Michael Davis
Magic mushrooms, or mushrooms containing psilocybin, are considered hallucinogens. They are typically eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They can cause hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours. There is a new surge of interest in discovering the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms and psilocybin, including their ability to treat conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are magic mushrooms? | Mushrooms that contain hallucinogens, usually psilocybin and psilocin. |
| How are they consumed? | Eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into tea. |
| Effects | Hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, distorted sense of reality, nausea, anxiety, fear, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and an altered state of consciousness. |
| Negative effects | "Bad trips" or "flashbacks," which can be disturbing and frightening experiences. |
| Safety | No physical withdrawal symptoms or dependence, but mild psychological effects and fatigue may occur. Not recommended for pregnant women or those with heart conditions. |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada and controlled under international law. |
| Research | Ongoing research into therapeutic potential for treating substance use disorders, depression, PTSD, and other mental illnesses. |
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What You'll Learn
What are magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, 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 principal component of magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin to produce psychoactive effects. The effects of psilocybin usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms may be used in whole form, for example, consumption of dried or fresh mushrooms, or may be turned into extracts or food products such as mushroom edibles or mushroom tea. Psilocybin mushrooms occur on all continents, but the majority of species are found in subtropical humid forests. 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 approximately a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on factors such as the user's mood, personality, and expectations. A trip might be mild, leaving a person feeling drowsy or relaxed. However, higher doses or stronger mushrooms can bring on hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. In some cases, the side effects can be severe enough to cause death. There is also a risk of misidentifying mushrooms, as some mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can make people violently ill or even kill them.
There is a new surge of interest in discovering how psilocybin works and its potential to help treat conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. Along with other partners, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is supporting research into psilocybin as a potential clinical treatment for substance use disorders and other mental illnesses.
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How are they consumed?
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are consumed in a variety of ways. They may be eaten raw, cooked, or brewed into a tea. Some people also like to mix them with food to mask their bitter taste, or cover them in chocolate. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last for 4 to 6 hours.
It is important to note that not all mushrooms are safe to consume. Some mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause violent illness or even death. It is difficult to distinguish between hallucinogenic mushrooms and poisonous mushrooms, so it is important to be very cautious when consuming mushrooms.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary depending on the individual, the dosage, and the environment in which they are consumed. Some people experience perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, while others may have a ""bad trip", characterised by fear, paranoia, and panic. It is recommended to consume magic mushrooms in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment to reduce the risk of a bad trip.
In addition, magic mushrooms should not be consumed in combination with certain medications or other drugs, as this can lead to unpredictable and dangerous effects. It is also important to be cautious when consuming mushrooms during pregnancy, as there is no data on the safety of taking psilocybin for pregnant people or developing babies.
Some people practice microdosing with magic mushrooms, which involves taking a very small amount of the hallucinogenic substance, typically 5-10% of a typical recreational dose, so that hallucinogenic effects are not experienced. Microdosing is sometimes done with the hope of improving mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
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What are the effects?
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as dosage, preparation method, personal metabolism, mood, and environment. The active ingredients in magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, are hallucinogens that produce effects similar to LSD. Here are the potential effects of consuming magic mushrooms:
Hallucinations and Altered State of Consciousness
Magic mushrooms can cause visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations, as well as an altered sense of time, place, and reality. Users may experience perceptual changes, such as seeing or hearing things that are not there or are distorted. These hallucinations can be intense and lead to a distorted sense of reality, making activities like driving dangerous.
Emotional and Psychological Effects
The psychological consequences of psilocybin use can include an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, and psychosis, especially with larger doses. Users may experience emotional changes, anxiety, fear, paranoia, nervousness, and hilarity. The environment also plays a role, with a negative environment contributing to a "bad trip" and a comfortable and familiar setting leading to a more pleasant experience.
Physical Effects
Physical effects of consuming magic mushrooms can include nausea, excessive yawning, muscle twitches, increased heart rate, and increased blood pressure. In some cases, users may experience stomach cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea. Delayed headaches may occur after taking magic mushrooms, usually lasting less than a day.
Tolerance and Addiction
Tolerance to the effects of psilocybin develops rapidly, with continued use resulting in little to no effect over time. However, discontinuing use for a week or so can restore normal tolerance levels. Magic mushrooms are considered to have a low risk of addiction, but research in this area is ongoing.
Flashbacks
Some users may experience flashbacks, where they relive a previous mushroom trip, even weeks, months, or years after the drug was last taken. These flashbacks are usually visual distortions that can involve changes in emotions or perception and can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience is recalled.
It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable and may vary widely. While the risk of life-threatening symptoms is rare, there is a potential for dangerous behaviour and injuries. Additionally, there is a risk of poisoning from consuming the wrong types of mushrooms, as hallucinogenic mushrooms can closely resemble poisonous ones.
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Are they addictive?
While magic mushrooms are not considered addictive in the traditional sense, some people may become psychologically dependent on them. This is because the pleasant dissociative state induced by psilocybin can cause feelings of creativity, bliss, and connection. However, physical addiction to magic mushrooms is highly unlikely, and withdrawal symptoms are extraordinarily rare.
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are naturally-occurring fungi that contain the mind-altering substances psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocybin is a classic hallucinogen that has long been known to induce perceptual alterations that can be mind-expanding but also disorienting. The use of magic mushrooms can lead to a series of alterations in mood, sensory perception, and psychological perspective, along with a dissociative trance state leading to the separation of a person from their ego.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup, tea, or brewed into a drink, and can last approximately four to six hours. The effects include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. Some people may experience adverse psychological effects like panic attacks, extreme fear, anxiety, paranoia, and even psychosis, known as a "bad trip".
While magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, people may continue to use them to attain pleasurable feelings associated with their use, which can lead to problematic and compulsive patterns of use. Additionally, repeated use of magic mushrooms can quickly lead to significant tolerance, and people who use mushrooms may also be more likely to struggle with a co-occurring mental health disorder. If you or someone you know is struggling with magic mushroom misuse, it is important to seek professional help and treatment.
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What are the risks?
Consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", comes with several risks. The biggest risk is mistaking a poisonous mushroom for a hallucinogenic one. Poisonous mushrooms can look very similar to hallucinogenic mushrooms, and consuming them can be dangerous and even fatal. Therefore, it is important to be certain about the type of mushroom before consuming it. If you suspect mushroom poisoning, seek immediate medical attention.
Another risk is having a ""bad trip". A bad trip can be frightening and may involve extreme fear, anxiety, panic, paranoia, and hallucinations. It can be influenced by factors such as mental health, setting, quantity consumed, and expectations. Consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms with other drugs, including ice, speed, ecstasy, or psychiatric medications, can increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes.
Hallucinogenic mushrooms can also cause physical side effects such as raising blood pressure and heart rate, which may be dangerous for individuals with heart conditions. Other side effects may include agitation, confusion, vomiting, nausea, and delayed headaches.
Regular use of hallucinogenic mushrooms may lead to tolerance, where the drug has little to no effect over time. Some people who regularly use these mushrooms may experience flashbacks, typically involving visual distortions and changes in emotions or perception. Flashbacks can occur weeks, months, or even years after the last time the drug was taken.
It is important to note that the use of any drug carries risks and can affect individuals differently. While research suggests that hallucinogenic mushrooms may not be addictive, further studies are needed to fully understand their potential risks and benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain hallucinogens, usually the psychoactive substances psilocybin and psilocin. They are often eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely and can include hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. Some people may experience heightened emotions and senses, while others may have terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death.
There is a low risk of addiction to magic mushrooms, and there are no known physical withdrawal symptoms. However, further research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits.
The use of magic mushrooms can lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, and there is a risk of poisoning from misidentifying mushrooms. Magic mushrooms can also cause short-term mental and physical effects, including heightened emotions and senses, nausea, and muscle twitches. In rare cases, taking a large amount of mushrooms can lead to severe side effects and even death.
The sale, possession, and production of magic mushrooms are illegal in some countries, such as Canada, and controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. However, there is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms, with ongoing research and clinical trials exploring their effects on various mental illnesses.
