Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, or liberty caps, are mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic substance psilocybin. They are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects, which can include euphoria, sensory distortion, and hallucinations. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as the user's state of mind and the environment they are in. While magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and have potential therapeutic uses, they are also considered a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), indicating a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose. When preparing and consuming magic mushrooms, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and adverse effects, which can range from mild to severe and may even lead to death in rare cases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Forms | Fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, dried whole mushrooms, powder, tablets, capsules |
| Administration | Oral (not to be injected intravenously) |
| Effects onset | 5-45 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Effects | Euphoria, sensory distortion, hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, yawning, nausea, drowsiness, relaxation, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, distorted sense of time, place and reality |
| Adverse effects | Disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, accidental poisoning, muscle spasms, confusion, delirium, gastrointestinal illness, psychosis, flashbacks, death |
| Addiction potential | Low risk of addiction, but regular use may lead to tolerance |
| Legal status | Controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions; illegal activities such as sale, possession, and production may be prohibited in certain countries |
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What You'll Learn
- Preparation methods: eat fresh, cook, brew tea, or mix with food
- Effects: euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, nausea, yawning
- Safety: distinguish from poisonous mushrooms, avoid high doses
- Tolerance and addiction: tolerance may develop, but addiction is rare
- Legality: controlled under UN conventions and in Canada under CDSA
Preparation methods: eat fresh, cook, brew tea, or mix with food
It is important to note that psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are illegal in many places. However, they are still widely used and can be prepared in a variety of ways, including eating fresh, cooking, brewing tea, or mixing with food. Here are some detailed instructions for each method:
Eating Fresh
When eating magic mushrooms fresh, it is important to be mindful of the dosage. Tools like a magic mushroom dosage calculator can help determine an appropriate amount for consumption. It is also worth noting that fresh mushrooms have a shorter shelf life than dried mushrooms and can spoil within days.
Cooking
Cooking with magic mushrooms can be a creative and ritualistic experience. They can be cooked into various dishes to mask their bitter taste. However, it is important to note that heating the mushrooms may affect their potency. Sous Chef Joshua Barker suggests that cooking with magic mushrooms can enhance the high and make it come on more quickly.
Brewing Tea
Brewing mushroom tea is a popular way to consume magic mushrooms, especially in Russia and Baltic countries, where it is believed to have health benefits. Chaga mushrooms, for example, are known to boost immune system health and are packed with antioxidants. To make mushroom tea, one can use fresh mushrooms or mushroom powder. The powder is added to boiling water and steeped for around 5 minutes. Additional ingredients like ginger, lemon juice, cinnamon, or maple syrup can be added for flavour.
Mixing with Food
Magic mushrooms can be ground into a fine powder and mixed with food. This allows for precise dosing and avoids the bitter taste associated with fresh mushrooms. The powder can be sprinkled on any dish, made into gummies, or encapsulated without affecting the chemical potency. This method does not require heating, preserving the potential effects of the mushrooms.
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Effects: euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, nausea, yawning
Psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, is a hallucinogenic substance found in certain types of mushrooms. It is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose. However, there is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin, and it has been used for thousands of years for both spiritual and medicinal purposes by indigenous peoples of America and Europe.
When consumed, psilocybin can cause a range of effects, including euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortion. These effects typically begin within 30 minutes when eaten or 5-10 minutes when taken as a tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. The effects of psilocybin can vary from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as mental health, setting, quantity, and expectations.
Euphoria is a common effect of psilocybin, characterized by feelings of happiness, creativity, and mental and emotional clarity. Hallucinations are also a well-known effect, with users reporting visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as distorted perceptions of objects and people in their environment. Sensory distortion can occur, with users experiencing changes in their sense of time and mixing up their senses.
In addition to these effects, psilocybin use may also cause nausea and yawning. Nausea can be a side effect of consuming the mushrooms, especially if they are eaten fresh. Yawning may be related to feelings of drowsiness or relaxation that can occur with psilocybin use. It is important to note that psilocybin use also carries risks, including the potential for disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and accidental poisoning from consuming poisonous mushrooms.
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Safety: distinguish from poisonous mushrooms, avoid high doses
It is important to distinguish between psychedelic mushrooms and poisonous mushrooms, as the latter can cause severe illness or even death. While the two types of mushrooms may look similar, there are some key distinguishing features. For example, the Yellow Morel (Morchella americana) is a true morel with a pitted cap and a smooth, hollow stem, while its poisonous counterpart, Gyromitra spp., has a wavy and crumpled cap and a solid stem. Similarly, the Shaggy Mane mushroom can be distinguished from the toxic "Alcohol Inky Cap" by its shaggy cap texture, which the Alcohol Ink Cap lacks. It is worth noting that the Alcohol Ink Cap gets its name from its toxic component, "coprine," which has a high reactivity with alcohol, leading to extreme nausea and headaches.
Another important aspect of safety when consuming mushroom drugs is avoiding high doses. Regular use of magic mushrooms can lead to tolerance, and taking higher doses may increase the risk of a "bad trip," which is characterized by negative experiences and disturbing hallucinations. Additionally, combining magic mushrooms with certain drugs, such as ice, speed, ecstasy, or psychiatric medications, can increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to panic or a worsening of mental health conditions. To reduce the risk of adverse effects, it is recommended to consume magic mushrooms in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment with trusted friends.
It is worth noting that magic mushrooms can affect individuals differently, and the effects can range from euphoria to hallucinations. The effects also depend on various factors, including the type and potency of the mushroom, the dose, and the person's body type. While magic mushrooms are not considered addictive, regular use may lead to cross-tolerance with other drugs, such as LSD and mescaline. Additionally, some individuals may experience flashbacks or disturbing memories of previous mushroom experiences, which can be triggered by stress, tiredness, or certain drugs. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious and well-informed about the potential risks and effects before consuming mushroom drugs.
To ensure safety when consuming mushroom drugs, it is essential to correctly identify the mushrooms and avoid high doses or combinations with other substances. By following these precautions, individuals can reduce the risk of adverse effects and have a more positive and controlled experience.
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Tolerance and addiction: tolerance may develop, but addiction is rare
Magic mushrooms, or mushrooms containing psilocybin, are hallucinogenic drugs that can be consumed fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They are often used recreationally to induce euphoria and sensory distortion.
Tolerance and addiction: While magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, regular use may cause individuals to develop tolerance to the effects of psilocybin. Tolerance occurs when higher doses of the drug are required to achieve the same effects as before. This can develop over several days of continued use, and even high amounts of the drug may no longer produce the desired effect. However, it is important to note that addiction is rare, and there is little evidence of physical or psychological dependence on magic mushrooms.
The development of tolerance to magic mushrooms does not necessarily indicate addiction. Addiction involves a psychological and physical dependence on the substance, along with withdrawal symptoms when reducing or discontinuing its use. While individuals may experience negative emotional and psychological effects during recovery from mushroom abuse, there are no severe physical withdrawal effects associated with magic mushrooms.
Additionally, the risk of addiction is mitigated by the potential for adverse side effects, such as disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic after taking the drug. Other deterrents include the risk of accidental poisoning from misidentifying poisonous mushrooms. These negative ramifications can serve as deterrents to continued use and the development of addiction.
It is worth noting that the perception of magic mushrooms as a "`natural`" and relatively safe drug may contribute to their abuse, particularly among younger populations. However, the development of tolerance and addiction is rare, and the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin in treating mental health disorders are being explored in clinical trials.
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Legality: controlled under UN conventions and in Canada under CDSA
The active compounds in magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, are classified as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical uses. The 1971 Convention requires its members to prohibit psilocybin, and parties to the treaty are required to restrict the use of the drug to medical and scientific research under strictly controlled conditions.
However, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention, largely due to pressure from the Mexican government. Psilocybin mushrooms have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in dozens of cultures throughout history and have a significantly lower potential for abuse than other Schedule I drugs.
In Canada, the possession, sale, production, and consumption of magic mushrooms are illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). The CDSA prohibits activities related to most precursors unless a section 56 or regulatory exemption is granted. However, there are some exceptions and loopholes to the CDSA. For example, the sale of magic mushroom spores and grow kits has been tolerated in Canada, as spores do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. Additionally, patients suffering from mental health disorders can discuss potential treatment options with their healthcare providers, who may be able to access psilocybin through one of three pathways: clinical trials, Health Canada's Special Access Program, or an individual exemption from the CDSA.
In recent years, there have been efforts to decriminalize and regulate psilocybin mushrooms in certain parts of Canada. In January 2023, the province of Alberta announced it would regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. In British Columbia, drug use has been decriminalized and personal possession of small amounts of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA has been legalized. Similar exemptions have been explored for Toronto, ON, and Hamilton, ON.
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