Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are illegal in most places due to their hallucinogenic effects. However, some cities have decriminalized them, and there is growing evidence of their potential health benefits. While they are not considered highly addictive, they can be abused and lead to tolerance and dependence. Taking more mushrooms may prolong the trip and intensify the effects, but it is important to be cautious as large doses can lead to severe side effects and even death. It is also crucial to accurately identify mushrooms as some poisonous varieties closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality | Illegal in the U.S. but decriminalized in some cities |
| Effects | Hallucinations, perceptual changes, altered sense of reality, mood changes, fatigue, headaches, nausea, paranoia, anxiety, feelings of fear, flashbacks, spiritual experiences |
| Benefits | Potential treatment for psychiatric and behavioral conditions, antidepressant effects, positive and spiritual experiences |
| Risks | Poisonous mushrooms may resemble psilocybin mushrooms, unpredictable "bad trips", physical danger, psychological dependence, tolerance, overdose |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms' potential health benefits
Magic mushrooms, also known as "shrooms", are mostly illegal in the US. However, there is advocacy for decriminalization in several cities across the country. In 2022, Denver became the first city to effectively decriminalize this psychedelic drug. Possession of psilocybin mushrooms has been decriminalized in these cities, provided that the amount possessed does not exceed a set limit.
Despite their controversial status, magic mushrooms have a wide range of potential health benefits. Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a powerful psychedelic that can alter perception, induce hallucinations, and evoke euphoric feelings. While it is crucial to carefully consider the risks and potential adverse effects, magic mushrooms have been associated with several potential therapeutic applications.
One of the most researched indications for psilocybin therapy is depression. In a 2022 study, researchers analyzed the effects of psilocybin on individuals with a long history of depression, administering two doses every two weeks over an extended period. Additionally, psilocybin therapy has been explored as a potential treatment for substance use disorders, including smoking, alcohol, and cocaine addiction.
Beyond addiction and mood disorders, psilocybin shows promise in treating a range of psychiatric and behavioral conditions. Research suggests that it may be beneficial for various mental health issues. However, it is important to note that psilocybin can also trigger or exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions, and it carries the risk of causing serious and permanent psychological problems, especially in individuals with a history of psychosis or mania.
Magic mushrooms have been used for ceremonial and medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence reveals that Aztec and Mazateca cultures in Central America attributed divine properties to these mushrooms, incorporating them into important events until at least the 1500s. Today, modern medical research continues to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of magic mushrooms, aiming to optimize their positive effects while minimizing the risks.
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The legality of shrooms
The legality of psilocybin mushrooms, often referred to as "shrooms" or "magic mushrooms", varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse and no recognised medical uses. However, many countries have amended their drug laws to reflect the terms of this convention, resulting in some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms.
In the United States, psilocybin and psilocin were first subjected to federal regulation by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965. While the law did not initially list the hallucinogenic drugs being regulated, it was intended to regulate the unlicensed possession, manufacture, or sale of such drugs. Despite this, many people were exempt from prosecution, as the statutes permitted possession for personal use or for administration to an animal. Today, federal law and most state laws classify psilocybin as a Schedule I drug, making it illegal to possess, sell, or grow. However, there are some exceptions, with a few cities and states enacting policies that make investigations and arrests for possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms a low priority for law enforcement. As of January 2025, Colorado is the only state where personal use and private cultivation of small amounts of magic mushrooms are legal for adults aged 21 and older. Oregon has also legalised psilocybin for adults aged 21 and over in supervised settings, licensing "psilocybin service centres" for this purpose.
Outside of the United States, the legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies. In Germany, the possession of psilocybin mushroom spores has been criminalised since 1998. In Canada, psilocybin mushrooms are regulated by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) permits authorised psychiatrists to prescribe psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. In the United Kingdom, psilocybin mushrooms are regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
As research on the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics grows, the legal landscape is changing globally. There is increasing legal and political support for the legalisation and decriminalisation of psychedelics, with many localities, particularly in North America, revising their legal frameworks. As of 2024, some psychedelics have been given a legal or decriminalised status in parts of Central Africa (including Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Republic of the Congo), South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Samoa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States, among others.
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The effects of shrooms
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are a group of fungi that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. They are mostly illegal in the US, but some cities have decriminalized the possession of small amounts for personal use.
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 can last approximately four to six hours. The key effects include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, euphoria, intensified emotions, an altered sense of time, and spiritual experiences. People who take larger doses of mushrooms can act unpredictably—they may laugh a lot, become fixated on certain things, be emotional, or get paranoid. In very rare cases, if someone takes a huge amount of mushrooms, the side effects can be severe enough to cause death.
While shrooms are not considered a classically addictive drug, some people may become psychologically addicted to the changes the drug causes and find it hard to quit. The risks associated with psychedelic drugs like shrooms are mostly psychological rather than physical. Long-term shroom use has been associated with potential alterations in brain chemistry, specifically the serotonin system, which plays a crucial role in regulating mood, emotions, and cognitive functions. One recognized long-term effect of shroom use is the development of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), which involves perceptual changes that can persist for weeks or even months following the use of psilocybin.
It is important to note that the biggest danger to your health when taking magic mushrooms is consuming a poisonous mushroom by mistake. Many poisonous mushrooms closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms, and even professionals sometimes mistake these types. Poisonous mushrooms can make you severely ill or even result in death.
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Shrooms' addictive qualities
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", are not considered physically addictive like other substances (e.g. opioids or alcohol). However, there is a high potential for abuse and psychological dependence can develop. Studies show that people who use mushrooms regularly do not follow typical patterns of addiction, but they may continue to use mushrooms to attain pleasurable feelings associated with their use, which can lead to problematic, compulsive patterns of use.
The short-term effects of magic mushrooms can be dangerous and even fatal. An individual may experience dilated pupils, blurred vision, increased heart rate, nausea, and hallucinations. The hallucinogenic properties of shrooms alter reality, causing users to hear, see and feel sensations that seem real but are not. This drug-induced psychosis can cause a person to lose the ability to effectively communicate, recognize reality, and think rationally.
Long-term use of shrooms can lead to significant tolerance and can negatively impact an individual's mental health. Studies have shown that prolonged use can increase the risk of developing mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. This is because mushrooms alter brain chemistry and can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters responsible for mood regulation. For some, intense experiences from shroom use can lead to lasting psychological distress, especially in individuals predisposed to mental health issues.
Repeated use of magic mushrooms can also cause individuals to experience flashbacks or feel the effects of the drug long after the last use. While not everyone finds these flashbacks troubling, they can be intense, unpleasant, and frequent, lasting long after a person has stopped using the substance.
It is important to note that the availability and perception of shrooms as a "natural" and safe drug have contributed to their abuse, especially among younger populations.
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Avoiding poisonous mushrooms
While some advocate for the potential health benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "shrooms", it is important to be aware of the risks associated with consuming them, as some types of mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can even be fatal. Here are some guidelines to avoid poisonous mushrooms:
- Learn about local mushrooms: Before foraging for mushrooms, educate yourself about the local mushrooms in your area, especially the poisonous varieties. Knowing how to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms is crucial.
- Avoid certain characteristics: Stay away from mushrooms with specific characteristics. For example, avoid mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sack-like base (volva). Mushrooms with red on the cap or stem should also be avoided. While this may cause you to miss out on some edible varieties, it will help you steer clear of the deadly Amanita family, which includes the "Destroying Angel" and the "Death Cap".
- Be cautious with gilled mushrooms: While there are many edible gilled mushrooms, some of the most poisonous varieties also have gills. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid all gilled mushrooms unless you can identify them with absolute certainty.
- Avoid taste-testing: Do not taste mushrooms to determine if they are edible. The Russula family is the only exception, where hot-tasting mushrooms are poisonous and mild-tasting ones are edible.
- Cook mushrooms: Cooking mushrooms can help eliminate certain toxins, such as heat-labile toxins. However, it is important to note that some mushrooms, like false morels (Gyromitra spp.), remain deadly even after parboiling.
- Avoid mixing with alcohol: Some mushroom toxins, like coprine found in Coprinus species, can cause severe toxicity when combined with alcohol.
- Trust your instincts: If you have any doubts about the identity or safety of a mushroom, it is best to discard it. Only consume mushrooms that have been positively identified as edible.
- Seek professional guidance: Mushroom identification can be challenging, and even professionals sometimes make mistakes. If you are a novice forager, consider seeking guidance from experts or using multiple reliable guides and pictures for identification.
- Be mindful of old mushrooms: All mushrooms will become toxic when they are old and rotting, so only consume fresh mushrooms.
Remember, if you are considering consuming psilocybin mushrooms, it is essential to be extremely cautious and informed. The risks associated with poisonous mushrooms can be life-threatening.
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Frequently asked questions
Shrooms are a common term for psilocybin mushrooms, which are illegal in most places. However, some cities have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms. Check your local laws before deciding whether to take shrooms.
Shrooms are hallucinogenic and alter a person's sense of reality, perceptions, mood, and thoughts. They can induce feelings of anxiety, fear, paranoia, and nausea. Shrooms can also cause perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations. The effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or 5-10 minutes when taken in tea, and can last 4-6 hours.
Shrooms are not considered highly addictive, and regular use does not appear to cause physical dependence. However, they are still highly abused and can lead to tolerance, meaning that more of the drug is needed to achieve the desired effects, increasing the risk of overdose.
While it may be possible to take more shrooms to prolong the high, this can be dangerous as it increases the risk of a "bad trip" and can lead to severe and life-threatening side effects. It is important to be careful when taking any type of drug, including shrooms, and to control the amount consumed and the environment in which they are taken.
