Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, which contain the substances psilocybin and psilocin, can cause hallucinations and distort a person's sense of time, place and reality. While there is little evidence that people can become dependent on them, they can lead to short-term mental and physical effects, such as nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness and lack of coordination. In rare cases, a high dose can lead to a long-term mental health condition known as psychosis or even death. However, ongoing research is looking at the potential of psilocybin to treat various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and problematic substance use. Here are some tips to help you do mushrooms safely.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Preparation for a safe experience with magic mushrooms involves undergoing psychotherapy and intention-setting before the trip. |
| Consumption method | Magic mushrooms are ingested orally and may be eaten, brewed as tea, or added to food to mask their bitter flavor. They should never be injected intravenously. |
| Dosage | The effects of magic mushrooms depend on the dose and type of mushroom. Higher doses or stronger mushrooms can lead to more intense trips and adverse effects. |
| Setting | A safe and comfortable setting is important, such as reclining on a sofa with preselected music and eyeshades. |
| Individual factors | The experience of a mushroom trip can vary based on the user's mood, personality, and expectations and existing psychiatric conditions. |
| Combination with substances | Combining magic mushrooms with other substances, such as cannabis, amphetamines, or alcohol, can elevate the risks of serious side effects and adverse events. |
| Poisonous mushrooms | Wild mushrooms may be extremely poisonous, leading to severe illness or death. It is best to assume that no wild mushrooms are safe to eat. |
| Side effects | Magic mushrooms can cause nausea, excessive yawning, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, psychosis, and impaired judgment. In rare cases, extremely high doses can lead to death. |
| Addiction | There is little evidence of physical or psychological dependence on magic mushrooms, but tolerance to their effects can develop with regular use. |
| Therapeutic potential | Research suggests that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may be effective in treating alcohol use disorder and opioid addiction. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Avoid injection and driving
While magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, and there is increasing interest in their potential therapeutic uses, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with their consumption. Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs, which can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions. They can cause hallucinations, where a person may see or hear things that do not exist or are distorted.
It is important to never inject magic mushrooms intravenously. There have been reports of serious harm associated with intravenous injection, including septic shock and multi-system organ failure. Magic mushrooms are typically eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. However, it is crucial to be extremely cautious when consuming any type of drug, including magic mushrooms, as they can affect everyone differently.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5-10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last for approximately four to six hours. The duration and intensity of the effects may vary depending on the individual and the dosage consumed. It is worth noting that consuming a large amount or a strong batch of mushrooms can lead to negative experiences, commonly referred to as a "bad trip".
Due to the impairing effects of magic mushrooms, it is crucial to refrain from driving after consuming them. Driving under the influence of mushrooms is illegal in many places, including Colorado and Florida, and is prosecuted similarly to driving under the influence of alcohol. The effects of magic mushrooms can significantly impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely, leading to dangerous situations and serious accidents. Therefore, it is essential to avoid driving if you plan to consume magic mushrooms or any other mind-altering substances.
How Do Buttons Differ From Mushrooms?
You may want to see also
Understand tolerance and dose
Tolerance to shrooms can develop quickly in people who take the drug regularly. Studies have shown that shroom tolerance can increase after just a few days of using the drug. When someone develops a shroom tolerance, it takes a higher dose for them to feel the same effects of psilocybin. This is because psilocybin interacts with 5-HT2A serotonin receptors in the brain, and after repeated use, these receptors become less sensitive to psilocybin. Other factors that affect psilocybin tolerance include age, weight, health, and genetics. In general, heavier, younger, and healthier people will have a higher shroom tolerance.
Mushrooms stay in the body for a relatively short period of time compared to other drugs. It takes about 24 hours for the kidneys and other mechanisms of action to filter out the substance. However, larger doses may stay in the system longer, and effects may be felt for several more hours. When shrooms stay in the body longer, it can increase tolerance even more, partially due to the large dose. A high tolerance to psilocybin means you need to take more of the drug to feel its effects, but this can be dangerous, as high doses of shrooms are most likely to lead to negative effects. One risk of high tolerance to shrooms is having "bad trips", which can resemble temporary psychosis. Another risk of high psilocybin tolerance is hallucinogen-induced persisting perception disorder, which is characterized by continued hallucinations and changes in perception that can last for days, weeks, or even permanently.
Fortunately, magic mushroom tolerance is not a long-lasting affair. It takes around two weeks for serotonin receptors to return to their base level. Once this time has elapsed, users can experience the full effects of a given dose. It is possible to continue taking psilocybin mushrooms during this two-week period, but the effects of a given dose will wane with increased frequency. As such, users need to increase their dose if looking to achieve the same magnitude of trip as before, and this dose may need to be much higher. To avoid this, it is advised to wait the full two weeks before attempting to experience a full-blown psilocybin trip. This way, your stash of shrooms will last longer, and you won’t risk accidentally having an overwhelming experience. Tolerance breaks are an effective way to reverse tolerance to magic mushrooms. The idea is to simply take a scheduled break from magic mushrooms to allow the body to reverse the effects of tolerance.
The Rise of Giorgio: A Mushroom Empire
You may want to see also
Be aware of side effects
While the effects of magic mushrooms can be euphoric, with feelings of relaxation and hallucination, there are several side effects to be aware of. The most common side effects are nausea and excessive yawning, but there is also the risk of a "bad trip". A bad trip can include paranoia, panic attacks, fear, and terrifying thoughts of losing control. These experiences can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous, leading to injuries or, in rare cases, death.
The risk of a bad trip is increased by a higher dose, and feelings of anxiety or stress before taking mushrooms. It is also important to be aware of your environment and who you are with, as this can also impact your experience. If you are having a bad trip, there is no way to end it until it has run its course, which could be hours later. It is advised that someone who is not under the influence remains with you to monitor your vital signs.
There are also physical side effects to be aware of. In rare cases, an altered sense of reality can lead to accidental self-harm, especially if you are not in a safe environment. There is also a risk of increased blood pressure and heart rate, which could be harmful to those with cardiac disease.
The biggest risk associated with magic mushrooms is that they can be easily mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, which can lead to poisoning or even death. It is advised that you do not consume mushrooms unless you are certain they are safe and, if in doubt, do not take them.
Magic Mushrooms: Berserkers' Ancient Source of Power
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Prepare for a ''bad trip'
While it is impossible to predict or control a trip, there are several ways to prepare for a bad trip and ensure that you are as safe as possible.
Firstly, it is important to be in the right frame of mind. Using hallucinogens can be fun, spiritual, or educational if you embrace the experience. However, it can also be scary if you try to control it. It is also important to be in a calm and safe environment. Having a friend who is sober—a "trip sitter"—present can be helpful. They can help you meditate or relax, and provide reassurance that the experience will pass.
Secondly, it is crucial to know what you are buying and from whom. It is best to choose a dealer you feel safe with and who knows about the drugs they sell. Test strips can be used to check your drugs, or you can use a drug-checking service to find out the composition and strength of your drugs, screen out potential contaminants, and provide harm reduction information.
Thirdly, it is important to know how to dose the substance you are taking. This is essential for a safe trip.
Lastly, it is beneficial to create a ritual that marks a transition from "normal" life to the psychedelic experience. This can help you integrate your trip into the rest of your life. Eating something during a bad trip may also help to reduce the effects of psychedelics.
Mushrooms: Natural Blood Sugar Regulators?
You may want to see also
Seek medical advice
It is important to seek medical advice before consuming psilocybin mushrooms, especially if you have a history of mental health issues or are taking medication. While there is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on magic mushrooms, their use may be associated with elevated risks and adverse events, particularly for those with existing psychiatric conditions.
If you are considering using psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic purposes, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional first. There is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin, but at this time, there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin. This means that the safety, efficacy, and quality of such products have not been assessed or scientifically reviewed. Any off-label use of psilocybin should be done under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider.
Additionally, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with consuming magic mushrooms. The strength of magic mushrooms can vary greatly, and it is difficult to know how strong a mushroom is before consuming it. This variability in potency can lead to unpredictable experiences, including "bad trips" that may be frightening and involve paranoia, loss of boundaries, distorted sense of self and time, and impaired judgment. These negative psychological effects may persist or lead to "flashbacks" even after the acute effects of the mushrooms have worn off.
In the event of a negative reaction or overdose, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Do not hesitate to call emergency services or poison control if you or someone you know is experiencing adverse effects. It is always better to err on the side of caution when dealing with substances that can significantly alter consciousness and perception. Remember, the goal is to use these substances as safely as possible, and that starts with informed and supervised usage.
Mushroom Kebabs: A Tasty, Healthy Treat
You may want to see also
