Sarah Brown
Psilocybin mushrooms, more commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, 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 effects of psilocybin mushrooms vary widely and depend on the user's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations of what will happen. The mushrooms are usually consumed fresh and covered in chocolate, brewed into tea, or prepared with food to mask their bitter taste. They can also be dried and crushed into a powder to be used in capsules or edibles. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality, and adverse side effects may include disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, and flashbacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Active compounds | Psilocybin, psilocin, β-carbolines |
| Effects | Hallucinations, flashbacks, heightened anxiety, panic reactions, psychosis, distorted senses, changes in emotions, dilated pupils, muscular relaxation, inability to discern fantasy from reality |
| Duration of effects | 3-8 hours, peaking in the first 3-4 hours |
| Forms | Fresh or dried mushrooms, extracts, edibles, tea, liquid psilocybin, capsules |
| Legality | Illegal in most places, including Australia |
| Medical uses | Potential treatment for depression, nicotine and alcohol addictions, substance use disorders, emotional distress related to life-threatening cancer diagnoses |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
What are the effects of psychedelic mushrooms?
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individuals. Also known as magic mushrooms, they are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin when ingested. The active ingredients in magic mushrooms are chemicals called psilocybin and psilocin, which are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions.
The effects of magic mushrooms can depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. They usually occur within 15-45 minutes of ingestion and last between four and six hours. However, changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can last longer, and flashbacks can occur weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken. These flashbacks are usually visual distortions that involve changes in emotions or perception.
The psychological consequences of using psilocybin include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and psychosis may also occur, particularly with larger doses. Other common effects include hilarity, lack of concentration, and muscular relaxation (including dilated pupils).
The environment in which someone takes psychedelic mushrooms can also influence the experience. A negative environment could contribute to a bad trip, while a comfortable and familiar environment can lead to a pleasant experience. Psychedelics make experiences more intense, so entering a trip in an anxious state of mind may lead to heightened anxiety during the trip.
There is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of magic mushrooms and psilocybin. However, it is important to note that there are risks associated with their use, including the possibility of a bad trip, poisoning from consuming the wrong type of mushroom, and unpredictable behaviour that can lead to injuries.
Mushroom Spores: Allergy Triggers or Not?
You may want to see also
What do they look like?
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin when ingested. They are small and usually brown or tan, and can easily be mistaken for poisonous mushrooms.
The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been found in around a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
In Australia, the most common types of magic mushrooms are golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps. They can be consumed in various forms, such as fresh or dried mushrooms, or turned into extracts or food products like mushroom edibles or mushroom tea. People also consume them by brewing them into tea or preparing them with food to mask their bitter taste.
Synthetic psilocybin appears as a white crystalline powder that can be processed into tablets or capsules or dissolved in water. It is important to note that the effects of psilocybin vary widely, and while it is not considered addictive, there are risks associated with its use, including the possibility of a ""bad trip" and poisoning from consuming the wrong types of mushrooms.
Mushrooms: Invasive or Not?
You may want to see also
How do people take them?
There are several ways to take psychedelic mushrooms, each with its own effects on how quickly and intensely the psilocybin will be absorbed by the body. The experience of consuming magic mushrooms can vary significantly depending on the method of ingestion.
One common way to consume psychedelic mushrooms is to eat them whole. However, some people may find this nauseating due to the bitter taste of the mushrooms. To mask the taste, some people choose to mix the mushrooms with food or make edibles out of them. However, it is important to note that exposing mushrooms to high temperatures can destroy the active compounds, and consuming mushrooms with food can mitigate their effects. Another option is to consume them in the form of dried material in capsules.
Another popular method of consumption is to brew the mushrooms into a tea, which can be a more pleasant experience for some people. Additionally, squeezing a lemon into the tea before consumption can enhance the effects.
The environment and setting in which psychedelic mushrooms are consumed can also impact the experience. Taking mushrooms in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a positive experience, while being in a noisy and crowded place may result in a negative experience. It is important to be in a good state of mind and have trusted friends and a safe environment before taking magic mushrooms to reduce the risk of a bad trip.
It is worth noting that consuming psychedelic mushrooms can be risky due to the potential for misidentifying mushrooms and accidentally ingesting toxic or poisonous varieties, which can result in severe illness or even death. Additionally, combining magic mushrooms with other drugs or certain medications can be unpredictable and dangerous, increasing the chances of a bad trip.
The Mushrooms' Mystery: Keep Your Hands Off!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Are they safe?
While magic mushrooms have been deemed the safest "recreational" drug, with only 0.2% of almost 10,000 people requiring emergency medical treatment, they are not without their risks. Magic mushrooms are illegal in most places, and there is a big risk of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can cause severe illness or even death. Magic mushrooms are also hallucinogenic, and users may experience disturbing hallucinations, paranoia, loss of boundaries, a distorted sense of self, anxiety, panic, and impaired judgment, which may lead to risk-taking behaviour and traumatic injuries. Mixing magic mushrooms with other substances, such as cannabis, alcohol, or amphetamines, can also elevate the risk of serious side effects.
Magic mushrooms are not considered addictive, and there is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on them. However, it is possible to develop a tolerance to their effects with regular use, and there may be cross-tolerance with other drugs, such as LSD and mescaline. The risk of a "bad trip" may be influenced by factors such as dosage, mood, and environment, with feelings of stress or anxiety before use being a particular risk factor.
There is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic uses of magic mushrooms, with promising results for the treatment of various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use. However, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin, and more research is needed to understand the potential risks and benefits fully.
It is important to note that the safety of consuming magic mushrooms during pregnancy is unknown, and pregnant individuals should consult their healthcare provider before taking any drug.
The Magic of Growing Psychedelic Mushrooms
You may want to see also
What is the history of their use?
The history of psychedelic mushroom use is a long and complex one, dating back thousands of years. Some of the earliest evidence of their use comes from prehistoric rock art and cave paintings found in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. For example, rock art from around 9000-7000 BCE in Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and their effects on users. Similarly, a 4000 BCE cave painting in Spain illustrates what appear to be hallucinogenic mushrooms, specifically Psilocybe hispanica.
For centuries, indigenous cultures in Mesoamerica have used psilocybin-containing mushrooms in various rituals and ceremonies. Known as teonanacatl or "god's flesh" in the Nahuatl language, these mushrooms held deep spiritual and religious significance. Spanish missionaries attempted to destroy all evidence of their use in the 1500s, but a 16th-century friar's writings sparked a later interest in ethnopharmacology.
In the 1950s and 1960s, psilocybin mushrooms gained wider attention in Western culture. U.S. banker Gordon Wasson and his wife participated in a mushroom ceremony in Mexico and later shared their experiences, breaking their promise of privacy to the shaman. This led to Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman isolating psilocybin and producing pills for research. Thousands of doses were administered in clinical settings, and the substance was considered a potential “wonder drug” for treating various conditions, including addiction and anxiety.
During this time, Harvard University psychology professors Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert also became interested in the effects of psilocybin mushrooms after reading about them in a magazine article. Leary, in particular, became a prominent advocate for the hallucinogenic drug, coining the phrase "turn on, tune in, and drop out." This phrase became a rallying cry for the hippie movement of the 1960s, which popularized the use of magic mushrooms. However, this also led to a backlash, with President Richard Nixon initiating the War on Drugs and classifying psilocybin mushrooms as a Schedule I substance, halting research on their potential therapeutic benefits for decades.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the potential medical applications of psilocybin. Research institutions like Johns Hopkins have explored its use in treating mental health conditions, and some U.S. states have even legalized the use of psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic purposes. The promise of psychedelics in mental health treatment has led to a growing acceptance of these mushrooms, despite their controversial past.
Mushrooms: Friend or Foe for Your Gut?
You may want to see also
