Laura Smith
Magic mushrooms, also known as psychedelic mushrooms, are fungi that contain hallucinogens, usually psilocybin and psilocin. These mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, with over 100 species of psilocybin mushrooms worldwide, the majority of which are members of the genus Psilocybe. Other genera with psilocybin-containing fungi include Copelandia, Galerina, Gymnopilus, Hypholoma, Inocybe, Panaeolus, and Pluteus. The effects of consuming these mushrooms vary greatly between individuals and can be influenced by factors such as the mushroom species, the setting, and the user's mental state. While some users report positive and insightful experiences, there is also a risk of a bad trip, which can include frightening or distressing hallucinations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Species | Over 100 species worldwide, with some sources claiming over 200 species |
| Common Species | Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe Mexicana, Psilocybe Semilanceata, Psilocybe Azurescens, Psilocybe Cyanescens, Golden Tops, Blue Meanies, Liberty Caps |
| Active Ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered perception, mood and consciousness, euphoria, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, flashbacks, "bad trips", "psychedelic hangover" |
| Legality | Illegal in some places, such as Canada and Australia, while legal in others, such as the Bahamas, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Nepal, Netherlands, and Samoa |
| Therapeutic Uses | Potential to treat various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, problematic substance use, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) |
| Addictiveness | Little evidence of physical or psychological dependence, but it is possible to become tolerant to the drug's effects with regular use |
| Identification | Difficult due to continuous variation in appearance and similarity to poisonous mushrooms |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin and psilocin
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the psychoactive substances psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose. Psilocybin occurs naturally in over 200 species of Basidiomycota mushrooms, including the Psilocybe mexicana, which was first identified by French mycologist Roger Heim in 1957.
The effects of psilocybin vary widely, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations. Some people use psilocybin as a recreational drug, as it can provide feelings of euphoria and sensory distortion that are common to hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD. However, adverse side effects may also occur, including disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, and paranoia. These negative experiences are more likely to occur with higher doses or in individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions.
When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted by the body into psilocin, which is the chemical primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of magic mushrooms. The effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes of ingestion and can last between four and six hours, although changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can sometimes last longer. The potency of psilocybin and psilocin varies among different species of magic mushrooms, but they typically make up around 1% of the dried weight of the mushrooms.
While there is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on magic mushrooms, it is possible to develop tolerance with regular use, where even high doses of the drug may no longer produce the desired effects. Additionally, the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to \"bad trips\" or \"flashbacks,\" which may be frightening and involve paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. However, there is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin in treating various mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Chaga Mushrooms: Nature's Superfood for Health
You may want to see also
They are not physically addictive
Magic mushrooms, also known as psychedelic mushrooms, are fungi that contain psychoactive compounds, specifically psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds are known for inducing hallucinations and altering perception, senses, thinking, emotions, and sense of time. While magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for spiritual, religious, or recreational purposes, they are currently illegal in many places and are listed as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Despite their widespread use and potential for abuse, magic mushrooms are not physically addictive. Physical addiction to these mushrooms is rare, and there is little evidence of people becoming physically dependent on them. The active compounds, psilocybin and psilocin, do not exhibit the same addictive properties as commonly abused substances like opioids or stimulants. Users of magic mushrooms do not follow typical patterns of addiction seen with other substances.
However, it is important to distinguish between physical and psychological dependence. While physical addiction is rare, magic mushrooms can lead to psychological dependence, and the impact of this should not be underestimated. Some individuals who stop using psilocybin, especially after frequent or high-dose use, experience psychological and emotional symptoms, which may include noticeable mood fluctuations, irritability, anxiety, or depression. These symptoms indicate a form of withdrawal, demonstrating the potential for psychological dependence on magic mushrooms.
Furthermore, while not physically addictive, magic mushrooms can lead to problematic and compulsive patterns of use. Users may continue consuming magic mushrooms to attain the pleasurable feelings associated with their use. This can result in negative consequences, such as strained or ended relationships, excessive spending on obtaining mushrooms, and legal problems due to possession, use, or distribution. Therefore, while magic mushrooms may not cause physical addiction, they can still negatively impact an individual's life and well-being.
Additionally, it is worth noting that magic mushrooms can have serious and long-lasting effects on an individual's health and mental state. Prolonged use has been linked to an increased risk of developing mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. Moreover, the altered state of consciousness induced by magic mushrooms can lead to risk-taking behaviors and unintentional self-harm. As a result, it is crucial to approach the use of magic mushrooms with caution and be aware of their potential risks and negative consequences.
Get Rid of Backyard Mushrooms: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
They can cause bad trips and flashbacks
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain hallucinogens, usually psilocybin and psilocin. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions. They can cause users to see, hear or feel things that are not there, or to experience anxiety, fear, nausea and muscle twitches accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and can be unpredictable. The strength of the mushrooms can also vary greatly, and there is no way to determine their potency before consuming them. A "bad trip" may occur, particularly at high doses. These experiences may be frightening and may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, a distorted sense of self and time, and impaired judgment, which may lead to risk-taking behaviour and, in rare cases, death.
The risk of a bad trip can be reduced by taking magic mushrooms in a calm, quiet and relaxed environment, with trusted friends and in a safe space. Being in a good state of mind can also reduce the risk of a bad trip. Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to panic. Using magic mushrooms with substances such as cannabis, amphetamines, alcohol and other drugs can also elevate the risk of serious side effects and adverse events.
Some people who use magic mushrooms may experience "flashbacks" involving a previous magic mushroom experience. 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 they can occur without warning, from a few days to months or even years after the drug was last taken.
Mushroom Bars: Dispensary Availability and Legality
You may want to see also
Explore related products
They have therapeutic potential
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are psychedelic drugs that can alter a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions, as well as their mood, perception, and thoughts. They contain hallucinogens, usually psilocybin and psilocin, which are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. While the use of magic mushrooms can lead to negative experiences, commonly known as "bad trips", there is increasing interest in their therapeutic potential.
Psilocybin has been used by Indigenous communities for centuries, with some researchers believing rock paintings in Western Australia indicate its use in Indigenous ceremonies over 10,000 years ago. In the 1950s and 1960s, scientists became interested in the potential therapeutic effects of psychedelics, but research was halted when the US banned all psychedelics in the late 1960s.
Today, there is ongoing research into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is supporting research into psilocybin as a potential treatment for substance use disorders and other mental illnesses. Additionally, the National Cancer Institute is funding a multi-site clinical trial to investigate the use of psilocybin to treat cancer-related mental health issues.
Johns Hopkins researchers have also contributed to the field, reporting that psilocybin, in the context of a cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment program, has helped longtime smokers quit and reduced anxiety in cancer patients. Furthermore, in a small study of adults with major depression, two doses of psilocybin, when combined with supportive psychotherapy, produced rapid and significant reductions in depressive symptoms.
While the therapeutic potential of psychedelic mushrooms is being explored, it is important to note that they can have adverse effects, particularly when mixed with other substances. Additionally, people with certain physical health conditions, like heart and liver disease, may be at a higher risk of negative side effects. Therefore, psychedelic therapy should always take place under professional supervision to reduce risks.
Basil and Mushrooms: A Flavor Symphony
You may want to see also
They are illegal in many places
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are illegal in many places around the world. They are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which requires its members to prohibit psilocybin and restrict the use of the drug to medical and scientific research. While the mushrooms themselves were not included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government, many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition in place.
In Canada, for example, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) makes it illegal to sell, possess, or produce magic mushrooms without authorisation. Similarly, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Australian Poisons Standard, and the Japanese Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law all reflect the terms of the UN convention and prohibit the possession and use of psilocybin.
The production, sale, and possession of magic mushrooms are also illegal in individual US states like California, Georgia, and Idaho, which have specifically prohibited the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores. Cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is often considered drug manufacture and can result in severe penalties. However, it is important to note that some jurisdictions, like New Mexico, have ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms does not qualify as manufacturing a controlled substance.
While psychedelic mushrooms are illegal in many places, there has been a recent shift towards decriminalisation and regulation for medicinal use. For instance, the Canadian province of Alberta has allowed the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. Similarly, in 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalise psilocybin mushrooms, and in 2023, Australia approved psilocybin for prescription medications to treat PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
Mushrooms: Living Organisms or Objects?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are mushrooms that contain hallucinogens, usually psilocybin and psilocin. They can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions.
The effects of consuming psychedelic mushrooms can vary greatly between individuals. Factors like the mushroom species, setting, and the user's mental state can influence the nature of the experience. Some users report positive and insightful experiences, while others may experience frightening or distressing hallucinations, known as a "bad trip".
Yes, there are over 100 species of psychedelic mushrooms worldwide, with some sources claiming there are over 200 species. The majority of these species belong to the genus Psilocybe, which includes Psilocybe Mexicana and Psilocybe Cubensis. Other genera with psilocybin-containing fungi include Agrocybe, Copelandia, Galerina, Gymnopilus, and more.
While there is little evidence that people can become physically dependent on psychedelic mushrooms, it is possible to develop a psychological dependency. Regular use can lead to tolerance, where even high amounts of the drug will no longer produce the desired effect.
The laws regarding psychedelic mushrooms vary by region. In some places, such as the Bahamas, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Nepal, the Netherlands, and Samoa, they remain legal. However, in other places, such as Canada and Australia, the production, sale, and possession of psychedelic mushrooms are illegal.
