Emma Wilson
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. The mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies and are currently being studied for their potential therapeutic effects. However, they also pose risks, including the possibility of mistaking them for poisonous mushrooms, adverse side effects such as nausea and increased heart rate, and the risk of a 'bad trip. While they are mostly illegal in the US, some cities have decriminalized the possession of small amounts for personal use due to their potential health benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin |
| Effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, anxiety, panic, nausea, increased heart rate, flashbacks, psychosis |
| Duration of effects | 6 hours |
| Legality | Illegal in the US, penalties for possession and sale in Australia |
| Poison control | Exposures reported to poison control centers have increased in recent years |
| Identification | Long and thin stems, wide cap that is dark brown around the edges and lighter in the center, underside of the cap is generally dark brown with gills, the edge of the cap can be wavy, flat, or pointed |
| Risks | Poisoning from misidentification of poisonous mushrooms, serotonin syndrome, psychosis, physical harm from impaired judgement |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogenic effects
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin, the chemical responsible for the drug's psychoactive properties. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically begin around 20 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours.
The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary widely, ranging from euphoria and sensory distortion to hallucinations and anxiety. Some people may experience a bad trip", which can include feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. Higher doses or stronger mushrooms can increase the risk of a bad trip. Additionally, the effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be unpredictable and may lead to dangerous behaviour, such as driving while under the influence or walking into traffic.
The intensity of the hallucinogenic effects depends on the dosage, which is determined by the psilocybin and psilocin content in the mushrooms. This content can vary significantly between and within the same species of mushrooms. Psilocybe cubensis, the most popular species, has been reported to contain around 1.2% of psilocybin and psilocin combined. However, there is significant variation among different strains of P. cubensis.
While psilocybin mushrooms are not known to be physically addictive, some people who take them may experience persistent, distressing alterations to their perception of the world. This may manifest as flashbacks or visual distortions that can occur anywhere from weeks to years after using the drug. These flashbacks can be triggered by stress, tiredness, or exercise and can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled.
In addition to the hallucinogenic effects, psilocybin mushrooms can also cause physical side effects such as nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and muscle weakness or relaxation. They may also pose a risk of poisoning if misidentified as poisonous mushrooms, which closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms. It is important to note that the use and possession of psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in many places, including the United States, where they are classified as a Schedule I drug.
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Poisoning and physical health risks
Mushrooms can be toxic and poisonous, and poisoning can occur due to misidentification of a poisonous species as edible. There are about 100 species of mushrooms that are toxic to humans out of the approximately 100,000 known fungi species found worldwide. Poisoning can also occur due to intentional ingestion. There are up to 14 described syndromes associated with mushroom poisoning, which manifest depending on the species, toxins, and amount ingested. The symptoms of mushroom poisoning relate to the toxin ingested, including amatoxin, psilocybin, muscarine, coprine, allenic norleucine, and gyromitrin.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death in about 10 days. The majority of fatal poisonings are attributable to the Amanita phalloides mushroom, which resembles the Asian paddy-straw mushroom, Volvariella volvacea. The period between ingestion and the onset of symptoms varies dramatically between toxins, with some symptoms taking days to show. For example, α-Amanitin has no symptoms for 6-12 hours. The most common consequence of mushroom poisoning is gastrointestinal upset, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, there are also recognized mushroom toxins with specific, and sometimes deadly, effects. For example, mushroom poisoning can lead to organ failure, including liver failure, kidney failure, and neurological issues.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is important to familiarize yourself with the mushrooms you intend to collect, as well as with any similar-looking toxic species. It is recommended that you only eat mushrooms bought from a reputable source, such as a supermarket or greengrocer. If you suspect mushroom poisoning, it is important to contact a poison control center or a healthcare professional immediately. It may be helpful to have a description of the mushroom, including its color, texture, and cap appearance, as well as the amount ingested and the onset of symptoms.
In addition to the risk of poisoning, the consumption of certain mushrooms can also lead to physical health risks. For example, psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", can cause an increased heart rate and raised blood pressure, which may be dangerous for people with heart conditions. People may also experience side effects such as agitation, confusion, vomiting, or nausea, which may be severe and require medical attention. The risk of a bad trip may increase if a person takes higher doses of psilocybin or has feelings of anxiety before taking it. People may also do things that put themselves or others at risk of physical harm, such as driving dangerously or walking into traffic, as their sense of reality is altered, and their judgment and ability to think clearly are impaired.
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Mental health risks
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are colloquial terms for psilocybin mushrooms. Psilocybin is a chemical that occurs in certain mushroom varieties and is the primary psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms. Consumption of psilocybin can lead to symptoms such as euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, and an altered perception of time and space.
While psilocybin has a low level of toxicity, there are health risks associated with its consumption, especially when unsupervised or outside of a clinical setting. These risks are heightened for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions.
The mental health risks associated with psilocybin include extreme fear, anxiety, panic, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. These negative experiences are more likely to occur at higher doses and for individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions. The risk of experiencing a ""bad trip" is also higher outside of a controlled setting, where participants receive structured support, monitoring, and follow-up care from trained professionals.
During a "bad trip," users may experience paranoia, loss of boundaries, a distorted sense of self, and impaired judgment. This impaired judgment can lead to risk-taking behaviours, such as dangerous driving or walking into traffic, which may result in traumatic injuries or even death.
In certain cases, frequent or intense psychedelic events induced by psilocybin may cause "flashbacks," where individuals relive their previous experiences. Additionally, there is a possibility of developing tolerance to the drug's effects with regular use, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effect.
However, it is important to note that psilocybin has been shown to have therapeutic potential in treating various mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance use disorders. Research suggests that psilocybin therapy, in combination with talk therapy, can effectively relieve symptoms of these disorders.
While the therapeutic potential of psilocybin is promising, it is crucial to approach its consumption with caution due to the associated mental health risks, especially when used outside of controlled settings or without proper clinical supervision.
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Legality
The legality of mushrooms containing psilocybin, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a "high potential for abuse" and "no recognized medical uses". However, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention, and many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms.
In the United States, psilocybin is federally classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal to possess, sell, or grow. However, there is ambiguity in many state and provincial drug laws, and a strong element of selective enforcement in some places. While federal law and most states classify psilocybin as a Schedule I drug, some states, like Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico, have legalized certain uses, and a few cities have deprioritized arrest and prosecution for personal possession of psilocybin. In Oregon, for instance, "psilocybin service centers" are licensed, where people 21 and older can consume magic mushrooms in a supervised setting.
Outside of the United States, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies. For example, in Germany and some US states like California, Georgia, and Idaho, the possession of psilocybin mushroom spores is illegal. In the United Kingdom, PRO-LAD, a research chemical psychedelic lysergamide, falls under the Misuse of Drugs Act and is considered a Class A drug.
While the legality of psilocybin mushrooms is complex and constantly evolving, it is important to note that the cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is considered drug manufacture in most jurisdictions and is often severely penalized. Additionally, the sale and consumption of psilocybin mushrooms and their derivatives are generally prohibited and can carry severe legal penalties.
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History of use
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies and rituals. Evidence suggests that indigenous people in Central America used them for healing, divination, and spiritual purposes as far back as 3000 B.C.
Prehistoric rock art and cave paintings from Algeria and Spain indicate that human use of psilocybin mushrooms may even predate recorded history. In Mesoamerica, these mushrooms were consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies before Spanish chroniclers first documented their use in the 16th century.
The Dominican friar Diego Durán's book, "The History of the Indies of New Spain" (c. 1581), describes how mushrooms were eaten during festivities for the coronation of the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II in 1502. The Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún also witnessed and documented mushroom use in the Florentine Codex (1545-1590), mentioning merchants who consumed mushrooms to evoke revelatory visions after successful business trips.
After the defeat of the Aztecs by the Spanish, the use of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms was suppressed, and traditional religious practices were forbidden. Despite this, the use of psilocybin mushrooms persisted in some remote areas.
The first mention of hallucinogenic mushrooms in European medicinal literature was in the London Medical and Physical Journal in 1799, where a family in London experienced intoxication after consuming Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms picked from Green Park.
In 1958, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the Psilocybe mexicana mushroom. Sandoz, his employer, marketed and sold pure psilocybin to physicians and clinicians worldwide for psychedelic therapy. However, the increasing drug law restrictions in the 1960s and 1970s hindered scientific research into psilocybin.
Today, psilocybin mushrooms are often used recreationally or to enhance mental health. There is a renewed interest in their potential therapeutic benefits, with research focusing on conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They have been used for thousands of years in traditional ceremonies and are currently being studied for their potential therapeutic effects.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely and range from euphoria and sensory distortion to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. Physical effects may include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. It's important to note that magic mushrooms can also cause a ""bad trip," leading to disturbing hallucinations and panic.
Magic mushrooms pose several risks. One of the main dangers is the similarity in appearance between psilocybin mushrooms and certain types of poisonous mushrooms, which can be fatal if consumed. Additionally, magic mushrooms can cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior, and there is a risk of accidental poisoning from misidentification. They may also lead to flashbacks or persistent, distressing alterations in perception, known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder.
Magic mushrooms are considered a Schedule I drug in the United States, making it illegal to possess, sell, or distribute them. However, there is ongoing advocacy for decriminalization, and some cities have already implemented policies that allow residents to possess small amounts for personal use without facing criminal charges.
