Mushroom Abuse Among Teens: A Growing Concern

While the number of teens abusing mushrooms is unclear, the dangers of mushroom use among teens are well-documented. Magic mushrooms, which contain psilocybin, are illegal in the United States and are listed as a Schedule I substance, indicating a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose. Despite this, some states have decriminalized psilocybin-containing mushrooms, leading to increased access and use among adolescents and young adults. The effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable and vary depending on the user's mood, personality, and expectations. While some may experience a mild trip with feelings of drowsiness or relaxation, others may encounter intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. Additionally, due to their hallucinogenic properties, magic mushrooms can distort a person's sense of reality and affect their judgment, making activities like driving dangerous. The risks associated with magic mushroom use among teens highlight the importance of education and harm reduction strategies to prevent abuse and ensure the safety of young people.

Magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nausea

Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are hallucinogenic and can cause a range of effects, including hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nausea. While some states have decriminalized psilocybin-containing mushrooms, they are particularly dangerous for teens and young adults.

Hallucinations

Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic, meaning they can cause people to see, hear, or feel things that are not there. These hallucinations can be disturbing and may lead to a distorted sense of reality, with users believing they can see music or hear colours. The risk of disturbing hallucinations may be higher in those with pre-existing anxiety.

Anxiety

Magic mushrooms can induce feelings of anxiety and nervousness. The risk of experiencing anxiety during a "trip" may be influenced by factors such as mental health, setting, quantity consumed, and expectations. Users with pre-existing anxiety may be at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety during a trip.

Paranoia

Magic mushrooms can also lead to feelings of paranoia, fear, and panic. "Bad trips" can be frightening and may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. During a bad trip, impaired judgment may lead to risk-taking behaviour, which could result in traumatic injuries or even death.

Nausea and Other Physical Effects

Early effects of magic mushroom consumption typically include nausea, excessive yawning, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea. In rare cases, a psychological overdose may occur, and in very rare cases, consuming a large amount of mushrooms can lead to death. Additionally, as mushrooms can alter a person's sense of reality and affect judgment, driving under the influence of mushrooms is likely to cause accidents.

While magic mushrooms have shown potential in controlled studies for treating various mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, they can have adverse effects, especially when used recreationally by teens and young adults. It is important to note that the safety, efficacy, and quality of products containing psilocybin have not been fully assessed, and seeking help for mental health treatment is always encouraged.

Poison control calls related to psilocybin tripled among teens aged 13-19

While psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in traditional ceremonies and healing rituals, their recreational use, particularly among teens, is concerning. Poison control centres in the United States have reported a worrying trend: calls related to psilocybin tripled among teens aged 13-19. This corresponds with the decriminalisation of this hallucinogen in certain states and cities.

Psilocybin, often referred to as magic mushrooms, can induce hallucinations, distorted senses of time and space, and intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror. While physical overdose is rare, psychological overdose is possible, and the effects of a bad trip can be severe and long-lasting. The experience may include terrifying thoughts of losing control, paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. It is difficult to predict how an individual will react to psilocybin, and there is currently no way to stop a bad trip once it has started.

The potential dangers are significant, with approximately 75% of poison control callers aged 13-19 requiring medical attention. The most common reasons for these calls were hallucinations or delusions (36.6%), agitation (27.6%), abnormally fast heart rate (20.2%), and confusion (16%). It is important to note that the effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be unpredictable and vary in intensity and duration. The strength of the mushrooms, the amount consumed, and individual factors such as mood and personality all play a role in the experience.

The accessibility of psilocybin mushrooms is a contributing factor to their abuse among teens. They can be easily misidentified as poisonous mushrooms with potentially lethal consequences. Additionally, the bitter taste of psilocybin mushrooms can be masked by mixing them with food or brewing them into tea, making it harder to detect their consumption.

The abuse of psilocybin mushrooms among teens is a serious issue that requires attention and education. While some states have decriminalised psilocybin, it is still listed as a Schedule I substance under federal law, indicating its high potential for abuse and lack of recognised medical value. It is crucial for teens, parents, and healthcare providers to be aware of the risks associated with psilocybin mushroom use and to seek help promptly if adverse effects occur.

Teens with depression are twice as likely to use psilocybin mushrooms

While magic mushrooms are illegal in the United States, some states have decriminalized their use. They are listed as a Schedule I substance, meaning they have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. However, this does not reflect the growing body of research that supports psilocybin's efficacy and safety in treating depression, particularly in patients who have not responded to other treatments. Multiple trials have demonstrated significant, rapid, and sustained reductions in depressive symptoms.

Psilocybin is also being investigated as a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use disorder, and smoking cessation. It is important to note that these are controlled studies, and most national surveys do not capture self-reported data on psilocybin use, so the findings shed light on an under-researched area.

Despite the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, it is dangerous for teens and young adults. In a study of nearly 173,000 adolescents, it was found that teens with depression were twice as likely to use psilocybin mushrooms. Among the psilocybin-user group, 31% had experienced major depression, compared to 16% of non-users. This highlights the increased vulnerability of depressed teens to substance use.

The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary, depending on the user's mood, personality, and expectations. While some may experience a mild trip with feelings of drowsiness or relaxation, others may encounter terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. It is challenging to predict the type of trip each user will have, and there is no way to end a bad trip until it runs its course, which could take hours.

Furthermore, the risk of misidentifying poisonous mushrooms as psychedelic mushrooms is high, and consuming these can lead to unintentional poisoning and, in some cases, death. The side effects of ingesting a large number of mushrooms can be severe, and in rare cases, life-threatening. Teens are encouraged to seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse.

Some teens use mushrooms to self-treat mental health issues

While magic mushrooms are unsafe for unsupervised consumption, they have been found to have therapeutic effects on mental health. This has led some teens to use mushrooms to self-treat mental health issues.

Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, a chemical that has hallucinogenic effects similar to LSD. When people take psilocybin, their bodies convert it to psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties. The effects of taking psilocybin are unpredictable and can vary from person to person. At certain doses, psilocybin can alter moods, thoughts, and perceptions.

Research has shown that psilocybin therapy is beneficial in relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other mental health disorders. It has also been found effective in easing fear and anxiety in people with terminal cancer. In addition, psilocybin has been tested against post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use disorder, and smoking cessation. However, these studies are carefully controlled and supervised, and psilocybin is currently illegal in many places.

Despite the potential benefits of psilocybin in treating mental health issues, it is important to recognize the risks associated with unsupervised use, especially in adolescents. Hallucinogens like psilocybin may interfere with brain maturation processes, leading to long-term cognitive and emotional difficulties. Adolescents on shrooms may struggle to distinguish between hallucinations and reality, increasing the risks for dangerous behaviors, accidents, or self-harm. Repeated or high-dose hallucinogen use during adolescence may also affect memory, attention, and learning.

Some teens who use magic mushrooms recreationally may be struggling with depression or other mental health issues. In a study involving nearly 173,000 adolescents, it was found that among the psilocybin-user group, 31% had an incidence of major depression, compared to 16% of non-users. While psilocybin may have therapeutic potential, it is crucial to seek professional help and not self-medicate, especially during the critical brain development period of adolescence.

Mushrooms are illegal in the US and have a high potential for abuse

Mushrooms, specifically those containing psilocybin and psilocin, are illegal in the United States and are listed as a Schedule I substance. This classification indicates that mushrooms have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Despite this, the use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, often referred to as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms," has become prevalent among teens and young adults, leading to significant health risks and concerns.

The illegal status of mushrooms in the US is due to their potential for abuse and lack of legitimate medical purpose. According to sources, mushrooms can cause various adverse effects, including hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, distorted sense of time and reality, and in some cases, long-term mental health issues such as psychosis. The length and intensity of the "trip" vary depending on the dosage, the user's mood, personality, and expectations. While some trips may be enjoyable, others can lead to terrifying thoughts, panic attacks, and even fears of death. Additionally, the unpredictable nature of mushroom trips makes it challenging to ensure a positive experience, and there is currently no way to end a bad trip prematurely.

The abuse of mushrooms among teens is a growing concern. In a study involving nearly 173,000 adolescents, it was found that the average age of psilocybin-ever lifetime users was 17 years old, with a higher prevalence among males and non-Hispanic Whites. Furthermore, the odds of psilocybin use were twice as high among depressed participants compared to non-depressed individuals. This is particularly concerning as the use of hallucinogens, including mushrooms, has been on the rise among young adults in recent years.

The physiological effects of mushroom abuse can be extensive and long-lasting. While physical overdose is rare, psychological overdose is a significant risk for teenagers who abuse mushrooms. Additionally, there is a danger of unintentional poisoning if poisonous mushrooms are misidentified as psychedelic mushrooms, which can lead to severe organ damage and even death. The side effects of mushroom use can persist for weeks, months, or even years after an individual has quit using the drug, emphasizing the potential for long-term harm.

It is important to note that some states in the US have decriminalized psilocybin-containing mushrooms, but they are not FDA-approved as a medicine. While there is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, particularly in treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders, the controlled nature of these studies highlights the need for caution and supervision when using these substances. Overall, the illegal status of mushrooms in the US is a reflection of the potential risks associated with their abuse and the lack of accepted medical use.

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