Michael Davis
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of shrooms are highly variable and believed to be influenced by environmental factors. Shrooms are illegal in most places and carry risks that people should recognize.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Magic mushrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, philosopher's stones, liberties, amani, agaric, caps, boomers |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin |
| Active ingredient classification | Psychedelic drug, hallucinogen |
| Active ingredient effects | Unwanted side effects such as nausea, yawning, feeling drowsy, nervousness, paranoia, panic, hallucinations, psychosis, and intense mood swings |
| Active ingredient conversion | Converted to psilocin in the body |
| Active ingredient conversion effects | Altered and unusual perceptions, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality |
| Active ingredient classification | Schedule I drug, i.e., high potential for misuse and no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States |
| Occurrence | Occurs in approximately 190 species of edible mushrooms that are indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States |
| Occurrence genera | Psilocybe, Gymnopilus, Panaeolus, Copelandia, Pluteus, Inocybe, Pholiotina, and Galerina |
| Occurrence species | P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, P. cubensis, and P. maluti |
| Occurrence regions | Mexico, Canada, the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and associated islands |
| Occurrence environment | Gilled mushrooms that grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris |
| Forms | Fresh, dried, liquid, mushroom tea, mushroom edibles, mushroom extracts, and food products |
| Risks | Poisonous if eaten by mistake, negative experiences if the user is unhappy or in an unsafe setting, and dangerous if mixed with other drugs |
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What You'll Learn
Shrooms are actual mushrooms
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are actual mushrooms. They are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The psilocybin found in shrooms is a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. It is believed to influence serotonin in the brain, leading to altered and unusual perceptions.
Shrooms have been used for thousands of years for both spiritual and medicinal purposes among indigenous peoples of America and Europe. They are often depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but are more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas. Shrooms have a long history of being associated with spiritual experiences and self-discovery. Many believe that naturally occurring drugs like shrooms are sacred herbs that enable people to attain superior spiritual states.
Shrooms can be eaten raw or cooked, mixed with food, brewed like tea, or smoked with cannabis or tobacco. They are typically ingested orally and may be prepared by drying and then mixed into food or drinks. Some people also eat freshly picked shrooms. Shrooms can be purchased at smart shops like psychedelic mushroom stores in some jurisdictions.
Shrooms can induce anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, confusion, and psychosis. They can also cause nausea, yawning, drowsiness, nervousness, panic, and an altered perception of time. The effects of shrooms are highly variable and influenced by environmental factors. They are believed to be unpredictable and risky, especially at high doses or in unsafe settings.
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Shrooms are hallucinogenic
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been isolated from approximately a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms may be used in whole form, for example, consumption of dried or fresh mushrooms, or may be turned into extracts or food products such as mushroom edibles or mushroom tea. They can also be mixed with cannabis or tobacco and smoked. Liquid psilocybin is also available, which is made by extracting psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic drug found in mushrooms like liberty caps. It is a clearish pale brown colour and comes in small bottles or vials.
The effects of shrooms are highly variable and believed to be influenced by environmental factors. Shrooms can be unpredictable and risky, especially at high doses or in unsafe settings. They can induce anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, confusion, and psychosis in some. Hospital admissions related to the use of magic mushrooms are often connected to what is known colloquially as a "bad trip". The effects of shrooms include an altered perception of time and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality.
Shrooms have a long history of being associated with spiritual experiences and self-discovery. Many believe that naturally occurring drugs like magic mushrooms are sacred herbs that enable people to attain superior spiritual states. Others take magic mushrooms to experience a sense of euphoria and connection. The use of shrooms has been reported among indigenous people of America and Europe for thousands of years for both spiritual and medicinal purposes.
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Shrooms are illegal in most places
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Shrooms have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and medicinal purposes by indigenous peoples of America and Europe. They are also used as recreational drugs.
Despite their long history of use, shrooms are illegal in most places. Psilocybin is considered one of the most well-known psychedelics, and it is classified as a Schedule I drug under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse or misuse and no recognized medical uses. In the United States, for example, it is illegal to possess, sell, or give away psilocybin mushrooms, and significant legal penalties are imposed on those who do so. The cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is also often considered drug manufacture and is penalized.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide, and some countries have different levels of regulation or prohibition. For instance, in the United States, the possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances, while in some jurisdictions, the sale and possession of spores are permitted. In one US state, New Mexico, growing psilocybin mushrooms is not considered "manufacturing" a controlled substance.
The decision to make shrooms illegal was influenced by the belief that they have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. However, this perspective has been contested, as psilocybin mushrooms have been found to have benefits for physical and mental health. Additionally, the mushrooms have a significantly lower potential for abuse than other Schedule I drugs.
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Shrooms have side effects
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Shrooms have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and medicinal purposes by indigenous peoples of America and Europe.
Despite their long history of use, shrooms carry risks that should be recognized. Shrooms are illegal in most places and are classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States, meaning they have a high potential for misuse and no currently accepted medical use in treatment.
Short-term effects: Shrooms are known for their short-term effects, which typically include euphoria, visual and auditory hallucinations, intensified emotions, an altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences. Other short-term side effects may include dilated pupils, elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea, yawning, drowsiness, nervousness, paranoia, panic, and psychosis. It is important to note that the effects of shrooms can be influenced by environmental factors, such as one's mood, setting, and previous encounters with psychedelic drugs.
Long-term effects: Long-term shroom use has been associated with potential alterations in brain chemistry, particularly with the serotonin system, which regulates mood, emotions, and cognitive functions. One recognized long-term effect is the development of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), which involves perceptual changes that can persist for weeks or months after shroom use. These changes include recurring visual disturbances, such as seeing trails, halos around objects, or geometric patterns. Another long-term phenomenon is the occurrence of "flashbacks," which involve the sudden reoccurrence of intense sensory perceptions or emotions associated with past psychedelic experiences. While these experiences are rare and not everyone will have them, they can be distressing and disruptive.
Addiction and withdrawal: While psilocybin is not considered a classically addictive drug, some people may become psychologically addicted to the changes mushrooms induce and may find it hard to quit. Withdrawal symptoms from shrooms are generally mild and may include some psychological effects or feelings of tiredness.
Cardiovascular risks: Shroom use can cause a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure, and prolonged use may contribute to heart damage. Additionally, psilocybin may increase the risk of cardiac arrest and death in people with heart disease.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: There is insufficient information to determine the safety of psilocybin use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so it is recommended to avoid it.
Bipolar disorder: Psilocybin may increase the risk of mania in individuals with bipolar disorder or a family history of bipolar disorder.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Psilocybin may worsen diarrhea in people with IBS.
Drug interactions: Psilocybin may interact with certain medications that affect serotonin levels, potentially leading to serious side effects such as heart problems, seizures, and vomiting. It is not safe to mix shrooms with other substances, including alcohol.
It is important to note that the effects of shrooms can vary from person to person, and while they are considered one of the least toxic drugs, lethal doses are possible. If you believe you have consumed poisonous mushrooms, seek immediate medical attention.
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Shrooms are a recreational drug
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. Shrooms are considered a recreational drug due to the intense psychedelic experience they can provide, with both short- and long-term effects on the mind and body. Shrooms have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and medicinal purposes by indigenous peoples of America and Europe.
The active ingredient in shrooms, psilocybin, can lead to hallucinations, mood swings, and altered perception of time. Shrooms can be eaten raw or dried, brewed into tea, or mixed with food to mask their bitter flavour. They are also sometimes mixed with cannabis or tobacco and smoked. The effects of shrooms can be highly variable and influenced by environmental factors, such as the user's mood and the setting in which they take the drug.
While some people may seek out shrooms for a peaceful high, they have also been reported to induce anxiety, paranoia, and frightening hallucinations. Shrooms can be unpredictable and risky, especially at high doses or in unsafe settings. They are illegal in most places and carry risks such as the possibility of ingesting poisonous mushrooms, which can lead to severe illness or even death. Regular use of shrooms can lead to tolerance and dependence, increasing the risk of addiction.
It is important to stay informed about the potential risks of shrooms and other psychedelic drugs. If you are considering using shrooms, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional to understand the risks and potential negative effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound.
Shrooms can cause hallucinations, an altered perception of time, and an inability to distinguish fantasy from reality. They can also lead to nausea, yawning, feeling drowsy, nervousness, paranoia, panic, and psychosis.
No, shrooms are illegal in most places and carry risks. They can induce anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion. Many people have fallen severely ill or even died from consuming poisonous mushrooms that resemble magic mushrooms.
