Psychedelics Compared: Magic Mushrooms And Other Hallucinogens

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin turns into the psychedelic psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties. Psilocybin mushrooms are used as recreational drugs and have been for thousands of years. They are also being studied for their potential therapeutic uses. How do psilocybin mushrooms compare to other hallucinogens? Like other hallucinogens, psilocybin mushrooms can cause hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness. However, psilocybin mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, and it is difficult to overdose on them. In this way, they differ from some other hallucinogens, such as LSD, which can be addictive and has a higher risk of overdose.

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Hallucinogenic effects

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 15 to 45 minutes of ingestion and last between four and six hours. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects may be mild or moderate and resolve with time, but some people may require medical treatment.

The effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable, and users may experience heightened emotions and senses, with increased creativity and laughter. They may also distort a person's sense of reality, causing hallucinations and mixing up the senses. Psilocybin works by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in parts of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which affect mood, cognition, and perception. The drug also works in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses.

The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be compared to other hallucinogens such as LSD and mescaline. A 20 mg dose of psilocybin is equivalent to about 100 μg of LSD or about 500 mg of mescaline. Cross-tolerance occurs between psilocybin and these other hallucinogens. However, it is important to note that the effects of hallucinogens can vary widely depending on individual factors such as dose, past experiences, and expectations.

While magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, regular use may lead to tolerance, where even high amounts of the drug will no longer produce the desired effect. There is little evidence of physical or psychological dependence, and no physical withdrawal symptoms have been observed. However, some mild psychological effects or feelings of tiredness may occur upon stopping use.

Toxicity and addiction

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are hallucinogenic drugs that can induce hallucinations, sensory distortion, and euphoria. While they have been used for centuries in various cultures for spiritual and religious purposes, their potential for misuse and toxicity warrants concern.

Toxicity

Psilocybin mushrooms have a low level of toxicity, which means the risk of life-threatening symptoms is relatively low. However, there are still health risks associated with their consumption. Accidental ingestion can result in mild gastrointestinal illness, but severe cases may require medical attention. Poisonous mushrooms can cause serious illness and even death, and misidentifying mushrooms poses a significant risk. Commercial products marketed as containing psilocybin have also been found to contain toxic chemicals, leading to severe illness.

The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary widely, and some individuals may experience adverse reactions such as disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks, known as a "bad trip". These negative psychological effects can be particularly pronounced in those with pre-existing mental health issues, and there is a risk of psychosis or suicidality, especially with unsupervised use. Furthermore, the unpredictable nature of hallucinogens can lead to dangerous behaviour, increasing the risk of physical harm to oneself or others.

Addiction

While physical addiction to psilocybin mushrooms is rare, there is a potential for psychological dependence and misuse. Repeated use can lead to tolerance, requiring larger doses to achieve the same effects, and can result in unhealthy dependence and addiction. However, current research suggests that psilocybin is not physically addictive, and no physical withdrawal symptoms have been observed. Instead, individuals may experience psychological and emotional symptoms upon cessation, including mood fluctuations, irritability, anxiety, and depression.

The potential for addiction and the impact on one's life should not be underestimated. Behavioural signs of addiction may include strained or ended relationships, excessive spending on mushrooms, and legal problems. Therapeutic support and professional help are recommended for those struggling with mushroom misuse, as it can negatively affect mental health, relationships, work, and overall quality of life.

History and cultural significance

Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelics, entheogens, or historically as psychotomimetics, are a diverse class of psychoactive drugs that induce altered states of consciousness. They are often categorized as psychedelics, dissociatives, or deliriants, but not all fall neatly into these categories.

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that has been used for thousands of years. They have played a significant role in the history and culture of Indigenous peoples, particularly in Mesoamerica, where they were used in ritual, therapeutic, divinatory, and recreational contexts.

Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use among Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica, specifically the Mixtec, Nahua, and Aztec cultures. Archaeological and historical evidence suggests that these mushrooms were used as early as 3,000 years ago and played a central role in various rituals and ceremonies.

The Nahua culture from Central Mexico, including the Aztecs, provides abundant evidence of psilocybe mushrooms' ritualistic, therapeutic, divinatory, and recreational functions. The Aztec word "teonanacatl" translates to "flesh of the gods," indicating the sacred nature of these mushrooms in their culture. Spanish colonial records, such as the Florentine Codex, describe mushroom ceremonies performed by traders to celebrate a successful expedition. Despite persecution by Spanish missionaries and the Catholic Church, the use of psilocybin mushrooms persisted in some remote areas.

Psilocybin mushrooms are also depicted in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas, indicating their significance in ancient cultures. Their potential for inducing spiritual experiences and treating various conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction, has led to a resurgence of research interest in recent years.

Other hallucinogens, such as LSD, mescaline, DMT, ketamine, and ayahuasca, have also been used throughout history and hold cultural significance in various contexts.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), originally produced by a pharmaceutical company, gained notoriety in the 1950s due to CIA experiments on mind control. Despite this, it became popular in counterculture movements, with individuals like Ken Kesey embracing its use for recreational and enlightenment purposes.

Mescaline, derived from the peyote cactus, has been used for thousands of years by Native groups in Mexico and South American tribes in their ceremonies and rituals. Peyote has been the subject of legal battles due to its religious significance, and several US states now allow its possession for religious purposes.

Ayahuasca, a hallucinatory brew from the Amazon, has long been used by native South American tribes for spiritual rituals and healing. It often triggers intense emotional experiences and has gained attention from explorers of consciousness like National Geographic writer Kira Salak.

Ketamine, a dissociative hallucinogen, was initially tested as an anesthetic in the 1950s but later became a recreational drug known for inducing feelings of euphoria and invincibility.

DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is another serotonergic psychedelic similar to psilocybin and LSD. It is often associated with intense hallucinations and has been used in shamanic rituals, particularly in the Upper Amazon region, where it is integral to the Urarina people's ayahuasca shamanism.

In conclusion, psilocybin mushrooms and other hallucinogens have a long history of use in various cultural contexts, with some being integral to Indigenous rituals, therapeutic practices, and spiritual experiences. While some hallucinogens have faced legal and social challenges, there is a growing recognition of their potential therapeutic benefits, leading to renewed research interest and a reevaluation of their cultural significance.

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Therapeutic uses

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin include euphoria, hallucinations, a distorted sense of time, and spiritual experiences. While it is often used recreationally, there is increasing interest in its potential therapeutic uses.

Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, and spiritual purposes. There is also evidence of their use in healing rituals, with rock art from Tassili, Algeria, dating back to c. 9000–7000 BCE, believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and their effects on users. In the 1950s, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana, and they were subsequently marketed and sold to physicians and clinicians for psychedelic therapy.

In modern times, psilocybin is being studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in the treatment of mental health disorders. Some of the conditions that psilocybin may help manage include anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), substance use disorders, and cluster headaches. It is also being investigated as a possible aid for smoking cessation. While clinical trials have shown promising results, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin. The ongoing research aims to assess the safety, efficacy, and quality of psilocybin-based treatments while exploring its potential benefits and risks.

Microdosing, or taking a very small amount of psilocybin, has become a popular technique among users who hope to improve their mental health without experiencing full hallucinogenic effects. This method involves consuming less than 1 gram of dried mushrooms or a subthreshold dose of less than 2.5 mg. While psilocybin is not considered addictive, there are potential risks associated with its use, including disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, and paranoia, commonly known as a ""bad trip." Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and accidentally consuming toxic or poisonous mushrooms, which can lead to severe illness or even death.

Legality

The legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies across the world. 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 and no recognised medical uses. However, psilocybin mushrooms have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in several cultures throughout history, and their potential for abuse is significantly lower than that of other Schedule I drugs.

United States

Psilocybin is illegal under federal law in the United States and is classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This means that it is deemed to have no medicinal benefit and a high potential for abuse and addiction. However, state laws vary, and in some places, psilocybin is legal or decriminalised for medicinal purposes. For example, in 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalise psilocybin mushrooms. Most US state courts have considered the mushroom a "container" of the illicit drugs, and therefore illegal.

Canada

In Canada, the production, sale, and possession of psilocybin mushrooms 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. The new regulations came into effect in January 2023.

Other countries

The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies in other countries as well. In some countries, such as Peru and Bolivia, psilocybin is legal, while in others, such as Russia, India, and South Africa, it is illegal. In Australia, psilocybin has been approved for use in prescription medications for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. In the UK, psilocybin is regulated under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Spores

It is important to note that psilocybin mushroom spores are not always illegal because they do not contain the Schedule I controlled substance psilocybin. However, possessing these spores could be considered an intent to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms, which can be punishable under the laws of some jurisdictions, including Germany, California, Georgia, and Idaho in the United States.

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