Michael Davis
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a group of hallucinogenic fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects, which can alter a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and senses. While the use of magic mushrooms rarely results in life-threatening symptoms, there are health risks associated with unsupervised consumption. Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs can also be unpredictable and dangerous.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin, norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, aeruginascin, β-carbolines |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered state of consciousness, perceptual changes, altered thinking, altered sense of time, altered emotions, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure |
| Onset of effects | 5-45 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Forms | Fresh, cooked, dried, powdered, brewed into tea, capsules, tablets, dissolved in water |
| Withdrawal effects | Mild psychological effects, tiredness |
| Potential dangers | Similar appearance to poisonous mushrooms, unpredictable effects when combined with other drugs, risk of bad trips, risk of relapse or worsening of psychiatric conditions, raised blood pressure and heart rate which may be dangerous for people with heart conditions |
| Therapeutic potential | Treatment of substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada, controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogenic effects
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, is known for its hallucinogenic effects. These effects can cause individuals to see, hear, and feel sensations that seem real but are not. The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes of ingestion and can last between four to six hours. However, in some people, changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can last longer.
The effects of magic mushrooms are highly variable and influenced by environmental factors. They can also be unpredictable and dangerous when taken with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications. The only way to eliminate the risk of a "bad trip"—which can include extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia—is by not taking them.
Magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, and there is little evidence of physical or psychological dependence. However, it is possible to become tolerant of the drug's effects with regular use. Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and accidentally consuming toxic varieties, which can cause poisoning.
Some research suggests that psilocybin may have therapeutic benefits and could help relieve symptoms of certain mental health conditions. Clinical trials are being conducted to investigate these potential benefits further while also ensuring the health and safety of patients.
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Physical health risks
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "shrooms", are mostly illegal in the US and carry a range of physical health risks. Firstly, they typically raise blood pressure and heart rate, which can be particularly dangerous for individuals with heart conditions. In some cases, this has led to severe cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction. Additionally, the impairment in thinking clearly and awareness of physical surroundings caused by psilocybin can lead people to engage in risky behaviours, such as driving dangerously or walking into traffic, which may result in physical harm.
Furthermore, psilocybin mushrooms can cause gastrointestinal issues, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and agitation. While these adverse effects often resolve with time, some instances may require medical attention. It is also important to note that the amount of psilocybin and its psychoactive counterpart, psilocin, can vary greatly between mushrooms, making it difficult to predict the intensity of the experience and the associated physical risks.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be unpredictable, especially when combined with other drugs or medications. This includes over-the-counter or prescribed drugs, as well as alcohol, which can increase the physical risks. Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms, as several types of poisonous mushrooms closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms, even challenging professionals.
While current research suggests that psilocybin is not physically addictive, regular use can lead to tolerance, and there may be mild psychological withdrawal effects, such as feeling tired. However, further research is needed to fully understand the potential physical health risks and benefits of psilocybin mushrooms.
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Mental health risks
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as shrooms or magic mushrooms, are mushrooms that contain the drug psilocybin. Psilocybin is a chemical that occurs in certain mushroom varieties and has hallucinogenic and mind-altering effects. It is important to note that the safety and efficacy of psilocybin mushrooms have not been assessed by health authorities and they are currently illegal in most parts of the world.
Consuming psilocybin mushrooms can lead to a range of mental health risks, including:
- Bad trips: While psilocybin can induce euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortion, it can also cause negative experiences such as anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. The risk of negative experiences increases with higher doses and may be influenced by pre-existing mental health conditions.
- Unpredictable behaviour: Hallucinogenic drugs can lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, which may result in injuries.
- Flashbacks: Regular users of magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving previous mushroom trips, which can be disturbing, especially if they recall frightening experiences. These flashbacks can occur weeks, months, or even years later and may be triggered by stress, tiredness, or exercise.
- Poisoning: There is a risk of fatal poisoning if poisonous mushrooms are mistakenly consumed, as some poisonous varieties resemble psilocybin-containing mushrooms.
It is important to consider these mental health risks associated with psilocybin mushrooms, especially for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions or those seeking to improve their mental health through mushroom consumption. While there is ongoing research into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for treating mental health disorders, clinical trials are necessary to advance this research while protecting patient health and safety.
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Addiction and tolerance
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for millennia for spiritual and religious purposes, and more recently, there has been a surge of interest in their therapeutic potential for treating various conditions, including addiction itself. However, it's important to understand the potential risks associated with their use.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) currently lists psilocybin mushrooms as a Schedule I substance, indicating a high risk for abuse and no known medical benefits. In contrast, research suggests that psilocybin may have therapeutic benefits in treating substance use disorders and other mental illnesses. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing debate and the need for further studies to fully understand the addiction potential of psilocybin mushrooms.
While psilocybin is generally considered to have a low risk of addiction, it can lead to dependency, especially with prolonged use. Individuals may develop a tolerance to psilocybin, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects. This tolerance can also lead to cross-tolerance with other hallucinogenic substances, such as LSD and mescaline. Additionally, withdrawal symptoms can occur 24 to 48 hours after stopping psilocybin use, and these symptoms can be unpleasant and may require supervised medical detox to ensure a successful recovery.
It is important to note that the abuse of psilocybin mushrooms can have negative consequences, including dangerous behaviour, impairment in thinking clearly, and exacerbation of mental health issues. Therefore, it is crucial to seek professional help for psilocybin mushroom addiction, as treatment and rehabilitation can effectively support individuals in making positive life changes.
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Legal status
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which defines Schedule I drugs as drugs with a high potential for abuse or drugs that have no recognised medical uses. Most national drug laws have been amended to reflect the terms of the convention, and the possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances, often carrying severe legal penalties.
However, there is ambiguity in many national, state, and provincial drug laws regarding the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms, and a strong element of selective enforcement in some places. In some jurisdictions, psilocybin spores are legal to sell and possess because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. This means that spores used to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms are not illegal until they are germinated and begin to contain psilocybin. However, possessing psilocybin spores could be considered illegal paraphernalia or an intent to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms, which can be punishable by federal law.
In the United States, the use, sale, and possession of psilocybin are illegal under federal law. Most US state courts have considered the mushroom a "container" of illicit drugs and, therefore, illegal. However, there are some exceptions and ongoing changes to the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in the US. For example, in 2019, Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the US to decriminalise psilocybin mushrooms after a ballot initiative. The initiative did not legalise mushrooms but prohibited Denver from spending resources prosecuting people for their use or possession. In 2020, Oregon became the first US state to decriminalise psilocybin and legalise its supervised non-medical use. However, in 2024, much of the measure decriminalising psilocybin was repealed, effectively recriminalising it. Other US states with specific laws regarding psilocybin mushrooms include California, Georgia, and Idaho, which have criminalised the possession of psilocybin mushroom spores, and New Mexico, where growing psilocybin mushrooms for personal use is not considered "manufacturing a controlled substance" under state law.
Outside of the US, other countries with laws or regulations regarding psilocybin mushrooms include the UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan. For example, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act are cited as examples of national drug laws that have been amended to reflect the terms of the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
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