Mushrooms: Toxicity And Poisoning Risks

Magic mushrooms, also known as 'shrooms', are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic and hallucinogenic compound. They are mostly illegal in the U.S. and other parts of the world, but some research indicates that they could be useful in treating mental and behavioural health conditions. However, the biggest danger to your health when taking magic mushrooms is accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can be fatal. Poisonous mushrooms can make you severely ill, and even cause death.

Poisonous mushrooms can be fatal

Poisonous mushrooms can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. Of the approximately 100,000 known fungi species found worldwide, about 100 are poisonous to humans. While most mushroom poisonings are not fatal, the majority of those that are can be attributed to the Amanita phalloides mushroom, also known as the "death cap". This species contains amatoxins, which are heat-stable and quickly damage cells throughout the body, leading to liver and kidney failure and death within 48 hours. Death caps closely resemble edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms, which makes them particularly dangerous.

Amanita verna, also known as the destroying angel, is another deadly variety. This species is native to Asia and has been responsible for several fatalities in Japan and Korea. Destroying angels bear a strong resemblance to edible button mushrooms and meadow mushrooms, which has led to fatal misidentifications. Amanita bisporigera, considered the most toxic mushroom in North America, is a member of the Amanita verna species. Its red fruiting bodies contain potent toxins known as trichothecene mycotoxins, which can cause multiple organ failure.

Other varieties of poisonous mushrooms include the deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus), which is native to northern Europe, and the fool's webcap (Cortinarius orellanus). These mushrooms contain orellanine, a poison that can take up to three weeks to cause symptoms, often leading to a fatal misdiagnosis. The deadly dapperling, a gilled mushroom found throughout Europe and parts of Asia, is another toxic variety that has been mistaken for edible mushrooms. It contains amatoxins and can cause severe liver toxicity, leading to death if immediate treatment is not received.

While magic mushrooms are not typically deadly, they can cause hallucinations and other dangerous side effects. They can also be easily confused with poisonous varieties, such as the Galerina species, which closely resemble Psilocybe mushrooms. If you suspect that you or someone you know has ingested poisonous mushrooms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately, even if symptoms have not yet appeared.

Mental health risks

Mushrooms containing psilocybin, often referred to as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms," can pose significant risks to mental health, and it is important to be aware of these potential dangers before consuming them. While some people may experience positive effects, such as heightened sensory perception and a sense of euphoria, others may encounter a range of negative psychological consequences.

One of the primary mental health risks associated with psilocybin mushrooms is the potential for a "bad trip" or a negative psychedelic experience. During a bad trip, an individual may experience anxiety, paranoia, panic, and fear. Visual and auditory hallucinations can become disturbing or frightening, and the sense of self-awareness and reality may become distorted, leading to a sense of losing one's grip on reality. Such experiences can be extremely distressing and have the potential to trigger underlying mental health issues or even contribute to the development of new ones.

Another concern is the possibility of exacerbating pre-existing mental health conditions or triggering latent ones. Psilocybin can alter brain chemistry and has been known to interact with underlying psychiatric disorders. For individuals with a personal or family history of mental illness, particularly conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression, the use of psilocybin mushrooms could potentially lead to a psychotic episode or a worsening of their condition. In some cases, it may even induce a long-lasting psychotic state or trigger the onset of a severe mental disorder.

Additionally, there is a risk of experiencing depersonalization and derealization, which can be extremely disturbing. Depersonalization involves feeling detached from one's self, emotions, and body, while derealization causes the individual's perception of the outside world to become distorted and unreal. These experiences can be very frightening and may lead to anxiety, depression, or even suicidal thoughts if they persist or occur frequently.

While less common, there have also been reports of persistent psychosis or hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) following mushroom ingestion. HPPD is characterized by flashbacks or recurring hallucinations, similar to those experienced during a psychedelic trip, that occur long after the drug has left the body. These episodes can be disruptive to daily life and may require professional treatment to manage.

It is important to approach the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms with caution and to be well-informed about the potential risks involved. The effects of these mushrooms are highly variable and depend on numerous factors, including individual brain chemistry, dosage, and setting. If you choose to use them, it is advisable to do so in a safe and controlled environment with trusted companions, and to seek professional guidance or support if any adverse mental health effects arise.

Hallucinations and flashbacks

Hallucinogenic mushrooms, or "shrooms", are mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin. They are commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms". The effects of psilocybin vary widely, with some people experiencing euphoria and sensory distortion, while others suffer disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic. The hallucinations caused by magic mushrooms can be so severe that they lead to a condition called Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), more commonly known as "flashbacks".

Flashbacks can occur without warning, and can happen days, months, or even years after taking magic mushrooms. They can be mistaken for neurological conditions and can be extremely distressing for the person experiencing them. Flashbacks are a type of "bad trip", which can also occur while under the influence of magic mushrooms. During a bad trip, users may experience terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death.

The length and intensity of a mushroom trip, good or bad, depend on the strength of the mushrooms, how much was consumed, and the user's mood, personality, and expectations. It is very hard to predict what kind of trip a user will experience, and there is no way to end a bad trip early. The only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not taking magic mushrooms.

In addition to the risk of flashbacks and bad trips, magic mushrooms can also be physically dangerous. It is easy to mistake poisonous mushrooms for magic mushrooms, and consuming the wrong type of mushroom can lead to severe illness or even death.

Illegal status and penalties

The legal status of unauthorised actions with psilocybin 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 or drugs that have no recognised medical uses. However, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention, due largely to pressure from the Mexican government.

In the United States, psilocybin and psilocin were first subjected to federal regulation by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965. The law was an amendment to the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act and was intended to regulate the unlicensed "possession, manufacture, or sale of depressant, stimulant and hallucinogenic drugs". Psilocybin mushrooms are considered a Class A drug in the US, which means it is illegal to have them for yourself, give them away or sell them. Possession can get you up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you life imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both. Cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is considered drug manufacture in most jurisdictions and is often penalised severely. However, some countries and one US state (New Mexico) have ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms does not qualify as "manufacturing" a controlled substance.

In the UK, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 regulates psilocybin mushrooms. In some jurisdictions, Psilocybe spores are legal to sell and possess because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. In November 2020, the District of Columbia passed Initiative 81, which came into effect on 15 March 2021. This bill allows for the possession and non-profit gifting or distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. In 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalise psilocybin mushrooms.

In Canada, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), activities with magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorised by Health Canada. In October 2022, the Canadian province of Alberta announced it would be among the first to regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy.

In Australia, the Poisons Standard (October 2015) regulates psilocybin mushrooms. However, in February 2023, Australia approved the use of psilocybin in prescription medications for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.

Addiction and tolerance

Mushrooms contain the naturally occurring psychedelic drug psilocybin, which produces hallucinogenic and mind-altering effects. Psilocybin is found in certain mushroom species, such as Psilocybe mexicana and Psilocybe cubensis, and has effects similar to LSD and mescaline. While the risk of addiction to psilocybin mushrooms is relatively low compared to commonly abused substances like opioids or stimulants, they can still be dangerous, especially when mixed with other drugs. Additionally, the idea that psilocybin mushrooms are “natural” and somewhat safe may contribute to their appeal, particularly among younger individuals.

Tolerance to the effects of psilocybin mushrooms can develop quickly, leading to a phenomenon known as cross-tolerance. This means that if an individual develops a tolerance to psilocybin, they may also become tolerant to similar hallucinogens, such as LSD. The development of tolerance to the hallucinogenic effects of psychedelics suggests the occurrence of compensatory homeostatic adaptations following repeated drug administration. In other words, the body adjusts to the presence of the drug, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects. This can lead to a cycle of increasing drug use and potential abuse.

It is important to note that the strength of magic mushrooms can vary depending on factors such as freshness, season, and location of growth. As a result, it can be challenging to predict the effects of a particular batch of mushrooms accurately. This unpredictability can further contribute to the dangers associated with mushroom use, as individuals may unintentionally consume a higher dose than intended.

While the potential risks and consequences of mushroom use are important to acknowledge, it is worth mentioning that psilocybin mushrooms have also been studied for their therapeutic benefits in treating mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. However, more research is needed in this area, and these treatments are not yet approved by regulatory bodies such as the FDA.

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