John Miller
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are naturally occurring mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin. They are commonly consumed for their psychedelic effects, which can include hallucinations, altered thinking, and emotional changes. While psilocybin mushrooms have been found to have potential benefits for mental health, particularly in treating depression and anxiety in cancer patients, they also carry certain risks and are illegal in many places. The physical side effects can include increased heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and loss of coordination. One of the most significant risks is the possibility of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms that resemble psilocybin-containing varieties, which can lead to severe health issues and even death. Additionally, consuming psilocybin mushrooms can result in adverse psychological reactions, such as anxiety, panic, and paranoia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Physical toxicity | Psilocybin has a relatively low level of physical toxicity |
| Psychological distress | Psilocybin can cause anxiety, panic, paranoia, and depersonalisation |
| Dangerous behaviour | Impaired judgment, reduced awareness of surroundings, and impaired ability to think clearly |
| Physical side effects | Increased heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, twitching, dilated pupils, dizziness, and loss of coordination |
| Mental health issues | Protracted psychosis or other mental health problems, especially in individuals at risk for psychiatric conditions |
| Toxic look-alikes | High risk of accidental poisoning from highly toxic mushrooms that resemble psilocybin-containing varieties, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal distress, liver and kidney failure, and even death |
| Legality | Illegal in most places, including the US and the UK |
| Treatment potential | Potential benefits for depression, anxiety, and other mental and behavioural health conditions |
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What You'll Learn
Potential health risks
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a hallucinogenic substance that can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions. While psilocybin itself has a relatively low level of physical toxicity, there are still potential health risks associated with its consumption.
Firstly, there is a risk of accidentally ingesting poisonous mushrooms. Magic mushrooms look similar to poisonous varieties that can cause severe illness or even death. In addition, psilocybin mushrooms themselves can cause physical side effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous for individuals with heart conditions. Other physical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, twitching, dilated pupils, dizziness, and loss of coordination.
The psychological effects of psilocybin can also be dangerous. Some people experience extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia due to its hallucinogenic effects. While rare in supervised clinical settings, recreational use, especially in individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions, may be associated with an increased risk of adverse psychological reactions.
Consuming psilocybin mushrooms can also lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour. Impaired judgment can result in harm to oneself or others. Furthermore, combining magic mushrooms with other drugs or medications can have dangerous and unpredictable effects. For example, mixing mushrooms with certain psychiatric medications can cause a relapse or worsening of the condition.
It is important to note that the effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary widely among individuals, and while some people may experience mild or moderate side effects, others may require medical treatment.
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Adverse side effects
While psilocybin has a low level of toxicity, there are several adverse side effects associated with its use. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects can range from mild to moderate, sometimes requiring medical treatment.
One of the main risks of consuming psilocybin mushrooms is the potential for misidentification. Magic mushrooms closely resemble certain types of poisonous mushrooms, which can lead to accidental ingestion and severe gastrointestinal illness. This risk is heightened when mushrooms are consumed in an unsupervised environment or when they are mixed with other substances.
Psilocybin can induce disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic attacks. It may also lead to impaired judgment and altered perceptions, causing individuals to engage in dangerous activities that put themselves or others at risk of physical harm. Additionally, psilocybin typically increases blood pressure and heart rate, which may pose a danger to individuals with heart conditions.
Other adverse side effects include agitation, confusion, vomiting, and nausea. While not considered addictive, regular use of psilocybin can lead to tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs like LSD and mescaline. Discontinuing use for a week can restore normal tolerance levels. Mild psychological effects and fatigue have been observed as potential withdrawal symptoms.
Furthermore, there is a risk of experiencing long-term changes in personality and "flashbacks," known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), where hallucinations or visual disturbances persist long after ingestion.
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Misidentification of mushrooms
Psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance found in certain types of mushrooms, commonly referred to as 'magic mushrooms', has gained attention for its potential therapeutic benefits. However, the risks associated with its consumption cannot be ignored, and one significant concern is the misidentification of mushrooms.
The mushroom genus Psilocybe is recognised as the primary group of psychoactive mushrooms. However, fundamental knowledge about their diversity, taxonomy, chemistry, and biology remains scarce. This lack of understanding presents challenges for both scientific research and regulatory policies. Misidentifying a mushroom as psilocybin-containing can lead to unnecessary efforts, poor resource allocation, and even legal complications.
Museum collections and public DNA repositories often fall short in accurately identifying Psilocybe specimens, contributing to a high rate of misidentification. The ambiguous legal status of these specimens further exacerbates the issue, hindering research and regulatory efforts. Inaccurate chemical studies, inconsistencies in museum collections, and ambiguous legal requirements create a complex situation for researchers and legal authorities.
The potential dangers of misidentifying mushrooms extend beyond the scientific and legal realms. With the increasing public interest in psilocybin and varying legal restrictions, the risk of consuming toxic mushrooms instead of those containing psilocybin is a significant concern. This mistake can lead to severe gastrointestinal illness and, in the most severe cases, require urgent medical attention.
Additionally, the consumption of unidentified mushrooms can result in unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, increasing the risk of injuries. While psilocybin has a low toxicity level, it can still cause adverse side effects, including agitation, confusion, vomiting, and nausea, which may necessitate medical intervention. Therefore, it is crucial to approach mushroom identification with caution and refrain from self-experimentation.
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Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is known to increase heart rate and blood pressure. While psilocybin has a low level of toxicity, the increased heart rate and blood pressure can be dangerous for people with heart conditions. The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin can also lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, which may put individuals at risk of physical harm. For example, individuals under the influence of psilocybin may engage in activities such as dangerous driving or walking into traffic, as they may have impaired judgement and be less aware of their physical surroundings.
The effects of psilocybin vary widely and can be influenced by factors such as the quantity consumed, an individual's past experiences, and their expectations of the experience. The hallucinogenic effects typically occur within 30 minutes of ingestion and can last between four to six hours, with changes in sensory perception and thought patterns sometimes lasting longer.
While psilocybin has the potential to induce adverse side effects such as agitation, confusion, vomiting, or nausea, these are often mild or moderate and may resolve with time. However, in some cases, medical treatment may be required. It is important to note that the combination of psilocybin with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can lead to unpredictable and dangerous consequences. Therefore, individuals should refrain from self-experimentation and seek professional guidance if considering the use of psilocybin.
The potential benefits of psilocybin in the treatment of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, have sparked interest in the research community. However, it is crucial to approach the use of psilocybin with caution, as the risks associated with unsupervised consumption and the potential for misidentifying mushrooms can lead to harmful outcomes.
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Unpredictable behaviour
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a hallucinogenic substance that can induce unpredictable behaviour in users. While some people may experience mild or moderate adverse side effects that resolve with time, others may exhibit dangerous behaviour that can lead to injuries. This may include engaging in activities that put themselves or others at risk of harm, such as driving dangerously or walking into traffic, due to impaired judgement and reduced awareness of their physical surroundings.
The effects of psilocybin vary widely and are influenced by factors such as the quantity consumed, past experiences, and expectations. The hallucinogenic effects typically occur within 30 minutes of ingestion and can last between four to six hours, although changes in sensory perception and thought patterns may persist for longer. During this time, individuals may experience a distorted sense of time, euphoria, and a heightened emotional state.
The unpredictable nature of psilocybin's effects can lead to a "'bad trip", which may result in panic, agitation, confusion, or nausea. In some cases, these side effects can become severe and require medical attention. Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and accidentally consuming poisonous varieties, which can have serious health consequences.
While psilocybin has a low toxicity level and is not considered addictive, it can still pose risks, especially when consumed in combination with other substances. Mixing psilocybin with certain drugs, such as ice, speed, or ecstasy, can increase the likelihood of a bad trip. It is also advised that individuals taking psychiatric medications avoid psilocybin, as it may trigger a relapse or worsen their condition.
Furthermore, the recent popularity of ""magic mushroom" edibles has raised concerns. Researchers have found that many of these products do not contain psilocybin but instead have undisclosed ingredients, including synthetic drugs that may be unsafe for human consumption. As a result, it is essential to be cautious and informed when considering the use of psilocybin mushrooms and to seek medical advice if contemplating self-experimentation.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms are relatively safe, with serious incidents being rare and short-lasting. However, they are not completely free of risks. The biggest danger is mistaking poisonous mushrooms for psilocybin mushrooms, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal distress, liver and kidney failure, and even death. Consuming psilocybin mushrooms can also lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous for individuals with heart conditions. Other physical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, twitching, dilated pupils, dizziness, and loss of coordination.
Psilocybin mushrooms can cause a range of psychological effects, including anxiety, panic, paranoia, and depersonalisation. While these experiences are typically referred to as "bad trips", studies show that people still value them as meaningful. Psilocybin mushrooms may also be associated with an elevated risk of protracted psychosis or other mental health problems, especially in individuals who are at risk for psychiatric conditions.
Psilocybin mushrooms are not habit-forming, and there are not many known withdrawal effects. However, tolerance develops rapidly with continued use, and discontinuing use for about a week will return people to their normal tolerance level.
Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in most places, including the United States and the United Kingdom, where they are classified as a Schedule I substance and a Class A drug, respectively. However, they are currently legal in four cities in the United States.
