Sarah Brown
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body. Psilocybin and psilocin are hallucinogens that produce effects similar to LSD. Magic mushrooms can be eaten dried, brewed as a tea, or added to other foods to mask their bitter flavour. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and can include hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and lack of coordination. It's important to note that magic mushrooms are illegal in many places and can have serious health risks, including the possibility of a 'bad trip' with paranoia, anxiety, and panic attacks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin and psilocin |
| Forms | Fresh, dried whole mushrooms, powder, capsules, tea, edible food products, extract |
| Consumption methods | Oral ingestion, brewing tea, adding to food |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered state of consciousness, distorted sense of time, place, and reality, nausea, excessive yawning, drowsiness, relaxation, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, panic attacks, fear of death, impaired judgment, flashbacks, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, psychosis |
| Risks | Poisoning, violent illness, death, adverse effects when combined with other substances, unknown long-term effects, unpredictable experiences |
| Legality | Controlled under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions and individual country laws (e.g., CDSA in Canada, federal and state laws in Australia, Schedule I substance under the Federal Controlled Substances Act in the US) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Methods of ingestion: tea, food, capsules, extracts, or dried mushrooms
- Effects: hallucinations, altered state of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, etc
- Legality: controlled under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions and illegal in some countries
- Safety: no approved therapeutic products, can cause flashbacks, psychosis, and death in rare cases
- History: used for thousands of years, recent legalisation in Oregon for therapeutic use
Methods of ingestion: tea, food, capsules, extracts, or dried mushrooms
There are several methods to ingest psychedelic mushrooms, each with its own set of instructions and considerations. Here is a detailed description of some of the common methods:
Tea
A popular method of consuming psychedelic mushrooms is by making tea. This involves steeping dried mushrooms in hot water to create a beverage that contains the psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. The effects of this method typically kick in between 20 to 40 minutes after ingestion. It's important to note that the heat involved in making mushroom tea may impact the potency of the compounds.
Food
Psychedelic mushrooms can also be incorporated into food. Dried mushrooms are ground into a fine powder, which is then added to various dishes. This method does not involve heating, which may be seen as preserving the chemical potency of the mushrooms. Some people also choose to fast for 4-12 hours before consuming mushrooms with food to avoid slowing the onset of effects.
Capsules
Another option is to consume psychedelic mushrooms in capsule form. Similar to the food method, dried mushrooms are ground into a powder and then placed into capsules for easier consumption. This method is often preferred for the convenience and speed of ingestion.
Dried mushrooms
The most common way to ingest psychedelic mushrooms is to consume them orally in their dried form. Dried mushrooms can be eaten as whole pieces or ground into a powder that is then baked or mixed with other substances. The effects of consuming dried mushrooms can vary depending on factors such as dosage, individual physiology, environment, and mindset.
It is important to remember that consuming psychedelic mushrooms, regardless of the method, can have significant risks. These risks include hallucinations, anxiety, and psychosis. It is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before considering the use of psychedelic mushrooms.
Mushrooms in Moo Shu: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
Effects: hallucinations, altered state of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, etc
The effects of ingesting psychedelic mushrooms vary from person to person and are influenced by factors such as the user's mood, personality, expectations, and physical environment. The effects also depend on the dose, potency, and type of mushroom consumed. Generally, the effects of psychedelic mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, nausea, and vomiting.
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, contain hallucinogenic compounds, primarily psilocybin and psilocin. These substances alter a person's perception of reality and can cause them to see, hear, or feel things that are not there. Visual hallucinations are common, but auditory and tactile hallucinations may also occur, leading to a distorted sense of reality. Users may experience a mixing of the senses, believing they can see music or hear colours.
The mushrooms also induce an altered state of consciousness, affecting a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and mood. Users may experience an enhanced sense of wellbeing, euphoria, and feelings of relaxation. However, negative psychological effects are also possible, including anxiety, fear, paranoia, nervousness, and panic attacks. In some cases, users may experience a loss of boundaries and a distorted sense of self, leading to frightening thoughts of losing control.
Physical side effects associated with ingesting psychedelic mushrooms include nausea, vomiting, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, dilated pupils, chills, facial flushing, higher body temperature, increased sweating, and irregular heartbeat. In rare cases, individuals may experience persistent, distressing alterations in their perception of the world, known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder. This can manifest as flashbacks, where individuals relive previous experiences or hallucinations, which can be disturbing.
It is important to note that the effects of psychedelic mushrooms are unpredictable, and there is a risk of experiencing a "`bad trip," especially at high doses. Impaired judgment during a "bad trip" can lead to risk-taking behaviours and potential harm. Additionally, consuming mushrooms with other substances, such as cannabis, alcohol, or certain medications, can elevate the risk of adverse events and serious side effects.
Kosher Truffles: Are These Mushrooms Kosher or Not?
You may want to see also
Legality: controlled under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions and illegal in some countries
The legality of psychedelic mushrooms varies across the world. Psilocybin and psilocin, the active ingredients in magic mushrooms, are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions, specifically the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. This treaty mandates that member states forbid the use of psilocybin, limiting its use to medical and scientific investigations under rigorous supervision.
However, the convention did not explicitly address mushrooms containing psilocybin due to pressure from the Mexican government. As a result, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms differs across countries and even within regions of individual countries. For example, in the United States, the federal government considers psilocybin mushrooms illegal, but some states like California, Georgia, Idaho, New Mexico, and Colorado have specific laws regarding the substance, with the latter two decriminalizing its use.
In Canada, activities involving psilocybin mushrooms, such as sale, possession, and production, are generally illegal unless authorized for specific purposes. However, in 2023, the province of Alberta announced it would allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy.
Other countries with some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms include the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and the Netherlands. On the other hand, countries like Jamaica, Mexico, and Nepal have a lack of specific laws surrounding psilocybin, resulting in its use being effectively unregulated.
It is important to note that the legal landscape surrounding psychedelic mushrooms is evolving as research into their therapeutic benefits progresses. Some jurisdictions are decriminalizing or legalizing psilocybin mushrooms for specific purposes, such as mental health treatment and drug-assisted psychotherapy.
Enoki Mushrooms: Are They a Good Source of Iron?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Safety: no approved therapeutic products, can cause flashbacks, psychosis, and death in rare cases
While the effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be therapeutic, it is important to note that there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psychedelic mushrooms. The use of these mushrooms carries several risks, including flashbacks, psychosis, and, in rare cases, death.
Flashbacks
Flashbacks are a common adverse effect of psychedelic mushroom use. They typically involve visual distortions and changes in emotions or perception. These flashbacks can occur suddenly, without warning, and can be triggered by various factors such as stress, tiredness, exercise, or the use of other drugs. They can happen days, weeks, months, or even years after the initial drug experience. While flashbacks are usually shorter and less intense than the actual drug trip, they can still be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience is recalled.
Psychosis
Psychedelic mushrooms can induce psychological distress, including extreme anxiety and short-term psychosis. Prolonged or regular use of these mushrooms may lead to a long-term mental health condition known as psychosis. This involves a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
Death
In very rare cases, ingesting a huge amount of psychedelic mushrooms can lead to severe side effects that may cause death. Additionally, there is a risk of mistaking poisonous mushrooms for psychedelic mushrooms, which can result in poisoning and, in severe cases, death.
It is crucial to emphasize that the only way to eliminate the risk of adverse effects is by refraining from ingesting psychedelic mushrooms. These substances can significantly impact mental health and well-being, and further research is needed to fully understand their potential risks and benefits.
Roasted Mushrooms: Healthy or Not?
You may want to see also
History: used for thousands of years, recent legalisation in Oregon for therapeutic use
Psychedelic mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", have been used for thousands of years. Rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE from Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and their effects on users. In addition, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago. The hallucinogenic species of the Psilocybe genus have been used by the native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination, and healing since pre-Columbian times.
The Psilocybe species, known to the Aztecs as "teōnanācatl" or "divine mushroom", was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. In the 1960s and 1970s, magic mushrooms became popular in Western culture as a psychedelic recreational drug.
Psilocybin mushrooms contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms include hallucinations, an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, psychosis, and physical effects such as nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness, relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
In 2020, Oregon became the first state in the United States to legalize the use of psilocybin, the main active ingredient in magic mushrooms, for mental health treatment in supervised settings with Measure 109. The measure allows regulated use in a therapeutic setting, creating a two-year period to work out regulatory details, including the qualifications required of therapists overseeing its use. The measure does not change the legal status of magic mushrooms, but allows those aged 21 or older who pass a screening to access the services for "personal development".
Fried Mushrooms: Keto-Friendly or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms can be ingested orally in various forms, including dried whole mushrooms, tea, edible food products (like chocolate), capsules containing ground homogenized fungi, or extracts. It is important to note that magic mushrooms should never be injected intravenously as it can lead to serious health issues.
The effects of ingesting psychedelic mushrooms can vary depending on the individual, the dose, and the type of mushroom. The effects typically appear within 15-45 minutes and can last for up to six hours. Early effects may include nausea, excessive yawning, and vomiting. As the "trip" progresses, individuals may experience hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, distorted sense of time, place, and reality, anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks.
Yes, there are risks associated with ingesting psychedelic mushrooms. It is hard to know the strength of mushrooms, and they can easily be mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, which can have severe health consequences or even lead to death. Additionally, a "bad trip" may occur, especially at high doses, leading to frightening experiences, paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Mixing magic mushrooms with other substances can also elevate the risk of serious side effects.
