Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are a type of psychedelic drug. They are typically eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance that occurs naturally in certain types of mushrooms. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which is the chemical responsible for the mushrooms' psychoactive properties. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely, from mild trips with feelings of relaxation to intense hallucinations, delusions, and panic. Due to their potential risks and unpredictable nature, it is important to exercise caution when consuming any substance that contains psilocybin, including dried mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of drug | Psychedelic |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Effects | Euphoria, Hallucinations, Heightened emotions and senses, Distorted sense of reality, Perceptual changes, Anxiety, Panic |
| Side effects | Delayed headaches, Stomach cramps, Diarrhea, Vomiting |
| Risks | Bad trip, Poisoning, Addiction |
| Legality | Illegal in Australia and Canada |
| Treatment | National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline (Australia), 1-800-662-HELP (US) |
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What You'll Learn
Dried mushrooms can be eaten, brewed into tea, or mixed with food
Dried mushrooms, specifically those containing psilocybin, are considered a drug. They are often referred to as "magic mushrooms" and have psychedelic effects, altering a person's senses, emotions, thinking, and sense of time. The key ingredient, psilocybin, is converted by the body into psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties.
While magic mushrooms are often consumed fresh, dried mushrooms are also commonly ingested in various ways. Here are some methods by which dried mushrooms can be consumed:
Eating Dried Mushrooms
Dried magic mushrooms can be eaten directly. However, due to their bitter taste, some people prefer to mix them with food or prepare them in other ways. It is important to note that the effects of consuming dried mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours.
Brewing Dried Mushrooms into Tea
Another popular method of consumption is brewing dried mushrooms into tea. This method of preparation can help mask the bitter taste of psilocybin. The effects of taking magic mushrooms as tea typically appear faster, within 5-10 minutes, compared to consuming them in food or directly eating them.
Mixing Dried Mushrooms with Food
To mask the bitter taste of psilocybin, dried mushrooms can be mixed with food. Some people prepare them with chocolate or other ingredients to make the experience more palatable. This method of consumption may delay the onset of effects compared to other methods, similar to when they are eaten directly.
It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and can be unpredictable. They may cause hallucinations, heightened emotions, sensory distortions, and an altered state of consciousness. While magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, they can lead to negative experiences, commonly known as ""bad trips." Additionally, there are risks of mushroom poisoning, as magic mushrooms can resemble poisonous mushrooms, which can cause severe illness or even death.
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They contain psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance
Dried mushrooms are considered a drug due to their psilocybin content, a hallucinogenic substance. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms, commonly referred to as 'magic mushrooms'. Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, with psilocybin use occurring in various cultures worldwide, potentially as far back as 8,000 years ago. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 8.8 million Americans aged 12 and older used hallucinogens, including psilocybin, in 2023.
Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose. However, current research does not consider psilocybin addictive, and there is increasing interest in its potential therapeutic uses. While clinical trials have shown promising results, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin.
When consumed, psilocybin is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties. It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and the strength of the mushrooms can differ greatly. The effects usually appear within 15-45 minutes and can last for four to six hours.
Magic mushrooms can cause a range of effects, including euphoria, hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, and sensory distortion. However, they may also lead to negative experiences, such as a ""bad trip,"" disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and paranoia. Additionally, dried hallucinogenic mushrooms may contain other substances, affecting their safety profile, and there is a risk of poisoning from picking the wrong types of mushrooms.
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They are often referred to as 'magic mushrooms'
Dried mushrooms are often referred to as magic mushrooms when they contain the hallucinogenic substance psilocybin. Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, with some sources claiming use as far back as 8,000 years ago. There are over 200 species of magic mushrooms, and they can be found all over the world. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and different mushrooms may have different concentrations of psilocybin.
Magic mushrooms are considered a drug because they contain psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance that can alter a person's sense of reality and affect their judgment. They can cause hallucinations, both visual and auditory, and distort the senses, leading to experiences such as "seeing music or hearing colours". The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5-10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and they can last approximately four to six hours. The strength of magic mushrooms can vary, and they may also be sold in capsules or as a powder.
In addition to hallucinations, magic mushrooms can cause heightened emotions and senses, with users reporting feelings of happiness, creativity, and mental and emotional clarity. They may also experience a distorted sense of self, paranoia, and loss of boundaries. The effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous, and they may lead to negative experiences known as "bad trips". It is also possible to experience delayed headaches that can last up to a day after consuming magic mushrooms.
While magic mushrooms have been used recreationally, there is increasing interest in their potential therapeutic uses. Clinical trials with psilocybin have shown promising results, but there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin. It is important to note that the sale, possession, and production of magic mushrooms are illegal in many places, and consuming them can carry risks, including the possibility of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms.
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They are illegal in some places and can carry health risks
Magic mushrooms are considered illegal drugs in some places, such as Canada and Australia, due to their hallucinogenic properties. They contain substances like psilocybin and psilocin, which are Schedule I substances, that cause people to hallucinate and alter their state of consciousness. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and can be unpredictable, ranging from euphoria and heightened emotions to disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and paranoia. The strength of magic mushrooms can also differ significantly, and consuming a large amount or a strong batch can lead to negative experiences, commonly known as a "bad trip".
The health risks associated with magic mushrooms include unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, which can result in injuries. They can also cause stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Moreover, dried mushrooms may contain other substances, increasing the risk of adverse effects. There is also a risk of poisoning from mistakenly consuming poisonous mushrooms, as they can look similar to magic mushrooms.
While magic mushrooms are currently illegal in some places, there is increasing interest in their potential therapeutic uses. Clinical trials with psilocybin have shown promising results, but there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin. It is important to note that the legality and health risks associated with magic mushrooms may vary by region, and individuals should be cautious and informed before considering their use.
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They can cause hallucinations, nausea, and anxiety
Dried mushrooms are classified as drugs, specifically hallucinogens, due to their psilocybin content. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms, commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms". It is a Schedule I substance, which means 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, with clinical trials showing promising results.
Magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations, which is one of their most well-known effects. Users may experience visual and auditory hallucinations, seeing or hearing things that are not there or are distorted. This can lead to a distorted sense of reality and impaired judgment, making activities such as driving while under the influence of mushrooms dangerous and likely to cause accidents.
In addition to hallucinations, magic mushrooms can also cause nausea and stomach cramps. Some users may experience vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps. The risk of these negative side effects may depend on the type and dose of the mushroom consumed, as the strength of magic mushrooms can vary greatly from one mushroom to another.
Another possible effect of consuming magic mushrooms is anxiety and panic. Users may experience heightened emotions and senses, with feelings of happiness and creativity, as well as increased laughter and giggling. However, there is also a risk of disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of self, which can lead to a "bad trip". The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely from person to person, and it is difficult to know how strong a mushroom is before consuming it. Therefore, it is important to approach the use of magic mushrooms with caution, as the potential risks can be unpredictable and dangerous.
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Frequently asked questions
Dried mushrooms are a drug, specifically a hallucinogen. They are commonly referred to as 'magic mushrooms' or 'shrooms'.
The effects of consuming dried mushrooms can vary widely. Early effects typically include nausea, excessive yawning, and drowsiness. A 'trip' may then begin, which can be mild or frightening. Mild trips may leave a person feeling relaxed, while stronger doses can bring on hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and panic.
All hallucinogens carry the risk of triggering mental and emotional problems and causing accidents. The length, intensity, and type of trip are unpredictable as the amount of psilocybin and psilocin in any given mushroom is unknown. Consuming dried mushrooms also carries the risk of poisoning as they closely resemble poisonous mushrooms, which can cause severe illness or even death.
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a Schedule I substance. This means that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose. Australian federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, or selling magic mushrooms.
