Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are classified as psychedelic drugs, which alter a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and senses. While magic mushrooms are not considered stimulants, they are still a drug that can carry risks and side effects. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely and may include euphoria, hallucinations, anxiety, panic, and nausea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Drug | Hallucinogen, Psychedelic |
| Common Names | Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Psilocybin |
| Effects | Euphoria, Hallucinations, Mystical Experience, Flashbacks, Increased Heart Rate, Dilated Pupils, Nausea, Dizziness, Confusion, Emotional Swings, Anxiety, Panic, Headaches, Aggression, Paranoia, Poisoning |
| Usage | Brewed into Tea, Cooked, Eaten Fresh, Taken with Food, Crushed into Powder, Capsules, Microdosing |
| Safety | Not Addictive, Low Risk of Poisoning, No Withdrawal Effects, Not a Gateway Drug, No Known Physical Symptoms After Stopping Use, Not a Safe Drug |
| Treatment | Potential to Treat Mental Illness, Substance Use Disorders, Depression, PTSD, Addiction, Pain, Neurodegenerative Disorders, Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogens, not stimulants
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are classified as hallucinogens, not stimulants. They are psychedelic drugs that can alter a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and senses, leading to hallucinations. While stimulants speed up the messages between the brain and body, increasing pulse and breathing rate, dilating pupils, and elevating blood pressure, magic mushrooms distort a person's perception of reality.
Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring and have been consumed for thousands of years, including in religious and spiritual rituals. They are typically eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea, and their effects usually begin within 30 minutes, lasting for approximately four to six hours. The key ingredient, psilocybin, is converted by the body into psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and can range from euphoria to hallucinations. Some people may have a mystical experience, entering a dreamlike, euphoric state, perhaps having visions or reliving memories. Others may experience adverse effects, such as disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic. 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 not considered physically addictive, regular users may experience flashbacks involving previous mushroom experiences, usually consisting of visual distortions and changes in emotions or perception. Additionally, cross-tolerance with other drugs, such as LSD and mescaline, has been observed. The risk of a bad trip is also increased with higher doses or feelings of anxiety before consumption.
It is worth noting that the effects of magic mushrooms are unpredictable and can be influenced by various factors, including a person's mood, expectations, surroundings, and individual biology. Therefore, it is important to approach these substances with caution, as they can have a significant impact on an individual's mental state.
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Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs
Mushrooms are not stimulants. However, magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, 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 most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. 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. Psilocybin and psilocin create short-term increases in tolerance for users, making it difficult to misuse them because the more often they are taken within a short period, the weaker the resultant effects are. Psilocybin mushrooms have not been known to cause physical or psychological dependence (addiction). The effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users.
The availability of psilocybin mushrooms from wild and cultivated sources has made them one of the most widely used psychedelic drugs. At present, psilocybin mushroom use has been reported among some groups spanning from central Mexico to Oaxaca, including groups of Nahua, Mixtecs, Mixe, Mazatecs, and Zapotecs, among others. An important figure in mushroom usage in Mexico was María Sabina, who used native mushrooms, such as Psilocybe mexicana, in her practice.
Combining drugs, or "poly drug use," increases the risk and can be extremely dangerous. The effects of mixing drugs can be unpredictable, and people are more at risk of overdose, including death. The effects of magic mushrooms can be influenced by the user's mood (often called the "set") and the surrounding people and environment (the "setting").
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Psilocybin is the key ingredient in magic mushrooms
Mushrooms are not stimulants. Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, 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 include hallucinations, perceptual changes, a distorted sense of time, and changes in emotions and mood.
The use of magic mushrooms can result in a range of effects, including perceptual changes such as visual and auditory hallucinations, feelings of relaxation, nausea, increased heart rate, dizziness, confusion, and emotional swings. In some cases, a person may experience a ''bad trip,'' which can be influenced by feelings of stress or anxiety before taking the mushrooms. There are also potential long-term effects, as long-term use of hallucinogens can lead to a range of physical and mental health conditions.
Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea, and the effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten or 5-10 minutes when taken as a tea. The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary between and within the same species. It is important to note that the use of any drug carries risks, and there are legal penalties for possessing, using, or selling magic mushrooms in some places.
While magic mushrooms are not physically addictive, with no significant withdrawal effects reported, their use can still have negative consequences on various aspects of life, including health, family, relationships, work, and finances. It is important to be careful and aware of the potential risks when taking any type of drug, including magic mushrooms.
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Magic mushrooms can cause 'bad trips'
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are naturally occurring psychedelic drugs that can induce hallucinations and distort a person's perception of reality. While some users of magic mushrooms report positive experiences, such as feelings of relaxation, others may encounter negative effects, commonly known as a "bad trip".
A bad trip can be characterised by a range of unpleasant sensations and emotions. Users may experience perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, which can be frightening and lead to feelings of anxiety or panic. The key feature of a bad trip is often described as a loss of self or ego dissolution, where individuals feel they are "going crazy". These negative experiences can be influenced by various factors, including the user's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelics, expectations, and the environment in which the drug is consumed. For example, consuming magic mushrooms in a noisy, crowded place or while feeling stressed or anxious may increase the likelihood of a bad trip.
The risk of a bad trip is not limited to the consumption of magic mushrooms alone. Combining magic mushrooms with certain substances, such as ice, speed, or psychiatric medications, can increase the chances of experiencing a bad trip. Polydrug use, or the use of multiple drugs in conjunction, can lead to unpredictable and dangerous effects, including a heightened risk of a bad trip.
To mitigate the chances of a bad trip, it is recommended to consume magic mushrooms in a calm, safe, and familiar environment surrounded by trusted friends. Having a "trip buddy" who remains sober can provide support and help navigate any challenging experiences that may arise. Additionally, individuals should be mindful of their state of mind and ensure they are in the right frame of mind before consuming magic mushrooms.
While bad trips can be frightening, some users have reported transforming these challenging experiences into valuable opportunities for personal growth. Through storytelling and narrative sense-making, individuals can integrate frightening experiences into their life stories and gain existential and life-altering insights. However, it is important to remember that the only guaranteed way to avoid a bad trip is to refrain from using hallucinogenic substances altogether.
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There is no safe level of drug use
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are not stimulants. They are classified as hallucinogens or psychedelics. However, it is important to remember that there is no safe level of drug use, and the use of any drug, including magic mushrooms, always carries some risk.
Stimulants are a class of drugs that speed up the messages travelling between the brain and the body, increasing pulse and breathing rate, elevating blood pressure, suppressing appetite, and dilating pupils. Common stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, khat, nicotine, and prescription stimulants. These drugs often produce a euphoric effect, with users experiencing increased alertness, energy, and confidence. However, it is important to note that even prescription stimulants can be harmful if not taken under proper medical guidance. Substance abuse of stimulants can lead to tolerance, increasing the risk of overdose and other life-threatening complications.
On the other hand, magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic drugs that distort perceptions of reality and alter a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They can cause visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as changes in mood and perception. While magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, regular use can lead to flashbacks and disturbing memories of previous mushroom experiences. Additionally, there is a risk of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can result in severe illness or even death.
While some advocate for the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms in treating mental health disorders, there is currently no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Furthermore, the effects of magic mushrooms are unpredictable and can vary greatly depending on an individual's mood and the context of use. Combining magic mushrooms with other drugs, or "polydrug use," can be extremely dangerous and increase the risk of overdose.
Therefore, while magic mushrooms may not be classified as stimulants, it is important to emphasize that there is no safe level of drug use, including the use of magic mushrooms. The risks associated with their use, including the potential for negative psychological effects and the possibility of consuming poisonous mushrooms, cannot be overlooked.
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