Laura Smith
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are naturally occurring fungi that contain the hallucinogen psilocybin. They are consumed for their mind-altering properties and can induce a range of effects, including hallucinations, altered perception, and changes in consciousness. While magic mushrooms are renowned for their short-term effects, there is growing interest in understanding their long-term impact on individuals. This is especially pertinent given the psychological and physical dependence that can develop with repeated use. The potential long-term effects of magic mushrooms include hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), flashbacks, psychosis, and changes in personality or mood. The occurrence of these effects underscores the importance of understanding the risks associated with magic mushroom consumption and seeking professional treatment when needed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Short-term effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, altered perception, intensified emotions, altered sense of time, spiritual experiences, nausea, excessive yawning, drowsiness, relaxation, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness |
| Long-term effects | Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), flashbacks, persistent psychosis, paranoia, incoherent thinking, mood disturbances, visual disturbances, heightened impulsivity, difficulties in social functioning |
| Addictiveness | Low risk of addiction, but psychological dependence on the psychedelic experience can develop |
| Poisonous look-alikes | Some mushrooms that look like magic mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause sickness or death |
| Treatment | Treatment from a professional is essential if you or someone you know has been using psilocybin mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)
The core features of HPPD include visual disturbances, such as geometric imagery, afterimages, flashes of light, and perceptual distortions. These disturbances can be episodic, stress-induced, or persistent, and the episodes can last for five years or more. HPPD has also been associated with abnormal results on tests of visual function, suggesting disinhibition in the processing of visual information. Some individuals with HPPPD experience comorbid psychiatric disorders such as depersonalization-derealization, anxiety, and panic attacks.
The main neurobiological hypothesis regarding the development of HPPD suggests that LSD consumers may experience chronic disinhibition of visual processors and dysfunction in the central nervous system. This disinhibition may be linked to the destruction or dysfunction of cortical serotonergic inhibitory interneurons, which play a role in sensory filtering mechanisms. Treatment options for HPPD include pre-synaptic α2 adrenergic agonists, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines, and mood stabilizers.
While HPPD is a rare condition, it can be very disruptive to those who experience it. It is important to seek professional help if you or someone you know is struggling with HPPD or other long-term effects of hallucinogenic drug use.
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Flashbacks
Mushrooms with hallucinogenic properties have been used for religious rituals and recreation for thousands of years. However, only in the last few decades have scientists started to understand the impact these substances can have on the human body.
Certain mushrooms found in tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States contain a naturally occurring compound called psilocybin, which contributes to the hallucinogenic effects of the mushrooms. These mushrooms are often referred to as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms". They are often dried and crushed before being smoked, packed into small capsules, or brewed with tea for consumption.
Magic mushrooms are classified as Schedule I drugs by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the United States, indicating that they lack accepted medical use and have a high potential for misuse. The use of these mushrooms can lead to adverse health outcomes and dangerous effects, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, symptoms of psychosis, and even long-term side effects such as flashbacks, also known as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD).
HPPD is a medically recognized phenomenon documented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR). It involves intense and frequent visual hallucinations, with the only certain cause being previous hallucinogen use, particularly LSD. While the number of people with HPPD is low, it is more often diagnosed in those with a history of psychological issues or substance use.
If you or someone you know is experiencing intense and frequent flashbacks, it is important to seek help from a healthcare provider or a professional treatment center. It is crucial to be honest about your current and past drug use, as well as any history of mental illness, to receive appropriate treatment and support.
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Physiological and psychological effects
The physiological and psychological effects of mushrooms can be both short-term and long-term. Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a hallucinogenic chemical that, when ingested, is converted into psilocin. Psilocin interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to hallucinations, altered perception, and changes in consciousness. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects are often mild or moderate and may resolve with time. However, some people may require medical treatment.
Short-term effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically include euphoria, visual and auditory hallucinations, intensified emotions, an altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences. However, higher doses or stronger mushrooms can lead to negative experiences, such as anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
Long-term effects of psilocybin mushrooms are less understood, and research on the topic is still ongoing. One of the most commonly discussed long-term effects is hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), which involves perceptual changes that can last for weeks, months, or even years following drug use. HPPD can cause random breaks from reality, even when the person has not recently used drugs. While HPPD is considered relatively rare, it can be very dangerous if it occurs under the wrong circumstances, such as while driving.
Other potential long-term effects of psilocybin mushrooms include changes in personality or mood, heightened impulsivity, and difficulties in social functioning. Additionally, with continued use, individuals may develop a psychological dependence on the psychedelic experience, leading to a compulsion to use mushrooms to recreate desired experiences or cope with emotional challenges.
It is important to note that the risks associated with psilocybin mushrooms are mostly psychological rather than physical. Physically, psilocybin mushrooms are considered one of the least toxic drugs known, and long-term physical side effects are rare. However, there is a risk of accidental poisoning from consuming poisonous mushrooms, and the potential for unpredictable, dangerous behavior while under the influence can lead to injuries.
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Tolerance and dependence
The development of tolerance to magic mushrooms happens rapidly with regular use. However, tolerance dissipates relatively quickly. It takes around two weeks for serotonin receptors to return to their base level, after which users can experience the full effects of a given dose. To avoid tolerance, doses can be spaced several days apart.
Dependence, on the other hand, refers to a physical condition and the side effects of being reliant on a substance. Physical dependence is often associated with withdrawal symptoms when an individual attempts to discontinue or reduce their use of a substance. While magic mushrooms are not considered "classic drugs of abuse," it is important to distinguish between dependence and tolerance.
There is little evidence to suggest that individuals can develop physical dependence on magic mushrooms. Research indicates that magic mushrooms are generally not addictive, and there are no recorded fatalities from overdosing on psilocybin alone. Additionally, there are few known withdrawal effects, and discontinuing use for about a week is typically sufficient for individuals to return to their normal tolerance level.
However, it is worth noting that some negative emotional and psychological effects have been observed in individuals recovering from mushroom abuse. These effects may be more pronounced when magic mushrooms are used in conjunction with other substances, such as alcohol.
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Poisoning and injury
Poisoning from mushrooms can lead to a wide range of symptoms and health issues, with some species causing fatalities. The severity of mushroom poisoning depends on factors such as the amount ingested, the geographic location where the mushroom is grown, growth conditions, and the genetic characteristics of the mushroom.
Mushroom poisoning typically results from mistaking toxic mushrooms for edible ones. For example, the yellow-staining mushroom (*Agaricus xanthodermus*) is the most commonly ingested poisonous mushroom in Victoria, Australia, due to its resemblance to edible mushrooms. The death cap mushroom (*Amanita phalloides*) is another highly toxic species, responsible for about 9 out of 10 fungi-related deaths. Other species in the *Amanita* genus that can cause poisoning include *A. virosa* (destroying angel), *A. verna* (fool's mushroom), *A. bisporigera*, and *A. ocreata* (one of the three destroying angels). The panther mushroom (*Amanita pantherina*) contains similar toxins to *A. muscaria* but is associated with more fatalities.
Some mushroom toxins affect the gastrointestinal system, causing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. These symptoms typically manifest within 1 to 3 hours of ingestion. Certain species, such as Tricholoma pardinum and T. tigrinum (tiger tricholoma), can cause gastrointestinal upset that lasts for 4 to 6 days. Other mushrooms, like the false morel (*Gyromitra esculenta*), contain the toxin gyromitrin, which can cause neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and destruction of blood cells.
Mushrooms can also cause poisoning through toxins like coprine, which is found in the inky cap mushroom (*Coprinus atramentarius*). If alcohol is consumed within a few days before or after ingesting coprine-containing mushrooms, it can lead to symptoms like flushed skin, vomiting, headache, dizziness, weakness, and confusion.
Some mushrooms contain hallucinogenic toxins, such as psilocybin and psilocin, which are present in species like *Psilocybe*, *Conocybe*, *Gymnopilus*, and *Panaeolus*. These toxins can cause perceptual distortions, alterations in thought patterns, euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortions. The effects typically last between 4 and 12 hours, depending on the amount ingested.
In addition to these immediate health effects, mushroom poisoning can have long-term consequences. For example, orellanine poisoning from the *Cortinarius* species has been associated with acute kidney injury in some cases, requiring dialysis and, in some instances, kidney transplantation.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is crucial to properly identify mushrooms before consumption. Unless one is an expert, it is recommended to only eat mushrooms purchased from reputable sources like supermarkets or greengrocers, rather than foraging for wild mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
The short-term effects of mushrooms typically include euphoria, visual and auditory hallucinations, intensified emotions, an altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences.
Yes, the long-term effects of magic mushrooms are broken down into mental and emotional effects and physical effects. The main long-term effect is a condition called hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), which involves perceptual changes that can last for weeks or even months following the use of such drugs.
The main risk of consuming magic mushrooms is that they look very similar to certain types of poisonous mushrooms. Consuming the wrong type of mushroom can lead to poisoning and even death in rare cases.
Some users report positive changes, such as increased openness, creativity, and a greater sense of spirituality.
