Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and can include perceptual changes, such as hallucinations, distorted senses, and impaired judgment. People who take larger doses of mushrooms may act unpredictably, exhibiting unusual behaviour such as laughing a lot, becoming fixated on certain things, or experiencing paranoia. While some people report positive experiences and potential therapeutic benefits, there are also risks associated with magic mushroom consumption, including the possibility of a 'bad trip' and long-term mental health consequences. It is important to note that magic mushrooms are illegal in many places, and consuming the wrong type of mushroom can be dangerous or even fatal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Behaviour | Acting unpredictably, laughing a lot, becoming fixated on certain things, being emotional, getting paranoid, jumping out of a window or other dangerous actions |
| Perception | Distorted sense of time, place, and reality; mixing up senses (e.g. seeing music or hearing colours) |
| Physical Effects | Nausea, excessive yawning, drowsiness, relaxation, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhoea, tachycardia (heart beating too fast), hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperthermia (body tissue becomes too hot), delayed headaches |
| Psychological Effects | Hallucinations, anxiety, nervousness, flashbacks, impaired judgment, psychosis, changes in personality, feelings of connectivity, increased positivity, insights into depression |
| Social Effects | Increased tolerance and comfort with others |
| Duration of Effects | Typically 4-6 hours, but can last up to 8 hours or longer; short-term effects wear off in 6-12 hours |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Hallucinations and distorted senses
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and the strength of the mushrooms can differ greatly. The mushrooms may be either fresh or dried, and people take them as drugs by eating them raw, mixing them with food, or brewing them into tea. The effects typically begin 30 to 45 minutes after ingestion and can last as long as 6 hours.
Magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations and distort people's senses. Users may see or hear things that are not there, or their senses may become mixed up, leading them to believe they can see music or hear colours. The mushrooms alter a person's sense of reality and affect their judgment, which can lead to risk-taking behaviours. For example, a user may attempt to drive while under the influence, endangering themselves and others.
The hallucinations experienced during a "trip" can range from mild to intense. Mild hallucinations may leave a person feeling drowsy or relaxed, while stronger doses or more potent mushrooms can induce more powerful hallucinations, along with anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. The person may experience a distorted sense of time, place, and reality, with colours, sounds, objects, and even time seeming very different.
The effects of magic mushrooms are dose-dependent, and a high dose can lead to a "bad trip". During a bad trip, the user may experience frightening paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. This impaired judgment and heightened sense of paranoia may lead to dangerous actions, such as jumping out of a window. It is important to note that the biggest danger to one's health when taking magic mushrooms is accidentally consuming a poisonous mushroom.
Weeping Widow Mushrooms: Psychedelic or Placebo?
You may want to see also
Emotional and behavioural changes
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and are influenced by factors such as the dose, the type of mushroom, the user's mood, personality, and expectations. The active ingredient in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, is a naturally occurring psychedelic drug that can induce perceptual changes, such as hallucinations, and emotional and behavioural changes.
People who take larger doses of mushrooms may act unpredictably. They may become fixated on certain things, experience distorted perceptions of reality, and display impaired judgment, leading to risk-taking behaviours. For example, a person under the influence of mushrooms may attempt dangerous actions, such as jumping out of a window. They may also experience paranoia, anxiety, nervousness, and emotional sensitivity. The distorted sense of reality can lead to a loss of boundaries and a distorted sense of self, resulting in unpredictable behaviour.
Mushrooms can alter a person's senses, making them believe they can see music or hear colours. They may also experience time distortion, with time seeming to pass very slowly or quickly. These perceptual changes can be frightening and disorienting, especially during a "'bad trip'". During a "bad trip", a person may experience intense negative emotions and paranoia, which can lead to risky or harmful behaviours.
In addition to the immediate behavioural changes, people may experience long-term personality changes and flashbacks, also known as "flashbacks", where they relive parts of their drug trip. These flashbacks can occur without warning, ranging from a few days to months after the initial mushroom use.
While the focus is often on the potential negative consequences, it is worth noting that psilocybin in mushrooms may have positive emotional and behavioural effects for some people. Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting can bring about positive, long-lasting changes in people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Surveys of microdosers have also reported significantly positive benefits, with some believing that psilocybin makes people "nicer".
Shilajit: Mushroom or Mineral Pitch?
You may want to see also
Physical side effects
The physical side effects of consuming mushrooms can vary from person to person and depend on factors such as dosage, surroundings, mood, and individual personality. The effects of mushrooms generally begin after about 30 to 45 minutes and can last up to 6 hours.
One of the most common physical side effects is an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which can be dangerous for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. This increase in cardiovascular activity can lead to long-term heart damage with prolonged mushroom use. Additionally, mushrooms can cause nausea, excessive yawning, and vomiting, with some users also experiencing diarrhea and stomach cramps.
Mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can distort one's perception of reality. This distortion can lead to dangerous situations, such as attempting to drive or walk in traffic, as individuals may become less aware of their physical surroundings and experience impaired judgment and thinking.
The quantity of mushrooms consumed plays a significant role in the intensity of the physical side effects. Higher doses can lead to severe nausea, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and even long-term mental health issues such as psychosis. Mixing mushrooms with other substances, such as stimulants, opioids, alcohol, or marijuana, can also negatively impact the experience and lead to unpleasant or dangerous consequences.
It is important to note that the biggest danger associated with mushroom consumption is the potential for poisoning. Misidentifying mushrooms can have severe consequences, as some species are extremely toxic and can cause violent illness or even death.
Mushrooms: Highly Addictive or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Long-term mental health impacts
While the long-term mental health impacts of acting on mushrooms are still being studied, current research suggests that psilocybin, the primary psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, can have both positive and negative effects on mental health.
On the positive side, psilocybin has shown promising results in the treatment of various mental health disorders. Clinical trials have demonstrated that psilocybin therapy can effectively relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. It has also been found to ease fear and anxiety in people with terminal cancer. The US Food and Drug Administration has even described psilocybin as a breakthrough medicine. Additionally, psilocybin has shown positive results in smoking cessation and anorexia nervosa treatment studies.
However, it is important to note that psilocybin can also have negative mental health impacts. The effects of psilocybin are highly variable and depend on factors such as dosage, individual personality, mood, expectations, surroundings, and underlying mental health. Negative experiences can include feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. Higher doses of psilocybin may increase the risk of adverse events, and individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions may be at a higher risk for negative experiences.
While psilocybin is generally considered non-addictive, it is possible to develop tolerance to its effects with regular use. Additionally, the altered sense of reality induced by psilocybin can lead to accidental self-harm if not in a safe environment. Therefore, it is recommended that psilocybin be consumed in a supervised, medical setting to minimize risks and maximize therapeutic benefits.
Overall, while psilocybin has shown potential in treating certain mental health disorders, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term mental health impacts. It is important for individuals to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before using psilocybin and to seek professional guidance when exploring its therapeutic potential.
Mushrooms: The Magical World of Fungi
You may want to see also
Medical uses
Psilocybin, the active ingredient in "magic mushrooms", is a powerful psychedelic that can cause hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. However, it also has several potential medical applications.
Magic mushrooms have been used by some Indigenous communities for over 1000 years, and rock paintings in Western Australia suggest their use in Indigenous ceremonies over 10,000 years ago. In modern times, researchers are exploring the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin. Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin, administered in a therapeutic setting, can bring about dramatic and long-lasting changes in people suffering from treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. The treatment appears to shake up the brain, allowing patients to see things in a more positive light and form new, positive neural connections. Psilocybin has also been shown to be effective in treating other substance use disorders, including alcohol and cocaine addiction.
In addition to treating depression and addiction, psilocybin is being investigated for its potential to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), pain, cluster headaches, anxiety, and neurodegenerative disorders. In 2021, the Australian Government announced $15 million worth of grants to researchers studying the mental health benefits of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin.
Despite the promising results of these studies, psilocybin mushrooms remain a Schedule I drug according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, meaning they are classified as having "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse". However, researchers are forging ahead with clinical trials for FDA approval.
Mushroom Coffee: Does It Contain Mold?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are often eaten raw, dried, or brewed into tea.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin within 30 to 45 minutes of consumption and can last up to 6 hours. Early effects include nausea and excessive yawning, followed by perceptual changes such as hallucinations, distorted senses, and altered emotions. The intensity of these effects depends on the dose, the user's mood, and the type of mushroom.
Magic mushrooms are not a harmless or legal substance. While they have been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating depression and anxiety, they can also lead to negative experiences known as ""bad trips,"" which may include paranoia, impaired judgment, and risk-taking behaviour. Additionally, there is a risk of consuming poisonous mushrooms by mistake, which can have serious health consequences.
