John Miller
Magic mushrooms, also known as 'shrooms', are hallucinogenic and can cause a range of effects, including hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, and changes in sensory perception and thought patterns. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on factors such as the dose, the type of mushroom, and individual factors such as mood, personality, and expectations. While magic mushrooms are not considered physically or psychologically addictive, regular use can lead to tolerance, with the drug eventually having little to no effect. One of the biggest risks associated with magic mushrooms is the possibility of mistaking them for poisonous mushrooms, which can cause severe illness or even death. It's important to note that magic mushrooms are illegal in many places, and their use may carry legal consequences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How they are consumed | Eaten fresh, cooked, brewed into tea, or eaten raw |
| Effects | Hallucinations, perceptual changes, distorted senses, flashbacks, nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, headaches, tiredness, mild psychological effects |
| Time taken for effects to kick in | 15-45 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Risks | Poisoning, accidental ingestion, negative experiences or 'bad trips', death |
| Legality | Illegal in most of the US, Illegal in Canada, Class A drug in the UK |
| Addiction | Not considered addictive, but tolerance develops rapidly with continued use |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinations and sensory distortion
Magic mushrooms, or 'shrooms', are hallucinogenic when ingested. They can be eaten fresh, cooked, brewed into a tea, or taken as a soup. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 15 to 45 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours. However, in some people, changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can last longer.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on the user's mood, personality, expectations, and previous encounters with psychedelic drugs. While some trips may be enjoyable, others may lead to terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. It is challenging to predict what kind of trip each user will have, and there is no way to end a bad trip until it has run its course, which could take hours.
Magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations and sensory distortions, such as seeing or hearing things that are not there or are distorted. Users may also experience synesthesia, believing they can see music or hear colours. These hallucinations can lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, which may result in injuries. In some cases, users may experience flashbacks, reliving a previous mushroom experience, even weeks, months, or years after the drug was last taken. These flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if a frightening hallucination or experience is recalled.
The strength of magic mushrooms varies greatly, and it is hard to know how strong a particular mushroom is. One mushroom may have different concentrations of active ingredients than another, and the effects depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. Additionally, tolerance to the effects of magic mushrooms develops rapidly, and discontinuing use for a week or so is necessary to return to normal tolerance levels.
The biggest risk associated with magic mushrooms is the possibility of consuming poisonous mushrooms by mistake, as they closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe illness or even death. It is important to seek medical help immediately if you suspect mushroom poisoning, and to keep a sample of the mushroom for identification.
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Physical side effects
The physical side effects of consuming magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. Mushrooms containing psilocybin are typically small and brown or tan in colour. They are often sold raw or dried, and can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 15 to 45 minutes of consumption and can last for approximately four to six hours.
One of the most significant risks associated with magic mushroom consumption is the possibility of accidentally ingesting poisonous mushrooms, as they can closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe illness and even death. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium, as well as gastrointestinal issues such as stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea. It is important to seek medical help immediately if you suspect mushroom poisoning.
In terms of the physical side effects of psilocybin mushrooms, there is a risk of developing a tolerance with regular use, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects. Additionally, consuming a large amount or a strong batch of mushrooms can lead to unwanted physical side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and distorted sensory experiences, including hallucinations.
While magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, there is a risk of experiencing mild withdrawal effects, such as fatigue and mild psychological symptoms. It is important to note that the long-term physical effects of repetitive magic mushroom use have not been extensively studied. Therefore, it is crucial to approach the consumption of magic mushrooms with caution and to be aware of potential risks and side effects.
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Mental health impacts
Psilocybin, the primary psychoactive ingredient in "magic mushrooms", interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain to trigger various psychedelic effects. The effects of taking psilocybin are unpredictable and can vary widely from person to person.
Psilocybin has been shown to have antidepressant effects and may be useful in treating psychiatric disorders like treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. It has also been shown to ease fear and anxiety in people with terminal cancer. In addition, psilocybin may be helpful for alcohol use disorder and tobacco addiction.
Some people take psilocybin in "microdoses", or very small amounts, because they believe it will improve mental health symptoms such as depression and stress, increase productivity, or reduce pain. However, it is not clear if microdosing is safe or effective, and there are risks associated with taking psilocybin outside of a controlled setting, including the possibility of experiencing a range of undesirable and harmful effects.
Adverse effects from psilocybin can include increased blood pressure and heart rate, headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety, paranoia, persistent psychosis, and hallucinations. Some people have reported unpleasant experiences, sometimes called "bad trips", involving extreme fear, confusion, or panic.
While psilocybin has the potential to be useful in treating mental health disorders, it is important to note that it is mostly illegal in the US and should not be used to self-medicate. The therapeutic use of psilocybin should only be explored in a controlled setting with extensive psychological support provided by mental health professionals.
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Bad trips and flashbacks
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on factors such as the dose, type of mushroom, individual mood, personality, and expectations. While some trips may be enjoyable, others may lead to terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death.
A "bad trip" is characterized by feelings of losing oneself or going crazy, or ego dissolution. The likelihood of a bad trip can be reduced by being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends, and in a safe, calm, quiet, and relaxed environment before taking magic mushrooms. Combining magic mushrooms with certain other drugs, such as ice, speed, ecstasy, or psychiatric medications, can increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to panic.
In a survey of almost 2,000 people who reported a past negative experience with magic mushrooms, more than 10% believed their worst "bad trip" had put themselves or others in harm's way. A substantial majority of respondents called their most distressing episode one of the biggest challenges of their lives, but most also reported the experience to be "meaningful" or "worthwhile".
"Flashbacks" are a separate phenomenon from bad trips, where individuals relive parts of a drug trip when they are no longer high. Flashbacks can come on without warning and may happen days, weeks, months, or even years after taking mushrooms. They are usually visual distortions that involve changes in emotions or perception and can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. Flashbacks can be triggered by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise and typically last a minute or two.
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Poisoning and poisonous mushrooms
Poisoning from mushrooms is a serious issue that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The effects of poisoning depend on the type of mushroom consumed, the amount ingested, and the individual's health and history. Some mushrooms contain toxins that can cause hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, liver failure, kidney failure, neurological issues, and in some cases, death. It is important to seek medical help immediately if mushroom poisoning is suspected, and to provide a sample of the mushroom to aid in identification and treatment.
Mushroom poisoning often occurs due to the misidentification of poisonous mushrooms as edible ones. There are approximately 100,000 known species of fungi, with about 100 of them being poisonous to humans. The majority of fatal poisonings are caused by the Amanita phalloides mushroom, also known as the "death cap". Other poisonous mushrooms include the yellow-staining mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus), Galerina marginata, and Cortinarius orellanus. These mushrooms can closely resemble edible species, making accurate identification crucial to prevent poisoning.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning can vary depending on the type of toxin ingested. Amatoxins, found in Amanita and Galerina species, can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, including vomiting and diarrhoea, followed by liver damage. Other toxins include orellanine, which has been linked to kidney failure, and psilocybin, which is present in hallucinogenic mushrooms.
To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is essential to only consume mushrooms purchased from reputable sources such as supermarkets or greengrocers. Foraging for wild mushrooms is risky and should only be done by experts who can accurately identify edible species. If you are unsure about the safety of a mushroom, it is best to avoid consuming it.
In addition to the risks of poisoning, it is important to consider the psychological effects of consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms". These mushrooms can alter a person's sense of reality and affect their judgment, making activities like driving dangerous. Regular use of magic mushrooms can lead to tolerance, requiring larger doses to achieve the same effects. While magic mushrooms are not considered addictive, sudden discontinuation can result in mild psychological effects or fatigue. It is important to be cautious when consuming any substance that can alter your mental state, and to be mindful of potential risks and side effects.
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Frequently asked questions
The short-term effects of mushrooms include hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, and distorted senses. The effects typically last between four and six hours, but they can last longer in some people.
The effects of mushrooms usually occur within 15-45 minutes of ingestion. However, it can take up to 30 minutes for the effects to kick in, so it is important to wait before taking another dose.
Yes, there are several risks associated with taking mushrooms. Mushrooms are often sold raw or dried, and it can be easy to mistake poisonous mushrooms for psychoactive "magic" mushrooms. Eating poisonous mushrooms can cause severe illness or even death. Additionally, the effects of mushrooms are unpredictable and can vary widely depending on the user's mood, personality, and expectations. Some people may experience a \"bad trip,\" which can include terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death.
No, mushrooms are not considered addictive. However, tolerance can develop rapidly with continued use, resulting in the drug having little to no effect over time. There is also a risk of experiencing flashbacks, which can happen weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken.
