John Miller
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, which can include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality, are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users. Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and are currently being studied for their therapeutic potential in treating substance use disorders and other mental illnesses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, panic, paranoia, muscular relaxation, dilated pupils, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, lack of coordination, hilarity, lack of concentration |
| Duration of effects | 4–6 hours |
| Onset of effects | 15–45 minutes |
| Legality | Illegal in Australia, Canada, and the UK. In the US, it is illegal to possess, use, sell, or drive under the influence of magic mushrooms. |
| Therapeutic uses | Potential to treat substance use disorders, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) |
| Risks | Misidentification of mushrooms, toxic chemicals in commercial products, negative experiences or "bad trips", flashbacks, psychosis, increased risk of mental health issues |
| Forms | Fresh or dried mushrooms, extracts, edibles, tea, powder |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. This turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. 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 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. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Physical effects may also occur, including nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
The strength of magic mushrooms varies depending on their freshness, the season, and where they grow. It is very difficult to predict their strength. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and the strength of the experience can depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. The experience, or "trip," is strongly dependent upon set and setting. A negative environment can contribute to a bad trip, whereas a comfortable and familiar environment can set the stage for a pleasant experience. Psychedelics make experiences more intense, so if a person enters a trip in an anxious state of mind, they will likely experience heightened anxiety.
Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and are currently being studied for their therapeutic potential. Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin, given in a therapeutic setting, can make dramatic and long-lasting changes in people suffering from treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. However, it is important to note that magic mushrooms are not without risks. There is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming a toxic mushroom instead of one containing psilocybin. Additionally, the production, sale, and possession of magic mushrooms are illegal in some countries, such as Canada and Australia.
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The effects of psilocybin mushrooms
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 are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users. However, there are some common effects that have been reported.
Psilocybin mushrooms can cause hallucinations, distorted sights and sounds, and a loss of sense of time and space. People who take psilocybin may also experience intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror and may have physical side effects such as nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, increased heart rate, and lack of coordination. As with other psychedelics such as LSD, the experience or ""trip" can be heavily influenced by the user's mindset and environment. A comfortable and familiar environment can contribute to a pleasant experience, while a negative environment can lead to a bad trip.
While psilocybin mushrooms are not known to cause physical or psychological dependence, there are some risks associated with their consumption. Accidental poisoning can occur if poisonous mushrooms are mistaken for magic mushrooms. Additionally, some people may experience persistent, distressing alterations in their perception, such as flashbacks or traumatic recalls of intense experiences. Regular use of psilocybin mushrooms may also lead to tolerance, and combining them with other drugs can have unpredictable and dangerous consequences.
Despite the risks, there is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin mushrooms, particularly in the treatment of mental health disorders such as substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Clinical trials are ongoing to explore the potential benefits and risks of using psilocybin as a treatment option.
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The legality of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches, accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users.
In the United States, psilocybin is federally classified as a Schedule I controlled substance with "no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." While federal law prohibits the use, sale, and possession of psilocybin, there have been efforts to decriminalize and legalize its use at the state and local levels. For example, Oregon voters passed a ballot measure in 2020 to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize its supervised non-medical use. Other jurisdictions in the United States, such as Denver, Colorado, Oakland, California, and Santa Cruz, California, have also taken steps towards decriminalization. However, it is important to note that the legal landscape in the United States regarding psilocybin is complex and subject to change.
In Canada, magic mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin are regulated by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), and activities such as sale, possession, and production are illegal unless authorized by Health Canada. Similarly, in Australia, federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, or selling magic mushrooms.
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The history of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin-containing mushrooms, have a long and intriguing history that dates back thousands of years. Some of the earliest evidence of their use can be found in prehistoric rock art and cave paintings from around 9000 to 7000 BCE in North Africa, Europe, and Spain. These ancient artworks often depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformative effects they had on those who ingested them.
One notable example of prehistoric rock art suggesting mushroom use is found near Villar del Humo in Spain, indicating that Psilocybe hispanica was employed in religious rituals approximately 6,000 years ago. Additionally, there is archaeological evidence from Australia suggesting mushroom consumption 10,000 years ago, as well as cave paintings in Tassili, Algeria, and toadstool paintings in Spain dated to around 7,000 years ago.
Moving forward in time, magic mushrooms played a significant role in the rituals and spiritual practices of indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica and Central America. The native peoples of Mesoamerica, including the Aztecs and Mayans, utilised hallucinogenic mushroom species from the Psilocybe genus for religious communion, divination, and healing purposes. This use is evident in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs found throughout the Americas. A notable example is a statuette discovered in Colima, Mexico, dating to around 200 CE, which depicts a mushroom resembling Psilocybe mexicana.
In more recent history, magic mushrooms were introduced to the United States in the 20th century by a banker named Gordon Wasson, who participated in a mushroom ceremony in Oaxaca, Mexico. Wasson, along with his wife, became enthusiastic advocates of the effects of magic mushrooms, sharing their experiences with others despite promising the shaman they would keep the experience confidential. Timothy Leary, a counterculture and psychedelia icon, also played a significant role in popularising magic mushrooms in the US during the height of the hippie movement in the 1960s.
Despite their long history and potential medicinal benefits, magic mushrooms have faced legal challenges. In 1970, they were made illegal in the United States, but that did not stop their use. In recent years, there has been a push for decriminalisation, with cities like Denver, Colorado, and Oakland, California, leading the way by decriminalising magic mushrooms and other psychedelic plants and fungi. Additionally, research at Johns Hopkins University in 2018 confirmed the medicinal potential of magic mushrooms in treating conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
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The potential therapeutic uses of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. While the use of magic mushrooms is illegal in many places, there is increasing interest in their potential therapeutic uses.
Psilocybin has been shown in research to have the potential to treat a range of psychiatric and behavioural disorders, including depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. A 2023 study found that adults who took a single 25-milligram dose of psilocybin alongside psychological support experienced a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to adults who took a placebo. Another review from 2024 suggests that psilocybin may have both short-term and long-term antidepressant effects.
Psilocybin may also be useful in treating addiction and cancer-related psychiatric disorders. Research has shown that it does not cause physical or psychological dependence, and it may be particularly effective in helping to manage alcohol addiction.
The effects of psilocybin are highly dependent on the user's state of mind and the environment in which the drug is taken. Feelings of stress or anxiety before using magic mushrooms may result in a "bad trip". However, when taken in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment with trusted friends, magic mushrooms can contribute to a pleasant experience.
While the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms is promising, more research is needed to prove their safety and efficacy. Clinical trials are necessary to advance research and protect the health and safety of patients.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and depend on factors such as dose, type of mushroom, mood, and environment. Common effects include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches. The effects typically appear within 15-45 minutes and can last up to 6 hours.
Magic mushrooms are not known to cause physical or psychological dependence (addiction). However, they are illegal in many places, and there are risks associated with their use, including the possibility of a bad trip or flashbacks.
