John Miller
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that can cause a distorted sense of space, time, and reality. The active ingredient in shrooms, psilocybin, can lead to hallucinations, perceptual changes, intense mood swings, and physical sensations. The duration of a mushroom trip typically lasts 4 to 6 hours but can vary depending on individual factors such as metabolism, dosage, and mushroom species. While some may view shrooms as a recreational substance, they can have serious negative effects, including nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and potential long-term impacts on mental health. The biggest danger, however, lies in accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can lead to severe illness or even death. Before consuming magic mushrooms, it is essential to exercise caution, be mindful of potential risks, and prioritize safety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are magic mushrooms? | Mushrooms with hallucinogenic effects when eaten. |
| How to consume? | Fresh or dried mushrooms, mushroom tea, capsules, chocolate or candy, tinctures or extracts, sublingually (under the tongue), or in beverages. |
| Dosage | For beginners, start with 1 gram or less of dried mushrooms, wait an hour, and then decide whether to take more. |
| Effects | Distortion of sound and vision, hallucinations, intense mood swings, panic attacks, detachment from reality, increased heart rate, nausea, dizziness, stomach problems, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, numbness, delayed headaches. |
| Duration | Effects typically last 4 to 6 hours but can vary depending on individual factors such as metabolism, dosage, and mushroom species. |
| Risks | Poisoning from consuming poisonous mushrooms, bad trips, long-term mental health impacts, flashbacks, addiction, interaction with certain medications, impaired judgment and coordination. |
| Safety considerations | Consume in a calm and safe environment, have a trusted friend present, do not mix with other substances, be mindful of dosage and mushroom type. |
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What You'll Learn
- Preparation: Check your mushrooms and take in a safe, calm environment
- Dosage: Start with 1 gram of dried mushrooms and wait before taking more
- Methods: Eat, drink as tea, or take sublingually
- Effects: Distorted senses, hallucinations, and mood swings
- Risks: Poisoning, bad trips, and long-term mental health impacts
Preparation: Check your mushrooms and take in a safe, calm environment
Before consuming magic mushrooms, it is important to check your mushrooms and ensure you are in a safe and calm environment. Buying mushrooms can be risky as some mushrooms are drugs, while others are extremely poisonous. Many types of mushrooms in the UK, such as fly agaric, can be poisonous or even deadly. It is important to know what type of mushrooms you have and to avoid consuming unknown mushrooms. Test strips can be used to check your mushrooms, but they only indicate the presence of a specific drug. Drug checking services offered by community organizations or health service providers can provide more detailed information on the composition, strength, and potential contaminants of your mushrooms.
In addition to checking your mushrooms, it is crucial to choose a safe and peaceful place to consume them. Consuming mushrooms in a calm and familiar environment with trusted friends can contribute to a positive experience. Being in a good state of mind and having a supportive friend who is not tripping can help prevent and manage a bad trip. It is recommended to avoid crowded and noisy places, as they may negatively impact your experience. Planning your trip and knowing what to expect can also enhance your experience.
If you are new to consuming mushrooms, it is generally advised to start with a low dose of around 1 gram or less of dried mushrooms. This allows you to gauge your tolerance and decide if you want to increase the dosage. Magic mushrooms can be consumed in various forms, including fresh or dried mushrooms, mushroom tea, capsules, chocolate or candy, and tinctures or extracts. However, it is important to note that cooking the mushrooms for extended periods may reduce their potency.
Consuming magic mushrooms carries certain risks, including the possibility of a bad trip or long-term impacts on mental health. Mixing mushrooms with other substances, such as alcohol or other drugs, can also lead to unpredictable experiences. It is important to be mindful of your physical and mental health, as well as any medications you may be taking, before consuming magic mushrooms. Responsible and mindful use is essential to navigate the complexities and potential risks associated with magic mushroom consumption.
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Dosage: Start with 1 gram of dried mushrooms and wait before taking more
When it comes to tripping on mushrooms, responsible and mindful use is crucial, as the experience can have both short-term and long-term effects on your mental and physical state. It's important to remember that the strength of magic mushrooms varies depending on their freshness, the season, and where they grow, so it's challenging to predict their potency accurately.
Start with 1 Gram of Dried Mushrooms:
As a beginner, it's recommended to start with a low dose of around 1 gram of dried mushrooms. This allows you to gauge your tolerance and the mushrooms' effects on your body and mind. Remember that the effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and there are inherent risks associated with their consumption.
Wait Before Taking More:
After consuming your initial dose, it's essential to wait before considering taking more mushrooms. The effects of magic mushrooms typically kick in between 15 and 60 minutes, but for some people, it may take longer. Assess your experience at the 60 to 90-minute mark. If you feel like you want more noticeable effects, you can consume an additional dose during this window of time. Keep in mind that the effects of magic mushrooms tend to come in waves, with the peak effects lasting around 2 to 3 hours.
Consider Your Body Weight:
While there isn't extensive evidence to support this, it's believed that individuals with higher body weight may require a slightly higher dosage to achieve the desired effects. However, personal metabolism and susceptibility to mind-altering substances are considered more critical factors in determining dosage. If you're generally sensitive to substances, such as feeling loopy after one alcoholic drink, it's advisable to start with a lower dose and increase gradually.
Stay Safe and Be Mindful:
Tripping on mushrooms can significantly impact your perception, mood, and overall experience. It's essential to be mindful of your surroundings, the people you're with, and your comfort level with them. If you're in a bad mood or feeling anxious, mushrooms might intensify these feelings. Always have a sober and trusted friend with you, especially if you're new to psychedelics, to ensure your safety and comfort.
Understand the Risks:
Mushrooms can cause nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and distorted perceptions of sound and vision. They may also lead to hallucinations, intense mood swings, panic attacks, and unpredictable behaviour. The biggest danger is accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, as many types of mushrooms that look similar to magic mushrooms can be harmful or even deadly. Always properly identify the mushrooms and be cautious when consuming them.
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Methods: Eat, drink as tea, or take sublingually
There are several methods to consume magic mushrooms, each with its own unique effects on the body. Here is a detailed description of the three most common methods: eating, drinking as tea, or taking sublingually.
Eating
Magic mushrooms can be eaten directly, either fresh or dried. They can be consumed as whole pieces or ground into a powder and then eaten as is or mixed with food to mask the bitter taste. Eating dried mushrooms may be more palatable as the chitin in fresh mushrooms can cause nausea and stomach upset. Mixing dried mushroom powder with chocolate or candy can also make for a more pleasant experience.
Drinking as Tea
Making tea with magic mushrooms is another popular method of consumption. This involves grinding or chopping the mushrooms into fine pieces and steeping them in hot water (around 70°C) for about 20 minutes. Lemon juice can be added to convert psilocybin into psilocin, enhancing the potency of the tea. Tea made with magic mushrooms may be easier on the stomach and can lead to a quicker onset of effects compared to eating dried mushrooms. It is important to note that the taste may not be pleasant, but herbs or honey can be added to improve it.
Taking Sublingually
Magic mushrooms can also be consumed sublingually, which means taking them under the tongue. This method is often used with tinctures or extracts, which are liquid preparations of magic mushrooms. Taking mushrooms sublingually allows for faster absorption and may be more convenient for those who prefer not to eat or drink anything.
Regardless of the method chosen, it is important to start with a low dose and educate yourself on the effects of different mushroom strains and dosage levels. Magic mushrooms can have intense psychedelic effects, and it is crucial to be mindful of potential risks and side effects.
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Effects: Distorted senses, hallucinations, and mood swings
The effects of tripping on mushrooms can vary, but typically include distorted senses, hallucinations, and mood swings. Here are some key things to know about these effects:
Distorted Senses
Psychedelic drugs like psilocybin or "magic" mushrooms can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. This includes perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, where one may see or hear things that don't exist or are distorted. These distortions can also lead to a sense of "ego dissolution," where the sense of self and surrounding environment blend together.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are a well-known effect of mushroom usage. These hallucinations can be either visual or auditory and may involve seeing or hearing things that aren't there or are distorted. Hallucinations can be pleasant or frightening, and it's important to remember that they are not real.
Mood Swings
Mushrooms can cause mood swings, both during the trip and in the days or weeks that follow. During the trip, a person's mood can fluctuate rapidly, ranging from feelings of euphoria to anxiety or fear. After the trip, some people may experience "flashbacks," which are typically visual distortions involving changes in emotions or perception. These flashbacks can be triggered by various factors, such as using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise, and they can occur weeks, months, or even years after the last mushroom use.
It's important to note that the effects of mushrooms can be unpredictable and vary depending on factors such as individual physiology, dosage, and setting (the environment and context in which the mushrooms are consumed). Additionally, combining mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can lead to dangerous and unpredictable effects.
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Risks: Poisoning, bad trips, and long-term mental health impacts
Tripping on mushrooms can lead to several risks, including poisoning, bad trips, and long-term mental health impacts.
Poisoning
Mushrooms can be extremely poisonous, and consuming the wrong type of mushroom can make people violently ill or even kill them. Poisoning from mushrooms can cause minor gastrointestinal illness, with severe instances requiring medical attention. If you believe you have eaten a poisonous mushroom, contact a poisons information centre immediately and, if necessary, call an ambulance.
Bad Trips
A bad trip refers to an adverse psychological reaction to the effects of psychoactive substances, such as psychedelics like mushrooms. It can manifest as intense anxiety, confusion, agitation, paranoia, and psychosis. Bad trips can be exacerbated by inexperience, an improper setting, or unresolved psychological tensions. The only way to guarantee avoiding a bad trip is to refrain from consuming hallucinogens. However, if a bad trip occurs, it can be managed by seeking reassurance from a trusted friend or professional trip sitter, engaging in meditation or relaxation techniques, and minimising external stimuli.
Long-term Mental Health Impacts
While current research suggests that psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in mushrooms, is not addictive, there may be mild psychological withdrawal effects. Additionally, some individuals may experience flashbacks, where they relive parts of their drug trip when no longer under the influence. Furthermore, there is a potential risk of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where individuals continue to experience hallucinations even after the effects of the drug have worn off.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that can cause both short- and long-term effects on the mind and body. The active ingredient in shrooms is psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic drug.
Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh or dried, or made into tea. They can also be ground into a powder and put into capsules or mixed with food like chocolate or candy. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a tea.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person, but generally, the world appears distorted. Colours, sounds, objects and even time can seem very different, and some people experience mild hallucinations. The way you feel will be affected by how much you take, your surroundings, who you're with, and your mood.
Yes, there are several risks associated with taking magic mushrooms. Firstly, it is very easy to mistake a poisonous mushroom for a magic mushroom, and eating the wrong type of mushroom can be fatal. Magic mushrooms can also cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, and numbness. They can also cause panic attacks, paranoia, and dangerous behaviour. Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs, including alcohol, can be particularly dangerous. Finally, magic mushrooms are illegal in many places, so there may be legal consequences for using them.
