John Miller
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are naturally occurring psychedelic fungi. They are mostly illegal in the US and Australia, but some cities and states have decriminalized them. Magic mushrooms have a wide range of health benefits and are being studied as a possible treatment for PTSD, medication-resistant depression, and anxiety. However, they can also cause adverse side effects, such as headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and elevated blood pressure. Serious incidents are rare and short-lasting, but feelings of stress or anxiety before using magic mushrooms may result in a bad trip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality | Illegal in the US and Australia.) Denver has decriminalized psychedelics. |
| Safety | Relatively safe with rare and short-lasting serious incidents. |
| Side effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, disturbing hallucinations, panic, and paranoia. |
| Usage | Consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. Used as a recreational drug, for spiritual experiences, and for treating medication-resistant depression and anxiety. |
| Risks | Bad trips, unpredictable behavior, poisoning from consuming the wrong type of mushrooms, and adverse psychological symptoms. |
| Precautions | Consume in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment with trusted friends. |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms are mostly illegal in the US, but some states are decriminalising them
- They are being studied as a treatment for PTSD, depression, and anxiety
- Side effects include headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and elevated blood pressure
- They can cause unpredictable, potentially dangerous behaviour, and bad trips
- Poisonous mushrooms can look similar to magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms are mostly illegal in the US, but some states are decriminalising them
Magic mushrooms, or "shrooms", are mostly illegal in the US. They are classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act and carry the same legal penalties as heroin. However, there is ambiguity in many national, state, and provincial drug laws regarding the legal status of magic mushrooms. Most US state courts have considered the mushroom a "container" of illicit drugs, and therefore illegal.
Despite their illegality, magic mushrooms have been grown, cultivated, and used privately around the world. In the 1960s, mushroom use became associated with psychedelia and youth counterculture. Today, people continue to use magic mushrooms for a variety of purposes, and modern medical research is studying their potential use as a treatment for some mental and behavioral health conditions. As this research continues to show promise, there is growing advocacy for removing some of the longstanding legal restrictions on mushroom possession in the United States.
In recent years, several US states and cities have taken steps to decriminalize or deprioritize the enforcement of laws related to magic mushrooms. In November 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize it for supervised non-medical use. The District of Columbia also passed a similar initiative in November 2020, which came into effect in March 2021. Other cities that have made similar moves include Ann Arbor, Michigan; Washtenaw County, Michigan; Somerville, Massachusetts; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Northampton, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; Arcata, California; and Easthampton, Massachusetts.
In addition to these cities and states, Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the US to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in May 2019. Colorado followed with a similar medical use and decriminalization measure in 2022, becoming the second state to do so. This trend suggests that more states and cities in the US may soon legalize or decriminalize the use of psychedelic mushrooms.
While the potential benefits of magic mushrooms are being explored, it is important to note that experimenting with unverified drugs in uncontrolled doses can be dangerous and lead to unforeseen consequences. Side by side with the research suggesting the beneficial applications of psilocybin mushrooms, recreational users are self-reporting significant challenges as well. It is recommended that individuals do not experiment on themselves and instead wait for the completion of complex and multi-layered studies that use specialized drugs in standardized doses.
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They are being studied as a treatment for PTSD, depression, and anxiety
While psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, is currently a Schedule I drug in the United States, it is being studied as a possible treatment for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms that can penetrate the central nervous system.
The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research is leading the way in exploring innovative treatments using psilocybin. Their research has shown that psilocybin-assisted therapy (P-AT), when paired with various forms of psychotherapy, can support the healing of mental health conditions, including PTSD. In one study, Johns Hopkins researchers reported that a substantial majority of people suffering from cancer-related anxiety or depression found considerable relief for up to six months from a single large dose of psilocybin. Another study found that psychedelic treatment with psilocybin relieved major depressive disorder symptoms in adults for up to a month, and follow-up research suggests that the substantial antidepressant effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy, when combined with supportive psychotherapy, may last at least a year for some patients.
In addition to its potential for treating PTSD and depression, psilocybin has also shown efficacy in treating anxiety. A meta-analysis on the effects of P-AT on anxiety and depression showed large and statistically significant reductions in anxiety. While there is currently no published data on psilocybin use for treating PTSD, its strong impact on conditions that often co-occur with PTSD, such as depression and anxiety, indicates its potential beneficial impact on PTSD symptoms.
Despite the promising research, it is important to note that psilocybin use is not without risks. In an online survey, close to 40% of respondents said that taking psilocybin mushrooms was the most challenging experience of their lives, and 11% reported putting themselves or others at risk while under the influence. Furthermore, the effects of psilocybin can vary depending on a person's mood and environment, and negative experiences (or "bad trips") are more likely to occur when an individual is feeling stressed or anxious before using psilocybin or when they are in an unfamiliar or crowded place. Therefore, while psilocybin shows potential as a treatment for mental health conditions, it should only be used under the supervision of trained professionals in a safe and controlled environment.
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Side effects include headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and elevated blood pressure
Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are classified as psychedelic drugs, which can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. While the use of magic mushrooms has been discouraged and criminalized in many places, they have been used privately around the world. In recent times, magic mushrooms have been studied for their potential use as a treatment for some mental and behavioral health conditions.
The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects may be mild or moderate and may resolve with time. However, some people may experience more severe side effects, requiring medical treatment. One of the most common side effects of psilocybin mushrooms is a "bad trip," which can be influenced by a person's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations. The environment in which the drug is taken also plays a significant role, with a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment contributing to a more positive experience.
Side effects of psilocybin mushrooms include headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and elevated blood pressure. These side effects are generally similar to those of traditional antidepressant medications and are well tolerated by most individuals, typically fading within 24 to 48 hours. However, it is important to note that psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, indicating that it has a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical value according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Despite the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, caution is advised. Without proper monitoring, there is a risk of consuming the wrong type of mushroom, leading to poisoning. Additionally, the unpredictable nature of hallucinogenic drugs can result in dangerous behavior and injuries. While research suggests that psilocybin mushrooms are relatively safe, with serious incidents being rare and short-lasting, more research is needed to fully understand the detailed circumstances and predictors of adverse reactions.
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They can cause unpredictable, potentially dangerous behaviour, and bad trips
While psilocybin or "magic mushrooms" are being studied for their potential health benefits, they can cause unpredictable, potentially dangerous behaviour, and bad trips.
Psychedelics can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted. They can affect a person's thoughts and emotions, leading to euphoria, sensory distortion, anxiety, and panic. In an online survey by Johns Hopkins researchers, close to 40% of respondents said it was the most challenging experience of their lives. 11% said they put themselves or someone else at risk while under the influence, and 8% sought treatment for psychological symptoms that didn't go away.
The risk of a bad trip can be reduced by being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends, and in a safe, calm, quiet, and relaxed environment. However, the only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not taking magic mushrooms. Adverse side effects are often mild or moderate and may resolve with time, but some people may require medical treatment.
Magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, but research is ongoing. They are illegal in many places, and possession carries penalties. Poisoning is also a risk, as they may be mistaken for poisonous mushrooms.
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Poisonous mushrooms can look similar to magic mushrooms
Poisonous mushrooms can share the same traits as psychedelic mushrooms, making it unsafe to consume a mushroom based on its appearance. For instance, the Death Cap mushroom, which can cause severe poisoning and even death, resembles young puffball mushrooms when they are immature and in the small button stage. In 2003, an adult nearly died after mistaking a Death Cap for an edible mushroom.
Similarly, the Destroying Angel (Amanita verna) is another highly poisonous mushroom found in many parts of the world, which can be mistaken for the edible meadow mushroom (Agaricus campestris). The Fool's Mushroom (Amanita citrina), found in Europe, is often misidentified as the edible Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea). False chanterelles (Hygrophoropsis aurantiaca), found in North America and Europe, resemble the edible chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius). Jack-o'-lanterns (Omphalotus olearius), found in North America, are bright orange and emit a faint greenish glow in low light due to bioluminescence. They can be mistaken for the edible orange chanterelle (Cantharellus californicus).
The physical differences between these mushrooms and their poisonous counterparts can be subtle, and it can be challenging even for experienced mycologists to distinguish them. Therefore, it is crucial to be able to accurately identify a mushroom before consuming it. If there is any doubt about the identity of a mushroom, it is best to avoid consuming it. While the use of psychedelic mushrooms rarely results in life-threatening symptoms, consuming poisonous mushrooms can have severe consequences, including death.
Additionally, it is important to consider the risks associated with consuming psychedelic mushrooms. While they are not known to cause physical or psychological dependence, regular use can lead to tolerance, where even high amounts of the drug will no longer produce the desired effects. There have been reports of negative experiences and "bad trips" associated with magic mushroom use, which can be influenced by factors such as stress, anxiety, and the environment in which they are consumed. Furthermore, self-experimentation with unverified drugs in uncontrolled doses can be dangerous and lead to unforeseen consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin.
While research suggests that psilocybin mushrooms are a relatively safe drug with serious incidents being rare and short-lasting, it is important to note that they are illegal in many places. In the US, for example, psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, carrying the same legal penalties as heroin.
The effects of psilocybin vary widely. Side effects may include headache, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, elevated blood pressure, euphoria, and hallucinations. However, adverse side effects are often mild or moderate and may resolve with time.
There is a risk of a "bad trip" when consuming psychedelic mushrooms, which may be influenced by an individual's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations. Additionally, there is a risk of poisoning from picking the wrong types of mushrooms, as well as unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior while under the influence.
Modern medical research is studying the potential use of psychedelic mushrooms in treating mental and behavioral health conditions, such as medication-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
