michigan, and several cities in California and Massachusetts have also decriminalised psilocybin mushrooms. In 2022, Colorado followed suit with a similar measure, and in 2025 the state issued the first sets of licenses for medical-assisted use. However, it is important to note that the commercial sale of psilocybin remains illegal in most places.
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The history of magic mushrooms
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. This 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.
There is evidence to suggest that magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years. 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. There is also possibly mushroom-themed art from North Africa from 7,000 years ago and toadstool cave paintings dated to 4,000 BCE in Spain.
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. Mushroom stones and motifs have been found in Guatemala. A statuette dating from c. 200 CE depicting a mushroom strongly resembling Psilocybe mexicana was found in the west Mexican state of Colima in a shaft and chamber tomb. 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.
In the 1800s, isolated incidents of accidental magic mushroom consumption in Western Europe were documented by mycologists. In 1957, R. Gordon Wasson, a successful banker and big fan of magic mushrooms, was travelling through Mexico and learned more about the drug. In Oaxaca, he found himself in a Mazatec ceremony, conducted by a shaman, featuring magic mushrooms. He enlisted the help of Swiss scientist Albert Hoffman, who was the first person to extract psilocybin from the mushrooms. Hoffman designated the chemical as the reason 'shrooms make people feel a little whacky. In 1960, Timothy Leary, a counterculture and psychedelia icon, read an article on magic mushrooms and started distributing psychedelics throughout the US at the height of the hippie movement. In 1970, magic mushrooms were officially made illegal in America, but people continued to use them. In 1976, writer and ethnobotanist Terence McKenna released a book called "Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide", in which he said that growing 'shrooms is "only slightly more complicated than canning or making jelly".
In 2018, researchers at Johns Hopkins University confirmed that magic mushrooms can be used medicinally to treat things like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. That year, Denver, Colorado, decriminalized magic mushrooms, followed by Oakland, California, which decriminalized all psychedelic plants and fungi.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are fungi that contain hallucinogenic compounds, most commonly psilocybin and psilocin. They are also known as shrooms.
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.
Magic mushrooms alter a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions. They can cause hallucinations, perceptual changes, and an altered state of consciousness. The effects can be unpredictable and vary from person to person, ranging from mild feelings of relaxation to frightening hallucinations and delusions.
The use of magic mushrooms can carry risks and should be approached with caution. They can cause negative experiences or "bad trips", heightened emotions, and in rare cases, life-threatening symptoms. There is also a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming poisonous ones.
The legality of magic mushrooms varies by region. In Canada, for example, activities with magic mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin are illegal unless authorized by Health Canada. However, there is ongoing research into the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, and some have called for its reclassification to allow for medical use.
