Emily Johnson
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are consumed for their euphoric and hallucinogenic effects and have been used for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 B.C. by indigenous people in Central America. Today, they are often consumed dried, cooked, or brewed into a tea and can cause a range of effects, including heightened emotions, hallucinations, and a distorted sense of reality. However, there are risks associated with their consumption, including the possibility of misidentifying poisonous mushrooms and experiencing negative psychological effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and bad trips. While magic mushrooms are not considered physically or psychologically addictive, they are illegal in many places due to their potential for abuse and lack of legitimate medical purpose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushrooms with drugs | Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms), β-carbolines |
| Mushroom types | Psilocybe cubensis (P. cubensis), P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens |
| Other types | Copelandia, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, Pholiotina, Cyclocybe, Hygrophorus |
| Consumption methods | Fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, dried, powdered, capsules, chocolate-covered |
| Effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, nausea, yawning, drowsiness, heightened senses, flashbacks, psychosis, "bad trip" |
| Risks | Poisoning, toxic chemicals, accidental ingestion of poisonous mushrooms, addiction, "bad trip", psychotic disorders |
| Legality | Federally banned substance, Schedule I substance, illegal in Canada unless authorized by Health Canada |
| Therapeutic potential | Potential treatment for substance use disorders, mental illnesses, anxiety, depression, OCD |
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What You'll Learn
The effects of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are typically consumed dried, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin, which has hallucinogenic effects and can cause a person to see, hear, and feel things that are not happening in real life. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes when eaten and can last approximately four to six hours. Early effects typically include nausea and excessive yawning. After these initial effects, the "trip" begins.
A trip might be mild, leaving a person feeling drowsy or relaxed. However, higher doses or stronger mushrooms can bring on hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. The person may experience a distorted sense of time, place, and reality, and may see colours, shapes, or scenes, or hear things that are not real. They may also experience a different sense of self, feeling that they have no personal boundaries and are one with the universe, which some researchers call "oceanic self-boundlessness". This experience can be blissful, but it may also be frightening.
In some cases, people may have a "bad trip", experiencing extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia as a result of the hallucinogenic effects of magic mushrooms. Additionally, some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks, where they relive a previous magic mushroom experience, involving visual distortions and changes in emotions or perception. These flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled, and can occur without warning, from a few days to months after the drug was last taken.
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The risks of consuming magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are typically consumed dried, cooked, or brewed into a tea. While research suggests that psilocybin is not addictive, there are still several risks associated with consuming magic mushrooms.
Firstly, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and accidentally consuming poisonous ones. Some mushroom species can cause severe illness or even death. It is important to note that even professionals sometimes mistake poisonous mushrooms for psilocybin mushrooms, so it is crucial to be certain about the type of mushroom before consuming it. Additionally, commercial products marketed as containing psilocybin have been found to contain toxic chemicals, leading to severe illness.
Secondly, consuming magic mushrooms can lead to negative experiences known as "bad trips". These can include feelings of fear, anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. The risk of a bad trip may be influenced by factors such as mental health, setting, quantity, expectations, and pre-existing feelings of anxiety or stress. It is worth noting that consuming a large amount of magic mushrooms can increase the likelihood and severity of a bad trip, potentially resulting in overdose symptoms.
Thirdly, magic mushrooms can cause long-term changes in personality and flashbacks, also known as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Flashbacks can occur without warning, ranging from a few days to months or even years after the initial mushroom consumption. These flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if they involve frightening hallucinations or experiences.
Furthermore, tolerance to the effects of psilocybin develops rapidly with regular use, leading to a decreased effect over time. Cross-tolerance can also occur with other drugs, such as LSD and mescaline. While the effects of magic mushrooms typically last for 4 to 6 hours, they can show up on specific drug tests designed for hallucinogens.
In conclusion, while magic mushrooms have been used for centuries in various cultures and may offer potential therapeutic benefits, it is crucial to be aware of the associated risks. Misidentification, bad trips, long-term changes, flashbacks, tolerance development, and potential drug interactions are all factors to consider before consuming magic mushrooms.
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The legality of magic mushrooms
The United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances requires its members to prohibit psilocybin and restrict the use of the drug to medical and scientific research under controlled conditions. Most national drug laws have been amended to reflect the terms of the convention. Examples include the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the US Psychotropic Substances Act of 1978, the Australian Poisons Standard (October 2015), the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 1996, and the Japanese Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law of 2002.
In some jurisdictions, Psilocybe spores are legal to sell and possess because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. However, some jurisdictions have specifically prohibited the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores. These include Germany, California, Georgia, and Idaho in the United States.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to decriminalize psilocybin in the United States. In May 2019, Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the country to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. Since then, several other cities and states have followed suit, including Oregon, Washington, D.C., Somerville, Massachusetts, Seattle, Detroit, and Colorado. In November 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize and legalize psilocybin for supervised non-medical use. In January 2023, the Canadian province of Alberta announced it would regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. Australia has also approved the use of psilocybin in prescription medications for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
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The history of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin-containing mushrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are hallucinogenic and have been used as recreational drugs.
In Mesoamerica, magic mushrooms have a long history of use among the native peoples, including the Aztecs and Mayans, for religious communion, divination, and healing. A statuette dating from around 200 CE depicts a mushroom strongly resembling Psilocybe mexicana, and it is believed that a hallucinogenic substance called "flesh of the gods" was used in Aztec rituals. Mushroom stones and motifs have also been found in Guatemala.
In the 1800s, isolated incidents of accidental magic mushroom consumption in Western Europe were documented, with mycologists warning fellow wild fungi enthusiasts to be cautious. In the 20th century, magic mushrooms were introduced to the United States by an executive at J.P. Morgan Bank who discovered them on vacation. In 1957, R. Gordon Wasson, a successful banker and enthusiast, travelled to Mexico and participated in a Mazatec ceremony involving magic mushrooms. With the help of Swiss scientist Albert Hoffman, he extracted psilocybin from the mushrooms and identified it as the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects.
In the 1960s, counterculture icon Timothy Leary popularised magic mushrooms in the United States, distributing them during the height of the hippie movement. Despite being made illegal in the US in 1970, their use continued, and in 1976, writer and ethnobotanist Terence McKenna released a book called "Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide", which contributed to their enduring popularity.
In recent years, there has been a push for the decriminalisation and medicinal use of magic mushrooms. In 2018, researchers at Johns Hopkins University confirmed their potential for treating conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. As a result, cities like Denver, Colorado, and Oakland, California, have decriminalised magic mushrooms, marking a significant step in recognising their potential therapeutic benefits.
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Ongoing research on magic mushrooms
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, has been the subject of ongoing research for its potential therapeutic benefits. Magic mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies and are known to cause shifts in perception, with users often experiencing distorted sights and sounds, a loss of sense of time and space, and intense emotions.
The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research is at the forefront of exploring innovative treatments using psilocybin. Their studies have found that psilocybin can produce substantial and sustained personal meaning for individuals, aiding in the treatment of depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. In one study, researchers reported that two doses of psilocybin, coupled with supportive psychotherapy, led to significant reductions in depressive symptoms in adults with major depression. Another study focused on individuals with cancer-related anxiety or depression, finding that a single large dose of psilocybin provided considerable relief for up to six months.
Additionally, researchers at UC San Francisco have explored the potential benefits of psilocybin for Parkinson's disease patients. The results indicated that psilocybin improved mood, cognition, and motor function, even weeks after the drug was out of their systems. This finding raises the possibility that psilocybin may aid in brain repair, which could be groundbreaking for neurodegenerative disorders.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is also supporting research into psilocybin as a potential treatment for substance use disorders and other mental illnesses. While psilocybin has shown promise, it is important to note that it currently has a Schedule I classification, indicating no known medical potential. However, researchers suggest that with further successful clinical trials, it could be reclassified as a Schedule IV drug, allowing for tighter control and prescription use.
While the exact molecular mechanisms of psilocybin's effects remain unclear, there is a growing body of clinical evidence suggesting its therapeutic potential for various psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. This includes its ability to extend cellular lifespan and improve survival in aged mice, suggesting its potential as a geroprotective agent.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin when ingested. They are considered illegal drugs in some places.
The effects of consuming magic mushrooms include heightened emotions and senses, euphoria, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. The effects typically begin within 15-45 minutes and can last up to six hours.
Research suggests that magic mushrooms do not typically lead to addiction or physical or psychological dependence. However, tolerance can develop rapidly with continued use, resulting in the drug having little to no effect over time.
The use of magic mushrooms can have risks and side effects, including nausea, vomiting, delayed headaches, and \"bad trips\" characterized by extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia. There is also a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming poisonous ones, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening.
