Michael Davis
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. They are used as recreational drugs and have been reported to induce anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion in some. Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for both spiritual and medicinal purposes by indigenous peoples of America and Europe. They are often eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 15-45 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Natural occurrence | Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. |
| Uses | Magic mushrooms are used as recreational drugs and for spiritual and medicinal purposes. |
| History | Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years by indigenous people in America and Europe. |
| Effects | Magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, heightened emotions and senses, and a distorted sense of reality. |
| Duration | The effects of magic mushrooms typically last for four to six hours. |
| Dosage | The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which varies between species and even within the same species. |
| Legality | Psilocybin and psilocin are controlled substances under international conventions and in various countries, including Canada and the United States. |
| Safety | Magic mushrooms can lead to short-term mental and physical effects, including the possibility of a "'bad trip.'" There is little evidence of physical or psychological dependence, but tolerance can develop with regular use. |
| Therapeutic potential | Researchers have found that psilocybin shows potential in treating depression, addictions, and emotional distress associated with life-threatening illnesses. |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are a natural psychedelic
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a natural psychedelic. They are hallucinogenic and contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects are often mild or moderate. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and psychosis may also occur, particularly with a large dose.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. Psilocybin mushrooms are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi. 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.
Magic mushrooms are usually eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They can also be mixed with food to mask their bitter taste. 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 four to six hours. Perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, are common effects of magic mushroom ingestion.
Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for both spiritual and medicinal purposes among indigenous peoples of America and Europe. They are believed to be sacred herbs that enable people to attain superior spiritual states. In modern times, psilocybin use may be recreational, or it may be used by people seeking a transcendent spiritual experience.
While magic mushrooms are considered a natural psychedelic, it is important to note that they are not a harmless or legal high. They can induce anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion in some individuals. Additionally, regular use may lead to tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs, such as LSD and mescaline, has been observed.
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They are not harmless or legal
While mushrooms are natural, some varieties are not harmless. Magic mushrooms, for instance, are hallucinogenic and can induce anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion. They can also cause perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, and a distorted sense of time. In very rare cases, if someone takes a huge amount of mushrooms, the side effects can be severe enough to cause death.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin in 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. The length and intensity of each "trip" can vary depending on the user's mood, personality, expectations, and dosage. While some trips may be enjoyable, others may lead to terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. There's also no way to end a bad trip until it has run its course, which could take hours.
Some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving a previous trip. These can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. Flashbacks can be triggered by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise, and they can occur without warning, lasting a minute or two.
In addition to the risks associated with their hallucinogenic effects, magic mushrooms can also be physically harmful. Some mushroom species are extremely poisonous and can make people violently ill or even kill them. Poisonous mushrooms can cause stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Accidental ingestion often results in minor gastrointestinal illness, but the most severe cases may require medical attention.
The legal status of magic mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin, the psychoactive compounds found in magic mushrooms, are listed as Schedule I substances under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical use. Possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances in most countries and often carry severe legal penalties. However, there has been ambiguity and selective enforcement regarding the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in some jurisdictions.
While magic mushrooms are illegal in most places, there have been some recent changes in legislation. For example, in Oregon, voters passed a ballot initiative in 2020 that made magic mushrooms legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings. In the same year, 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, in the US state of New Mexico, growing psilocybin mushrooms is not considered "manufacturing" a controlled substance. However, these exceptions are relatively rare, and the cultivation, sale, and possession of magic mushrooms remain illegal in most jurisdictions.
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They can be eaten, brewed into tea, or smoked
Mushrooms are a versatile food with a unique, savoury umami flavour. They can be eaten raw or cooked and are used in a variety of dishes. Mushrooms are also nutritious, providing potassium, vitamin B6, and selenium. Some mushrooms are also a source of vitamin D.
Mushrooms can be eaten in many ways. They can be sliced and added to a salad, sautéed with onions, grilled, or stuffed with vegetables or stuffing. They can also be added to ground beef or turkey, stir-fried vegetables, scrambled eggs, pizza toppings, tacos, tomato sauce, or marinated in oil, vinegar, and spices.
Mushrooms can also be brewed into tea. Chaga mushroom tea is popular in Russia and the Baltic countries, where it is believed to have health benefits, such as boosting the immune system and reducing cholesterol. Chaga mushrooms are commonly found in North America and Europe, growing on the bark of birch trees. They are black on the outside and orange on the inside and have a mild flavour with a hint of vanilla. To make chaga tea, the mushrooms are ground into a powder and steeped in boiling water.
Mushrooms can also be smoked, although this is not recommended due to the health risks associated with smoking. Smoking mushrooms may not produce the desired psychedelic effects, as psilocybin, the compound responsible for these effects, breaks down at high temperatures. There are also additional risks associated with smoking mushrooms, such as the inhalation of mould spores, which can increase the risk of lung inflammation and infections.
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They can induce anxiety, paranoia, and ''bad trips'
Mushrooms are indeed natural and have been used by humans for various purposes throughout history, including as a food source and for their medicinal properties. However, when it comes to their impact on mental health, there are some potential risks to be aware of, especially when using mushrooms recreationally or outside of a controlled medical context.
One of the most well-known risks associated with mushroom use is the potential for negative psychological effects, including anxiety, paranoia, and bad trips. These experiences can vary widely in intensity and duration and may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the type of mushroom consumed, the dosage, the individual's mental state, and the environment in which the mushrooms are ingested. While some people may experience mild anxiety or paranoia, others may have more severe reactions, including hallucinations, delusions, or a complete loss of touch with reality.
The active compound in mushrooms that leads to these psychological effects is psilocybin, which is a hallucinogenic substance. When psilocybin is ingested, it can disrupt the normal functioning of serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered perceptions, emotions, and thoughts. While many people may experience positive and pleasurable effects, such as heightened sensory perception and a sense of euphoria, others may find themselves unable to distinguish between fantasy and reality, leading to anxiety and paranoia.
A "bad trip" is a common term used to describe a particularly negative psychedelic experience, characterized by feelings of intense fear, anxiety, and detachment from reality. During a bad trip, an individual may experience paranoia, panic attacks, distorted perceptions, and a loss of self-control. These experiences can be extremely frightening and may lead to risky behavior, self-harm, or even violent episodes. In some cases, the negative effects of a bad trip can persist even after the immediate effects of the mushrooms have worn off, leading to long-term anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
It is important to approach mushroom use with caution and to be aware of the potential risks involved. If you are considering using mushrooms, it is advisable to do so under the supervision of a trained professional, in a safe and controlled environment, and with a supportive group of people who can provide emotional support and guidance throughout the experience. Additionally, individuals with a personal or family history of mental health issues should exercise extreme caution, as psychedelic substances can sometimes trigger underlying conditions or exacerbate existing symptoms.
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They have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and medicinal purposes
Mushrooms are natural and have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and medicinal purposes. They have been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, and are also represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas. The use of psychoactive mushrooms may have begun with Homo sapien ancestors, including hominids of the Pliocene epoch. There is also evidence of their use in prehistoric 6000 to 8000-year-old rock drawings found in Spain and the Saharan mountains, indicating that ancient peoples had knowledge of the psychoactive effects of psychedelic mushrooms.
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are hallucinogenic drugs that can cause people to see, hear, and feel sensations that seem real but are not. They have been used for spiritual and medicinal purposes for thousands of years by the indigenous people of America and Europe. They have a long history of being associated with spiritual experiences, self-discovery, and superior spiritual states.
Psilocybin mushrooms are also used as recreational drugs and have been reported to induce anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion in some. They can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The use of magic mushrooms can affect everyone differently and can result in a ''bad trip'.
Medicinal mushrooms have been used in Eastern medicine for thousands of years due to their long list of health advantages. They are believed to have brain-boosting, cholesterol-lowering, blood sugar-lowering, hormonal balancing, immune-stimulating, stress-relieving, and antioxidant effects. They are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients that are hard to find elsewhere in nature.
Modern science has recently begun to rediscover the medicinal properties of mushrooms, which were known to our ancestors thousands of years ago. Researchers at Johns Hopkins found that psilocybin was an effective treatment for depression and nicotine and alcohol addictions, as well as for relieving the emotional distress of people with life-threatening cancer diagnoses.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushrooms are natural. There are over 200 species of mushrooms that occur on all continents, with the majority of species found in subtropical humid forests.
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of mushroom that contains the psychoactive substances psilocybin and psilocin. They are often consumed for recreational purposes and can induce hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness.
The use of magic mushrooms can carry risks and may lead to short-term mental and physical effects, such as heightened emotions and senses. In some cases, it may also cause anxiety, paranoia, and frightening hallucinations. However, there is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on them.
Researchers have found that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, can be effective in treating depression, nicotine and alcohol addictions, and other substance use disorders. It has also been shown to relieve emotional distress in people with life-threatening cancer diagnoses.
Magic mushrooms are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. While they may be illegal in some places, there is a growing movement to decriminalize them, and they are being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits.
