Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are naturally occurring fungi that contain the hallucinogens psilocybin and psilocin. They are typically ingested for their psychoactive effects, which can include heightened emotions, senses, and creativity, as well as hallucinations. While the effects of magic mushrooms are usually short-term and mild to moderate, there are risks associated with their consumption, including the possibility of a 'bad trip, poisoning from consuming the wrong type of mushroom, and in rare cases, life-threatening symptoms or death. There is ongoing research into the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms, particularly in the treatment of mental and behavioural health conditions, but they remain illegal in many places.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of mushroom | Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin |
| Effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, panic attacks, paranoia, psychotic symptoms, and feelings of relaxation |
| Intake methods | Mushrooms are dried and added to food, brewed into tea, or made into an oil |
| Impact on the body | The main effects are psychological, but there can be long-lasting impacts on the brain and neurons |
| Genetic intolerance | Some people with intestinal problems and a specific genetic variant of the OCTN1 gene are intolerant of mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
The effects of psilocybin on the brain
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in "magic mushrooms", has a profound effect on the human brain. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin by the body, inducing hallucinogenic effects similar to those of DMT or LSD.
Psilocybin disrupts the brain's default mode network (DMN), which is involved in creating a person's sense of self, space, and time. The DMN is most active when the brain is not focused on a specific task, such as during daydreaming or mind-wandering. Psilocybin reduces functional connectivity (FC) within the DMN, causing activity within brain networks to become less synchronized. This desynchronization is thought to be responsible for the intense psychedelic experiences associated with psilocybin, including altered perceptions, sensory experiences, mood, and thought processes.
The therapeutic potential of psilocybin is currently being explored, with ongoing experimental research investigating its potential to relieve mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The acute effects of psilocybin may provide intense relief by loosening and creating new connections in the brain. While most brain activity returns to normal within days, a reduction in FC between the DMN and the hippocampus lasts for at least three weeks, suggesting that psilocybin may have long-lasting effects on the perception of self.
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The link between mushroom intolerance and the OCTN1 gene
Mushrooms are loved and hated in equal measure. While some people enjoy them in abundance, others exhibit mushroom intolerance. Mushroom intolerance is a novel diet-gene interaction, where genetics plays a role in the body's response to mushrooms.
Mushrooms contain a natural compound called ergothioneine, an amino acid with antioxidant properties. The OCTN1 gene (now known as SLC22A4) codes for a transporter of organic cations, which means it moves solutes with a positive charge across the plasma membrane. The SLC22A4 transporter moves ergothioneine across the plasma membrane.
A study published in the British Journal of Medicine focused on the diet-gene interaction among Crohn's disease patients. Certain dietary sources were found to intensify the symptoms and aggravate the condition. Corn and mushrooms topped this list, which encouraged the researchers to look into a possible genetic factor. Efforts to study the genetic factors showed a suggestive link between the OCTN1 gene and mushroom intolerance.
The variant of SLC22A4 linked to Crohn's disease causes a gain of function with a 50% increased transport of ergothioneine. An overload of antioxidants in the epithelium and red blood cells can lead to an immune reaction and gastrointestinal intolerance to mushrooms. Abdominal discomfort and severe cramping are the main mushroom intolerance symptoms.
Carrying a functional single nucleotide polymorphism (L503F, c. 1672 C>T) in the gene for the Na-dependent organic cation transporter (OCTN1) increases the risk of Crohn's disease in some populations. An inability to tolerate mushrooms showed statistically significant associations with the variant OCTN1 genotype.
In summary, mushroom intolerance symptoms such as intestinal issues may stem from your genes. Variants in the ergothioneine transporter cause too much ergothioneine to be absorbed, exacerbating gut issues such as IBD and Crohn's disease.
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The psychological effects of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are a commonly recognised, natural hallucinogen. They are considered one of the least dangerous narcotics one can ingest. They contain the chemical psilocybin, a natural psychoactive substance that is converted into psilocin by the body, which has hallucinogenic effects similar to DMT or LSD.
The effects of psilocybin vary widely between people. Factors such as the user's mental state, personality, and immediate environment may affect their response. A 2020 analysis suggests that higher doses of psilocybin may increase the risk of negative experiences. A pre-existing mental health condition may also increase the risk of psychological distress, which can take the form of extreme anxiety or short-term psychosis.
People who take psilocybin may experience distorted sights and sounds, lose their sense of time and space, and feel intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror. They may also experience physical side effects such as increased heart rate or nausea. The mushrooms typically affect the brain's prefrontal cortex, which regulates abstract thinking, thought analysis, and plays a key role in mood and perception.
Despite the potential for negative experiences, psilocybin has been shown to have significant potential in treating mental and behavioural health disorders. Research has demonstrated its effectiveness in relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other mental health disorders. Psilocybin has also shown promise in easing fear and anxiety in people with terminal cancer and in smoking cessation and anorexia nervosa treatment studies.
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The history of magic mushrooms in religious rituals
The use of magic mushrooms in religious rituals has a long and fascinating history that stretches back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that the use of psychoactive substances, including magic mushrooms, has been a part of human culture since prehistoric times. Rock art from Tassili, Algeria, dating back to 9000–7000 BCE, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and their effects on users. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests the use of Psilocybe hispanica in religious rituals around 4000 BCE.
In Central America, the heartland of psilocybin history, evidence of mushroom worship dates back to at least 1000 BCE. Native American cultures like the Mayas and Aztecs had symbols, statues, and paintings that indicate their consumption of psilocybin mushrooms during religious rituals. The Aztecs referred to these mushrooms as "teonanácatl" or "teōnanācatl," meaning "flesh of the gods" or "divine mushroom," respectively, reflecting their revered status. They believed that these sacred mushrooms facilitated communication with deities and provided access to divine insights and visions of the gods and ancestors.
Other tribes originating in Central America, such as the Nahua, Mazatec, Mixtec, and Zapatec, also incorporated mushroom rituals into their cultural practices. Archaeological discoveries reveal that these indigenous cultures recognized the spiritual and healing potential of psilocybin mushrooms. For example, the Mixtec people of Mexico created the Codex Vindobonensis Mexicanus 1, a fifteenth- or sixteenth-century pictographic manuscript that portrays a pre-colonial mushroom ritual.
The use of magic mushrooms in religious rituals continued well into the colonial era, despite attempts by Spanish missionaries to suppress these traditions. In the 1500s, Spanish chroniclers documented their fascination and horror upon witnessing Aztec rituals involving the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms. They condemned the practice as "the work of the devil" and associated it with idolatry. Despite this, the use of magic mushrooms persisted in some remote areas, passed down through generations by indigenous shamans and healers.
In the late 1950s, the Western world was introduced to psilocybin through the work of R. Gordon Wasson, who documented his experiences with hallucinogenic mushrooms in a Mexican village in a 1957 Life magazine article titled "Seeking the Magic Mushroom." This sparked interest in the psychedelic effects of magic mushrooms, and in 1960, Timothy Leary established the Harvard Psilocybin Project to explore the psychological and religious dimensions of psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs.
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The least dangerous methods of ingesting magic mushrooms
It is important to note that consuming magic mushrooms can be dangerous and may lead to several adverse effects, including hallucinations, anxiety, psychosis, and even fatal overdoses in rare cases. Therefore, it is recommended to seek guidance from a healthcare professional before consuming them.
With that in mind, here are some of the least dangerous methods of ingesting magic mushrooms:
Tea
One popular method of consuming magic mushrooms is by brewing them into a tea. To make mushroom tea, heat water to a maximum of 70ºC to avoid destroying the psychedelic compounds in the mushrooms. Then, grind or chop the mushrooms and steep them in the hot water for around 20 minutes. You can add tea or lemon juice to enhance the flavour. Tea is considered safer because it allows you to bypass ingesting chitin, a compound in mushroom cell walls that can cause nausea and stomach upset.
Dried and Consumed Orally
The most common method of ingestion is to dry the mushrooms and consume them orally. They can be eaten as whole pieces or ground into a powder. This powder can then be placed into capsules for easier consumption. Consuming dried mushrooms orally is generally safer because it avoids the use of heat, which may affect the potency of the mushrooms.
Microdosing
Microdosing involves taking ultra-small doses of magic mushrooms as an aid for relaxation, increased concentration, or self-medication for mental illness. This method does not require heating the mushrooms, and the powder can be sprinkled on food or made into gummies. Microdosing allows users to experience the potential benefits of magic mushrooms while minimising the risks associated with higher doses.
Cooking with Magic Mushrooms
Some people choose to cook with magic mushrooms, incorporating them into various meals. While there is a debate about whether cooking with heat affects the potency of the mushrooms, some experts argue that moderate heating, similar to that used in tea preparation, should not significantly disturb the desired effects. Cooking with magic mushrooms can be a creative and ritualistic experience for those who enjoy it.
It is important to remember that even with these methods, the experience of consuming magic mushrooms can vary depending on factors such as dosage, individual physiology, environment, and mindset. Always approach the use of magic mushrooms with caution and respect for the potential risks involved.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin. Ingesting these mushrooms can produce intense hallucinations and feelings of relaxation.
Magic mushrooms affect the brain's prefrontal cortex, which regulates abstract thinking, thought analysis, and plays a key role in mood and perception. The psilocybin in magic mushrooms is converted into psilocin by the body, which has hallucinogenic effects similar to DMT or LSD.
The main effects of magic mushrooms are psychological and can include euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of expanded consciousness. However, they can also lead to negative experiences such as panic attacks, paranoia, and psychotic symptoms.
Yes, while magic mushrooms are considered one of the least dangerous narcotics, they can still have long-lasting effects on the brain and neurons. In addition, for individuals with intestinal problems and a specific genetic variant, mushrooms can exacerbate these problems, including symptoms of Crohn's disease and IBD.
