Michael Davis
Psilocybin mushrooms, more 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 vary from person to person and can include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches. The experience of taking magic mushrooms, often referred to as a trip, is influenced by both the mindset of the user and the environment in which the drug is consumed. While magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in various cultural contexts, they are currently illegal in many places due to their potential risks and adverse effects, including the possibility of a bad trip or flashbacks. Despite their illegality, there is growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin mushrooms, with clinical trials underway to explore their potential benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, hallucinogenic 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, flashbacks, heightened senses, panic, psychosis, inability to discern fantasy from reality |
| Duration of effects | 4 to 6 hours |
| Onset of effects | 15-45 minutes after ingestion |
| Forms | Fresh or dried mushrooms, extracts, food products (edibles, tea) |
| Legality | Illegal to produce, sell, or possess in some countries, including Canada and Australia |
| Species | Over 200 species, including Psilocybe (P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, P. cubensis, P. hispanica), Panaeolus, Copelandia, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, Pholiotina, Hygrophorus, Stropharia |
| History | Depicted in ancient rock art, used in pre-Columbian cultures, Mexican and Central American religious and spiritual rituals |
| Risks | Bad trips, flashbacks, overdose, poisoning (if mistaken for other mushrooms), septic shock, multi-system organ failure |
| Therapeutic uses | Clinical trials have shown promising results, but no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin currently exist |
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What You'll Learn
History of use
Psilocybin mushrooms, more commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The history of the use of psychedelic mushrooms goes back thousands of years.
Ancient History
Imagery in cave paintings and rock art of modern-day Algeria and Spain suggests that human use of psilocybin mushrooms predates recorded history. Rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE from Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformation of the user under their influence. Prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago. They may also be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but they are more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas.
16th Century
Spanish missionaries in the 1500s attempted to destroy all records and evidence of the use of these mushrooms. However, a 16th-century Spanish Franciscan friar and historian mentioned teonanacatl in his extensive writings, intriguing 20th-century ethnopharmacologists and leading to a decades-long search for the identity of teonanacatl.
20th Century
In 1958, the Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana. His employer, Sandoz, marketed and sold pure psilocybin to physicians and clinicians worldwide for use in psychedelic therapy. Increasingly restrictive drug laws in the 1960s and 1970s curbed scientific research into the effects of psilocybin and other hallucinogens. However, its popularity as an entheogen grew in the following decade, largely due to the increased availability of information on how to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms. In 1970, magic mushrooms were officially made illegal in America.
21st Century
In 2018, researchers at Johns Hopkins University confirmed that magic mushrooms could be used medicinally to treat things like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. That same year, Denver, Colorado, decriminalized magic mushrooms, and Oakland, California, followed suit by decriminalizing all psychedelic plants and fungi.
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Pharmacology
Psilocybin, also known as 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-PO-DMT), is the main psychoactive component of psychedelic mushrooms. It is a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid found in over 200 species of mushrooms, including Psilocybe cubensis, P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybin is a prodrug, meaning it is biologically inactive until it is converted by the body into psilocin, its active metabolite.
Psilocybin is typically consumed orally in the form of dried or fresh mushrooms, although it can also be prepared synthetically or extracted and injected intravenously. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver through dephosphorylation, resulting in the production of psilocin. Psilocybin can also be converted to psilocin in the kidneys during intravenous administration, although this process may be less efficient.
The psychedelic effects of psilocybin mushrooms are attributed to the activation of serotonin receptors, specifically the 5-HT2A receptor, by psilocin. These mushrooms can induce hallucinations, changes in perception, euphoria, and spiritual experiences. The effects can vary depending on the individual, their mental state ("set"), and their environment ("setting"). The experience, often referred to as a "trip," can be positive or negative, with potential risks including panic reactions, psychosis, and flashbacks.
The toxicity of psilocybin mushrooms is relatively low, and they are not known to cause physical or psychological dependence. However, adverse reactions such as nausea, vomiting, and panic attacks can occur, and high doses may lead to fatal events due to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis. Psilocybin overdose management typically focuses on managing these immediate adverse effects rather than specific pharmacological interventions.
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Physical effects
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties. Mushrooms containing psilocybin are usually small and brown or tan and may be consumed fresh or dried, or in the form of extracts, edibles, or tea. The effects of psilocybin vary widely and can be influenced by the user's mood, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, expectations, and the environment in which the drug is consumed.
The physical effects of psilocybin mushrooms include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. Psilocybin can also cause dilated pupils and changes in sensory perception and thought patterns. These physical effects are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users. In some cases, users may experience adverse side effects that require medical treatment. However, there is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on magic mushrooms, and no physical symptoms occur after stopping use.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin within 30 to 45 minutes of ingestion and can last between four and six hours. The duration of the effects may be longer in some individuals, and the intensity of the effects depends on the dosage and the user's tolerance. Regular use of psilocybin mushrooms can lead to increased tolerance, making it difficult to misuse them as higher doses will be required to achieve the same effects.
While magic mushrooms are not known to be addictive, they can have adverse effects, particularly when consumed in large amounts. Negative experiences, often referred to as "bad trips", may include paranoia, anxiety, nervousness, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgment during these "bad trips" can lead to risk-taking behaviour, which may result in traumatic injuries or, in rare cases, death. Additionally, illegal production of mushroom-based drugs may introduce other dangerous substances, increasing the risk of adverse effects.
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Mental effects
Psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms, can have a variety of mental effects on users. The mental effects of psilocybin are similar to those of LSD and include an altered perception of time and space, intense changes in mood and feeling, and sensory distortion. The effects of psilocybin vary between people and can be influenced by factors such as dosage, age, weight, personality, emotional state, environment, and history of mental illness.
Some people who use psilocybin may experience extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia as they undergo its hallucinogenic effects, which is known as a "bad trip". The risk of a bad trip may be influenced by the user's mental state, personality, and immediate environment. For example, using psilocybin in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a pleasant experience, while being in a noisy and crowded place may result in a negative experience. Additionally, feelings of stress or anxiety before using psilocybin may increase the likelihood of a bad trip.
While current research suggests that psilocybin is not addictive, it is possible to become tolerant of its effects with regular use. This means that even high amounts of the drug may no longer produce the desired effect. However, there is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin, particularly in the treatment of various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use. Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin, given in a therapeutic setting, can lead to significant improvements in people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.
It is important to note that the use of psilocybin also carries certain risks and challenges. The strength of psilocybin mushrooms can vary greatly, and there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and accidentally consuming a toxic species. Additionally, there have been reports of negative experiences with psilocybin, including disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. Some people who regularly use psilocybin may also experience flashbacks involving previous experiences with the drug, which can be disturbing and may occur long after the drug was last taken.
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Legality
The legality of psychedelic mushrooms varies across the world. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which means they are deemed to have a high potential for abuse and no recognised medical use. However, many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psychedelic mushrooms, such as the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
In some jurisdictions, psilocybin mushroom spores are legal to possess and sell because they do not contain the controlled substances psilocybin and psilocin. This is a loophole in the law that further complicates the legal situation.
There is a growing movement towards the decriminalisation of psychedelic mushrooms, with advocates claiming that it would allow law enforcement to focus on higher priorities, such as violent crime. In the United States, for example, Denver, Colorado, became the first city to decriminalise psilocybin mushrooms in 2019, with Oregon following suit in 2020, and Washington in 2024. However, it is important to note that the use, sale, and possession of psilocybin are still illegal under US federal law.
Outside of the US, some countries that have legalised or decriminalised psychedelics in some form include parts of Central Africa (Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo), South Africa, Australia, the Bahamas, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Samoa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States.
The legal landscape of psychedelic substances is changing globally, with emerging research highlighting the benefits of their therapeutic use, particularly for mental health conditions such as treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is predicted that psychedelics will be legalised throughout the US by 2037. However, concerns remain about their dangerous psychological and physical effects, and further research is needed to establish their safety and efficacy.
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Frequently asked questions
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 effects of psychedelic mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and muscular relaxation. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and the strength of the mushrooms can vary greatly.
Psilocybin mushrooms have not been known to cause physical or psychological dependence. However, there are risks associated with their use, including the possibility of a bad trip or flashbacks, and in rare cases, fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis have occurred as a result of over-consumption. Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can also be unpredictable and dangerous.
Psilocybin and psilocin are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. In some countries, such as Canada and Australia, activities related to magic mushrooms, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorized by the government. However, there is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin, and clinical trials are being conducted to advance research in this area.
