Mushrooms: A Hardcore Drug Or Not?

are mushrooms are hardcore drug

Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of psychedelic drug. They contain the psychoactive substances psilocybin and psilocin, which are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. While some consider mushrooms to be a soft drug, the classification of drugs as hard or soft is arbitrary and has no clear criteria, scientific basis, or universal definition. In general, soft drugs are considered less harmful and less addictive than hard drugs, but this is not always the case. While magic mushrooms are not known to be physically or psychologically addictive, they can cause short-term mental and physical effects, such as hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness. They should not be injected intravenously, as this can lead to serious health risks, including septic shock and multi-system organ failure.

Characteristics Values
Classification Soft drug
Active Ingredients Psilocybin, Psilocin
Effects Hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, distorted sense of reality, vivid visions, altered state of consciousness
Potential Therapeutic Uses Treatment for anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, problematic substance use
Risks Hallucinogen-related substance use disorder, poisoning from consuming toxic or poisonous mushrooms

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Magic mushrooms are classified as soft drugs

The classification of drugs as "hard" or "soft" is based on public opinion rather than clear criteria or scientific basis. Soft drugs are generally considered less harmful than hard drugs, producing little to no physical or mental damage. While soft drugs are perceived as less addictive, that is not always the case, as some soft drugs can lead to serious health problems with prolonged use.

Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are classified as soft drugs. They are hallucinogens that can distort a person's sense of reality, leading them to see, hear, and feel things that are not happening in real life. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, but typically include hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, and a distorted sense of reality. The effects usually begin within 15-45 minutes when ingested and can last for approximately four to six hours.

Magic mushrooms have a low level of toxicity, which means there is a low potential for fatal events such as breathing problems or a heart attack. However, there are still health risks associated with unsupervised use, and it is possible to have a negative experience, known as a ""bad trip," which can include extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia. The main risk of taking magic mushrooms is misidentifying them as poisonous mushrooms, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening.

In some countries, such as Canada, activities involving magic mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorized by the government. Despite the illegal status in some places, there is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms, particularly in treating mental health disorders.

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They are hallucinogens with the potential to alter reality

The categorization of drugs as "hard" or "soft" is based on public opinion and has no clear criteria, scientific basis, or definition. Soft drugs are generally considered less harmful than hard drugs, producing little to no physical or mental damage, and are often seen as more socially acceptable and legal. Hard drugs, on the other hand, are believed to be more toxic, addictive, and dangerous. However, this distinction is not always accurate, as some soft drugs can lead to serious health issues, and even be addictive.

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms," are classified as soft drugs. They contain the active ingredients psilocybin and psilocin, which are hallucinogens with the potential to alter reality. These substances are controlled internationally and are illegal in many places, including Canada, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).

When consumed, magic mushrooms can induce hallucinations and distort an individual's sense of reality, leading them to see, hear, and feel things that are not present in the physical world. They can also cause heightened emotions and senses, resulting in laughter, a sense of mental clarity, and a distorted perception of reality, such as seeing music or hearing colors. The effects of magic mushrooms typically appear within 15-45 minutes and can last for four to six hours.

While magic mushrooms are not considered to be highly addictive, it is possible to develop a hallucinogen-related substance use disorder with regular use. Tolerance to the effects of magic mushrooms can also develop over several consecutive days of use, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects. Additionally, there have been reports of serious health complications associated with intravenous injection of mushrooms, including septic shock and multi-system organ failure.

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They are not considered physically or psychologically addictive

The categorization of drugs as "hard" or "soft" is based on public opinion rather than clear criteria. Hard drugs are considered more toxic and addictive, and soft drugs are perceived as less harmful and less addictive. However, these categorizations do not have a scientific basis, and all drugs can cause severe physical and mental harm.

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are generally classified as soft drugs. They are hallucinogens that can cause hallucinations and distort a person's sense of reality. While they are considered psychoactive substances and are controlled internationally, they are not considered physically or psychologically addictive. There is little evidence that people can become dependent on magic mushrooms, and they are even being researched for their potential therapeutic uses in treating various mental health disorders.

Although magic mushrooms are not considered physically or psychologically addictive, it is possible to develop a tolerance to their effects with regular use. This means that even high amounts of the drug may no longer produce the desired effect. Additionally, it is important to distinguish magic mushrooms from other mushrooms in nature, as consuming the wrong type of mushroom can be toxic and harmful.

While the effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, they typically include heightened emotions and senses, laughter, and a sense of mental and emotional clarity. They may also cause hallucinations and distort a person's perception of reality, leading them to see or hear things that are not there or mix up their senses. These effects usually appear within 15 to 45 minutes and can last for four to six hours.

In summary, psilocybin mushrooms are not considered physically or psychologically addictive. However, it is important to approach them with caution due to their hallucinogenic effects and potential for adverse reactions if consumed incorrectly or in combination with other substances.

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They are illegal in Canada and the United States

Psilocybin mushrooms, often referred to as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", are considered soft drugs. Soft drugs are generally considered less harmful than hard drugs and are perceived as less physically and mentally addictive. However, the categorization of drugs as soft or hard is arbitrary and has no clear criteria, scientific basis, or dramatic impact. While soft drugs are considered less hazardous to health than hard drugs, they are not harmless and can lead to serious health problems.

In Canada, the production, sale, and possession of magic mushrooms are illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). The CDSA classifies drugs based on their potential for abuse and whether they have recognized medical uses. Psilocybin and psilocin, the active ingredients in 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 recognized medical uses. However, magic mushrooms have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in various cultures throughout history and may have therapeutic benefits for treating mental health disorders. While there is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic uses of magic mushrooms, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin in Canada or elsewhere.

In the United States, the legal status of magic mushrooms varies by state. Psilocybin and psilocin were first subjected to federal regulation by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965, which was an amendment to the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This law intended to regulate the unlicensed possession, manufacture, or sale of hallucinogenic drugs. While the federal government considers psychedelics illegal under the Controlled Substances Act, some states have moved to legalize or decriminalize psychedelics for medical purposes or therapeutic use. For example, the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, which allows for the possession and non-profit gifting or distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. Additionally, there is a pending bill in the California State Legislature that would legalize the possession, obtaining, giving away, or transportation of specified quantities of psilocybin.

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There is interest in their therapeutic potential

While psilocybin mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are considered a soft drug, there is growing interest in their therapeutic potential. In fact, mushrooms have been used for centuries as sacraments within indigenous cultures. In the mid-20th century, they were a focus within psychiatry as probes of brain function and experimental therapeutics. However, by the late 1960s and early 1970s, scientific inquiries fell out of favour due to their association with the emerging counterculture.

Today, mushrooms are among the most commonly used integrative, complementary, and alternative therapies, especially in oncology. This is especially true in Asian countries, where mycotherapy has ancient and deep-rooted origins. In Western areas, the application of mushrooms in medical therapies is still rather limited, especially in conventional medical institutions.

The medicinal properties of mushrooms are due to the numerous and diverse secondary compounds and metabolites present in their structures, which can act in a synergistic or non-synergistic manner on various biological functions of the human organism. These compounds exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antiallergic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, cytotoxic, immunomodulating, antidepressive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, digestive, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, osteoprotective, and hypotensive activities.

Many clinical investigations have shown promising results, underlining the potential of mushrooms in therapeutic applications. For example, an extract of Agaricus blazei Murrill Kyowa, known for its antimutagenic and antitumor properties, was used in a randomised clinical trial of 100 patients suffering from various gynecological cancers and receiving chemotherapy. The treated group showed increased NK cell activity and a reduction in chemotherapy-related side effects.

In addition, psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been found to be effective in treating cluster headaches, which can be severe and debilitating. Three controlled trials have also suggested that psilocybin may decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety in the context of cancer-related psychiatric distress for at least 6 months. However, it is important to note that psilocybin and other classic psychedelics can cause psychologically overwhelming anxious, fearful, and confused reactions that can potentially lead to dangerous behaviour in unmonitored settings.

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Frequently asked questions

Whether or not a drug is considered "hardcore" is largely based on public opinion, and the term "hardcore drug" is used to describe drugs that are more toxic, addictive, and dangerous. While there is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on magic mushrooms, they are hallucinogens that can distort a person's sense of reality and cause hallucinations. They are also controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. Therefore, some people may consider magic mushrooms to be a hardcore drug, while others may not.

The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person. They can cause heightened emotions and senses, and people may feel happy and creative, laugh or giggle a lot, and experience a sense of mental and emotional clarity. They can also cause hallucinations and distort a person's sense of reality, leading them to see, hear, and feel things that are not happening in real life.

In Canada, activities involving magic mushrooms, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorized by Health Canada. Psilocybin and psilocin, the active ingredients in magic mushrooms, are also controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions.

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