Psilocybin Mushrooms: Deadly Or Not?

Psilocybin, the compound found in magic mushrooms, has been used for recreational, spiritual, and therapeutic purposes. While it is physiologically nontoxic, adverse reactions have been reported, including anxiety, paranoia, and, in rarer cases, flashbacks and suicidality. Although experts consider it unlikely that magic mushrooms cause sudden death, there have been reported fatalities from consuming poisonous mushrooms mistaken for magic mushrooms, as well as deaths attributed to mixed-drug toxicity.

Psilocybin mushrooms are unlikely to cause sudden death

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are not typically deadly. However, there have been rare instances of fatalities associated with their consumption. In one such case, a 34-year-old man was found unresponsive after consuming alcohol and mushrooms and exhibiting strange behaviour. His death was attributed to mixed-drug toxicity. Similarly, a 33-year-old woman, Dorota Paskevic, passed away due to a hypoxic brain injury caused by an overdose of psilocybin, which she had taken to relieve pain from a previous injury.

While these incidents highlight the potential dangers of psilocybin mushroom consumption, it's important to note that the risk of sudden death from these mushrooms alone is considered low. The primary concern with psilocybin mushrooms is the possibility of mistaking them for other, more toxic mushroom species. There are tens of thousands of species of fungi, some of which can cause severe harm or even death. Accidental consumption of look-alike species that contain amatoxins, for example, can lead to liver failure and death.

Additionally, adverse reactions to psilocybin mushrooms can occur, with some individuals experiencing panic, paranoia, and impaired judgment and perception. These reactions can, in rare cases, lead to dangerous behaviour, accidents, self-harm, or even suicidal thoughts. However, the proportion of individuals seeking emergency medical treatment due to adverse reactions is very low, with only 0.2% of past-year magic mushroom users in a global sample reporting such incidents.

Furthermore, the potential risks associated with psilocybin mushrooms have been increasingly studied in recent years, particularly in controlled clinical settings for the treatment of severe mental health conditions. These studies have highlighted the promise of psilocybin in treating various mental health disorders and addictions, as well as its potential to increase well-being and trait openness in healthy individuals. While there are risks of long-term psychiatric complications from illicit psilocybin use, rigorous screening processes are in place to ensure patient safety in clinical settings.

In conclusion, while psilocybin mushrooms can induce adverse reactions and may have contributed to rare fatalities, particularly when combined with other substances, they are unlikely to cause sudden death when consumed alone. The primary danger lies in misidentifying toxic mushroom species that resemble psilocybin mushrooms, underscoring the importance of expertise in mushroom foraging and seeking proper medical guidance for treatment.

Confusing psilocybin mushrooms with other species can be fatal

While psilocybin mushrooms are physiologically relatively nontoxic, adverse reactions are occasionally reported. The effects of psilocybin are likely determined by partial agonism at the 5-HT2A receptor, which includes perceptual alterations (e.g. synaesthesia), increased emotional lability, and changes in the sense of self, time, and space. However, confusing psilocybin mushrooms with other species can have fatal consequences.

For instance, a Melbourne woman died at a health retreat after consuming a drink made with mushrooms. While experts say that "magic" mushrooms are "unlikely" to cause sudden death, they have warned that accidentally foraging a lookalike species could be fatal. Indeed, there are several species of mushrooms that look like the so-called 'magic mushrooms' that contain psilocybin but can cause kidney damage or death if consumed. For example, just one death cap mushroom is enough to kill a healthy adult when ingested.

Furthermore, psilocybin-induced panic reactions and impairments in judgment and perception can contribute to dangerous behavior, accidents, self-harm, and even suicidality. A small number of deaths from falls or jumps from tall buildings have been attributed to magic mushroom use. Additionally, rapid changes in blood pressure, dehydration, or undernutrition can trigger loss of consciousness under psilocybin, and in rare cases, seizures have been reported following magic mushroom consumption.

It is important to note that the risk of adverse reactions and fatal outcomes is significantly reduced when psilocybin mushrooms are consumed under the supervision of a medical professional or in a clinical setting. Prospective patients undergoing psilocybin-assisted therapy are typically screened to ensure that the treatment is safe for them, and the precise dose of the medicine is carefully controlled. Therefore, it is crucial to seek professional guidance and not attempt to access psilocybin mushrooms through illegal or alternative methods.

Deaths from falls or jumps have been attributed to magic mushroom use

While psilocybin-containing mushrooms are physiologically relatively nontoxic, adverse reactions are occasionally reported. The psychological effects of psilocybin can induce adverse reactions such as anxiety, disorientation, fear, paranoia, and panic attacks. These reactions can lead to dangerous behaviour, accidents, self-harm, and suicidality.

A small number of deaths from falls or jumps from tall buildings have been attributed to magic mushroom use. For example, a 23-year-old man, Alex Lagowitz, died after jumping from his window in Manhattan following the consumption of magic mushrooms. Investigators reported that he had taken enough of the drug to cause hallucinations. In another instance, a student from Singapore jumped to his death from a hotel in Bali after tripping on shrooms.

It is important to note that the risk associated with psilocybin mushrooms is often due to the potential confusion with other mushroom species that look similar but can be fatal or cause serious damage if consumed. For example, the death cap mushroom is known to be fatal to humans even in small amounts. Therefore, it is crucial to have expertise in identifying mushroom species before foraging or consuming them.

Adverse reactions to psilocybin mushrooms can lead to emergency medical treatment

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", have been used for recreational, spiritual, self-development, and therapeutic purposes. While psilocybin is physiologically relatively nontoxic, adverse reactions are occasionally reported, which can lead individuals to seek emergency medical treatment.

Out of 9233 past-year magic mushroom users, 19 (0.2%) reported having sought emergency medical treatment, with a per-event risk estimate of 0.06%. Young age was the only predictor associated with a higher risk of emergency medical presentations. The most common symptoms that led to seeking emergency medical treatment were psychological, including anxiety/panic and paranoia/suspiciousness.

Adverse reactions to psilocybin mushrooms can also cause rapid changes in blood pressure, dehydration, undernutrition, and seizures, which may require emergency medical intervention. In rare cases, individuals may experience long-term detrimental effects on mental health, such as "flashbacks" or recurrences of perceptual alterations, and even suicidality.

While psilocybin mushrooms themselves are unlikely to cause sudden death, accidentally foraging and consuming a similar-looking toxic or poisonous mushroom species can be fatal. For example, a Melbourne woman died at a health retreat after consuming a drink made with mushrooms, prompting experts to warn about the dangers of mushroom foraging and the use of mushrooms as medicine. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately identify mushroom species and seek medical advice before consuming them.

Psilocybin mushrooms can cause long-term psychiatric complications

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are renowned for their short-term effects, which typically include euphoria, hallucinations, intensified emotions, an altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences. However, there are also risks of long-term psychiatric complications from the illicit use of psilocybin.

Firstly, psilocybin mushrooms can cause hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder, which involves having flashbacks to past trips. These flashbacks can occur anywhere from weeks to years after using the hallucinogen and may take the form of a visual flashback or a traumatic recall of an intensely upsetting experience.

Secondly, psilocybin-induced panic reactions and impairments in judgment and perception can contribute to dangerous behaviour, accidents, self-harm, and even suicidality. For instance, a small number of deaths from falls or jumps from tall buildings have been attributed to magic mushroom use.

Thirdly, long-term shroom use has been associated with potential alterations in brain chemistry. Physically, psilocybin mushrooms are considered one of the least toxic drugs known, and lethal doses are extremely rare in humans. However, the risks associated with psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin mushrooms, are mostly psychological rather than physical.

Finally, psilocybin mushrooms can be dangerous when confused with other species that look very similar. For example, some lookalike species can cause kidney damage or death if consumed. Therefore, it is crucial to have expertise in mushroom foraging to avoid accidentally ingesting poisonous mushrooms, which can be life-threatening.

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