Emma Wilson
Psilocybin mushrooms, more commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are often consumed for recreational, spiritual, self-development, and therapeutic purposes. While psilocybin mushrooms are mostly illegal in the US and other parts of the world, they have been found to have minimal harmful effects and potential benefits for mental health. However, there are risks associated with their consumption, including the possibility of adverse side effects, accidental poisoning from misidentification, and unpredictable behaviour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Mushies, Blue Meanies, Golden Tops, Liberty Caps |
| Active Ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin, Norpsilocin, Baeocystin, Norbaeocystin, Aeruginascin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, Heightened Emotions and Senses, Laughter, Mental and Emotional Clarity, Distorted Reality, Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure, Nausea, Muscle Twitches, Anxiety, Fear |
| Duration of Effects | 4-6 hours |
| Onset of Effects | 5-45 minutes |
| Forms | Fresh, Cooked, Tea, Powder, Tablets, Capsules |
| Legality | Illegal in many places, including Canada, the US, and Australia |
| Therapeutic Potential | Ongoing research for treating mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, OCD, substance use disorders, PTSD, addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders |
| Withdrawal Effects | Mild psychological effects, tiredness |
Explore related products
$20.63 $22.95
What You'll Learn
Are psilocybin mushrooms safe?
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are not a harmless substance. They are illegal in most places and carry risks that people should be aware of. Magic mushrooms are the safest "recreational" drug to take, according to the 2017 Global Drug Survey, which found that out of almost 10,000 people who took them, only 0.2% needed emergency medical treatment. However, the effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects may require medical treatment.
Magic mushrooms can cause perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, and distort one's sense of time. They can also induce feelings of euphoria, anxiety, panic, paranoia, and depersonalisation. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 20 to 40 minutes when eaten, or within 5 to 10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately three to six hours. The risk of a bad trip can be reduced by being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends, and in a safe environment before taking the mushrooms.
Another risk to consider is the possibility of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms may look similar to psilocybin mushrooms, and consuming the wrong type of mushroom can lead to poisoning, kidney failure, or even death. Therefore, it is important to be able to identify psilocybin mushrooms correctly before consuming them.
While psilocybin mushrooms are not considered addictive, regular use may lead to tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs such as LSD and mescaline. There are also potential mild psychological withdrawal effects, such as feeling tired. Overall, it is important to be careful when taking any type of drug, including psilocybin mushrooms, as they can affect everyone differently.
Trip-Free Mushroom Experience: Disposable Bliss
You may want to see also
What are the side effects?
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. This is converted into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion, producing psychoactive effects.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and they can affect everyone differently based on the quantity consumed, past experiences, and expectations of the experience. The effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours.
The short-term side effects of magic mushrooms include heightened emotions and senses, with users feeling happy and creative, and experiencing a sense of mental and emotional clarity. They can also cause perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, and distort users' senses, making them believe they can see music or hear colours. They may also distort how some people who use the drug perceive objects and people in their environment. Users may also experience anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches, accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure. In some cases, the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to "bad trips" or "flashbacks".
There is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on magic mushrooms, and there aren't many known withdrawal effects, apart from some potential mild psychological effects or feeling tired. However, it is possible to become tolerant to the drug's effects with regular use, and there is a risk of poisoning from picking the wrong types of mushrooms.
Mushroom Nootropics: Do They Work?
You may want to see also
How do people take them?
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which attaches to serotonin receptors in the brain to produce psychoactive effects.
People take psilocybin mushrooms in various forms, including:
- Fresh or dried mushrooms: The mushrooms can be consumed directly, either fresh or dried.
- Edibles: Psilocybin-containing mushrooms can be incorporated into food products, such as baked goods or other edible creations.
- Tea: Mushrooms can be brewed into a tea, which is a popular method as it allows for faster absorption and a more controlled dose.
- Extracts: The psilocybin and psilocin can be extracted from the mushrooms and concentrated into various forms, such as oils or tinctures.
- Microdosing: Some individuals consume very small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms regularly, a practice known as microdosing, with the intention of enhancing mental clarity and productivity without experiencing the full hallucinogenic effects.
It is important to note that the effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary depending on individual factors such as mental state, personality, expectations, and biological factors. The dosage and potency of the mushrooms also play a significant role in determining the intensity and duration of the experience.
Mushrooms: Are They Gluten-Free?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What are the risks of accidental poisoning?
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They are ingested orally, either in their fresh or dried form, or turned into extracts, tea, or food products. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects may require medical treatment.
One of the risks associated with the use of psilocybin mushrooms is accidental poisoning. Poisoning can occur when individuals incorrectly identify and consume a poisonous mushroom, believing it to be a psilocybin-containing mushroom. This risk is heightened by the fact that psilocybin mushrooms are often foraged and harvested from the wild, where they can be mistaken for other, more toxic, species of mushrooms. Mushrooms of the genus Cortinarius, for example, are nephrotoxic and can lead to serious and often permanent organ dysfunction or fatalities if ingested.
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include muscle spasms, confusion, delirium, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. In the event of these symptoms, it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention. It is crucial to exercise caution and properly identify mushrooms before consumption to mitigate the risk of accidental poisoning.
It is important to note that the use of psilocybin mushrooms carries additional risks beyond accidental poisoning. While the mushrooms themselves have a low risk of addiction, regular use can lead to tolerance, and they may cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior. Furthermore, consuming mushrooms that have been produced or sold illegally may be particularly dangerous, as these products are not tested and may contain other harmful substances.
Microdosing Mushrooms: How Often Should You Take Them?
You may want to see also
Are they illegal?
Psilocybin mushrooms, often referred to as "magic mushrooms", are illegal in many parts of the world. Psilocybin and psilocin are classified 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 and no recognised medical uses. The convention requires its members to prohibit psilocybin and restrict its use to medical and scientific research under controlled conditions.
However, the legal status of unauthorised actions with psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide, and the mushrooms themselves were not specifically included in the convention. Many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition, such as the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In some jurisdictions, psilocybin spores are legal to possess and sell because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. In others, they are banned because they are used in drug manufacture.
There is a growing trend towards the legalisation and decriminalisation of psilocybin mushrooms in various parts of the world, including North America, Central Africa, Europe, and South America. For example, in Oregon, psilocybin has been legalised for mental health treatment in supervised settings since February 2021. Similarly, the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, which allows for the possession and non-profit distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. In addition, there is currently a bill pending in the California State Legislature that would legalise the possession, obtaining, giving, or transportation of specified quantities of psilocybin.
The shift in the legal landscape is largely due to increasing scientific research highlighting the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics. As a result, the perception of psychedelics is changing, and many localities are revising their legal frameworks accordingly. For instance, countries like Switzerland, Israel, Jamaica, and Mexico have implemented exceptions for the therapeutic use of psychedelics or exempted psilocybin from their drug laws.
Mushroom Poisoning: How Many Mushrooms Are Too Many?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, are a naturally occurring psychedelic drug found in certain types of mushrooms. They are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects and can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions.
Psilocybin mushrooms rarely result in any life-threatening symptoms. However, if one consumes too large a dose, it can lead to a terrifying or even traumatic experience. There are also risks of adverse reactions such as nausea and panic attacks. It is also very easy to poison oneself with the wrong type of mushroom, as some resemble poisonous mushrooms that can cause severe illness or even death.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms include hallucinations, euphoria, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and perceived spiritual experiences. The effects can vary depending on one's mood, environment, and expectations.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. They are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which means they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical uses. However, they have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in various cultures throughout history, and some jurisdictions have decriminalized or regulated their use.
