Michael Davis
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are naturally occurring psychedelic drugs that contain psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties. Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and perception of reality. While some people take magic mushrooms for recreational purposes, modern medical research is exploring their potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental and behavioural health conditions. However, it's important to note that the use of any drug carries risks, and magic mushrooms are illegal in many places.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Shrooms, Magic Mushrooms, Mushrooms |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered thinking, altered emotions, increased heart rate, nausea, distorted senses of time and space, flashbacks |
| Onset of effects | 30 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 3-6 hours |
| Legality | Illegal in the U.S. (classified as Schedule I drug), decriminalized in some cities |
| Potential benefits | Treatment for psychiatric and behavioral conditions, substance use disorders, depression, PTSD, addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders |
| Risks | Poisoning from similar-looking poisonous mushrooms, bad trips, unpredictable effects when combined with other drugs |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms are a psychedelic drug, containing psilocybin and psilocin
- They can cause hallucinations, perceptual changes, and shifts in reality
- They can be eaten fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, or taken dried or powdered
- There is ongoing research into psilocybin's potential to treat mental health disorders
- Magic mushrooms are illegal in most places, but some cities have decriminalised possession of small amounts
Magic mushrooms are a psychedelic drug, containing psilocybin and psilocin
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are psychedelic drugs that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin is the key ingredient in magic mushrooms and is converted in the body to psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties.
Magic mushrooms are often used as recreational drugs and have been for thousands of years. They are also being studied for their potential use as a treatment for some mental and behavioural health conditions. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been isolated from several other genera, including Inocybe and Gymnopilus.
Magic mushrooms can be consumed in various ways, including eating fresh or dried mushrooms, or in the form of extracts or food products such as mushroom edibles or mushroom tea. The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly between and within the same species. The effects of magic mushrooms typically last from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism.
While magic mushrooms are mostly illegal in the United States, there is advocacy for removing some of the longstanding legal restrictions on their possession and use. In a few cities across the country, possession of small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms has been decriminalized. However, it is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can vary among individuals, and they may cause unpleasant physical and psychological effects, such as nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, and changes in perception and emotions.
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They can cause hallucinations, perceptual changes, and shifts in reality
Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They can cause hallucinations, perceptual changes, and shifts in reality. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties.
Hallucinations are a well-known effect of magic mushroom consumption. People may see or hear things that do not exist or are distorted. These hallucinations can be so intense that they cause a "bad trip", a negative experience characterised by feelings of stress, anxiety, or panic. In some cases, a "bad trip" may even be frightening or disturbing.
Perceptual changes can also occur, resulting in visual distortions and altered emotions. These perceptual changes can persist long after the drug's effects have worn off, with some users reporting flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences. These flashbacks can be triggered by various factors, such as using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise, and they can be very disturbing if they recall a negative experience.
Shifts in reality are also possible with magic mushroom consumption. This can include alterations in a person's sense of time and emotions. The effects of magic mushrooms are highly variable and depend on factors such as the individual, dosage, and setting (the environment in which the drug is taken). Being in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a pleasant experience, while being in a noisy, crowded place may lead to a negative experience.
While magic mushrooms are primarily known for their hallucinogenic and perceptual effects, they can also have physical consequences. Some people may experience unpleasant physical effects, including delayed headaches that can last up to a day. Additionally, the main risk of consuming magic mushrooms is the possibility of consuming poisonous mushrooms, as they can look very similar. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately identify the mushroom species before consumption to avoid potential health risks.
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They can be eaten fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, or taken dried or powdered
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, contain hallucinogenic drugs called psilocin and psilocybin. They can be consumed in a variety of ways, including eating them fresh, cooking them, brewing them into tea, or taking them dried or powdered.
When eaten fresh, magic mushrooms can be consumed whole or mixed with food to mask their bitter taste. They can also be cooked, which may involve grinding or chopping them before adding them to a dish. Additionally, they can be brewed into tea, which involves steeping the mushrooms in hot water for around 20 minutes and then adding tea or lemon juice to taste. For those who find the flavour or texture of mushrooms unpleasant, powdered mushrooms can be encapsulated and consumed as pills.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin within 30 to 45 minutes and can last up to 6 hours. The timing and intensity of the effects depend on various factors, including dosage, individual body chemistry, and whether the mushrooms are consumed on an empty stomach or after a meal. Consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach can lead to a more intense and immediate psychedelic experience, while eating them after a meal may result in a milder and slower-onset high.
It is important to note that the use of magic mushrooms carries risks. The active compounds in mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, can cause hallucinations, affect a person's thoughts and emotions, and distort their sense of time, place, and reality. Negative side effects may include nausea, excessive yawning, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. In rare cases, consuming large amounts of mushrooms can lead to severe consequences such as psychosis or even death. Additionally, it is essential to properly identify mushroom species before consumption, as some types of mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause serious illness or death.
While magic mushrooms are mostly illegal in the United States, there is ongoing research into their potential health benefits, particularly as a treatment for psychiatric and behavioural conditions. This research has led to advocacy for removing legal restrictions on mushroom possession, and some cities have already decriminalized the possession of small amounts for personal use. However, it is important to note that the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms have not been replicated on a large scale, and more data is needed to confirm their reliability as a treatment.
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There is ongoing research into psilocybin's potential to treat mental health disorders
Psilocybin, the primary psychoactive ingredient in "magic mushrooms", is known for its use as a recreational drug. However, ongoing research has shown that it has significant potential in the treatment of mental and behavioural health disorders.
Psilocybin is a classic hallucinogen produced by over 100 species of mushrooms worldwide. It has a high affinity for several serotonin receptors, including 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C, located in various areas of the brain, such as the cerebral cortex and thalamus.
There is advocacy for removing some of the longstanding legal restrictions on mushroom possession in the United States due to its potential health benefits. While psilocybin is currently classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, indicating no known medical potential, researchers suggest that it should be reclassified as a Schedule IV drug, similar to prescription sleep aids, if it clears phase III clinical trials.
Research has shown that psilocybin may be beneficial in treating psychiatric and behavioural conditions, including depressed mood, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder. For instance, a study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that psilocybin, when combined with talk therapy, significantly improved symptoms of clinical depression. Additionally, psilocybin has been found to reduce anxiety in cancer patients and facilitate smoking cessation.
It is important to note that the risks associated with psilocybin are effectively reduced in controlled settings with structured support, monitoring, and follow-up care from trained professionals.
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Magic mushrooms are illegal in most places, but some cities have decriminalised possession of small amounts
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are illegal in most places. This is due to the United Nations' 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, an international treaty to prohibit the production, distribution, and consumption of psychedelic substances. Since the 1970s, over 180 countries have supported this treaty.
However, some cities and states have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of magic mushrooms. For example, in 2020, Oregon voters passed a ballot initiative that made "magic mushrooms" legal for mental health treatment. The District of Columbia also passed a similar initiative in 2020, allowing for the possession and non-profit distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. In 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. Outside of the US, the Canadian province of Alberta has allowed the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy since 2023.
The legal status of magic mushrooms varies worldwide, with some countries and jurisdictions having specific laws and loopholes regarding their possession, sale, and cultivation. For instance, while the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores are prohibited in some US states like California, Georgia, and Idaho, spores are legal to possess in many other areas as they do not contain the drugs.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and can range from mild to intense. They can induce perceptual changes, such as hallucinations, and distort a person's sense of time, place, and reality. While some people experience feelings of drowsiness and relaxation, others may encounter anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. The length and intensity of the trip depend on the mushroom's strength, the dosage, and individual factors like mood, personality, and expectations.
Some people who regularly consume magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks, typically involving visual distortions and changes in emotions or perception. These flashbacks can occur without warning and may happen days, months, or even years after the last time the drug was taken. It is important to note that the main risk associated with magic mushrooms is their similarity in appearance to certain types of poisonous mushrooms, which can be dangerous or even fatal if consumed.
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