Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, or mushrooms with psilocybin, are hallucinogenic drugs that can distort a person's sense of time, place, and reality. They are commonly ingested fresh and can cause both short-term and long-term mental and physical effects. The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely and depend on the type of mushroom, the dosage, and individual factors such as mood, personality, and expectations. While magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, regular use can lead to tolerance, and the risk of a bad trip increases with higher doses or feelings of anxiety. It is important to note that some mushrooms are extremely poisonous, and it can be difficult to distinguish between them and hallucinogenic mushrooms. As such, it is illegal to possess, use, or sell magic mushrooms in many places.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Magic Mushrooms, Psilocybin |
| Active Ingredient | Psilocybin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, Distorted sense of time, place and reality, Euphoria, Heightened emotions and senses, Increased creativity, Laughter, Mental and emotional clarity, Altered perception, Change in consciousness, Increased heart rate, Dilated pupils, Chills, Facial flushing, Increased sweating, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Headache, Higher body temperature, Irregular heart rate |
| Onset of Effects | 15-45 minutes |
| Duration of Effects | 4-6 hours |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada and Australia |
| Addictiveness | Not considered addictive, but tolerance develops rapidly with continued use |
| Withdrawal Effects | Mild psychological effects, Feeling tired |
| Risks | Poisoning, Bad trip, Long-term mental health issues, Death |
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What You'll Learn
The effects of taking mushrooms
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic drugs that can distort a person's sense of time, place, and reality. They contain the active ingredients psilocybin and psilocin, which are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. However, it can take longer than 30 minutes for the effects to kick in, so it is important to wait before taking another dose.
The effects of magic mushrooms include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, distortion of sound and vision, and an altered state of consciousness. Some people may experience feelings of euphoria, increased wellbeing, and increased energy. However, it is hard to predict what kind of "trip" each user will have, and some may experience terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. In very rare cases, taking a huge amount of mushrooms can lead to severe side effects and even death.
The length and intensity of each mushroom trip depend on the strength of the mushrooms, the amount consumed, and individual factors such as mood, personality, and expectations. It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable and dangerous when taken with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications. Mixing magic mushrooms with substances such as ice, speed, ecstasy, or psychiatric medications can increase the chances of a "bad trip" and lead to panic or a relapse of symptoms.
One of the biggest dangers of taking magic mushrooms is the risk of consuming poisonous mushrooms by mistake, as many poisonous mushrooms look very similar to magic mushrooms. Consuming poisonous mushrooms can have severe consequences, including violent illness and death. Therefore, it is crucial to know what you are consuming, and if in doubt, it is best to avoid taking them.
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The risks of taking mushrooms
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms, can have a wide range of effects on the human body and mind. While research suggests that psilocybin is not addictive, there are several risks associated with its consumption.
Poisoning
The biggest risk associated with the use of magic mushrooms is the possibility of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms. This is because some types of poisonous mushrooms closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms. Even professionals sometimes mistake these mushroom types. Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe illness and can even be fatal. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium. In the case of such symptoms, one should immediately visit the emergency room.
Bad trips
The risk of a bad trip may increase if a person takes higher doses of psilocybin or has feelings of anxiety before taking it. A bad trip can also be triggered by being in a noisy, crowded place. A bad trip may lead to feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. The only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not taking magic mushrooms.
Flashbacks
Some people who take psilocybin may experience flashbacks, which are visual distortions that involve changes in emotions or perception. Flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. They can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise, and they usually last a minute or two.
Other risks
The effects of taking magic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous. For individuals predisposed to or with existing psychiatric conditions, there may be an elevated risk of side effects. For individuals with cardiac diseases, short-term effects such as increased blood pressure and heart rate could be harmful.
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The legality of mushrooms
Despite their historical medicinal and religious use in various cultures, many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms. For example, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Japanese Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law of 2002 all prohibit the possession and use of psilocybin. In the US, federal regulation of psilocybin and psilocin began with the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965, which regulated the unlicensed "possession, manufacture, or sale of depressant, stimulant, and hallucinogenic drugs".
However, there has been a growing movement to decriminalize psilocybin in the United States in recent years. Denver, Colorado, became the first city to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in May 2019, followed by Oakland and Santa Cruz, California, in June 2019 and January 2020, respectively. In November 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize it for supervised non-medical use. Since then, several other cities and states, including Washington, D.C., Somerville, Cambridge, and Northampton, Massachusetts, Seattle, Washington, Detroit, Michigan, and Colorado, have followed suit.
In some jurisdictions, the spores of psilocybin mushrooms are legal to possess and sell because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. However, some areas, such as Germany, California, Georgia, and Idaho in the United States, have specifically criminalized the possession of psilocybin mushroom spores.
While the legality of psilocybin mushrooms is evolving, it is important to note that they can be extremely dangerous. Some mushrooms are highly poisonous and can cause severe illness or even death. Additionally, the hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin mushrooms can distort a person's sense of time, place, and reality, leading to terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death.
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The history of mushroom use
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic drugs that have been used by humans for thousands of years. Rock art from around 9000–7000 BCE found in Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict the use of psychedelic mushrooms. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago.
In Mesoamerica, psilocybin mushrooms have been consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies for centuries. The mushrooms were also used by indigenous people in Central America for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 BCE. The Aztecs called the mushrooms teōnanācatl, which means "divine mushroom" in the Nahuatl language. A Psilocybe species was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. After the Spanish conquest, Catholic missionaries campaigned against the cultural tradition of the Aztecs, dismissing them as idolaters, and the use of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms was quickly suppressed.
In the 16th century, Spanish chroniclers first documented the use of psilocybin mushrooms in Mesoamerica. In 1799, the London Medical and Physical Journal mentioned Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms for the first time in European medicinal literature. In 1958, the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the Psilocybe mexicana mushroom. His employer, Sandoz, marketed and sold pure psilocybin to physicians and clinicians worldwide for use in psychedelic therapy.
In the 1960s, psilocybin mushrooms became popular in the United States when American researchers began studying their healing properties and medical applications. Timothy Leary, a Harvard professor, became widely known for promoting the use of psilocybin mushrooms. He coined the phrase "turn on, tune in, and drop out," encouraging the use of the hallucinogenic drug. Musicians and celebrities, such as Bob Dylan and John Lennon, visited Mexico in search of the psychedelic drug. In 1965, the "hippie movement" further popularized the use of magic mushrooms.
However, the increasing popularity of psilocybin mushrooms and the hippie movement threatened traditional societal values in America. In response, President Richard Nixon initiated the War on Drugs, aiming to decrease drug use rates and counter the cultural impact of the hippie movement. As a result, psilocybin mushrooms were classified as a Schedule I substance, ending all research on the drug. Nixon's campaign portrayed magic mushrooms as highly addictive and destructive to the brain, creating a perception that psychedelics were dangerous.
Despite the historical prohibitions and negative perceptions, the use of psilocybin mushrooms persists, and their potential therapeutic benefits are being re-examined. In 2020, Oregon became the first US state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize it for therapeutic use. In 2022, Colorado followed suit, and institutions like Johns Hopkins have also begun researching the medical applications of psilocybin.
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The potential therapeutic uses of mushrooms
Mushrooms have been used for their medicinal properties for centuries, especially in Asian countries, where mycotherapy has ancient and deep-rooted origins. The therapeutic potential of mushrooms is attributed to their diverse secondary compounds and metabolites, which can act synergistically or independently on various biological functions. While research in Western countries is still limited, clinical investigations have shown promising results in the following areas:
Oncology
Medicinal mushrooms have been found to possess anti-cancer properties. For example, an extract of Agaricus blazei Murrill Kyowa, known for its antitumor properties, was used in a clinical trial with patients suffering from gynecological cancers. The extract reduced chemotherapy-related side effects such as loss of appetite, alopecia, and emotional instability.
Immunomodulation
Mushrooms contain compounds such as polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, which can help modulate immune responses. Edible mushrooms and their extracts have been shown to reduce beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity and exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects.
Mental Health
The psychedelic compound psilocybin, found in "magic mushrooms," has been explored for its potential therapeutic effects on mental illnesses. Research suggests that psilocybin may help reduce anxiety and depression, facilitate smoking cessation, and treat substance abuse disorders. However, it is important to note that magic mushrooms can also have negative psychological effects, and their use should be carefully monitored by medical professionals.
Neurodegenerative Diseases
Mushrooms like Grifola frondosa, Lignosus rhinocerotis, and Hericium erinaceus may improve cognitive functions and have potential in treating neurodegenerative diseases. Their mechanisms of action include reducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and modulation of acetylcholinesterase activity, which can help protect neurons and stimulate neurotrophins synthesis.
While the therapeutic potential of mushrooms is promising, it is important to exercise caution. Some mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause severe health issues or even death. Additionally, the effects of mushrooms on the brain can be unpredictable, and their use should be approached with careful consideration and under the guidance of medical professionals.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic substance psilocybin. They are commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms" due to the hallucinogenic effects they induce in users.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on factors such as dose, type of mushroom, and individual expectations. The hallucinogenic effects can include visual or auditory hallucinations, distorted perception of objects and people, heightened emotions and senses, and an altered sense of time, place, and reality.
Magic mushrooms are considered illegal in many places due to their hallucinogenic effects. They can induce gastrointestinal issues such as stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, the risk of a "'bad trip'" is present, which may include paranoia, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. It is also important to distinguish between poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms, as some mushrooms can be extremely harmful or even fatal.
Current research suggests that psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, is not addictive. Tolerance to its effects may develop with regular use, but there are no known physical withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation. However, some mild psychological effects or feelings of tiredness may occur during withdrawal.
