Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and can include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, nausea, excessive yawning, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of self. The length and intensity of each mushroom trip depend on the strength of the mushrooms, the dosage, and individual factors such as mood and personality. While magic mushrooms are not considered addictive, they are illegal in many places due to their potential for abuse and negative side effects. It is also important to note that consuming magic mushrooms carries risks, as they can be easily mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, which can cause serious illness or even death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, hallucinogenic mushrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered state of consciousness, perceptual changes, paranoia, anxiety, panic attacks, nausea, yawning, drowsiness, impaired judgment, flashbacks, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating, chills, dilated pupils, facial flushing, increased heart rate, higher body temperature, headache |
| Dosage | 10-50 g of fresh mushrooms, 1.0-3.5-5.0 g of dry mushrooms, 10-50 mg of psilocybin |
| Forms | Raw, dried, brewed into tea, liquid psilocybin, powder |
| Legality | Illegal in many places, including the UK, Canada, and Australia |
| Risks | Poisoning, accidental consumption of poisonous mushrooms, bad trips, death |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are hallucinogenic. They contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and can be unpredictable, ranging from mild trips that leave a person feeling drowsy or relaxed to intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. The length and intensity of each trip also depend on the user's mood, personality, and expectations, and the dose and type of mushroom consumed.
Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring and can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They can also be sold in the form of dried whole mushrooms or powder, and liquid psilocybin, which is made by extracting psilocybin. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 15-45 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours. During this time, users may experience perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, distorted senses of reality, and altered states of consciousness.
It is important to note that magic mushrooms are illegal in many places and are considered a Class A drug in some jurisdictions. They can also be risky to consume due to the possibility of mistaking them for poisonous mushrooms, which can result in serious illness or even death. Additionally, mixing magic mushrooms with other substances, such as cannabis, alcohol, or other drugs, can elevate the risk of serious side effects and adverse events.
Some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving previous mushroom experiences, which can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. While magic mushrooms are not considered addictive, users can become tolerant of their effects, leading to the need to consume more to achieve the same effect. Overall, it is important to be cautious and informed about the risks associated with magic mushroom consumption.
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They can be eaten fresh, cooked or brewed into a tea
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are hallucinogenic when ingested. They are often sold raw or dried, and 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 within 5 to 10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea. The effects can last for approximately four to six hours.
Magic mushrooms are often eaten raw, and some people prefer to consume them this way. Liberty caps, for example, are usually eaten raw and have a strong earthy taste and rubber-like texture. They can also be dried and stored, or cooked. However, it is important to note that some types of magic mushrooms, such as fly agaric mushrooms, can make you feel very sick if eaten raw.
Brewing magic mushrooms into a tea is another common method of consumption. This can be done by using either fresh or dried mushrooms. Tea made from magic mushrooms is known to have a more pleasant taste compared to eating them raw, and it is also a discreet way to consume them. Brewing magic mushrooms into a tea may also reduce the intensity of the effects compared to consuming them in other ways.
It is important to note that magic mushrooms are illegal in many places and are considered a controlled substance. They can be extremely dangerous, and it is not recommended to consume them without proper knowledge and caution. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely and are influenced by factors such as the user's mood, personality, and expectations, and the dose and type of mushroom consumed. Additionally, there are risks associated with consuming magic mushrooms, including the possibility of a bad trip and flashbacks, as well as physical side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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They can cause a bad trip
Psilocybin or magic mushrooms are naturally occurring and 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, emotions, and state of consciousness.
While the effects of magic mushrooms can be mild, leaving a person feeling drowsy or relaxed, higher doses or stronger mushrooms can bring on terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, nervousness, and fears of death. This is commonly known as a "bad trip".
The length and intensity of each mushroom trip can vary. It depends on how strong the mushrooms are, how much was taken, the user's mood, personality, and expectations. It's very hard to predict what sort of trip each user will have. There's also no way to end a bad trip until it has run its course, which could be hours later.
In very rare cases, if someone takes a huge amount of mushrooms, the side effects can be severe enough to cause death. Some mushroom users also experience flashbacks where they relive some part of a drug trip when they're no longer high. These flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. Flashbacks can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise and usually last a minute or two.
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They are illegal in many places
Magic mushrooms are illegal in many places due to their hallucinogenic effects. They are classified as a Class A drug, which means that it is illegal to possess, give away, or sell them. The penalties for these offences can be severe, including prison sentences, heavy fines, or both. For example, in the UK, possession of magic mushrooms can result in up to seven years in prison and an unlimited fine. Supplying someone with the drug, even friends, can carry a life sentence, an unlimited fine, or both.
The active ingredients in magic mushrooms are psilocybin and psilocin, which are controlled substances under international law and in specific countries, such as Canada, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). The CDSA prohibits the sale, possession, and production of magic mushrooms without authorisation.
The illegality of magic mushrooms is largely due to their potential negative effects on users. Magic mushrooms can alter a person's sense of reality, perception, and judgment, leading to impaired decision-making and risk-taking behaviours. This can result in traumatic injuries or even death. Additionally, the strength of magic mushrooms varies, and it is difficult to determine how strong a mushroom is before consuming it. This variability in potency increases the risk of adverse reactions, especially when combined with other substances such as cannabis, alcohol, or amphetamines.
Furthermore, magic mushrooms can induce "'bad trips," which are frightening experiences characterised by paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. These negative experiences can have long-lasting impacts, as users may experience flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom hallucinations, even weeks, months, or years after last taking the drug.
The illegality of magic mushrooms also stems from the risk of mistaking them for poisonous mushrooms. Many poisonous mushrooms closely resemble magic mushrooms, and consuming them can lead to severe illness or even death. Therefore, the illegal status of magic mushrooms aims to protect public health and safety by discouraging their use and distribution.
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They are not addictive
While psilocybin mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), they do not exhibit the same addictive properties as commonly abused substances like opioids or stimulants. This means that while they are considered to have a high risk for abuse and no known medical benefits, they are not physically addictive in the same way as other drugs.
Magic mushrooms are a hallucinogen, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They can cause hallucinations, both visual and auditory, as well as changes in perception, thought, and mood. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes when eaten, or within 5 to 10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. The length and intensity of each "trip" can vary depending on the user's mood, personality, expectations, and the amount and strength of the mushrooms consumed.
Although magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, psychological dependence can still develop. This means that while there is no significant physiological dependence associated with the drug, and therefore no typical withdrawal symptoms, some individuals may experience psychological and emotional symptoms when they stop using magic mushrooms, especially after frequent or high-dose use. These symptoms may include noticeable mood fluctuations, including irritability, anxiety, or depression.
It is important to note that the use of magic mushrooms can have harmful effects on susceptible individuals, including emotional instability, psychological distress, and physical health issues. Additionally, magic mushrooms can impair judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. In very rare cases, if a person takes a large amount of mushrooms, the side effects can be severe enough to cause death. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the dangers associated with taking magic mushrooms before experimenting with them.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are psychedelic drugs that contain psilocybin and psilocin, which have psychoactive properties. They are often eaten raw or dried, or brewed into tea.
Magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations, including visual and auditory hallucinations. They can distort your perception of time, space, and reality, and objects may seem to breathe or morph. Users may also experience mood swings, feelings of euphoria, connectedness, and a sense of awe, or negative emotions such as anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness.
Magic mushrooms are illegal in many places, including the US and the UK, and possession can lead to criminal charges and imprisonment. They can also be dangerous, especially if consumed in large amounts or in combination with other drugs. There is a risk of having a "bad trip," which can include feelings of fear, paranoia, and anxiety. Magic mushrooms also closely resemble poisonous mushrooms, which can result in severe illness or even death if consumed.
Research suggests that psilocybin mushrooms may have benefits for mental and physical health. They have been studied as a potential treatment for psychiatric and behavioral conditions, but these uses have not been approved by regulatory bodies such as the FDA due to the need for more data.
