John Miller
Psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms, is a psychedelic drug that has gained popularity in the US. It is often consumed dried or powdered and causes a person to experience distorted sights and sounds, intense emotions, and physical side effects such as nausea and increased heart rate. Psilocybin is currently being studied for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health conditions such as addiction, depression, and anxiety. Microdosing, or consuming a fraction of the full dose, is a growing trend among users. While the frequency of mushroom usage varies, with some taking it once or twice and others more than six days, the recommended clinical trial protocols suggest a fixed dose of 25 mg with a 3-4 week washout period between doses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Psilocybin, Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms |
| Origin | Found on nearly every continent, including the US, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa |
| Administration | Consumed dried, powdered, or in processed forms like chocolate bars or tea |
| Dose | 25 mg is the most common fixed dose |
| Microdose range | 1/10 to 1/20 of a full dose |
| Effects | Distorted sights and sounds, loss of sense of time and space, intense emotions, increased heart rate, nausea, changes in brain activity, altered consciousness, mystical experiences |
| Potential therapeutic uses | Treatment for substance use disorders, depression, PTSD, addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders, opioid addiction, mental health issues |
| Precautions | Should be accompanied by assisted psychotherapy, individual differences in response exist due to factors like age, biology, sex, personality, and history of drug use |
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What You'll Learn
- Microdosing is a popular way to consume mushrooms, with some users taking them once or twice a year
- The recommended fixed dose is 25 mg, but weight-based dosing is also used
- Magic mushrooms can cause a person to lose their sense of time and space
- Psilocybin is being studied as a treatment for opioid addiction and other mental illnesses
- The use of magic mushrooms dates back to ancient civilisations like the Aztec and Maya
Microdosing is a popular way to consume mushrooms, with some users taking them once or twice a year
Psilocybin mushrooms are the most popular choice of psychedelic in the US, with an estimated 8 million adults, or about 3% of the American population, having used them in the past year. The popularity of microdosing has grown significantly, with a 1,250% increase in internet searches since 2015. This increase in online curiosity has been linked to changes in laws and policies related to cannabis and psychedelics. For example, the top states for microdosing interest are Oregon and Colorado, which have both decriminalized plant-derived psychedelics.
The traditional and ancestral use of psychedelic mushrooms dates back generations in Mesoamerica. Civilizations such as the Aztec, Maya, Olmec, and Zapotec have documented the use of psilocybin to evoke altered states of consciousness for healing rituals and religious ceremonies. Today, there is a surge of interest in discovering how psilocybin works and its potential therapeutic benefits. Psilocybin has been studied for its ability to cause a profound change in consciousness, leading to a greater feeling of openness and increased connectedness to the world.
Psilocybin mushrooms are typically consumed dried or powdered and can cause a range of effects, including distorted sights and sounds, altered perceptions of reality, and a loss of sense of time and space. The amount taken, potency, and personal factors such as age, biology, and personality play a role in how individuals respond to psilocybin. While the drug has gained popularity, it is important to note that it can have intense effects, and its use should be accompanied by assisted psychotherapy to maximize potential benefits.
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The recommended fixed dose is 25 mg, but weight-based dosing is also used
The use of psilocybin, the main psychedelic ingredient in magic mushrooms, has gained popularity in recent years for its therapeutic benefits. The recommended fixed dose of psilocybin is 25 mg, but this may vary depending on body weight and the desired effects. Weight-based dosing, or dose adjustment based on body weight, is also used to ensure consistent effects across individuals.
In studies, psilocybin is often administered in the range of 20 to 30 mg/70 kg, with 70 kg being the average human weight. This weight-adjusted dosing approach aims to standardise the effects of psilocybin across individuals with varying body weights. The 25 mg fixed dose has been validated in a secondary analysis of prior trial data, showing no significant differences in psychedelic effects compared to weight-based doses of 0.29 mg/kg and 0.43 mg/kg.
When consuming magic mushrooms, it is important to understand the variance in psilocybin content between different mushroom species. For example, the Psilocybe cubensis species typically contains about 0.6-1.2% psilocybin, while other species may have higher or lower concentrations. Additionally, mushroom caps usually have higher psilocybin levels than mushroom stems.
It is recommended to start with a low dose of magic mushrooms, typically around one gram of dried mushrooms or 10 mg of psilocybin, and gradually increase the dose as needed. This approach, often referred to as "start low, go slow," allows individuals to gauge their body's reaction and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
The effects of magic mushrooms are highly subjective and dependent on various factors, including body weight, tolerance, mindset, and physical environment. Some individuals may experience full-blown psychedelic effects, including visual hallucinations, euphoria, and ego dissolution, while others may only perceive subtle effects such as mood or energy boosts at lower doses. It is crucial to consider these factors and consult a trusted source to determine the appropriate dosage when consuming magic mushrooms.
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Magic mushrooms can cause a person to lose their sense of time and space
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, which is converted by the body into psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and the strength of the mushrooms can also differ significantly. The effects depend on the dose and type of mushroom used, as well as individual factors such as age, biology, sex, personality, and history of drug use. The "set and setting" of the experience, which refers to a person's state of mind and the surrounding environment, also play a crucial role in their response to the drug.
While magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, including in religious rituals, they can have health risks, especially when consumed in an unsupervised environment. People may engage in risky behaviors, such as driving dangerously or walking into traffic, due to impaired judgment and a reduced awareness of their physical surroundings. Additionally, the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to ""bad trips,"" which may be frightening and include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self.
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Psilocybin is being studied as a treatment for opioid addiction and other mental illnesses
Psilocybin, the active hallucinogenic agent in "magic mushrooms", is being studied for its potential to treat opioid addiction and other mental illnesses. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushroom species, primarily in the genus Psilocybe, which are pan-tropical and can be found on nearly every continent.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is supporting research into psilocybin as a potential clinical treatment for substance use disorders and other mental illnesses. The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research is also exploring innovative treatments using psilocybin, with a focus on how it affects behaviour, mood, cognition, brain function, and biological markers of health.
Psilocybin has been shown to have positive effects in the treatment of alcohol and smoking addiction. Researchers at Imperial College London are conducting a landmark trial to explore the potential for psilocybin therapy in opioid recovery. The trial will closely monitor participants' mental health and tolerability of psilocybin, followed by a six-month observation period to track changes in opioid use, cravings, mental health, and psychological well-being.
Psilocybin is also being studied as a potential treatment for other mental illnesses, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), neurodegenerative disorders, and pain. Researchers have found that psilocybin can temporarily disrupt communication among regions of the brain known as the default mode network, which is most active during self-reflection. This reduction in self-focus may lead to increased feelings of openness and connectedness, which could be beneficial in treating mental health conditions.
While psilocybin can trigger dangerous side effects if not used in a controlled environment, it tends to be non-addictive and can have long-lasting effects, making it an attractive potential treatment option. However, it is important to note that psilocybin is currently banned by the U.S. government as a Schedule 1 substance, indicating that it supposedly has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Despite this classification, research interest in psilocybin as a therapeutic tool has grown exponentially in recent years, and it may hold promise as a safe and effective treatment for various conditions.
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The use of magic mushrooms dates back to ancient civilisations like the Aztec and Maya
The use of magic mushrooms, or "teonanácatl" in Nahuatl, dates back to ancient civilisations like the Aztec and Maya. The name translates to "divine mushroom", with teo(tl) referring to a divine or sacred force and nanácatl meaning mushroom. It is often mistranslated as "the flesh of the gods" due to the similarity between the words for "flesh" and "mushroom".
The Aztec and Maya civilisations used hallucinogenic mushrooms (teonanacatl: Psilocybe spp.) alongside other hallucinogenic substances in healing rituals and religious ceremonies. The Maya, for example, drank balché (a mixture of honey and extracts of Lonchocarpus) in group ceremonies to achieve intoxication. The Aztecs, on the other hand, combined cacao with psilocybin mushrooms, a combination referred to as "cacahua-xochitl" or "chocolate-mushrooms".
Mushroom stones dating back to 3000 BC have been discovered in ritual contexts in Mesoamerica, and archaeological evidence of peyote use dates back over 5000 years. These discoveries provide valuable insights into the ancient use of hallucinogenic substances by civilisations like the Aztec and Maya.
Today, the use of psychoactive substances in ritual ceremonies continues among local shamans and healers in Mesoamerica. The therapeutic potential of psilocybin, the main psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, has also sparked interest in the scientific community. Researchers are exploring its potential to treat conditions such as depression, PTSD, addiction, and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a type of mushroom that contains psilocybin, a psychedelic compound. Psilocybin is converted into psilocin by the body, which attaches to serotonin receptors in the brain, altering brain activity and causing hallucinations.
People may take magic mushrooms to induce a mystical experience, for enjoyment, or to improve their well-being and treat medical disorders such as depression, anxiety, or addiction.
There is no standard recommendation for how often one can take magic mushrooms. Clinical trials have used a single dose or two doses separated by a 3-4 week washout period. Microdosing, or consuming a fraction of a full dose, is also a popular approach, with some users taking it once or twice a year.
Magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations, distorted senses, and changes in perception of reality. They can induce a dreamlike, euphoric state, with intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror. Physical side effects may include an increased heart rate and nausea.
While magic mushrooms have been used traditionally for healing rituals and religious ceremonies, they can also lead to negative experiences, such as fear or terror. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary based on individual factors such as biology, personality, and history of drug use. It is important to be informed and prepared for the potential effects before taking them.
