Emma Wilson
Psilocybin mushrooms, more commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms appear around 20 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and continue to be used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. They may also be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, Shrooms, Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin, β-carbolines |
| Effects | Hallucinations, Nausea, Euphoria, Muscle weakness, Relaxation, Drowsiness, Lack of coordination, Increased tolerance, Heightened anxiety, Panic reactions, Psychosis, Flashbacks |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Onset of effects | 15-45 minutes after ingestion |
| Legality | Illegal in some countries like Canada and Australia |
| Form | Fresh or dried mushrooms, Extracts, Edibles, Tea |
| History | Used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious and spiritual purposes, Depicted in prehistoric rock art |
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What You'll Learn
History of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, have a long and complex history of human use. Evidence of their consumption predates recorded history, with depictions of hallucinogenic mushrooms appearing in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, as well as in cave paintings in North Africa and Spain dating back to 4000 BCE.
In Mesoamerica, psilocybin mushrooms have a rich history of use in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies. The Aztecs referred to these mushrooms as teonanacatl, meaning "god's flesh" or "divine mushroom", and they were reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. After the Spanish conquest, Catholic missionaries attempted to suppress the use of these mushrooms, considering them idolatrous. However, their use persisted in some remote areas, and Spanish chroniclers documented their use in the 16th century.
In the 20th century, psilocybin mushrooms gained popularity in the United States, particularly in the 1960s. This was largely due to the influence of Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert, psychology professors at Harvard University who became interested in the potential benefits of psilocybin after reading about the experiences of Gordon Wasson, a banker who participated in a mushroom ceremony in Oaxaca, Mexico. Leary and Alpert started the Harvard Psilocybin Project, experimenting with the effects of psilocybin on themselves and their students. They advocated for the positive effects of psilocybin on mental health and its potential as a "wonder drug" for treating various conditions. During this time, the hippie movement also popularized the use of psilocybin mushrooms, with Leary coining the phrase "turn on, tune in, and drop out".
Despite the promising research in the 1960s, increasingly restrictive drug laws in the following decades curbed scientific research into psilocybin. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, with several FDA-approved clinical studies indicating its potential value in treating various health conditions.
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How psilocybin mushrooms work
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin. This drug is converted into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion, causing the hallucinogenic effects. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are subjective and can vary among individual users. However, they typically include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, hilarity, lack of concentration, and muscular relaxation. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use can include an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, and psychosis, particularly with large doses.
The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive properties of the drug. Psilocybin mushrooms also contain other compounds, such as norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and aeruginascin, which may modify the effects of the drug. The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which varies between and within species. Recreational doses typically range from 1.0 to 3.5–5.0 grams of dried mushrooms, with a "heroic dose" considered to be above 5.0 grams.
Psilocybin mushrooms can be consumed in various forms, including fresh or dried mushrooms, extracts, or food products such as edibles or tea. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. It is important to note that the use of any drug carries risks, and magic mushrooms can have negative consequences in certain environments or when combined with other drugs.
Microdosing has become a popular technique, involving the consumption of less than 1.0 grams of dried mushrooms for a less intense experience. This practice may even be non-hallucinogenic and potentially alleviating for symptoms of depression. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, or spiritual purposes. While they are considered to have low toxicity, fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis can occur in rare cases of overconsumption.
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Effects of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver and converted into psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms usually occur within 20 to 30 minutes of ingestion and can last up to 4 to 6 hours. The duration may vary depending on factors such as the amount consumed, potency, and individual factors such as age, biology, and sex. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be influenced by the "set and setting". The "set" refers to an individual's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelics, expectations, personality, and history of drug use. The "setting" refers to the environment in which the drug is taken, including factors such as familiarity, company, and the type of music and lighting. A calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a positive experience, while a noisy and crowded place may lead to a negative trip.
The physical effects of psilocybin mushrooms may include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. Psilocybin can also cause increased heart rate, muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium. It can lead to a profound change in consciousness, with altered patterns of brain activity. Individuals may experience a distorted sense of reality, with hallucinations and perceptual changes in sight and sound. They may see colours, shapes, or scenes, hear things that aren't real, or lose their sense of time and space. Some users may experience a mystical or dreamlike state, with visions or relived memories, and a sense of "oceanic self-boundlessness".
Psilocybin mushrooms have not been found to cause physical or psychological dependence, and regular users may experience short-term tolerance, making it difficult to misuse them. However, some individuals may experience flashbacks or persistent alterations in their perception, known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder, which is rare. Additionally, there is a risk of accidental poisoning from consuming poisonous mushrooms that resemble psilocybin mushrooms.
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Risks of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically include sensory distortion, euphoria, hallucinations, and an altered sense of time and emotions.
Despite the potential for positive experiences, there are several risks associated with the use of psilocybin mushrooms:
Health Risks
Psilocybin mushrooms typically raise blood pressure and heart rate, which may be dangerous for individuals with heart conditions. Additionally, some people may experience side effects like agitation, confusion, vomiting, nausea, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. In rare cases, extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia may occur, known as a "bad trip". The risk of a bad trip is heightened when higher doses are consumed or if the individual experiences feelings of anxiety before taking the mushrooms.
In very rare cases, fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis have occurred due to the over-consumption of psilocybin mushrooms. However, neurotoxicity-induced fatal events are uncommon, and most patients admitted to critical care for psilocybin overdose require only moderate treatment.
Poisoning
There is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and accidentally consuming poisonous ones, which can cause severe illness or even death. Accidental mushroom ingestion can result in gastrointestinal illness, with severe cases requiring medical attention.
Flashbacks
Some individuals who use psilocybin mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving a previous mushroom trip. These flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. They can occur anywhere from weeks to years after the initial drug use and can be triggered by various factors such as stress, tiredness, or the use of other drugs.
Addiction
While current research suggests that psilocybin mushrooms are not addictive, regular use may lead to tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs such as LSD and mescaline.
Legal Consequences
In many places, there are legal restrictions and penalties for possessing, using, selling, or driving under the influence of psilocybin mushrooms. It is important to be aware of the legal implications before considering the use of these substances.
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Legality of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic and contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms include hallucinations, hilarity, lack of concentration, muscular relaxation, and dilated pupils. The psychological consequences of their use may include an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, and psychosis, particularly when a large dose is ingested.
The legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which requires its members to prohibit psilocybin. However, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government. As a result, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms is ambiguous in many national, state, and provincial drug laws, with some jurisdictions enacting specific laws to address their possession and use.
In the United States, psilocybin and psilocin were first subjected to federal regulation by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965, and most US state courts have considered the mushroom a "container" of illicit drugs. However, there are some exceptions, such as in Oregon, where voters passed a ballot initiative in 2020 that made "magic mushrooms" legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings. Additionally, a bill is pending in the California State Legislature that would legalize the "possession, obtaining, giving away, or transportation" of specified quantities of psilocybin and other substances. In some jurisdictions, Psilocybe spores are legal to possess and sell because they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin.
Other countries with laws regulating or prohibiting psilocybin mushrooms include the UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan. The possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances in these countries and often carry severe legal penalties. However, there may be exceptions for medical and scientific research under strictly controlled conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as 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 psychedelic mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, hilarity, lack of concentration, muscular relaxation (including dilated pupils), nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. The effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individuals.
While psilocybin mushrooms have not been known to cause physical or psychological dependence, there are risks associated with their consumption. These risks include bad trips, flashbacks, and, in rare cases, fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis.
The active ingredients in magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, are controlled substances under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. The production, sale, and possession of magic mushrooms may be illegal in certain jurisdictions, such as Canada and Australia.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in various cultural contexts. Rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE in Algeria depicts psychedelic mushrooms, and prehistoric rock art in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago. Psilocybin mushrooms have also been used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, or spiritual purposes.
