Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that can have various effects on the human body. While they are known to cause hallucinations, there are also several health benefits associated with their consumption. Some mushrooms are believed to have blood-thinning properties, and they can also act as a mild laxative. Additionally, mushrooms are a good source of vitamin K, which aids in blood clotting. Beyond their impact on blood, mushrooms are also known to cause intestinal gas due to the presence of the oligosaccharide sugar raffinose, which is not fully digested in the small intestine. From a culinary perspective, mushrooms are often used in dishes to add flavour and texture, and they are considered a healthy addition to one's diet. However, it is important to exercise caution when consuming mushrooms, as some varieties can be poisonous.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do mushrooms have blood? | Mushrooms are a type of fungus and do not have blood. However, they do bruise and bleed when cut. |
| How to identify mushrooms through bruising and bleeding | Some mushrooms will change colour when damaged or injured. Certain mushrooms exude a milky liquid substance when cut, which is not blood but natural latex. |
| Do mushrooms affect blood? | Yes, mushrooms can thin the blood. |
| Do magic mushrooms affect blood? | Yes, magic mushrooms can cause elevated blood pressure. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms don't have blood, but they do 'bleed'
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, and while they don't have blood, they do exhibit a phenomenon known as "bleeding" or "bruising." This occurs when certain mushrooms change colour when they are cut or damaged. Some mushrooms will exude a milky, latex-like substance when injured, which is not actual blood but a natural defence mechanism. This latex dries and forms a protective coating, safeguarding the mushroom from further harm.
The ability to "bleed" or "bruise" is an important characteristic used to identify mushrooms. For example, the Saffron Milky Cap mushroom bruises green when handled, while another variety turns blue when sliced. Interestingly, the common button mushroom, found in most supermarkets, can develop bluish-purple bruises when injured, though this is not caused by ruptured blood vessels as it is in humans and other animals.
The colour change in mushrooms is not limited to bruising or bleeding. Some mushrooms, known as blue-bruising mushrooms, exhibit this unique characteristic due to the presence of psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds are responsible for the psychoactive effects associated with certain mushroom species. While psilocybin often gets the attention, it is actually converted into psychedelic psilocin in the human body, which then induces profound brain states.
It is important to distinguish that while mushrooms themselves don't have blood, there have been rare cases where people have injected mushroom tea directly into their bloodstream, resulting in the growth of fungi in their blood. This dangerous practice can lead to serious health complications, including multisystem organ failure and acute respiratory failure, requiring long-term medical treatment. Therefore, it is crucial to understand that mushrooms are meant to be consumed orally and should not be injected.
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This 'blood' is actually latex, a defence mechanism
Mushrooms are a special type of fungus that can be identified by their bruising and bleeding. Certain mushrooms will change colour when damaged or injured. For example, the gills of some mushrooms will stain, but their stems and caps do not. The spores and stems of some mushrooms will turn deep blue/black when cut. Saffron milky caps will bruise green when handled, while a Bolete will turn blue when sliced in half.
Some mushrooms exude a milky liquid substance when they are cut. This is not real "blood", but natural latex that is produced when the mushroom is injured. This latex is believed to be a defence mechanism due to its bitter taste and the protective coating it forms around the injury when it dries. The exact reason for the latex is not fully understood.
The colour of the bruising is also indicative of the mushroom's properties. Blue bruising, for example, may indicate the presence of psilocybin and psilocin, the primary chemical compounds responsible for the psychoactive effects of certain mushroom species. If your mushroom bruises blue, it might be psychedelic.
Mushrooms are also known to have some health benefits. They strengthen the immune system by acting as a prebiotic, or food for beneficial bacteria in the gut. They are also great for thinning the blood.
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Some mushrooms are used to treat blood-related issues
Mushrooms do not contain blood, but certain varieties do exhibit bruising or bleeding when cut or damaged. This "mushroom blood" is not actually blood but natural latex produced when the mushroom is injured.
In addition to reishi mushrooms, there are several other types of medicinal mushrooms used to treat cancer in Asia, including turkey tail, shiitake, and maitake. These mushrooms are being studied to determine how they affect the immune system and if they can stop or slow the growth of tumors or kill tumor cells.
While not directly related to treating blood-related issues, it is worth noting that magic mushrooms (psilocybin mushrooms) have been the subject of research for their potential therapeutic effects on mental health issues such as anxiety. However, it is important to distinguish that magic mushrooms are typically consumed orally and should not be injected directly into the bloodstream, as this can lead to serious health complications, including fungal infections and multisystem organ failure.
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'Magic mushrooms' can cause a bad trip, leading to hospitalisation
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin, are mushrooms that contain hallucinogens, usually psilocybin and psilocin. They are classified as Schedule I substances, meaning they are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely from person to person, and can range from euphoria and heightened emotions and senses to anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.
While some people may experience enjoyable trips, others may have terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. This is known as a "bad trip". The risk of a bad trip is higher when magic mushrooms are consumed in a noisy, crowded place, or when the user is in a negative state of mind. The only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is to abstain from consuming magic mushrooms.
During a bad trip, users may experience impaired judgment, which can lead to risk-taking behaviour and traumatic injuries. In rare cases, consuming a large amount of mushrooms can lead to severe side effects that may require hospitalisation or even result in death. Additionally, consuming magic mushrooms with other drugs, such as ice, speed, or psychiatric medications, can increase the likelihood of a bad trip and lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes.
It is important to note that the strength of magic mushrooms can vary greatly, and it is difficult to know how strong a mushroom is before consuming it. This variability, combined with the unpredictable nature of the effects, underscores the importance of responsible and informed use. Users should be in a safe and peaceful environment, have a trusted friend present, and avoid mixing magic mushrooms with other substances to minimise the risk of a bad trip that could lead to hospitalisation.
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Mushrooms can be identified by their bruising and bleeding
One notable characteristic that can help identify a magic mushroom is if the mushroom bruises blue. This may indicate the presence of psilocybin and psilocin, the primary chemical compounds responsible for the psychoactive effects of certain mushroom species. It is worth noting that psilocybin often takes the limelight, but the chemical is converted into psychedelic psilocin in the human body. It is psilocin that makes it to your brain and induces brain states that can lead to profound and sometimes mystical experiences.
The cause of blue bruising in psychedelic mushrooms baffled scientists for decades, but in 2019, German researchers finally cracked the code. Even the common button mushroom, found in abundance at the local supermarket, can develop bluish-purple bruises when injured. However, these bruises are not caused by ruptured blood vessels, like they are in humans and other animals.
It is important to remember that not all blue-bruising mushrooms are safe to eat or hallucinogenic. Saffron milky caps, for example, bruise green when handled, while a bolete will turn blue when sliced in half. Therefore, it is crucial to consider multiple characteristics when identifying mushrooms and not rely solely on bruising or bleeding.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushrooms are a type of fungus, not plants, and therefore do not have blood. However, some mushrooms exude a milky liquid substance that resembles blood when they are cut. This is not blood, but natural latex that is believed to be a defence mechanism.
You can identify mushrooms through bruising and bleeding. Some mushrooms will change colour when damaged or injured. For example, the Saffron milky cap bruises green when handled, and Bolete turns blue when sliced in half.
Mushrooms are a great addition to a healthy diet. They strengthen the immune system by acting as a prebiotic, or food for beneficial bacteria in the gut. They are also great for thinning blood.
While it is not recommended, there has been a case of a man injecting mushroom tea into his bloodstream. He ended up in the emergency department with the fungus growing in his blood and spent 22 days in the hospital, with eight of those days in the intensive care unit (ICU).
