Michael Davis
Psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. Consuming these mushrooms can lead to a range of effects, from euphoria to hallucinations, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches. While magic mushrooms are mostly illegal in the US, they have been used privately around the world for thousands of years, and modern medical research is studying their potential use as a treatment for some mental and behavioral health conditions. However, the only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not consuming magic mushrooms, as they can cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior, and may lead to injuries or poisoning if the wrong type of mushroom is picked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effects | Euphoria, sensory distortion, hallucinations, altered thinking, altered sense of time, altered emotions, paranoia, loss of boundaries, distorted sense of self, flashbacks, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure |
| Adverse effects | Bad trips, disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, poisoning, accidental ingestion, injury, death |
| Safety | Low risk of addiction, ongoing research, risk of poisoning from picking the wrong mushrooms, unpredictable effects when taken with other drugs, not suitable for people on psychiatric medication |
| Legality | Illegal in the US, Canada, and under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions |
| Medical use | Potential treatment for mental and behavioral health conditions, promising clinical trial results, not yet approved for therapeutic use |
| History | Used for thousands of years, associated with youth counterculture in the 1960s |
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What You'll Learn
Poisonous mushrooms can be fatal
Psilocybin mushrooms are often consumed for their hallucinogenic effects, which can be unpredictable and dangerous, leading to injuries. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects can range from mild to severe, sometimes requiring medical treatment. In rare cases, serious adverse outcomes have been reported, including myocardial infarction, severe rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, posterior encephalopathy, and protracted paranoid psychosis.
The risk of a bad trip, or negative psychedelic experience, is increased by higher doses of psilocybin, anxiety, and the use of other drugs. Bad trips can lead to paranoia, loss of boundaries, distorted sense of self, and impaired judgment, which may result in risk-taking behaviour and traumatic injuries. Mixing psilocybin with certain drugs, such as ice, speed, ecstasy, or psychiatric medications, can increase the chances of a bad trip and elevate the risks of serious side effects.
Additionally, regular use of psilocybin mushrooms can lead to tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs such as LSD and mescaline has been observed. While psilocybin is not considered addictive, long-term use may result in flashbacks, which are visual distortions involving changes in emotions or perception that can occur weeks, months, or even years after the last use. These flashbacks can be triggered by stress, tiredness, or exercise and can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience is recalled.
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Magic mushrooms are illegal in most places
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are illegal in most places. Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose. The United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, adopted in 1971, also requires its members to prohibit psilocybin, and parties to the treaty are required to restrict the use of the drug to medical and scientific research under controlled conditions.
The legal status of unauthorised actions with psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide, with many countries having some level of regulation or prohibition. For example, psilocybin is regulated by the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Japanese Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law of 2002. In the US, the possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances and carry severe legal penalties. However, there is ambiguity in the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in some places, and a strong element of selective enforcement. For instance, in the US, spores of psilocybin mushrooms are legal to possess in many areas because they do not contain the drugs psilocybin or psilocin.
While magic mushrooms are illegal in most places, there has been a push for legalisation or decriminalisation in some jurisdictions due to their potential health benefits. For example, in 2022, the Canadian province of Alberta announced it would regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes. In the same year, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalise psilocybin mushrooms, and in 2023, Australia approved psilocybin for prescription medications for treating PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
Despite the potential benefits, magic mushrooms can be dangerous. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects may require medical treatment. Hallucinogenic drugs can cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, and dried hallucinogens may contain other substances, affecting their safety. Additionally, there is a risk of poisoning from picking the wrong types of mushrooms, as poisonous mushrooms closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms.
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They can cause a bad trip
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin. They are often consumed for their ability to induce hallucinations and distort the senses. While some people use them recreationally, others seek a transcendent spiritual experience.
However, one of the risks of consuming psychedelic mushrooms is the possibility of a "bad trip". A bad trip refers to a frightening experience where the user may suffer from paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgment during a bad trip can lead to risk-taking behaviour, which may result in traumatic injuries or even death. The risk of experiencing a bad trip is elevated when consuming higher doses of psychedelic mushrooms or when the user has feelings of anxiety before taking them.
The setting in which psychedelic mushrooms are consumed can also influence the likelihood of a bad trip. For example, using them in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a pleasant experience, whereas being in a noisy and crowded place may result in a negative experience. Additionally, consuming psychedelic mushrooms with certain substances, such as ice, speed, ecstasy, or psychiatric medications, can increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to panic.
It is important to note that the only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by refraining from consuming psychedelic mushrooms altogether. These mushrooms can closely resemble poisonous varieties, and accidental ingestion can lead to severe illness or even death. Furthermore, the effects of psilocybin vary widely, and while adverse side effects are often mild or moderate, some individuals may require medical treatment.
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They have been used to treat mental health issues
While psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound in magic mushrooms, is currently illegal in the United States and carries the same legal penalties as heroin, it has been used for centuries in Central America and possibly other regions. In the 1950s, an American mycologist, R. Gordon Wasson, participated in a ritual using psychedelic mushrooms in Mexico, introducing the fungi to a broad Western audience. This sparked research in Europe and the US into the use of psychoactive drugs in mental health therapy, with promising results.
In the last decade, there has been a resurgence of interest in psilocybin as a potential treatment for mental health issues. A growing body of research has shown that psilocybin has significant potential in the treatment of a number of mental and behavioral health disorders. For example, psilocybin therapy has been shown to be beneficial in relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other mental health disorders. It has also been shown to be effective in easing fear and anxiety in people with terminal cancer.
Psilocybin has also shown positive results in smoking cessation and anorexia nervosa treatment studies. In October 2021, the National Institute of Health awarded Johns Hopkins a grant to explore the potential value of psilocybin as a smoking cessation tool. In May 2022, a UK-based mental healthcare firm, COMPASS Pathways, completed an exploratory study of psilocybin therapy for patients with anorexia nervosa, with encouraging preliminary results that warrant further investigation in larger-scale clinical studies.
Psilocybin's ability to reduce depression symptom severity has been supported by multiple clinical trials. A recent phase 2 double-blind trial showed that a single 25 mg dose of synthetic psilocybin administered in conjunction with psychotherapy led to significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms after 3 weeks compared to the control dose. The antidepressant effects of psilocybin can last from 4 weeks up to 6-12 months, and it may only be necessary to receive a dose every few months or even once a year.
However, it is important to note that psilocybin does not work for everyone, and how well it works will vary from person to person. In some cases, psilocybin can be harmful, potentially leading to panic reactions, confusion, and even psychosis. More research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of psilocybin.
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They can cause flashbacks and hallucinations
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms, is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act and is illegal in the United States. It carries the same legal penalties as heroin. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects can range from mild to moderate and may resolve with time, but some people may require medical treatment.
Psychedelic mushrooms can cause hallucinations and affect a person's thoughts and emotions. They can distort a person's sense of reality, making them see, hear, or feel things that are not there. They can also cause anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches, accompanied by an increased heart rate and blood pressure. In some cases, the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to "bad trips" or "flashbacks." Flashbacks can happen weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken. They are usually visual distortions that involve changes in emotions or perception. Flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. They can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise and usually last a minute or two.
The risk of a bad trip may increase if a person takes higher doses of psilocybin or has feelings of anxiety before taking it. Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends and a safe environment before taking magic mushrooms, reduces the risk of having a bad trip. The effects of taking magic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous. Mixing magic mushrooms with substances such as cannabis, amphetamines, or alcohol can elevate the risk of serious side effects and adverse events.
Magic mushrooms are often believed to be relatively harmless compared to other hallucinogenic drugs, but serious adverse outcomes have been reported, including myocardial infarction, severe rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, posterior encephalopathy, and protracted paranoid psychosis. The only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not taking magic mushrooms.
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