Michael Davis
Mushrooms contain a variety of chemicals, some of which can be hallucinogenic. The most well-known of these are psilocybin and psilocin, which are found in magic mushrooms or shrooms. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects of these mushrooms. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can include hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. The content of these chemicals in mushrooms can vary significantly between species and strains, with cultivated mushrooms showing less variability than wild mushrooms. Other chemicals found in mushrooms include β-carbolines such as harmine, harmane, tetrahydroharmine (THH), and harmaline, which have been found to inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme that breaks down tryptamine alkaloids.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main psychoactive chemical | Psilocybin |
| Psilocybin conversion | Psilocin |
| Psilocybin content range | 0.03% to 2.5% of dry weight |
| Psilocybin lethal dose | 2,000 to 6,000 mg |
| Psilocybin effective dose | 6 mg |
| Typical recreational dose | 10 to 30 mg |
| Therapeutic index | 641 |
| Other chemicals | Baeocystin, norbaeocystin, β-carbolines |
| Effects | Hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, lack of coordination, flashbacks |
| Negative effects | Bad trip, delayed headaches, fatal events due to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis |
| Appearance | Similar to ordinary mushrooms, also available dried, cooked, brewed into tea, or in capsules |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, which turns into the psychoactive psilocin
- The potency of psilocybin mushrooms varies depending on species, strain, growth, and drying conditions
- Psilocybin mushrooms are not physically or psychologically addictive
- Psilocybin mushrooms can cause bad trips and delayed headaches
- Psilocybin mushrooms are used in Mexican and Central American cultures for spiritual purposes
Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, which turns into the psychoactive psilocin
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic. When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted in the body to psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties. Psilocybin is a prodrug of psilocin, meaning the compound itself is biologically inactive but is quickly converted by the body to psilocin.
Psilocybin is found in more than 200 species of mushrooms, with hallucinogenic and serotonergic effects. The amount of psilocybin in mushrooms varies depending on the species, strain, growth and drying conditions, and mushroom size. The drug is more stable in dried mushrooms, which can retain their potency for months or even years. In contrast, fresh mushrooms stored for four weeks contain only traces of psilocybin.
Psilocybin is usually taken orally, and its effects include euphoria, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and perceived spiritual experiences. It can also cause adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and panic attacks. Psilocybin's somatic effects have been corroborated by several early clinical studies. For example, a 2005 survey of clubgoers in the UK found that over a quarter of those who had used psilocybin mushrooms in the preceding year experienced nausea or vomiting.
The use of magic mushrooms has a long history, with evidence of their consumption in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies in Mesoamerica predating recorded history. Indigenous people in Central America have used them for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 BC. Today, some people use magic mushrooms recreationally or to improve their mental health. Researchers are studying psilocybin's potential as a medicine, particularly in treating conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders.
It is important to note that the main risk of taking magic mushrooms is their similarity in appearance to certain poisonous mushrooms, which can cause serious illness or even death. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately identify mushrooms before consumption.
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The potency of psilocybin mushrooms varies depending on species, strain, growth, and drying conditions
Psilocybin, also known as 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-PO-DMT), is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain types of mushrooms. Psilocybin is the key ingredient in "magic mushrooms", which are consumed for their hallucinogenic and therapeutic effects.
The potency of psilocybin mushrooms varies depending on a variety of factors, including species, strain, growth, and drying conditions. Firstly, the psilocybin content differs significantly between mushroom species. The Psilocybe genus, for example, includes over 200 species of mushrooms, with notable examples such as P. semilanceata, P. mexicana, and P. cubensis, each possessing unique psilocybin concentrations. Additionally, the ratio of psilocybin to its metabolite, psilocin, also varies across species, and only psilocin exerts psychoactive effects.
Secondly, the growth and drying conditions play a crucial role in determining potency. Cultivated mushrooms tend to have less variable psilocybin content compared to wild mushrooms. Dried mushrooms retain their potency for months or even years, whereas fresh mushrooms stored for four weeks lose most of their psilocybin content. This is evident in studies of dried herbarium specimens of Psilocybe semilanceata, where older collections showed decreased psilocybin levels over time.
Furthermore, the strain and maturity of the mushrooms also influence their potency. Young mycelia, or recently germinated spores, lack significant amounts of psilocybin, whereas mature mycelia contain higher concentrations. Additionally, certain strains of mushrooms may contain varying levels of analog compounds like baeocystin and norbaeocystin, which are thought to be biogenic precursors.
While the potency of psilocybin mushrooms can vary due to these factors, it's important to note that the effects of psilocybin are also influenced by individual factors such as a person's mood, expectations, and environment.
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Psilocybin mushrooms are not physically or psychologically addictive
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a naturally occurring psychedelic that can cause hallucinations and distort perception, thought, and mood. While psilocybin mushrooms can have adverse effects, such as \"bad trips\" and delayed headaches, they are not considered physically or psychologically addictive in the same way as commonly abused substances like opioids or stimulants.
The risk of addiction to psilocybin mushrooms is relatively low. Studies have shown that regular users of these mushrooms do not exhibit typical patterns of addiction. However, it is important to note that psychological dependence can still develop, and some individuals may continue using mushrooms to seek the pleasurable feelings associated with their use, leading to potentially problematic or compulsive patterns of consumption.
The psychoactive effects of psilocybin mushrooms are attributed to the presence of the chemical psilocybin, which is converted by the body into psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties. The psilocybin content in mushrooms varies depending on species, strain, growth, drying conditions, and size. Cultivated mushrooms generally have less variable psilocybin content than wild mushrooms, and dried mushrooms retain their potency longer than fresh ones.
While psilocybin mushrooms have been used for centuries by indigenous populations for religious and spiritual purposes, they are currently listed as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to their potential for abuse and lack of known medical benefits. However, some proponents advocate for further investigation into the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, particularly in treating mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
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Psilocybin mushrooms can cause bad trips and delayed headaches
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a naturally occurring psychedelic. When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted by the body into psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties. Psilocybin is usually taken orally, and its onset is about 20 to 50 minutes, with peak effects occurring after 60 to 90 minutes. The duration of the effects is about 4 to 6 hours.
The psilocybin content of mushrooms varies, depending on species, strain, growth and drying conditions, and mushroom size. The drug is more stable in dried mushrooms, which can retain their potency for months or even years. In contrast, fresh mushrooms stored for four weeks contain only traces of psilocybin. Cultivated mushrooms have less variability in psilocybin content than wild mushrooms.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms can cause negative experiences, commonly known as 'bad trips'. In addition, psilocybin can cause delayed headaches, which typically do not last longer than a day. These headaches are likely to be dose-dependent migraines, although this has not been conclusively proven due to a lack of data. The delayed headaches may be caused by nitric oxide release, glutamate release in the cortex, suppression of dorsal raphe nucleus activity, or direct triggering of a migraine attack.
The main risk of consuming psilocybin mushrooms is the possibility of mistaking them for poisonous mushrooms, which can lead to serious health consequences, including death. It is crucial to accurately identify mushrooms before ingestion and seek immediate medical assistance if any adverse reactions occur.
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Psilocybin mushrooms are used in Mexican and Central American cultures for spiritual purposes
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a naturally occurring psychedelic. When ingested, it is converted to psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties. Magic mushrooms have a variety of effects, including hallucinations, distorted senses, and changes in emotion or perception.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for spiritual purposes in Mexican and Central American cultures for centuries. Archaeological evidence suggests that the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms dates back thousands of years in Mesoamerica. For example, mushroom stones dating from 3000 BC have been found in ritual contexts in Mesoamerica.
The Aztecs and Mazatecs referred to psilocybin mushrooms as "genius mushrooms", "divinatory mushrooms", and "wondrous mushrooms". Bernardino de Sahagún, a 16th-century chronicler, reported the ritualistic use of teonanácatl (the Aztec name for the mushrooms) by the Aztecs when he travelled to Central America. The use of these mushrooms was also documented by Spanish chroniclers in the 16th century, who observed their consumption in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies.
Today, psilocybin mushroom use has been reported among various indigenous groups in Mexico, including the Nahua, Mixtecs, Mixe, Mazatecs, and Zapotecs. An important figure in the history of mushroom usage in Mexico was María Sabina, who used native mushrooms such as Psilocybe mexicana in her practice.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushrooms contain various chemicals, including psilocybin and psilocin, which are hallucinogenic and psychoactive.
Psilocybin and psilocin can cause hallucinations, perceptual distortions, altered thoughts or mood, and euphoria. They can also cause negative effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
Yes, the most common types of mushrooms containing psilocybin and psilocin are magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms. Other types include liberty caps, golden tops, and blue meanies.
People typically consume these mushrooms by eating them fresh, cooking them, or brewing them into a tea. They can also be turned into extracts, edibles, or capsules.
Yes, the main risk is that some magic mushrooms look very similar to poisonous mushrooms, which can be deadly. Additionally, consuming too many mushrooms can lead to fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis.
