Michael Davis
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are hallucinogenic and can induce hallucinations, delusions, agitation, and paranoia. They have been used for thousands of years by indigenous people in Central America and other parts of the world for spiritual and medicinal purposes. In recent times, there has been a surge in interest in their potential to treat mental health disorders. However, the powerful psychological effects of psilocybin, the active chemical in magic mushrooms, can cause adverse reactions, especially in adolescents and young adults. This has led to a rise in poison center calls and hospitalisations, with some people unknowingly consuming toxic mushrooms or mushrooms laced with other substances like LSD.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for lacing mushrooms | Faster growth, higher profit |
| Substances used for lacing | LSD |
| Risks of lacing | Overdose, adverse outcome, death |
| Reasons for consuming laced mushrooms | Self-medication, recreation, spiritual experience, self-discovery |
| Effects of laced mushrooms | Hallucinations, delusions, agitation, fast heart rate, confusion, anxiety, disorientation, fear, grief, paranoia, panic attacks, impaired judgement, risk-taking behaviour, traumatic injuries, "bad trip" |
| Legality of mushrooms | Illegal in some states/cities, decriminalized in some states/cities |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms laced with LSD
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a type of psychedelic mushroom that contains the chemical psilocybin. They have been used for thousands of years in traditional ceremonies and spiritual rituals. In recent times, they have gained popularity as a recreational drug and for their perceived ability to improve mental health.
While magic mushrooms are illegal in many places, some jurisdictions have recently decriminalized their possession, use, and cultivation. This has led to a sharp increase in poison centre calls related to psilocybin, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Experts warn that magic mushrooms are not safe from overdose, contrary to popular belief.
One particular concern is the emergence of magic mushrooms laced with LSD, a powerful synthetic hallucinogen. The Florida Poison Control Center has reported a rise in teenagers being treated in emergency rooms for overdoses on LSD-laced magic mushrooms. According to Dr. Bernstein, the reason some sellers lace their mushrooms with LSD is that growing psilocybin mushrooms is a lengthy process. By adding LSD, sellers can increase the potency of their product without having to grow as many mushrooms.
LSD and magic mushrooms can produce very different experiences, despite having some similar effects. Mushrooms typically provide a more whole-body experience, while an LSD trip is often more cerebral. The duration of the effects also varies, with mushroom trips usually lasting around 6 hours and LSD trips continuing for up to 10 hours. Additionally, it generally takes a smaller amount of LSD than psilocybin to produce psychedelic effects, making it easier to ingest more than intended.
Both substances carry risks, including adverse psychological effects such as paranoia, fear, and extreme emotions. They can also lead to physical complications, particularly for those with cardiac or vascular disorders. Furthermore, the impairment in judgment and perception caused by these substances can result in dangerous behaviour and accidents.
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The history of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, have a long history of use by indigenous cultures for ritual and medicinal purposes. Some of the earliest evidence of their use comes from rock art and cave paintings in North Africa and Europe dating back to around 9000 BCE. These ancient artworks are believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformative experiences of those who consumed them.
In the Americas, magic mushrooms have a rich history of use among indigenous peoples, particularly in Mesoamerica. Pre-Columbian sculptures, glyphs, and art from Mesoamerica often feature mushrooms, indicating their cultural and spiritual significance. For example, the Aztecs knew a species of Psilocybe mushroom as "teōnanācatl," meaning "divine mushroom," and it was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. Spanish records from the 16th century also describe psychedelic mushroom ceremonies among the indigenous peoples of Mexico, where the mushrooms were consumed raw and induced visions and altered heart rates.
In more recent history, magic mushrooms were introduced to the United States in the 20th century by Gordon Wasson, a banker who first encountered them during a trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. Wasson participated in a mushroom ceremony led by a shaman and became a fervent advocate for magic mushrooms upon his return to the United States. He enlisted the help of Swiss scientist Albert Hoffman, who first extracted psilocybin from the mushrooms and identified it as the compound responsible for their psychoactive effects.
In the 1960s, magic mushrooms gained popularity in the United States during the hippie movement, with figures like Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert, psychology professors at Harvard University, experimenting with and promoting their use. Despite their growing popularity, magic mushrooms were made illegal in the United States in 1970. However, their use continued, and in 1976, writer and ethnobotanist Terence McKenna published "Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide," further popularizing their cultivation.
In recent years, there has been a push for the decriminalization and medicinal use of magic mushrooms. In 2018, researchers at Johns Hopkins University confirmed the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms in treating conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. This led to the decriminalization of magic mushrooms in cities like Denver, Colorado, and Oakland, California, marking a significant shift in the legal status and perception of these fungi.
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The legality of magic mushrooms
Despite their historical use in traditional ceremonies and healing practices, many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms. For example, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act all prohibit the possession and use of psilocybin under most circumstances.
In the United States, the possession, use, and sale of psilocybin are illegal under federal law, and it is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. However, there have been recent efforts to decriminalize and legalize psilocybin in some states and cities. For instance, Oregon voters passed a ballot measure in 2020 to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize its supervised non-medical use. Similarly, cities like Denver, Colorado, and Oakland, California, have also taken steps to decriminalize the use and possession of psilocybin mushrooms.
The legality of psilocybin mushroom spores is also ambiguous. While some jurisdictions, like California, Georgia, and Idaho, have specifically prohibited their sale and possession, spores are legal to possess in many areas because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin.
It is important to note that the legalization and decriminalization of psilocybin mushrooms do not mean they are safe for consumption. There are still health risks associated with taking psilocybin, especially when unsupervised or outside of a clinical setting.
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The side effects of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or mushrooms containing psilocybin, can have a variety of effects on individuals, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. The effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5-10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours.
There is a low risk of addiction to magic mushrooms, and little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on them. However, it is possible to become tolerant of the drug's effects with regular use, and there may be some mild psychological withdrawal effects.
One of the main risks of taking magic mushrooms is misidentifying them and consuming a poisonous mushroom instead. This has led to an increase in calls to poison centers, especially among adolescents and young adults. There is also a risk of poisoning from mushrooms sold illegally, as they may be laced with other substances such as LSD.
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Using magic mushrooms for medicinal purposes
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are psychedelic and contain psilocybin, a powerful chemical that alters perception of space and time, causing visual distortions, euphoria, and mystical experiences. Psilocybin is about 100 times less potent than LSD. The mushrooms have a long history of use, with evidence that indigenous people in Central America used them for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 B.C.
In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in discovering the potential of psilocybin to help treat conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have recommended that psilocybin be reclassified for medical use, potentially paving the way for the psychedelic drug to one day treat depression and anxiety and help people stop smoking.
Psilocybin has a low level of toxicity, which means that it has a low potential of causing potentially fatal events like breathing problems or a heart attack. However, there are health risks associated with taking psilocybin, particularly when unsupervised and outside of a research study and clinical supervision. These include an increased risk of physical harm, as people may be less aware of their physical surroundings and have impaired judgment and perception, which can contribute to dangerous behavior, accidents, and self-harm. Psilocybin may also worsen the symptoms of certain conditions like personality disorders and schizophrenia.
In a clinical setting, a pre-determined and controlled dose of psilocybin is given to the patient under the supervision of a medical professional. Because the patient is in a therapeutic space and the dose is known, it is unlikely there will be a bad reaction.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are certain types of mushrooms that contain the chemical psilocybin and cause hallucinogenic effects. They have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and medicinal purposes.
Magic mushrooms are often laced with other substances, such as LSD, due to the time-consuming process of growing and preparing them for sale. This practice can be dangerous and lead to adverse outcomes, as it is difficult to know the exact contents of the mushrooms.
Laced mushrooms can increase the risk of adverse effects, as the combination of substances may lead to dangerous interactions. Additionally, the presence of unknown or toxic substances can result in severe health issues or even death. It is important to be cautious when consuming mushrooms, as the contents may be unpredictable and harmful.
