Michael Davis
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are hallucinogenic drugs that can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours. While some people use magic mushrooms recreationally or to enhance spiritual experiences, there are risks associated with their use, including the possibility of a 'bad trip' that can lead to panic, anxiety, paranoia, and frightening hallucinations. Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming poisonous ones, which can result in severe illness or even death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin |
| Active compound | Psilocin |
| Drug type | Psychedelic, hallucinogen |
| Administration | Oral (eaten fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, dried, powdered) |
| Effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, synesthesia, perceptual changes, mystical experience, flashbacks, nausea, yawning, drowsiness, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, panic attacks, fear, increased heart rate, psychosis |
| Onset of effects | 5-45 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Risks | Poisoning, accidental ingestion, bad trips, death |
| Legality | Federally banned in the US, legal to buy spores in most states, not included in Schedule 1 |
| History | Used in traditional ceremonies by indigenous people in Central America as early as 3000 B.C., popularized in the 1950s, widely used in the 1960s and 1970s |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are used recreationally
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are naturally occurring hallucinogenic fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are commonly used as a recreational drug, providing feelings of euphoria and sensory distortion.
Magic mushrooms are typically consumed dried, powdered, or fresh, and can be eaten, brewed into tea, or mixed with food to mask their bitter taste. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours. The effects include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, distorted sense of time and space, and enhanced or contrasting colours. Some people may also experience negative effects, such as a "'bad trip", which can include feelings of anxiety, panic, paranoia, and disturbing hallucinations.
The use of magic mushrooms has a long history, dating back to indigenous people in Central America who used them for healing and spiritual rituals as early as 3000 B.C. They have also been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe and were widely collected in North America, Europe, and Asia by the early 1970s. Today, magic mushrooms are used recreationally in various settings, such as dance clubs or by individuals seeking a transcendent spiritual experience.
It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and can be unpredictable. Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs or medications can be dangerous, and there is also a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming poisonous ones, which can have severe health consequences.
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They can cause hallucinations and distort reality
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can distort reality. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, arousal, and panic responses. They can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted in the body to the psychedelic psilocin.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes when eaten, or within 5 to 10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. The effects include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. Some people who consume these mushrooms fresh cover them with chocolate to mask the bitter taste, or brew them into a tea. The use of magic mushrooms rarely results in any life-threatening symptoms, but a large amount or a strong batch of mushrooms can be dangerous.
Some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks, which are usually visual distortions that involve changes in emotions or perception. Flashbacks can happen weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken, and can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise. They may be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled.
The effects of psilocybin are generally similar to those of LSD. They include an altered perception of time and space and intense changes in mood and feeling. Some people use psilocybin as a recreational drug, as it can provide feelings of euphoria and sensory distortion common to hallucinogenic drugs. However, users may also experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and panic after taking the drug.
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They can be dangerous when mixed with other drugs
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic drugs that can induce euphoria and sensory distortion. They are typically eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into tea. However, they can be dangerous when mixed with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications. Polydrug use, or the concurrent use of multiple drugs, can lead to unpredictable and harmful consequences. For instance, combining magic mushrooms with drugs like ice, speed, or ecstasy can increase the likelihood of a ""bad trip," resulting in panic and fear.
The effects of magic mushrooms are highly variable and depend on factors such as dosage, individual biology, and the environment. When mixed with other drugs, the interaction can heighten the intensity of these effects, leading to negative experiences. Additionally, the use of magic mushrooms with certain psychiatric medications should be avoided, as it may trigger a relapse or worsen the underlying condition.
The active compound in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, is a Schedule I substance according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), indicating a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical value. While current research does not suggest that psilocybin is addictive, its interaction with other drugs may increase the risk of adverse effects. Mixing psilocybin with other psychoactive substances can amplify the distortion of senses, emotions, and perception, leading to a loss of control and heightened anxiety or paranoia.
Furthermore, the risk of misidentification between hallucinogenic and poisonous mushrooms is significant. Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe illness or even death. When mixed with other drugs, the toxic effects of these mushrooms may be exacerbated, leading to unpredictable and potentially life-threatening consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution and refrain from combining magic mushrooms with other substances to minimize the risk of harmful interactions.
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They are used in spiritual and healing rituals
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, have been used in spiritual and healing rituals by indigenous people in Central America as far back as 3000 B.C. In modern times, psilocybin mushrooms are used recreationally at dance clubs or by people seeking a transcendent spiritual experience.
The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, a hallucinogenic chemical that can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted. When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted in the body to psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes when eaten, or within 5 to 10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely, ranging from euphoria and a sense of oneness with the universe to terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. The user's personality and expectations, the surrounding people and environment, the amount taken, and the user's age, unique biology, sex, and history of drug use can all play a role in how they respond to the drug.
In addition to their use in spiritual and healing rituals, psilocybin mushrooms have been studied for their potential to treat mental illness, including substance use disorders. However, it is important to note that the use of any drug carries risks, and magic mushrooms can be dangerous when taken with other drugs or by people on certain psychiatric medications.
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They may have potential to treat mental illness
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, has been studied by scientists for decades as a potential treatment for mental illness, including substance use disorders. The drug has a long history of use in traditional ceremonies, with indigenous people in Central America using it for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 B.C. In the early 1970s, many psilocybin mushroom species were described from temperate North America, Europe, and Asia, and they were widely collected.
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in certain mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. When ingested, psilocybin is converted to psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties. These mushrooms can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea, and their effects usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes and can last up to six hours. The effects of psilocybin include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. Some people may also experience intense emotions, ranging from bliss to terror, and physical side effects such as increased heart rate or nausea.
While the use of psilocybin mushrooms is primarily recreational, there is ongoing research into their potential therapeutic benefits. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, psilocybin may show promise in helping to treat or manage certain conditions. However, it is important to note that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers psilocybin a Schedule I substance, indicating a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose. Additionally, the risk of poor mental health outcomes may be higher when psilocybin is used outside of supervised clinical settings.
Despite the potential risks and uncertainties associated with psilocybin, its ability to induce altered states of consciousness and affect mood, cognition, and perception has sparked interest in its therapeutic potential. Further controlled research is needed to fully understand the benefits and risks of using psilocybin to treat mental illness.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as 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.
Magic mushrooms can cause a range of effects, including euphoria, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and panic. The effects can vary depending on the individual and the environment they are in.
Magic mushrooms can have unpredictable and dangerous effects when taken with other drugs. There is also a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming poisonous ones, which can cause severe illness or even death.
