Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are psychedelic drugs that contain the hallucinogenic substances psilocybin and psilocin. When consumed, these mushrooms alter a person's senses, thoughts, emotions, and perception of reality, leading to hallucinations and an altered state of consciousness. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on factors such as dosage, potency, and individual biology, and they can last for several hours. While some people seek out these mushrooms for recreational or spiritual experiences, there are potential risks associated with their use, including the possibility of a 'bad trip and the risk of misidentifying poisonous mushrooms. Despite these risks, there is a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for treating various mental health disorders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, psychedelic mushrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Forms | Fresh, cooked, dried, powdered, brewed into tea, capsules, tablets |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered state of consciousness, heightened emotions and senses, yawning, nausea, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, distorted sense of time, place and reality, flashbacks, mystical experience, sense of mental and emotional clarity |
| Time to onset of effects | 5-45 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 3-6 hours |
| Legality | Illegal in most of the U.S. and Canada, though some cities have decriminalized possession of small amounts for personal use |
| Risks | Poisoning from toxic mushrooms or commercial products containing toxic chemicals, accidental overdose, bad trips, long-term mental health conditions such as psychosis |
| Therapeutic potential | Research suggests potential to treat psychiatric and behavioral conditions such as depression, PTSD, addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are hallucinogenic drugs that contain psilocybin and psilocin, which are converted into each other within the body. These substances are part of a group of drugs called psychedelics or hallucinogens, which alter a person's senses, thoughts, and emotions and perception of reality. They can cause visual and auditory hallucinations, such as seeing colours, shapes, or scenes, or hearing things that are not real. They can also distort a person's sense of time and space, leading to an altered state of consciousness.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin within 15 to 45 minutes of consumption and can last for approximately four to six hours. The duration of the effects may vary depending on how the mushrooms are consumed, with effects occurring within 5 to 10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and within 30 minutes when eaten fresh or cooked. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and may include heightened emotions, a sense of mental clarity, and feelings of happiness and creativity. Some people may also experience negative effects, such as anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and a distorted sense of reality.
It is important to note that the use of magic mushrooms may have risks and negative consequences. One of the main risks is misidentifying mushrooms, as some mushroom species that resemble magic mushrooms are extremely poisonous and can cause serious illness or even death. Additionally, there is a potential for developing tolerance to the effects of magic mushrooms with regular use, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects. While physical and psychological dependence on magic mushrooms is rare, there have been reports of flashbacks, where users relive parts of their drug trip, which can be disturbing.
Despite the risks, there is a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms, particularly in the treatment of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it is important to note that the use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is mostly illegal in the United States and other countries, and their use for therapeutic purposes is not currently approved by regulatory bodies.
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They are also known as shrooms
"Shrooms" is a common term for psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms. They are mostly illegal in the United States, where they are classified as a Schedule I drug, but there is advocacy for their decriminalization due to their potential health benefits. In a few cities across the country, possession of psilocybin mushrooms has been decriminalized up to a certain amount.
Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can cause a person to see, hear, and feel things that are not happening in reality, or to experience reality in a distorted way. They can also affect a person's thoughts and emotions, with some people experiencing a sense of mental and emotional clarity, while others may feel anxiety, paranoia, or nervousness. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically begin within 30 minutes to an hour of consumption and can last for 3 to 6 hours. However, it's important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as the amount consumed, potency, and individual biology.
The use of magic mushrooms rarely results in life-threatening symptoms, but there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming a toxic or poisonous variety. It is also possible to experience unpleasant physical effects such as nausea, yawning, stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, some people may experience a "'bad trip,' characterized by extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia. In rare cases, consuming large doses of magic mushrooms can lead to long-term mental health conditions such as psychosis.
There is a growing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin mushrooms, particularly in the treatment of mental and behavioral health conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance use disorders. While there is ongoing research in this area, it is important to note that none of these treatments have been approved by regulatory bodies such as the FDA.
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They are illegal in most of the US
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "shrooms" or "magic mushrooms", are illegal in most of the United States. They are classified as a Schedule I drug, which means that it is illegal to possess, sell, or distribute them. Significant legal penalties are imposed on both the possession and selling of these mushrooms.
However, there is growing advocacy for the decriminalization of psilocybin mushrooms in the US. Several cities have already taken steps to decriminalize the possession of these mushrooms, allowing residents to possess a limited amount without facing criminal charges. This shift is driven by increasing evidence of the potential health benefits of psilocybin. Research suggests that psilocybin could be beneficial in treating psychiatric and behavioral conditions, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders.
Despite the potential benefits, it is important to approach psilocybin mushrooms with caution. They can cause hallucinations, distort a person's sense of reality, and induce a "'bad trip', characterized by extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia. Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms, as some poisonous mushrooms closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms. Consuming toxic mushrooms can lead to severe illness or even death.
While the use of psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic purposes is gaining interest, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin in the US or elsewhere. Clinical trials are necessary to advance research and protect the health and safety of patients.
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They can cause flashbacks
Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring psychedelic drugs that alter a person's senses, thinking, sense of time and emotions. They are typically eaten fresh, cooked, dried, powdered or brewed into a tea. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the chemical with psychoactive properties.
Some people who use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks, which are classified as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Flashbacks are recurrent drug effects that cause intense and frequent visual hallucinations. They can be self-induced by thinking about a previous trip or occur without warning, and can last from a few seconds to minutes. They can also be triggered by using other drugs, stress, tiredness or exercise. Flashbacks can be brought on days, weeks, months or even years after the drug was last taken.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V, American Psychiatric Association 2013) states that persisting flashback phenomena that cause clinically significant distress or impairment can be classified as HPPD. HPPD is characterised by transient recurrences of alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness as experienced during the acute drug effects. These symptoms are often accompanied by depersonalisation, derealisation, anxiety or depression.
The only certain cause of HPPD is previous hallucinogen use, and it is most frequently caused by LSD. However, there is no consensus on the risk factors for HPPD, and it is a rare condition. While flashbacks usually subside on their own after drug use has been discontinued, they can be treated by a mental health professional to help manage any accompanying anxiety.
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They are being studied for therapeutic use
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin. They are typically consumed dried, powdered, or brewed into a tea. When consumed, psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin, which binds to serotonin receptors in the brain, resulting in a range of effects, including hallucinations, altered sense of reality, and emotional and perceptual changes.
While the use of magic mushrooms carries risks, including the possibility of misidentifying poisonous mushrooms, there is a growing interest in their potential therapeutic applications. Psilocybin is currently classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States, indicating that it has no approved medical use. However, research suggests that it may hold promise in treating various mental and behavioural health conditions.
One area of interest is the potential of psilocybin to treat psychiatric and behavioural conditions. Some studies indicate that psilocybin could be beneficial in treating conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, addiction, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Additionally, psilocybin has been explored as a potential treatment for substance use disorders, with ongoing research investigating its potential in this area.
The therapeutic potential of psilocybin extends beyond mental health. There is also interest in its ability to treat neurodegenerative disorders and pain management. Furthermore, psilocybin has been studied for its impact on thinking and living, with some individuals seeking to use it for self-improvement, spiritual experiences, and enhanced well-being.
While the potential benefits of psilocybin are intriguing, it is important to approach this topic with caution. At present, there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin in Canada, the United States, or elsewhere. The safety, efficacy, and quality of psilocybin products have not been evaluated or approved by regulatory bodies such as Health Canada or the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, while psilocybin is being studied for therapeutic use, it has not yet been approved for such purposes, and its use remains largely illegal.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are a type of mushroom that contains the drug psilocybin, which produces hallucinogenic and other mind-altering effects. They are also known as shrooms or simply mushrooms.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on the individual, the amount taken, and the environment. Common effects include hallucinations, distorted senses, and a changed sense of reality. Some people may also experience heightened emotions and senses, such as feeling happy and creative, or having a sense of mental clarity.
While magic mushrooms are not considered physically or psychologically addictive, there are still risks associated with their use. It is possible to have a bad trip, experiencing fear, anxiety, paranoia, or panic. There is also the risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming poisonous ones, which can be dangerous and even life-threatening. In addition, magic mushrooms are illegal in many places, and possession and sale can result in significant legal penalties.
