Michael Davis
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms vary from person to person and can include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and are currently one of the most widely used psychedelic drugs, with ongoing research into their potential therapeutic uses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, Shrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, Euphoria, Muscle weakness, Relaxation, Drowsiness, Lack of coordination, Distorted sense of time, place and reality, Mystical experience, Nausea, Excessive yawning, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Increased blood pressure and heart rate |
| Use | Recreational, Therapeutic, Religious |
| Legality | Varies from country to country. Controlled under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. Illegal in Australia and Canada unless authorized by Health Canada. First decriminalized for therapeutic use in Oregon, USA in 2020. Legalized for personal consumption, growing and sharing in Colorado, USA in 2022. |
| Risks | Poisoning from toxic mushrooms or toxic adulterants, Flashbacks, Bad trips, Psychosis, Suicidality |
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Legality
The legality of psychedelic mushrooms varies across the world. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which requires its members to prohibit their use outside of medical and scientific research under strict control. However, the convention did not specifically include psychedelic mushrooms due to pressure from the Mexican government, creating ambiguity in the legal status of these mushrooms in many countries.
Global Legality
At the global level, the possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances, attracting severe legal penalties. However, some jurisdictions allow the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores since they do not contain the drugs themselves. Examples include the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
In the United States, psilocybin and psilocybin mushrooms are federally classified as Schedule I controlled substances, considered to have "no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." While federal law prohibits the use, sale, and possession of psilocybin, several states and cities have enacted their own laws and policies to decriminalize or deprioritize enforcement for psychedelic mushrooms. For instance, Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the US to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in 2019, followed by Oregon, which became the first state to decriminalize and legalize supervised non-medical use in 2020. Other states, such as California, Michigan, and Massachusetts, have also made moves toward decriminalization or stopped enforcement against possession.
Outside of North America, the legality of psychedelic mushrooms varies. Jamaica is known for its lack of laws surrounding psilocybin, and in Nepal, psilocybin is not explicitly mentioned in the country's Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act. Switzerland has an exceptional use program in place, allowing legal psychedelic therapy upon official request. In 2022, the Canadian province of Alberta announced plans to regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. Australia approved psilocybin for prescription medications for treating PTSD and treatment-resistant depression in February 2023.
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Therapeutic uses
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. When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the liver into psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically appear around 20 minutes to an hour after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours.
While psilocybin mushrooms are primarily known for their hallucinogenic and recreational use, there is growing interest in their therapeutic potential, particularly in the mental health field. Here are some key therapeutic uses of psilocybin mushrooms:
- Treatment-resistant depression: Psilocybin therapy has shown promising results in treating major depressive episodes, even in cases where traditional treatments have failed. Studies have found that psilocybin can improve symptoms of depression and increase "openness," which includes sensitivity, imagination, and appreciation for diverse values and viewpoints.
- Anxiety disorders: Psilocybin has been found to reduce fear and anxiety, particularly in individuals with terminal cancer. It is believed that psilocybin's ability to increase neuroplasticity, or the brain's capacity to form new connections, contributes to its anxiolytic effects.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Psilocybin-assisted therapy has been explored as a potential treatment for PTSD. The altered state of consciousness induced by psilocybin may help individuals process traumatic experiences and alleviate symptoms associated with PTSD.
- Substance use disorders: There is increasing interest in using psilocybin to treat addictions, including alcohol use disorder, tobacco addiction, and other substance use disorders. Some studies suggest that psilocybin may help reduce cravings and promote smoking cessation.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Psilocybin has been found to improve symptoms of OCD, which may be related to its ability to increase neuroplasticity and help individuals break free from obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours.
It is important to note that while psilocybin mushrooms have therapeutic potential, they should be used under professional supervision in a controlled setting to minimise the risk of adverse effects. Additionally, the legality of psilocybin mushrooms and their therapeutic use varies across different jurisdictions, and it is essential to adhere to local regulations.
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Hallucinogenic effects
Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver and converted into psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects. These mushrooms have been used in various cultures and locations across the world, potentially as far back as 8,000 years ago.
The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion and can last between four and six hours. The quantity consumed, past experiences, and expectations of how the experience will unfold can all influence an individual's reaction to psilocybin.
The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations, an altered perception of time and space, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia may also be experienced, known as a "'bad trip." It is worth noting that the environment in which psilocybin is consumed also plays a significant role in the experience. A negative environment can contribute to a bad trip, while a comfortable and familiar setting can enhance the likelihood of a pleasant experience.
In terms of physical effects, some people experience nausea, excessive yawning, and gastrointestinal issues such as stomach cramps and diarrhea. Additionally, psilocybin can cause muscular relaxation, dilated pupils, and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
While psilocybin mushrooms are mostly illegal in the United States, ongoing research highlights their potential therapeutic benefits in treating substance use disorders, aiding smoking cessation, and improving mental and behavioral health conditions. Microdosing, or consuming very low doses, has gained popularity as a way to potentially alleviate symptoms of depression and other mental health issues without experiencing full hallucinogenic effects.
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Flashbacks
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, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms come from psilocybin and psilocin. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation. The resulting compound is psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects.
While the exact long-term effects of mushrooms are unpredictable and largely unknown, there is some evidence to suggest that small doses of psilocybin could be used in mental health or substance use treatment. However, adverse physical effects are sometimes believed to be connected to underlying psychological disorders that were present before taking the drug. Some researchers also suggest that long-term health issues from psilocybin result from multiple doses and use with other substances at the same time.
Some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving a previous magic mushroom experience. These flashbacks are usually visual distortions that involve changes in emotions or perception. They can happen weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken, and they can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. Flashbacks can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise and usually last a minute or two.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders includes diagnostic criteria for what later became known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), the clinical term for seeing weird, trippy things like geometric hallucinations, flashes of colour, afterimages, and false perceptions of movement after taking psychedelics. To be considered a candidate for HPPD, the type of visual phenomena that occurs during an acid trip must spontaneously reappear "long after the use of hallucinogens has stopped," cause significant distress, and not be explainable by any other mental disorder or medical condition.
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Risks and side effects
While the use of magic mushrooms has been advocated for its potential health benefits, there are risks and side effects associated with their consumption. Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs that contain psilocybin, a hallucinogenic chemical. When ingested, psilocybin affects the brain by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in regions such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which influence mood, cognition, and perception. This results in altered senses, thoughts, emotions, and perception of time and reality.
One of the primary risks associated with magic mushrooms is the potential for a "bad trip". This involves experiencing extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia during the hallucinogenic effects. The likelihood of a bad trip may be influenced by factors such as dosage, mood, previous encounters with psychedelics, expectations, and the environment in which the drug is consumed. It is important to note that the only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by abstaining from consuming magic mushrooms.
Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms, as magic mushrooms closely resemble some types of poisonous mushrooms. Consuming toxic mushrooms can lead to severe illness or even death. Commercial products marketed as containing psilocybin have also been found to contain harmful substances. Furthermore, regular and long-term use of magic mushrooms can lead to tolerance, where higher doses are required to achieve the desired effects. Cross-tolerance with other drugs, such as LSD and mescaline, has also been observed.
The consumption of magic mushrooms can also lead to unpleasant physical side effects, including nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart rate, and delayed headaches. In rare cases, extremely high doses of mushrooms can result in severe side effects and even death. Moreover, magic mushrooms can cause flashbacks, where individuals unexpectedly relive parts of their drug trip, which may occur days or months later.
It is important to note that the use of magic mushrooms may elevate the risk of serious side effects when combined with other substances, such as cannabis, amphetamines, or alcohol. Individuals with pre-existing psychiatric or cardiac conditions may also face an increased risk of adverse events. While the risk of addiction is considered low, there is limited data on the safety of consuming magic mushrooms during pregnancy. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider before consuming any drug, especially during pregnancy or when managing existing medical conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain the psychedelic chemicals psilocybin and psilocin. They are also known as shrooms.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person. They typically cause hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, and changes in sensory perception and thought patterns. Other potential effects include euphoria, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
There is a risk of adverse side effects, including disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, paranoia, and nausea. There is also a risk of accidental poisoning from misidentifying mushrooms, as many poisonous mushrooms look similar to magic mushrooms. In addition, magic mushrooms can increase the risk of a bad trip, especially when combined with other drugs or in individuals with pre-existing psychiatric conditions.
There is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on magic mushrooms. However, regular use may lead to tolerance, where higher doses are required to achieve the same effects.
Magic mushrooms are illegal in most parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, there is ongoing advocacy to decriminalize their use due to their potential therapeutic benefits. Some cities in the United States have already decriminalized the possession of small amounts of magic mushrooms for personal use.
