John Miller
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, psychedelic mushrooms, psychotropic mushrooms or psilocybin, are mushrooms that contain the psychotropic tryptamines psilocybin and psilocin. These substances can cause hallucinations, changes in mood, perception and behaviour, and are commonly known as tripping. The effects of mushrooms can vary depending on the person, dosage and type of mushroom eaten, and can last up to 6 hours. While magic mushrooms have been used for recreational purposes, there is ongoing research into their therapeutic potential, including their ability to treat mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, Shrooms, Psychedelic mushrooms, Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic drug |
| How it works | Psilocybin is broken down by the liver into psilocin, which binds to and activates serotonin receptors in parts of the brain that affect mood, cognition, and perception |
| Effects | Hallucinations, sensory distortion, panic, anxiety, paranoia, nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, lack of coordination, distorted sense of time, place, and reality |
| Dosage | A microdose is about 10% of a recreational dose, or 0.1 to 0.3 g of dry mushrooms, taken up to three times a week |
| Legality | Illegal in most places, including Australia, the UK, and the US. In 2019, Denver became the first US city to decriminalize mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms cause hallucinations and distort perception
- They contain the psychotropic tryptamines psilocybin and psilocin
- They have been used for healing and spiritual rituals since 3000 BC
- They are being studied for therapeutic effects on mental health
- Their use can lead to flashbacks, anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks
Magic mushrooms cause hallucinations and distort perception
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, psychedelic mushrooms, psychotropic mushrooms or psilocybin, are mushrooms that contain the psychotropic tryptamines psilocybin and psilocin. These mushrooms cause differences in mood, perception and behaviour that are commonly known as "tripping".
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. It is part of a group of drugs called psychedelics or hallucinogens that have the potential to alter a person's sense of reality, leading them to see, hear and feel things that are not happening in real life, or to experience reality in a different way.
When people take magic mushrooms, they might see things in different colours or see patterns. Existing colours, sounds, tastes and textures may be distorted, while feelings and emotions intensify. It can feel like time has sped up, slowed down or stopped completely. There can be a changed perception of one's place in the universe and a feeling of communing with a higher power. However, it is important to note that magic mushrooms do not technically cause hallucinations or visions of things that are not there. Instead, they distort the perception of actual, real-world objects.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on the person, dosage and type of mushroom eaten, as some mushrooms are more powerful than others. The setting in which someone takes magic mushrooms is also important. A calm, quiet and relaxed environment can contribute to a pleasant experience, while being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience.
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They contain the psychotropic tryptamines psilocybin and psilocin
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, contain the psychotropic tryptamines psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver through a process called dephosphorylation, resulting in the compound psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects. These mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can cause sensory distortions, including visual and auditory hallucinations, and altered perception of time and space. The potency of magic mushrooms varies depending on their freshness, the season, and where they grow.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically last from three to eight hours, with the first 3–4 hours referred to as the 'peak'. During this time, users experience more intense visuals and distortions in reality. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use can include an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, and psychosis, particularly with larger doses. Additionally, psilocybin creates short-term increases in tolerance, making it difficult to misuse as the effects weaken with frequent use within a short period.
Psilocybin works by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in parts of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which affect mood, cognition, and perception. The quantity consumed, past experiences, expectations, and setting (the environment in which the drug is taken) all influence the user's reaction to psilocybin. A comfortable and familiar environment, along with a positive state of mind, can contribute to a more pleasant experience.
While psilocybin mushrooms have been used recreationally and in certain cultural contexts, they are illegal in many places and carry risks. They can cause physical effects such as nausea, vomiting, and lack of coordination, and users may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and flashbacks. Furthermore, there is a risk of ingesting poisonous mushrooms, which can have severe health consequences.
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They have been used for healing and spiritual rituals since 3000 BC
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. They have been used for healing and spiritual rituals since 3000 BC. They may be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but their use is more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas.
Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that it has a high potential for misuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). However, some research suggests that psilocybin may help relieve symptoms of some mental health conditions. For example, one small-scale study found that psilocybin therapy decreased neuroticism scores in subjects with treatment-resistant depression, while increasing their scores in extraversion, openness, and conscientiousness. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted breakthrough-therapy status to psilocybin-assisted therapy.
Psilocybin mushrooms are not physically or psychologically addictive. However, users may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and psychosis may also occur, particularly if a user ingests a large dose.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users. The mind-altering effects typically last from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. The first 3–4 hours after ingestion are typically referred to as the 'peak', during which the user experiences more vivid visuals and distortions in reality. The effects can seem to last much longer due to psilocybin's ability to alter time perception.
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They are being studied for therapeutic effects on mental health
Psychedelic mushrooms, often referred to as magic mushrooms or shrooms, have a long history of use in ritual and spiritual practices. In recent years, however, they have garnered significant attention in the field of mental health and psychotherapy. The active compounds in psychedelic mushrooms, such as psilocybin and psilocin, are known to induce profound alterations in perception, mood, and cognitive processes. When ingested, these compounds interact with serotonin receptors in the brain, particularly the 5-HT2A receptors, which are heavily involved in regulating mood, emotion, and cognitive functions. By acting on this receptor site, psilocybin produces its characteristic psychedelic effects, which can include enhanced sensory perception, distorted sense of time, and profound alterations in thought patterns and emotional processing.
The therapeutic potential of psychedelic mushrooms lies in their ability to facilitate profound psychological and emotional insights, often described as 'breakthrough' or 'peak' experiences. In controlled therapeutic settings, psilocybin-assisted therapy has shown promising results in treating various mental health disorders, including treatment-resistant depression, anxiety associated with life-threatening illnesses, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The altered state of consciousness induced by psilocybin can enable individuals to process traumatic experiences, gain new perspectives on negative thought patterns, and cultivate a heightened sense of self-awareness and emotional acceptance.
Numerous clinical trials and studies have been conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects of psychedelic mushrooms on mental health. For example, the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research has led groundbreaking research demonstrating the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy in treating depression and anxiety. Their studies have shown that a single dose of psilocybin, combined with psychological support, can produce rapid and lasting improvements in mood and anxiety symptoms, with many participants reporting increased life satisfaction and well-being.
Additionally, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has been at the forefront of researching the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, including psychedelic mushrooms, for treating PTSD and other mental health disorders. Their studies have indicated that psilocybin-assisted therapy can lead to significant and sustained reductions in PTSD symptom severity, with many individuals experiencing a remission of symptoms and improvements in overall functioning. The therapeutic effects of psychedelic mushrooms are believed to persist beyond the acute drug experience, as individuals often report enhanced self-efficacy, improved emotional regulation, and a heightened ability to process and integrate challenging experiences long after the psychedelic effects have worn off.
The current wave of research and clinical trials on psychedelic mushrooms and mental health is yielding promising results, leading to a renewed interest in their therapeutic potential. As research continues to unfold, it is crucial that the use of psychedelic mushrooms for mental health treatment occurs under the guidance of trained mental health professionals and within a controlled therapeutic framework to ensure safety and maximize potential benefits. While the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy is still in its infancy, the growing body of scientific evidence supports the exploration of these novel treatments to address the unmet needs of individuals struggling with various mental health disorders.
As with any emerging field, further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of psychedelic mushrooms and to optimize their integration into mainstream mental health care practices. Well-designed, rigorous clinical trials are essential to establish the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes associated with psilocybin-assisted therapy. Additionally, further investigation is warranted to identify the specific psychological and biological factors that contribute to the variability in individual responses to psychedelic-assisted therapy, thereby enabling the development of personalized treatment protocols.
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Their use can lead to flashbacks, anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks
While psychedelic mushrooms are known for their therapeutic potential and ability to induce hallucinations, their use can also lead to several adverse effects, including flashbacks, anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks.
Flashbacks are a disturbing phenomenon where individuals unexpectedly relive their previous psychedelic experiences, even weeks, months, or years after the drug was last taken. These flashbacks are typically triggered by factors such as using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise, and they can be frightening, especially if they involve intense hallucinations or negative emotions.
The use of psychedelic mushrooms can also induce or worsen feelings of anxiety. This may be influenced by an individual's state of mind before taking the mushrooms, with feelings of stress or anxiety potentially leading to a bad trip. During a bad trip, individuals may experience heightened anxiety, paranoia, and fear, along with hallucinations and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
Paranoia is a common occurrence during bad trips, and it can manifest as intense paranoia, fear of losing control, or even fears of death. Additionally, the impaired judgment associated with the altered state of consciousness can lead to risk-taking behaviours, which may result in traumatic injuries or, in rare cases, even death.
Furthermore, the consumption of psychedelic mushrooms can trigger panic attacks, especially when combined with certain substances. For example, taking mushrooms with drugs like ice, speed, or ecstasy can increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to panic. The unpredictability of combining mushrooms with other drugs, including prescription medications, further elevates the risks of adverse effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, psychotropic mushrooms or psilocybin, are mushrooms that contain the psychotropic tryptamines psilocybin and psilocin. They can cause hallucinations, changes in mood, perception and behaviour, commonly known as ""tripping".
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms. It is a psychotropic substance, meaning it acts on the central nervous system to produce its effects. It can cause a person to see, hear and feel things that are not happening in reality, or to experience reality in a distorted way.
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms vary from person to person, and depend on dosage and the type of mushroom eaten. Some people experience nausea, excessive yawning and anxiety, while others may have hallucinations, paranoia, and a distorted sense of time, place and reality. Some people also experience flashbacks, where they relive a part of their trip when they are no longer high. It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can be dangerous when combined with other drugs, and there are also risks associated with misidentifying mushrooms and taking a toxic mushroom.
