Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, also known as psychedelic mushrooms, have been used for thousands of years. They contain the psychoactive substances psilocybin and psilocin, which can induce hallucinations and distort one's sense of reality. The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin within 30 to 60 minutes and can last up to 6 hours or more, depending on the dose and type of mushroom. While some people seek the altered state of consciousness that these mushrooms provide, it is important to approach them with caution. Magic mushrooms are illegal in many places and can have unpredictable effects, ranging from heightened emotions and senses to intense paranoia, panic attacks, and flashbacks. It is crucial to be mindful of the dosage, the setting in which they are consumed, and potential interactions with other substances or medications.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Forms | Fresh or dried mushrooms, powder, tablets, capsules |
| Consumption methods | Oral (raw, cooked, brewed as tea), should not be injected intravenously |
| Effects | Hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, distorted sense of time, place and reality, flashbacks |
| Dosage | Common dose: 1-2 grams of dried mushrooms, Micro-dose: 0.1 grams of dried mushrooms |
| Safety considerations | Illegal in many jurisdictions, potential for negative experiences or "bad trips", risk of poisoning from consuming the wrong type of mushroom |
| Therapeutic potential | Ongoing research for treating mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, OCD, and substance use disorders |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Methods of consumption
It is important to remember that the use of psychedelic mushrooms can lead to severe consequences, including death in rare cases. The effects of the mushrooms are unpredictable and vary from person to person. The mushrooms may cause heightened emotions, senses, happiness, creativity, giggling, mental clarity, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and distorted senses. In addition, the use of magic mushrooms can lead to short-term and long-term mental and physical effects, and there is a risk of poisoning if the wrong mushrooms are consumed.
Psychedelic mushrooms can be consumed in various ways, including:
- Eating them raw or dried. Mushrooms can be eaten directly, either raw or dried. However, due to their bitter taste, some people prefer to mix them with food, such as chocolate, or brew them into a tea to make them more palatable.
- Mixing with food or drinks: To mask the bitter taste of the mushrooms, they can be mixed with food or drinks. This method can also help to ease the intensity of the effects, as the mushrooms are diluted and take longer to absorb into the body.
- Brewing into tea: Mushrooms can be steeped in hot water to make a tea, which is then drunk. This method is often chosen as a more pleasant way to consume the mushrooms, as the taste can be disguised with other ingredients such as honey or lemon.
- Capsules or tablets: Psilocybin and psilocin, the active ingredients in magic mushrooms, are sometimes produced and sold illegally in the form of capsules or tablets. These can be swallowed like any other pill.
- Powder: Mushrooms can be ground into a fine powder, which can then be ingested directly or mixed with food or drinks. Powdered mushrooms can also be used to create capsules or tablets.
- Liquid drops: Psilocybin and psilocin can be extracted from the mushrooms using an alcohol solution, resulting in a liquid form of the drug. A drop or two can give the desired effect, so it is important to be cautious when dosing.
Regardless of the consumption method chosen, it is crucial to be mindful of the dosage and potential risks associated with taking psychedelic mushrooms. It is recommended to leave at least three months between taking them to allow for full recovery and processing of the experience. Additionally, it is important to be in a calm, safe, and familiar environment with trusted friends when taking magic mushrooms to reduce the risk of having a negative experience.
Mushrooms and Truffles: What's the Relation?
You may want to see also
Dosage
A common dose of dried psychedelic mushrooms is between 1 and 2 grams. However, it is important to note that this dose is not a recommendation and can vary depending on the specific strain of mushrooms. Some mushrooms will produce stronger effects than others, and it is crucial to research the type of mushroom to understand its active dose. For example, a micro-dose, which does not produce the full psychedelic experience, is typically around 0.1 grams of dried mushrooms.
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms typically begin within 15 to 60 minutes of ingestion and can last for 4 to 6 hours or more for heavier doses. It is important to be cautious when dosing, as even a drop or two of an extract can sometimes be sufficient. Additionally, it is worth noting that regular use can lead to tolerance, where even high amounts of the drug will no longer produce the desired effects.
In a therapeutic context, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy has gained interest. Clinical trial protocols often use a fixed psilocybin dose of 25 mg, which is consistent with previous weight-based dosing methods. This fixed-dose approach has been validated in secondary analyses, showing no significant differences in psychedelic effects compared to weight-based doses.
It is crucial to remember that the use of psychedelic mushrooms carries risks. Taking too high a dose can lead to negative experiences, such as intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. Additionally, mixing psychedelic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can have unintended, unpredictable, and dangerous consequences. It is strongly advised to consult trusted sources and exercise caution when determining dosage to minimize potential harm.
Porcini Mushrooms: A Forager's Treasure
You may want to see also
Effects
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms can vary depending on the individual, their mood, previous encounters with the drug, expectations, and their environment. The effects usually kick in between 15 to 60 minutes after dosing, and can last 4 to 6 hours, or longer for heavier doses. The duration and intensity of each "trip" can vary, and some people may experience a "'bad trip'". Factors such as the type of mushroom, dose, and individual physiology also play a role in the effects experienced.
Psychedelic mushrooms can affect all the senses and alter a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and perceptions of the world. They can cause hallucinations, a distorted sense of time, place, and reality, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. In some cases, they may lead to feelings of drowsiness or relaxation. The active compound in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, is converted by the body into psilocin, which is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive properties.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be so profound that some people use them intentionally for personal growth and self-exploration, to gain insights into their minds. However, it is important to note that the effects can be overwhelming, and the mushrooms can cause many changes in the body and mind. Taking higher doses or stronger mushrooms can increase the intensity of the effects.
In addition to the psychological effects, magic mushrooms can also cause physical side effects such as stomach cramps, vomiting, and delayed headaches that usually last less than a day. It is important to accurately identify the mushrooms to avoid accidental consumption of poisonous varieties, which can have serious adverse health effects. Furthermore, misusing mushroom tea, a popular method of consumption, can lead to dependence and unpleasant side effects. Taking large amounts of mushrooms can be dangerous and may even lead to death in very rare cases.
Reviving Mushrooms: Simple Tips to Restore Wilted Fungi
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Safety considerations
When taking psychedelic mushrooms, there are several safety considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, it is important to understand that magic mushrooms affect everyone differently and can alter a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and reality. The effects can range from mild, such as feeling drowsy or relaxed, to more intense experiences like hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and distorted senses.
Before consuming magic mushrooms, it is crucial to clear your schedule and ensure you are in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment. Being in a good state of mind, with trusted companions, and in a safe and familiar setting can reduce the risk of having a negative experience. It is also recommended to consider having a "trip sitter," who can be a friend, family member, or a paid professional, to ensure your safety and well-being during the experience.
Additionally, it is important to start with a low dose, especially if it is your first time or you are trying a new batch of mushrooms. Each batch can vary in potency, so starting with a small amount, such as one gram or less, and gradually increasing the dose over time is a safer approach. It is also essential to use a digital scale to accurately measure the weight of the mushrooms.
Another safety consideration is to write down the time you take your first dose, as psilocybin can alter your sense of time. It is also worth noting that there is currently no data on the safety of taking psilocybin during pregnancy, and in very rare cases, consuming extremely large amounts of mushrooms can lead to severe side effects or even death.
Finally, the integration process after the trip is crucial for lasting benefits. Unpacking the insights gained during the experience and taking action to make necessary changes in your life can lead to positive outcomes for mental health and self-actualization.
Mushrooms: Nature's Source of Vitamin D
You may want to see also
Legality
The legality of taking psychedelic mushrooms varies by location. Psilocybin mushrooms are not regulated by UN treaties, but many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition. For example, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act all regulate psilocybin mushrooms.
In some jurisdictions, Psilocybe spores are legal to possess and sell because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. However, in other jurisdictions, they are banned because they are used in drug manufacture. For example, Germany and several US states, including California, Georgia, and Idaho, have specifically prohibited the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores.
The cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is often considered drug manufacture and is penalized, but some countries and one US state (New Mexico) have ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms does not qualify as "manufacturing" a controlled substance. Additionally, some cities in the US have enacted resolutions and policies that make investigations and arrests for possession and use of entheogenic plants a low priority for law enforcement. For example, in 2019, Denver residents voted to declare that the adult possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms would be the city's lowest law enforcement priority. Similarly, the city council of Oakland, California, passed a comparable resolution.
As of 2025, Colorado is the only US state where the personal use and private cultivation of small amounts of magic mushrooms are legal for adults 21 and older, although Oregon has licensed "psilocybin service centers" where adults can legally consume magic mushrooms in a supervised setting. In November 2020, the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, allowing for the possession and non-profit gifting or distribution of psilocybin mushrooms.
Outside the United States, Brazil, Vietnam, Jamaica, and the Netherlands allow the recreational consumption of psilocybin mushrooms. In Canada, the production, sale, and possession of magic mushrooms are illegal, but in 2023, the province of Alberta began allowing the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. In Australia, psilocybin has been approved for use in prescription medications for treating PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
Mushroom Carts: Fact or Fiction?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms can be eaten raw or dried, mixed into food, brewed into tea, or taken in tablet or capsule form. They should never be injected intravenously.
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms usually begin 15-60 minutes after dosing and can last 4-6 hours, or longer for heavier doses. The effects can include heightened emotions and senses, hallucinations, and a distorted sense of reality. Music may sound clearer, colours may appear more vivid, and overall sensations such as touch, temperature, and reaction to light may be enhanced.
A common dose of psychedelic mushrooms is between 1-2 grams of dried mushrooms, although it is important to note that this may vary depending on the strain of mushrooms and individual factors such as weight. Microdosing involves taking a smaller dose, typically around 0.1 grams, which does not produce the full psychedelic experience.
Yes, it is important to be aware of the risks and precautions before taking psychedelic mushrooms. They are illegal in many places, and there are potential negative side effects such as nausea, paranoia, anxiety, and flashbacks. It is recommended to take them in a calm, safe, and familiar environment with trusted friends, and to leave several months between uses to fully process and recover from the experience. Mixing with other drugs can have unintended and unpredictable effects, and it is important to be mindful of potential interactions with medications.
