John Miller
Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, are naturally occurring psychedelic drugs that have been used for thousands of years. They are currently illegal in many places, including the US and Canada, but there is increasing interest in their potential therapeutic uses, particularly for mental health disorders. While there is some evidence that psilocybin mushrooms have minimal harmful effects and a low risk of addiction, there are also risks associated with their use, including the possibility of a bad trip and accidental consumption of poisonous mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | According to the 2017 Global Drug Survey, magic mushrooms are the safest "recreational" drug. Out of 10,000 people who took them, only 0.2% needed emergency medical treatment. However, there is a risk of a bad trip, which may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. |
| Addiction | There is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on magic mushrooms. |
| Side effects | Hallucinations, sensory distortion, euphoria, anxiety, panic, paranoia, loss of boundaries, distorted sense of self, and impaired judgment. |
| Legality | Magic mushrooms are illegal in most places, including the US, Canada, and the UK. |
| Therapeutic uses | There is increasing interest in the therapeutic uses of magic mushrooms, particularly for mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use. |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are illegal in most places
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are illegal in most places. In the United States, psilocybin and psilocin were first subjected to federal regulation by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965, and they 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 or drugs that have no recognized medical uses. Psilocybin mushrooms are also illegal in the US states of California, Georgia, and Idaho, and are considered a "controlled substance" under the US Psychotropic Substances Act. In Canada, psilocybin and psilocin are controlled under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), which makes activities such as sale, possession, and production illegal unless authorized by Health Canada.
Despite the illegality of magic mushrooms in many places, there has been a recent trend towards the legalisation and decriminalisation of psychedelics globally, with a growing interest in their potential therapeutic uses. For example, in November 2020, the District of Columbia passed Initiative 81, which allows for the possession and non-for-profit distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. Similarly, in October 2022, the Canadian province of Alberta announced that it would regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. In 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, and in February 2023, Australia approved the use of psilocybin in prescription medications for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. Other countries that have made strides towards legalizing or decriminalizing psychedelics include parts of Central Africa (Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Republic of the Congo), South Africa, the Bahamas, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Samoa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.
While the legal landscape surrounding magic mushrooms is evolving, it is important to note that they are still illegal in many places, and their use and distribution are subject to strict regulations. As such, individuals should be aware of the laws and regulations in their specific jurisdiction before considering the use or distribution of magic mushrooms.
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They can cause bad trips and hallucinations
While magic mushrooms are the safest "recreational" drug to take, according to the 2017 Global Drug Survey, they can still cause bad trips and hallucinations. Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are considered a class A drug under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act, like heroin and crack cocaine. They are mostly illegal in the US and Canada, but there is increasing interest in their potential therapeutic uses.
Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They can cause hallucinations, where a person sees or hears things that do not exist or are distorted. These hallucinations can be disturbing and lead to feelings of anxiety and panic. The risk of a bad trip may increase if a person takes higher doses of psilocybin or has feelings of anxiety before taking it.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and depend on the person's mood and environment. Feelings of stress or anxiety before using magic mushrooms may result in a bad trip. Being in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a pleasant experience, while being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience. It is also important to be in a good state of mind and with trusted friends before taking magic mushrooms to reduce the risk of a bad trip.
In addition to causing bad trips and hallucinations, magic mushrooms can also be physically dangerous if the wrong type of mushroom is consumed. Many species of mushrooms look alike, making it difficult to distinguish between magic mushrooms and poisonous ones. Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe illness or even death. Therefore, it is important to be able to identify magic mushrooms correctly before consuming them.
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They are not physically addictive
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, have been used for centuries by various cultures for spiritual and religious purposes. While these mushrooms can induce a range of psychological effects, from altered thinking and emotional changes to distorted perception and hallucinations, they are not considered physically addictive.
Here's why psychedelic mushrooms are not physically addictive:
Psychedelic mushrooms, which include various species of mushrooms that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, do not lead to the development of physical dependence. Physical addiction or dependence refers to a state in which an individual's body adapts to the presence of a substance, leading to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped. With psychedelic mushrooms, the body does not develop a physical need for the substance in the same way as it does with drugs that are commonly associated with physical addiction, such as opioids or alcohol.
The active compounds in psychedelic mushrooms, primarily psilocybin and psilocin, do not produce the same intense physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms typically associated with physically addictive substances. While regular and frequent use of psychedelic mushrooms is not recommended and can lead to psychological dependence and tolerance, it is not characterized by the same intense physical withdrawal symptoms seen with other addictive drugs.
The effects of psilocybin are also short-lived compared to many other psychoactive substances. The acute effects of psychedelic mushrooms typically wear off within a few hours, and the body quickly metabolizes and eliminates the drug. This rapid metabolism and elimination further contribute to the lack of physical addiction, as the body does not build up a significant physical tolerance or dependence during this short period.
Additionally, the rewarding and reinforcing effects of psychedelic mushrooms are generally milder compared to highly addictive drugs. The subjective experience induced by psilocybin can vary widely and is heavily influenced by environmental and contextual factors. This means that the desire to use psychedelic mushrooms may be driven more by curiosity, spiritual exploration, or recreational interests rather than a compulsive need to avoid withdrawal or satisfy intense physical cravings.
However, it is important to note that while psychedelic mushrooms may not be physically addictive, they can still pose risks and have potential adverse effects. Negative psychological reactions, commonly referred to as "bad trips," can occur and lead to anxiety, paranoia, panic, or even psychotic episodes in susceptible individuals. Additionally, consuming mushrooms collected in the wild without proper identification can be dangerous, as misidentification can lead to poisoning or other serious health risks.
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They may have therapeutic benefits
While psychedelic mushrooms are illegal in many places, there is increasing interest in their potential therapeutic uses. In a clinical setting, a controlled dose of psilocybin is given to the patient under supervision. This ensures that the patient is in a therapeutic space, making a bad reaction unlikely.
Psilocybin has been used by some Indigenous communities for over a thousand years, and some researchers believe rock paintings in Western Australia show its use in Indigenous ceremonies over 10,000 years ago. In the 1950s and 1960s, scientists became interested in how psilocybin's effects might help people experiencing mental illness.
In recent times, 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, which typically does not respond to traditional antidepressants. Based on this research, the US Food and Drug Administration has described psilocybin as a breakthrough medicine.
Psychedelic mushrooms have also been found to have anti-anxiety effects that last for several months. They appear to be helpful in treating anxiety in people who are terminally ill, as well as for nicotine and alcohol dependence. In addition, psilocybin may increase the brain's ability to create new emotional and information pathways.
However, it is important to note that psilocybin may worsen the symptoms of certain conditions like personality disorders and schizophrenia. It is also possible to become tolerant of the drug's effects with regular use, and there is a big risk of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can be fatal.
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They can be mistaken for poisonous mushrooms
It is crucial to recognize the potential dangers of ingesting psychedelic mushrooms, as they share a striking resemblance to poisonous fungi. This similarity in appearance poses a significant risk, as consuming toxic mushrooms can lead to severe health issues and, in some cases, even death. Inexperienced foragers or those lacking adequate knowledge about mushroom identification could easily mistake a poisonous variety for its psychedelic counterpart. This emphasizes the vital importance of accurate identification before consumption. To ensure safety, it is advisable to seek guidance from experienced mycologists or reference reliable sources for proper identification and avoid consuming wild mushrooms if unsure.
The world of mushrooms encompasses a diverse range of species, including those that induce mind-altering effects and those that are dangerously toxic. While psychedelic mushrooms are sought after for their hallucinogenic properties, they bear a striking resemblance to poisonous species, making accurate identification a matter of utmost importance. This similarity in appearance can be misleading, and consuming the wrong type of mushroom can have detrimental consequences. It is essential to approach mushroom foraging with caution and to prioritize accurate identification to mitigate the risks associated with ingesting toxic varieties.
The potential for mistaking psychedelic mushrooms for poisonous ones underscores the necessity of thorough knowledge and caution in their consumption. While the former is renowned for its hallucinogenic effects, the latter can induce severe toxicity, leading to adverse health consequences or even death. Accurate identification of mushroom species is paramount to ensuring safety. It is advisable to seek guidance from experts or refer to reputable sources to minimize the risks associated with consuming poisonous mushrooms inadvertently. Foraging for mushrooms requires a vigilant eye and a wealth of knowledge to differentiate between the desired psychedelic variety and its potentially harmful look-alikes.
The dangers of ingesting psychedelic mushrooms lie not only in their potential for abuse but also in their deceptive similarity to poisonous mushrooms. Accidental consumption of toxic mushrooms can occur due to their resemblance to the desired psychedelic variety. This emphasizes the critical importance of accurate identification before consumption. Those lacking expertise in mushroom identification are particularly vulnerable to this mistake. To mitigate the risks, it is essential to exercise caution, seek guidance from knowledgeable sources, and refrain from consuming wild mushrooms unless confident in their identification. This proactive approach can help prevent harmful and potentially fatal outcomes.
Additionally, it is worth noting that even within the realm of psychedelic mushrooms, there are varying levels of potency and potential risks. Some species may contain higher concentrations of psychoactive compounds, leading to more intense and unpredictable effects. This variability underscores the importance of not only accurate species identification but also understanding the specific characteristics and potential risks associated with each type of psychedelic mushroom. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of these fungi, individuals can make more informed and safer choices regarding their usage.
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