Laura Smith
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, or liberty caps, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the substances psilocybin and psilocin, which have psychedelic effects on the brain. They are typically eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and can include heightened emotions, creativity, laughter, and hallucinations. While magic mushrooms are considered recreational drugs, they are also being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating drug dependence, anxiety, and mood disorders. However, it is important to note that the use of any drug carries risks, and magic mushrooms may have negative side effects, such as nausea, anxiety, paranoia, and distorted senses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps |
| Active substances | Psilocybin, psilocin, psilocybin |
| Administration | Eaten fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, mixed with food |
| Effects | Hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, drowsiness, relaxation, heightened emotions and senses, laughter, giggling, sense of mental and emotional clarity, distorted sense of time, place, and reality, increased blood pressure and heart rate |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Onset of effects | 15-45 minutes |
| Legality | Federally banned in the US, controlled substance in Canada, legal to buy spores in most US states |
| Risks | Poisoning, flashbacks, bad trips, negative interactions with other drugs and psychiatric medications |
| Therapeutic potential | Treatment of drug dependence, anxiety, mood disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom
- They are also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, and liberty caps
- They can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea
- The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person
- It is illegal to buy or sell magic mushrooms in most places
Magic mushrooms are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, and liberty caps, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They contain the substances psilocybin and psilocin, which cause people to hallucinate and alter their state of consciousness. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, but typically include hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, and a distorted sense of reality. The effects usually begin within 15 to 45 minutes of consumption and can last for up to six hours. They are typically eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea.
Psilocybin mushrooms are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been found in several other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Magic mushrooms have a long history of use, dating back to prehistoric times. They are depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe and are also represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. In modern times, the popularization of entheogens by figures such as Timothy Leary and Terence McKenna led to an explosion in the use of psilocybin mushrooms in the 1960s and 1970s.
Today, magic mushrooms are considered illegal drugs in many places due to the hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin and psilocin. In Canada, for example, activities involving magic mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin are illegal unless authorized by Health Canada. However, there has been recent interest in researching the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, particularly in treating drug dependence, anxiety, and mood disorders.
It is important to note that the use of magic mushrooms comes with risks. They can sometimes be mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, which can have serious health consequences. Additionally, magic mushrooms can cause negative experiences, known as ""bad trips,"" and may lead to short-term mental and physical effects, such as heightened emotions and distorted senses. Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs can also be unpredictable and dangerous. Therefore, it is crucial to approach the use of magic mushrooms with caution and to be aware of the potential risks involved.
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They are also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, and liberty caps
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin when ingested. They have been used as recreational drugs and in psychological and religious studies. They are also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, and liberty caps.
Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They can also be mixed with food to mask their bitter taste. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes when eaten and can last approximately four to six hours. The early effects of lower doses often include a feeling of drowsiness or relaxation. However, higher doses or stronger mushrooms can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
The use of magic mushrooms can have risks, and it is important to be careful when taking any type of drug. Some people may experience negative effects, commonly known as a ""bad trip", which can be influenced by the environment in which the drug is taken and the individual's state of mind. Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs can be unpredictable and dangerous, and it is not recommended for individuals with cardiac diseases or those on psychiatric medications.
The main risk of taking magic mushrooms is the difficulty in identifying them, as some mushrooms that look similar are extremely poisonous and can cause serious illness or even death. It is important to know what you are ingesting, and if in doubt, it is best to refrain from consuming them. In addition, the development of tolerance to the effects of magic mushrooms can occur rapidly with continued use, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effect. However, discontinuing use for a week or so can reset an individual's tolerance level.
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They can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, or liberty caps, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the substances psilocybin and psilocin. These mushrooms are often eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea to induce hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness.
When consumed, the effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as the user's mood, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations. The setting, or environment, in which the mushrooms are consumed can also play a significant role in the overall experience. Consuming magic mushrooms in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a pleasant experience, while being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience.
Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh or cooked, with the effects typically beginning within 30 minutes. They can also be brewed into a tea, with the effects appearing more quickly, usually within 5 to 15 minutes. The early effects of consuming magic mushrooms may include nausea, excessive yawning, heightened emotions, and a sense of mental and emotional clarity. As the "trip" progresses, individuals may experience hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can be unpredictable and vary in intensity.
While magic mushrooms are widely used as a recreational drug, they can also have potential risks and negative effects. It is important to be cautious when consuming magic mushrooms, as they can sometimes lead to a "'bad trip,"' flashbacks, or negative interactions with other drugs or medications. Additionally, it can be challenging to distinguish between hallucinogenic mushrooms and poisonous mushrooms, which can have dangerous consequences. Before consuming magic mushrooms, it is crucial to properly identify the mushroom species and be aware of any potential risks or interactions.
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The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, or liberty caps, are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, a hallucinogenic chemical. When psilocybin is taken, it is converted in the body to psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties.
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 effects include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there, or are distorted). Other effects include heightened emotions and senses, laughter, and a sense of mental and emotional clarity. However, negative effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness may also occur, especially with higher doses or stronger mushrooms.
The strength of magic mushrooms can vary greatly. One mushroom may have different concentrations of active ingredients compared to another. The effects of the mushrooms depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. It is important to note that the use of magic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous. Additionally, magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, but tolerance can develop rapidly with continued use, resulting in the drug having little to no effect over time.
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It is illegal to buy or sell magic mushrooms in most places
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, or liberty caps, are considered illegal drugs in most places because they contain substances such as psilocybin and psilocin that cause people to hallucinate. Used in large enough doses, these mushrooms have effects similar to the drug LSD. They can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes when eaten and can last approximately four to six hours.
While the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (UNCPS), adopted in 1971, requires its members to prohibit psilocybin, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention, largely due to pressure from the Mexican government. As a result, there has been ambiguity about the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in many national, state, and provincial drug laws, with a strong element of selective enforcement in some places.
In the United States, psilocybin mushrooms are federally illegal and classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, indicating that they have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. However, certain areas and jurisdictions, such as California, Michigan, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, and Washington, have slowly been decriminalizing the possession, sale, purchase, and cultivation of magic mushrooms. In 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms.
Outside of the United States, the legal status of magic mushrooms varies. For example, in Canada, psilocybin is illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, except for medical or research purposes. In the United Kingdom, magic mushrooms are classified as a Class A drug, while in the Netherlands, a loophole allows for the use of magic mushroom truffles but not regular magic mushrooms. In Brazil, the legal status is ambiguous, and in Australia, psychedelics are classified as controlled substances.
It is important to note that the use of any drug, including magic mushrooms, can have risks. Magic mushrooms can affect individuals differently, and it is challenging to know their strength. Additionally, some mushrooms that resemble magic mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can make people violently ill or even kill them. Therefore, it is crucial to be cautious and informed about the local laws and potential dangers before considering the use of magic mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroom drugs, commonly known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, or liberty caps, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the substances psilocybin, psilocin, and psilocybin.
People take mushroom drugs by eating them fresh or dried, mixing them with food to mask their bitter taste, or brewing them into a tea.
The effects of mushroom drugs can vary depending on the individual, the environment, and their state of mind. Early effects typically include nausea, excessive yawning, heightened emotions and senses, and distorted senses. At higher doses, mushroom drugs can induce hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and distorted senses of time, place, and reality.
Yes, there are several risks associated with taking mushroom drugs. Some mushrooms that contain psilocybin are extremely poisonous and can make people violently ill or even kill them. Additionally, the effects of combining mushroom drugs with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous. Tolerance to the effects of mushroom drugs can develop rapidly with continued use.
The legality of mushroom drugs varies depending on the jurisdiction. In Canada, activities related to magic mushrooms, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorized by Health Canada. In the United States, psilocybin mushrooms are considered a federally banned substance, but the legality of buying spores of mushroom species containing psilocybin varies by state. Internationally, psilocybin and psilocin are controlled under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions.
