Emma Wilson
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as shrooms or magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic drugs that have been used for thousands of years. They gained popularity in the 1960s, associated with the youth counterculture and psychedelia. Today, they are known to induce creative and open-minded perspectives, with effects lasting around 3 to 6 hours. However, the intensity of the experience can vary, and higher doses may lead to unpleasant physical and psychological effects, including hallucinations, anxiety, and in rare cases, severe health risks or even death. As research into the potential benefits and risks of psilocybin mushrooms continues, there are calls for responsible adult use, education, and potential legal reform.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Shrooms, Magic Mushrooms |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic |
| Onset time | 30 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 3 to 6 hours |
| Legality | Schedule I drug in the US, illegal in Australia, UK |
| Effects | Hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, distorted sense of time, place and reality, increased creativity and new perspectives |
| Poisonous | Yes, some mushroom species are extremely poisonous and can cause severe illness or death |
| Addiction | No physical dependence, mild psychological withdrawal effects reported |
| Research | Used for thousands of years, modern medical research is studying their potential use as a treatment for mental and behavioral health conditions |
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What You'll Learn
The effects of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, contain the hallucinogenic drugs psilocybin or psilocin. They are typically consumed dried or powdered and can be mixed with food or drinks. They can also be smoked or brewed like tea. The effects of magic mushrooms are highly variable and influenced by a number of factors, including dosage, age, weight, personality, emotional state, environment, and history of mental illness.
While magic mushrooms have been associated with spiritual experiences and self-discovery, they can also have unpleasant effects. Some people may experience anxiety, paranoia, panic, and psychosis. Higher doses or stronger mushrooms can increase the risk of adverse effects, including hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. In rare cases, a very large dose can lead to a long-term mental health condition called psychosis. Additionally, there is a risk of poisoning from picking and consuming the wrong types of mushrooms, as some mushroom species can be extremely poisonous.
Research is currently being conducted on the potential therapeutic benefits of magic mushrooms. Studies have shown that psilocybin may be effective in treating depression, substance use disorders, and relieving emotional distress in people with life-threatening cancer diagnoses. Magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, and there is ongoing advocacy for removing legal restrictions on mushroom possession to allow for medical use. However, further research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of magic mushroom consumption.
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The legality of magic mushrooms
In the United States, psilocybin is federally classified as a Schedule I controlled substance with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. However, some states have taken steps towards decriminalization and legalization for therapeutic use. For example, Oregon voters passed a ballot measure in 2020, making it the first state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize its supervised use. Other states like Colorado, California, and Massachusetts have also made efforts towards decriminalization and legalization.
Outside of the United States, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies. In countries like Canada, Australia, Denmark, Peru, and Bolivia, psilocybin is legal for medicinal use or completely legal. However, in other jurisdictions, such as Germany and some US states, the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores are specifically prohibited.
The shifting legal landscape regarding magic mushrooms is influenced by increasing scientific research highlighting the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics. This growing body of evidence contributes to the changing attitudes and legal reforms, with localities, particularly in North America, revising their legal frameworks to reflect the evolving understanding of psychedelic substances.
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Poisonous mushrooms
One of the most well-known poisonous mushrooms is the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), which is considered to be the deadliest mushroom in the world. Found throughout Europe, the Death Cap closely resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms. Its amatoxins are heat-stable, meaning they withstand cooking temperatures, and quickly damage cells throughout the body. Within 6 to 12 hours of consumption, violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea appear, causing a rapid loss of fluids and intense thirst. This is followed by severe liver, kidney, and central nervous system involvement, including decreased urinary output and low blood sugar. The Death Cap has been responsible for notable deaths throughout history, including Pope Clement VII in 1534 and possibly Roman Emperor Claudius in 54 CE.
Another poisonous mushroom is the Destroying Angel (Amanita verna), which includes several species of all-white mushrooms in the Amanita genus. These toxic fungi closely resemble edible button and meadow mushrooms and have been mistakenly consumed on numerous occasions. Symptoms of ingesting the Destroying Angel appear within 5 to 24 hours and include vomiting, delirium, convulsions, diarrhoea, liver and kidney failure, and often death.
Other notable poisonous mushrooms include the Jack O'Lantern Mushroom, which has true gills that end abruptly along the stem, and the Autumn Skullcap (Galerina marginata), which is often mistaken for hallucinogenic mushrooms due to its small, brown, and sticky appearance. The Fool's Webcap (Cortinarius orellanus) is also poisonous and can cause kidney failure if ingested.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is important for mushroom gatherers to familiarize themselves with both edible and toxic mushroom species. While cooking can sometimes reduce toxins, some poisons, such as amatoxins, are heat-stable and will not be neutralized by cooking.
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Combining mushrooms with other substances
Magic mushrooms, which contain the psychoactive ingredient psilocybin, are commonly consumed for recreational and therapeutic purposes. While psilocybin is largely safe, it can interact negatively with other drugs, especially stimulants and other hallucinogens. Mixing magic mushrooms with stimulants like cocaine, amphetamines, or MDMA can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Combining mushrooms with depressants like alcohol and opioids can increase the risk of accidents and injuries, as both substances can amplify nausea, dehydration, and impair judgment, leading to risky behaviours.
Psilocybin and marijuana are a common combination, with some studies reporting that nearly 60% of university students who had recently taken magic mushrooms consumed cannabis simultaneously. While this combination does not appear to pose serious health risks, it can lead to an uncomfortable experience, especially for those new to either substance. Cannabis may intensify the effects of psilocybin, particularly hallucinations, which could be overwhelming for psychedelic novices. Additionally, individuals with a history of mental health conditions should exercise caution when combining mushrooms and cannabis, as both substances can worsen symptoms of anxiety and paranoia.
Some individuals use benzodiazepines like Valium to prevent or manage bad trips associated with psilocybin and other hallucinogens. However, the CNS depressant effects of benzodiazepines, coupled with the perceptual distortion caused by psilocybin, can increase the risk of accidents and injuries. Furthermore, it may be challenging to determine the appropriate dosage of benzodiazepines while under the influence of psilocybin, leading to the potential risk of respiratory depression, coma, or death.
Magic mushrooms should not be combined with certain psychiatric medications as they may trigger a relapse or worsen the underlying condition. Additionally, the effects of mixing mushrooms with ice, speed, or ecstasy can increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to panic attacks. It is crucial to approach substance mixing with caution and consult a healthcare professional before combining magic mushrooms with any other drug or medication.
While it is generally advised to avoid mixing mushrooms with other substances, some individuals explore stacking different types of medicinal mushrooms to harness their unique benefits. For example, Cordyceps, known as the "energy mushroom," is often combined with Lion's Mane, dubbed the "smart mushroom," to enhance focus and energy. In contrast, Reishi and Chaga are blended for their calming and gut-soothing properties.
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The history of mushroom use
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions.
The Ancient History of Mushroom Use
Magic mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have been using magic mushrooms for ceremonial and medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE from Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformation of the user under their influence. Prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago. The hallucinogenic species of the Psilocybe genus have a history of use among the native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination, and healing, from pre-Columbian times to the present day. Mushroom stones and motifs have been found in Guatemala. A statuette dating from c. 200 CE depicting a mushroom strongly resembling Psilocybe mexicana was found in the west Mexican state of Colima in a shaft and chamber tomb.
Mushroom Use in the Americas
In Central America, Aztec and Mazateca cultures believed these mushrooms had divine properties and used them during coronations and other important events until at least the 1500s. A Psilocybe species known to the Aztecs as teōnanācatl (literally "divine mushroom") was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. However, after the Spanish conquest, Catholic missionaries campaigned against the cultural tradition of the Aztecs, dismissing them as idolaters, and the use of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms, along with other pre-Christian traditions, was quickly suppressed. The Spanish believed the mushrooms allowed the Aztecs and others to communicate with demons. Despite this history, the use of teonanácatl has persisted in some remote areas.
Modern History of Mushroom Use
In the 1960s, mushroom use became associated with psychedelia and youth counterculture. Today, people still use shrooms for a variety of purposes. Modern medical research is studying their potential use as a treatment for some mental and behavioral health conditions. As this research continues to show promise, there is advocacy for removing some of the longstanding legal restrictions on mushroom possession. Shrooms are illegal in most places and carry risks that people should recognize.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are mushrooms that contain hallucinogenic drugs called psilocybin, psilocyn, ibotenic acid, or muscimol. They have been used by humans for thousands of years for their hallucinogenic properties.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on dosage, age, weight, personality, emotional state, environment, and history of mental illness. The world may appear distorted, with altered colours, sounds, objects, and sense of time. Some people experience mild hallucinations, while others may have frightening hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and confusion. It's important to note that higher doses or stronger mushrooms can increase the intensity of these effects and may lead to unpleasant experiences or long-term adverse outcomes.
Magic mushrooms are classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States, indicating a high potential for misuse and no currently accepted medical use in treatment. While they are not known to cause physical dependence, there may be mild psychological withdrawal effects. Additionally, it is challenging to determine the strength of mushrooms, and consuming a large dose can lead to severe side effects, including long-term mental health conditions like psychosis. Mixing drugs is always risky, and some combinations can be dangerous. Furthermore, it is essential to be cautious when sourcing magic mushrooms, as some mushrooms that resemble magic mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause serious illness or even death.
