Exploring The Diverse World Of Psychoactive Mushrooms

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. The number of psilocybin-containing species exceeds 50, with the majority found in subtropical humid forests. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on the individual, the dose, and the type of mushroom. While there is little evidence of physical or psychological dependence, regular use can lead to tolerance, and combining mushrooms with other substances can increase the risk of adverse effects. The active compounds psilocybin and psilocin are also produced and sold illegally, posing additional risks due to unknown substances.

Magic mushrooms: psilocybin and psilocin

Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver and converted into psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects of magic mushrooms. The effects of psilocybin and psilocin include euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortion, and these compounds have been used recreationally and in indigenous ceremonies.

The potency of magic mushrooms varies depending on the genus and species. The principal component, psilocybin, can be converted into psilocin, with other compounds such as norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and aeruginascin also potentially contributing to the overall effects. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, including P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been identified in a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina. The composition of magic mushrooms can vary even within the same species, with psilocybin content ranging from 0.03% to 1.78% and psilocin content ranging from 0% to 0.59%.

The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely among individual users, and the experience is influenced by factors such as mental state, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, expectations, and the environment. Microdosing, or consuming less than 1.0 g of dried mushrooms, has become a popular technique to achieve a less intense experience that is still recreationally enjoyable and potentially alleviating for symptoms of depression. However, it is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable and dangerous when combined with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications. Additionally, there is a risk of mistaking poisonous mushrooms for magic mushrooms, and consuming a large amount or a strong batch of magic mushrooms can lead to negative experiences, such as disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis.

While magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, regular use can lead to rapid tolerance development, and discontinuing use for about a week is typically required to return to normal tolerance levels. Some individuals may experience mild psychological withdrawal effects or feelings of tiredness. Furthermore, magic mushrooms can cause flashbacks involving previous experiences, and these flashbacks can be triggered by various factors even weeks, months, or years after the last use. Overall, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and effects of magic mushrooms before consumption.

Effects: psychological and physical

While the exact number of psychoactive mushroom species is unknown, estimates range from 116 species of Psilocybe mushrooms to a total of 253 species across eight genera. These mushrooms contain the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body to produce psychoactive effects.

The psychological and physical effects of consuming psychoactive mushrooms can vary widely depending on individual factors such as dosage, mental state, personality, and environment. The effects can range from mild to intense, and while some people may experience positive effects, others may have negative reactions.

Psychologically, consuming psychoactive mushrooms can lead to feelings of euphoria, sensory distortion, and hallucinations. These hallucinations can be disturbing and may cause anxiety, panic, or even short-term psychosis. The user's mental state and expectations can also influence their experience, with higher doses and pre-existing mental health conditions potentially increasing the risk of negative reactions. Some users may also experience flashbacks or "bad trips," which can be frightening and distressing.

Physically, the effects of psychoactive mushrooms can include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, lack of coordination, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. These physical side effects may be severe in some cases and require medical attention. It is important to note that consuming mushrooms can impair one's ability to think clearly and be aware of their physical surroundings, leading to risky behaviours such as dangerous driving or walking into traffic.

While the risk of addiction is considered low, tolerance to the effects of psychoactive mushrooms can develop rapidly with continued use. Additionally, there is a potential for mild psychological withdrawal effects, such as fatigue, after regular use.

Doses: micro to heroic

There are many different types of psychoactive mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, that contain psilocybin and psilocin. The number of species exceeds 50, with some estimates placing the number of psilocybin-containing Psilocybe at 144 species. These mushrooms are typically consumed dried or powdered and can be found on nearly every continent.

When it comes to dosing, there is a wide range of options, from micro to heroic. Here is a breakdown of the different doses and their potential effects:

Microdose

A microdose is considered to be less than 2.5 mg of psilocybin or less than 1.0 g of dried mushrooms. At this level, the experience is not as intense or powerful, but still recreationally enjoyable. Microdosing has become a popular technique as it can provide a hallucinogen-free experience with potential therapeutic benefits, such as alleviating symptoms of depression.

Low Dose

A low dose of psilocybin is considered to be 5 to 10 mg. At this level, individuals may start to experience the perceptual distortions and alterations of thought and mood commonly associated with hallucinogenic drugs.

Intermediate Dose ("Good Effect")

An intermediate dose of 20 mg of psilocybin is considered to provide a "good effect." This dose is equivalent to about 100 μg LSD or about 500 mg mescaline. At this level, individuals are likely to experience more intense psychedelic effects, such as a distorted sense of reality, altered perception, and shifts in mood.

High Dose (Ego-Dissolution)

A high dose of psilocybin ranges from 30 to 40 mg. At these levels, individuals may experience ego-dissolution, a profound change in consciousness where they lose their sense of self and feel connected to the universe. This experience can be blissful, but it may also be frightening and lead to fear or panic. It is important to note that high doses also increase the likelihood of a "bad trip," which may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and distorted senses of self.

Heroic Dose

A heroic dose of dried mushrooms is considered to be 5.0 g. At this level, the effects can be extremely intense and may be challenging to manage. Heroic doses are not commonly recommended due to the potential risks involved.

It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on factors such as individual biology, dose, and the type of mushroom used. Additionally, combining magic mushrooms with other substances can be unpredictable and dangerous, especially with certain medications and drugs such as ice, speed, or ecstasy.

History: from 1799 to today

The first mention of hallucinogenic mushrooms in European medicinal literature was in 1799, when a British family in London accidentally ingested Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms, also known as liberty caps, picked from Green Park. The father had served the mushrooms for breakfast, and the apothecary who treated the family described how the youngest child "was attacked with fits of immoderate laughter, nor could the threats of his father or mother refrain him."

In the 1950s, Valentina Pavlovna Wasson and R. Gordon Wasson became the first known European Americans to actively participate in an indigenous mushroom ceremony in Mexico. They later publicized their experience in an article published in Life magazine in 1957. In the same decade, Roger Heim identified the psychoactive mushroom the Wassons brought back from Mexico as Psilocybe, and Albert Hofmann first identified psilocybin and psilocin as the active compounds in these mushrooms.

In the 1970s, the use of mushrooms exploded, particularly after LSD became available. While mushrooms were technically banned, they grew wild and were hard to eradicate. Moreover, most law enforcement agents couldn't distinguish between wild edible mushrooms and psychoactive mushrooms. During this time, the legality of mushrooms in the United States became clearer: Psilocybin was banned, so any plant containing it was also prohibited.

Today, psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are still used as recreational drugs and can be found growing worldwide. They are psychedelic drugs that affect the senses, alter thinking, and cause hallucinations. While they do not appear to cause physical dependence, regular users may experience flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences, which can be disturbing if the original experience was frightening. Psilocybin mushrooms have not been found to cause physical or psychological dependence, and the more often they are consumed within a short period, the weaker their effects become due to increased tolerance.

Legality: controlled substance

The active ingredients in magic mushrooms are the chemicals psilocybin and psilocin, which are controlled substances in many parts of 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 or drugs that have no recognized medical uses. The UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances requires its members to prohibit psilocybin, and parties to the treaty are required to restrict the use of the drug to medical and scientific research under strictly controlled conditions.

The legal status of unauthorized actions with psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. While the UN Convention did not specifically include the mushrooms containing the drug, due largely to pressure from the Mexican government, many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms. Examples include the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the US Psychotropic Substances Act of 1978, the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 1996, and the Japanese Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law of 2002. In Canada, activities with magic mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorized by Health Canada. Similarly, in the United States, the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965 regulated the unlicensed "possession, manufacture, or sale of depressant, stimulant, and hallucinogenic drugs." The federal law that specifically banned psilocybin and psilocin was enacted on 24 October 1968, and in 1970, both substances became classified as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act.

In many national, state, and provincial drug laws, there is ambiguity about the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms, and a strong element of selective enforcement in some places. Most US state courts have considered the mushroom a "container" of the illicit drugs, and therefore illegal. However, spores of psilocybin mushrooms, which do not contain the drugs, are legal to possess in many areas, including some US states. In Germany and several US states, it is illegal to possess psilocybin mushroom spores. There is an active underground economy involved in the sale of spores and cultivation materials, supported by an internet-based social network.

On the other hand, some countries and one US state (New Mexico) have ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms does not qualify as "manufacturing" a controlled substance. In Oregon, voters passed a ballot initiative in 2020 that made "magic mushrooms" legal for mental health treatment. Additionally, some states have taken steps to legalize the adult use of psilocybin or establish programs to study psilocybin for therapeutic applications.

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