Sarah Brown
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly 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 psilocybin mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. The experience, or trip, is strongly dependent on the user's state of mind (set) and environment (setting). Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in various cultural contexts, including religious and spiritual rituals. While they have been associated with therapeutic benefits, they are also controlled substances in many jurisdictions due to their potential risks and adverse effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, psychedelic mushrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin, β-carbolines |
| Effects | Hallucinations, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, lack of coordination, panic reactions, psychosis, flashbacks |
| Duration of effects | 4–6 hours |
| Onset of effects | 15–45 minutes |
| Legality | Illegal to produce, sell, and possess in some countries, including Canada and Australia |
| Form | Fresh or dried mushrooms, extracts, edibles, tea |
| Consumption methods | Oral, not intravenous |
| Number of species | Over 200 |
| History | Used for thousands of years in religious and spiritual contexts, depicted in prehistoric art |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
History and legality
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, 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.
History
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use among the native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination, and healing, from pre-Columbian times to the present day. Mushroom stones and motifs have been found in Guatemala, and a statuette dating from around 200 CE depicting a mushroom that resembles Psilocybe mexicana was discovered in a tomb in the Mexican state of Colima. A Psilocybe species known to the Aztecs as "teōnanācatl" or "divine mushroom" was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502.
One of the earliest depictions of hallucinogenic mushroom use comes from a 4000 BCE cave painting in Spain, which illustrates what appear to be Psilocybe hispanica, a species with hallucinogenic properties. Prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain and from Tassili, Algeria, dating back to 9000–7000 BCE, also suggests early use of psychedelic mushrooms.
Psilocybin mushrooms captured the wider world's attention as a psychedelic staple in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, they are at the forefront of a mental health revolution, with their psychoactive compounds showing promise in treating conditions like PTSD, depression, and end-of-life care.
Legality
The legal status 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 or strictly control the substances. However, the mushrooms themselves were not specifically included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government, creating ambiguity in the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in many countries.
In the United States, psilocybin is federally classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, and its possession, use, and sale are illegal under federal law. However, some states and cities, such as Oregon, Colorado, Denver, and Oakland, have passed measures to decriminalize or legalize the use of psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic or personal purposes. Similarly, in Canada, the province of Alberta has allowed the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes, while Australia has approved its use in prescription medications for treating PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
The evolving understanding of the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin mushrooms has influenced legal and political support for their legalization or decriminalization. However, some jurisdictions, like Germany and several US states, have enacted laws specifically criminalizing the possession of psilocybin mushroom spores.
Magic Mushroom Detection at MEPS: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Effects and risks
Psilocybin, the key ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a hallucinogenic chemical that occurs naturally in certain mushroom varieties. When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin, the chemical responsible for the drug's psychoactive properties. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically manifest around 20 minutes to half an hour after consumption and can last between four and six hours.
Psychedelic mushrooms can induce a range of sensory and emotional effects, including euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortion. They can also alter a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, mood, cognition, and perception. The experience, often referred to as a 'trip', is influenced by various factors, including the quantity consumed, past experiences, expectations, and the environment in which the drug is ingested. A calm, quiet, and relaxed environment typically contributes to a pleasant trip, while a noisy and crowded setting may lead to a negative experience.
While psilocybin is not considered addictive, some users may have adverse experiences, such as feelings of anxiety, paranoia, panic, and short-term psychosis. The risk of a bad trip is heightened by higher doses, pre-existing anxiety, or the use of other drugs. Additionally, regular users may experience flashbacks, involving visual distortions and emotional or perceptual changes, that can occur anywhere from weeks to years after initial consumption.
The greatest risk associated with magic mushrooms is accidental poisoning from misidentifying and consuming poisonous mushrooms. Ingesting poisonous varieties can cause severe illness and even death. Furthermore, the effects of combining magic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous. In particular, individuals taking psychiatric medications should avoid psilocybin due to the potential for a relapse or worsening of their condition.
Mushrooms: Are They Acidic or Alkaline?
You may want to see also
Therapeutic uses
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic and contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms include visual distortions, changes in emotions or perception, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for their therapeutic potential in treating mental health conditions. Also known as psilocybin-assisted therapy, this form of treatment has been studied for various mental health disorders, including:
- Depression: Psilocybin has been explored as a potential treatment for major depressive disorder, with research focusing on its ability to evoke altered states of consciousness and promote healing.
- Anxiety: Psilocybin therapy has been considered for its potential anxiolytic effects, helping individuals manage anxiety and related disorders.
- Addictions: The therapeutic use of psilocybin has been investigated as a possible treatment for substance use disorders. By altering an individual's state of consciousness, psilocybin may aid in breaking addictive behaviours and thought patterns.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): The psychedelic effects of psilocybin mushrooms may help individuals with OCD by temporarily altering their sense of reality and providing a different perspective.
- Psychosis: While psilocybin can induce psychosis-like symptoms, it has also been studied for its potential in treating psychotic disorders. The aim is to carefully utilise psilocybin's ability to alter an individual's perception of reality in a therapeutic context.
It is important to note that while psilocybin mushrooms have therapeutic potential, they should be used under the guidance of trained professionals in a safe and controlled environment. The therapeutic use of psilocybin is still an emerging field of research, and more studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy and long-term effects.
Mushrooms: Do They Think and Feel?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Species and genera
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and there are over 200 species of them. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybin has also been isolated from around a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina. Psilocybe, Cyclocybe, and Hygrophorus are some of the different genera in which psilocybin mushrooms occur.
The hallucinogenic fungal genus Panaeolus is an example of a global species with diverse distributions. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms are also known as "magic" or psychoactive fungi due to their high serotonin content. Psilocybin and its active metabolite psilocin are similar to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in their effects. They affect the central nervous system rapidly, producing ataxia, hyperkinesis, and hallucinations.
The genus Psilocybe has a long history of use in religious rituals and spiritual contexts. Rock art from around 9000–7000 BCE found in Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformation of the user under their influence. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms may be consumed in their whole form, such as fresh or dried mushrooms, or they may be turned into extracts or food products like mushroom edibles or mushroom tea. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary depending on the dose and type of mushroom used, as well as individual user factors.
Mushrooms: Natural Detox for Your Body?
You may want to see also
Consumption methods
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They 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 come from psilocybin and psilocin. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation. The resulting compound is psilocin, responsible for the psychedelic effects. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms appear around 20 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms may be used in whole form, for example, consumption of dried or fresh mushrooms, or may be turned into extracts or food products such as mushroom edibles or mushroom tea.
If you are planning to consume shrooms, it is important to do your research. Check the laws in your area, and make sure you are not on parole or probation. If you take any prescription drugs, research how they may interact with psilocybin. If you have epilepsy or need to monitor your glucose levels, look into how others with your condition have fared on psilocybin. It is also recommended to set aside a full day for your experience. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary considerably among individual users, so it is important to be prepared.
The "set and setting" of your experience are also important. "Set" refers to your mindset, and it is important to go into your experience with a sense of adventure, curiosity, and excitement. "Setting" refers to the environment in which you take the drug. A comfortable and familiar environment will set the stage for a pleasant experience, while a negative environment could contribute to a bad trip. Many users find it preferable to ingest the mushrooms with friends or people familiar with "tripping."
Mushroom Extracts: Superfood or Super-Hype?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion.
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individuals. Some of the physical effects may include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. Psilocybin and psilocin also affect the central nervous system, producing ataxia, hyperkinesis, and hallucinations.
While psilocybin mushrooms have not been known to cause physical or psychological dependence, there are still risks associated with their consumption. In some cases, the use of psychedelic mushrooms can lead to negative experiences or "bad trips", heightened anxiety, panic reactions, and psychosis. Additionally, consuming mushrooms with other drugs can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Psilocybin and psilocin are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. The production, sale, and possession of psychedelic mushrooms are illegal in some countries, including Canada and Australia. However, there is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin, and clinical trials are being conducted to advance research while protecting patient health and safety.
