Sarah Brown
Mushrooms containing psilocybin, commonly known as shrooms or magic mushrooms, are mostly illegal in the US. However, they have a wide range of health benefits, including the potential to treat mental and behavioural health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely and can range from euphoria to hallucinations. The length and intensity of each mushroom trip depend on the strength of the mushrooms and the amount consumed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin |
| Effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, perceptual changes |
| Time to onset | 30 minutes when eaten, 5-10 minutes when taken as tea or soup |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Legality | Mostly illegal in the U.S. |
| Potential benefits | Treatment for depression, PTSD, addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders, and other mental illnesses |
| Risks | Poisonous, adverse side effects, bad trips |
| Precautions | Remove from areas accessible to children |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are often toxic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are mostly illegal in the US. However, they are being studied for their potential use as a treatment for some mental and behavioural health conditions. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, a psychedelic drug that can cause hallucinations and distort a person's senses, thinking, sense of time and emotions. The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely, and adverse side effects can range from mild to moderate, sometimes even requiring medical treatment.
Magic mushrooms look similar to ordinary mushrooms, but they are usually brown or tan. They are often consumed dried or powdered, and the effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5-10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea. The length and intensity of each mushroom trip depend on the strength of the mushrooms and the amount consumed.
It is important to note that not all mushrooms containing psilocybin are magic mushrooms. Some are extremely poisonous and can make people violently ill or even kill them. As such, it is essential to be cautious when consuming mushrooms, especially in areas where children are present, to prevent accidental ingestion of poisonous or hallucinogenic mushrooms.
While some people use psilocybin mushrooms as a recreational drug, there is also a growing interest in their potential therapeutic benefits. Research is being conducted to explore psilocybin's ability to treat conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. However, it is important to remember that none of these potential uses have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). More data is needed to confirm the reliability of psilocybin mushrooms as a treatment for these conditions.
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Hallucinations and sensory distortions
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are psychedelic drugs that contain psilocybin and psilocin, substances that can cause hallucinations and sensory distortions. They are typically consumed dried or powdered and can be made into soup or tea. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a drink, and can last approximately four to six hours. The length and intensity of each mushroom trip can vary depending on the strength of the mushrooms and the amount consumed.
Magic mushrooms affect everyone differently, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions, and senses. They can cause visual and auditory hallucinations, making people see or hear things that do not exist or are distorted. These hallucinations can lead to a change in a person's sense of reality, resulting in a perception of reality that is different from what is actually happening.
In addition to hallucinations, magic mushrooms can induce euphoria and sensory distortions similar to those experienced with other hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects can range from mild to moderate, sometimes even requiring medical treatment. It is important to note that the only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not consuming magic mushrooms.
While magic mushrooms are mostly illegal in the United States, there is a new surge of interest in their potential therapeutic benefits. Modern medical research is exploring the use of psilocybin in the treatment of mental and behavioural health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. Some people who use magic mushrooms may be seeking enjoyable, meaningful, or spiritual experiences, or hoping to improve their well-being and self-treat medical disorders.
It is important to exercise caution when it comes to magic mushrooms as they can be easily mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, which can have dangerous and even deadly consequences. It is also difficult to determine the strength of mushrooms, and they may affect individuals differently. As such, it is recommended to remove all mushrooms from areas accessible to children to prevent accidental consumption.
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Potential health benefits
Mushrooms containing psilocybin, commonly known as shrooms or magic mushrooms, are mostly illegal in the United States. However, they have a wide range of potential health benefits that have sparked interest in the scientific community.
Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug that can alter a person's senses, emotions, thinking, and sense of time. It can induce hallucinations and sensory distortions. While these effects are often sought for recreational purposes, psilocybin also has potential therapeutic applications.
Modern medical research is exploring the use of psilocybin as a treatment for various mental and behavioral health conditions. This includes conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is actively supporting research into psilocybin as a potential clinical treatment for substance use disorders and other mental illnesses.
The length and intensity of the effects of magic mushrooms vary depending on the individual, the strength of the mushrooms, and the dosage consumed. The effects typically last approximately four to six hours and can range from euphoria to adverse side effects. It is important to note that the only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not consuming magic mushrooms.
While the potential health benefits of psilocybin mushrooms are promising, more research is needed to confirm their efficacy and safety. As of now, none of these potential uses have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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Therapeutic uses
Mushrooms containing psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic drugs that can induce euphoria and sensory distortion. While they are mostly illegal in the United States, there is a new surge of interest in their therapeutic potential.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use and are found on nearly every continent. They are typically consumed dried or powdered, and the effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea. The length and intensity of each mushroom trip vary depending on the strength of the mushrooms and the amount consumed.
Research is currently exploring the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin mushrooms in treating mental and behavioural health conditions. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is supporting research into psilocybin as a potential clinical treatment for substance use disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders, and other mental illnesses.
The potential health benefits of psilocybin mushrooms have been observed in studies, but larger-scale replication is needed to confirm their efficacy as a reliable treatment for these conditions. According to a 2021 survey, approximately 7% of 7,000 respondents reported using psilocybin mushrooms in the past year, with some hoping to improve their well-being or self-treat medical disorders like depression or anxiety.
While psilocybin mushrooms have shown promise in therapeutic applications, it is important to note that they also carry risks. Adverse side effects can range from mild to moderate, but some individuals may require medical treatment. Additionally, as psilocybin mushrooms closely resemble poisonous mushrooms, it is crucial to exercise caution during consumption to prevent accidental poisoning, especially in environments where children are present.
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Legal status
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin 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, there is ambiguity in the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in many national, state, and provincial drug laws, with selective enforcement in some places.
In the United States, federal law and most states classify psilocybin as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal to possess, sell, or grow. However, some states and cities have made strides toward decriminalization and legalization for specific uses. For example, Oregon voters passed a ballot initiative in 2020 to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize its supervised use for mental health treatment. Colorado has also legalized certain uses, and cities like Denver have deprioritized enforcement of drug laws prohibiting magic mushrooms.
Outside of the United States, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies. Currently, magic mushrooms are legal in Brazil, Bulgaria, Jamaica, the Netherlands, and Samoa. In some jurisdictions, Psilocybe spores are legal to sell and possess because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. However, possessing spores may be considered illegal paraphernalia or evidence of intent to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms in some places.
As research continues to explore the medical and therapeutic benefits of magic mushrooms, the legal landscape surrounding them may evolve. Some researchers have suggested reclassifying magic mushrooms for medical use, and advocacy movements are pushing for decriminalization and legalization in various parts of the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain hallucinogenic drugs called psilocybin or psilocin. They are typically consumed dried or powdered and can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that are not there or are distorted.
No, magic mushrooms are not safe. They can cause a variety of effects, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations. The length and intensity of each mushroom trip can vary, and it's hard to know how strong mushrooms are. Additionally, some mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can make people violently ill or even kill them.
Magic mushrooms are mostly illegal in the United States, but there is ongoing research into their potential therapeutic benefits.
Magic mushrooms look much like ordinary mushrooms. They are typically small and brown or tan. The most common types in Australia are golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps.
