Sarah Brown
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 include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. The experience of taking magic mushrooms, often referred to as a trip, is influenced by both internal and external factors, such as an individual's state of mind 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 also associated with negative experiences, commonly known as bad trips, and can have dangerous interactions with other drugs.
| 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, hilarity, lack of concentration, muscular relaxation, dilated pupils, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, lack of coordination |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Onset of effects | 15-45 minutes after ingestion |
| Legality | Illegal in Australia, Canada, and the United States |
| Therapeutic uses | Potential therapeutic uses are being explored, but no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin exist as of 2025 |
| History | Used for thousands of years, depicted in prehistoric rock art, used in religious rituals |
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What You'll Learn
History and legality
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly 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 psilocybin mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, come from the aforementioned psilocybin and psilocin. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation, which results in the compound psilocin, responsible for the drug's psychedelic effects.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. 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. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago. The hallucinogenic species of the Psilocybe genus have a history of use among the native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination, and healing, from pre-Columbian times to the present day.
In the 1960s and 1970s, magic mushrooms captured the attention of the wider world as a psychedelic staple. They were banned in the US in 1970 under the Controlled Substances Act and listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse or drugs that have no recognized medical uses. However, psilocybin mushrooms have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in dozens of cultures throughout history and have a significantly lower potential for abuse than other Schedule I drugs.
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, with advocates citing the rapid legalization of cannabis in the United States as a precedent. In May 2019, Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, followed by Oregon in November 2020, which became the first state to decriminalize and legalize psilocybin for supervised non-medical use. In 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, and in the same year, the Canadian province of Alberta announced it would regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes. In 2023, Australia approved psilocybin for prescription medications for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
Despite these changes, the possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms remain illegal in most places, and the legal status varies worldwide. While some jurisdictions have specifically amended laws to criminalize the possession of psilocybin mushroom spores, others have legalized or are in the process of legalizing their use for medicinal or therapeutic purposes.
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Effects on the body
Psychedelic mushrooms, often referred to as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, these compounds can induce a range of physical and mental effects, altering perception, mood, and thought processes.
Psychedelic mushrooms can produce a range of physical effects on the body, which can vary depending on the individual, the dosage, and the specific type of mushroom. One of the most common physical effects is muscle relaxation, which can lead to a feeling of weakness or paralysis. This is often accompanied by a sense of bodily heaviness or lightness, with some users reporting a floating sensation. It is also common to experience a tingling or vibrating sensation throughout the body, particularly in the extremities.
Visual and sensory perceptions are often heightened, with users reporting intensified colors and distorted shapes and patterns. This can sometimes lead to hallucinations, both with the eyes open and closed. The sense of touch may also be amplified, and some users report feeling a sense of unity with their surroundings or a dissolution of the boundaries of their body.
In addition to these sensory effects, psychedelic mushrooms can also induce a range of autonomic reactions. These can include changes in body temperature, with users feeling alternately warm and cold, and fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure. It is also common to experience nausea and gastrointestinal distress, particularly during the come-up period, which can lead to vomiting. However, this usually passes relatively quickly, and the remaining physical effects are often pleasant and soothing.
The physical effects of psychedelic mushrooms can also extend to the perception of time, which can become distorted, with time feeling slowed down or sped up. This can be accompanied by a sense of timelessness or a loss of one's sense of self, as the usual boundaries and structures that define the individual can dissolve. Some users also report synesthesia, a blending of the senses, where they may "see" sounds or "taste" colors.
It is important to note that the effects of psychedelic mushrooms are highly variable and depend on a number of factors, including set and setting (the mental state and the environment in which the mushrooms are consumed). While the physical effects can be intense, they are generally not dangerous, and there have been no reported deaths from consuming psychedelic mushrooms alone. However, it is always important to approach these substances with caution and to be mindful of potential risks, particularly if combining them with other drugs or medications.
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Effects on the mind
Psychedelic mushrooms, often referred to as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are fungi that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, these compounds can induce a range of effects on the mind and body, including hallucinations and altered perception.
Psychedelic mushrooms can induce a variety of effects on the mind, and the experience can vary greatly depending on the individual, the dosage, and the setting in which the mushrooms are consumed. One of the most common effects is an altered state of consciousness, often described as a "trip". This can include hallucinations, both visual and auditory, as well as a distorted sense of time and space. Objects may seem to breathe, move, or warp, and users often report synesthesia, a mixing of the senses, where they may "see" sounds or "taste" colors. The visual effects can be very vivid and are often described as dream-like or cartoonish.
The mushrooms can also induce a deep sense of introspection and self-reflection. Users may experience a heightened sense of self-awareness and an altered sense of identity, often described as a dissolution of the ego. This can lead to profound insights and a renewed sense of perspective, and many users report a heightened sense of connectivity to the world around them and to others. Emotional experiences are also common, with feelings of euphoria, joy, and love, but "bad trips" can also occur, leading to feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and fear. It is thought that the mushrooms bring emotions to the surface and amplify them, and so the emotional state before consuming the mushrooms can play a large part in the experience.
Higher doses can lead to more intense and profound effects, including a complete loss of sense of self and a feeling of "ego death". This is often described as a deeply profound and meaningful experience, where the user feels a sense of oneness with the universe and a loss of the boundaries of the self. This can be a therapeutic experience, leading to a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of oneself and one's place in the world. However, it can also be a frightening experience, and the support of a guide or sitter is often recommended, especially for first-time users or those taking higher doses.
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms are often described as being very different from other hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD or DMT. The experience is often referred as more "organic" and "natural" feeling, with a softer, more gentle, and slower progression of effects. The after-effects of the mushrooms are also notable, with many users reporting a sense of clarity and peace, as well as an after-glow of positive emotions, often lasting several days after the trip. Some also report increased creativity and problem-solving abilities in the days following a trip.
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Treatment and prognosis
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, 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 psilocybin mushrooms come from the interplay of psilocybin and psilocin. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver, resulting in psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects.
The treatment and prognosis of psychedelic mushroom use depend on various factors, including individual responses, dosage, and the environment in which the mushrooms are consumed. While psychedelic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, they can induce adverse reactions that may require medical attention. Here is a detailed breakdown:
- Set and Setting: The experience of consuming psychedelic mushrooms is strongly influenced by the "set and setting." The "set" refers to an individual's state of mind, prior encounters with psychedelics, and expectations. The "setting" pertains to the environment, including factors such as familiarity, company, location, and sensory stimuli. A calm, quiet, and relaxed environment with trusted companions can contribute to a positive experience, while a noisy and crowded place may lead to a negative trip.
- Psychological Consequences: Psychedelic mushrooms can induce hallucinations, an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, and psychosis, especially with higher doses. Some individuals may experience flashbacks or disturbing alterations in perception, involving emotional changes and visual distortions. These flashbacks can occur weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken and can be triggered by stress, tiredness, or certain drugs.
- Physical Effects: Physical symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
- Treatment Potential: Psilocybin-assisted therapy, coupled with supportive psychotherapy, has shown promise in treating mental health disorders and addictions. Research suggests that psilocybin treatment may be effective in relieving symptoms of major depressive disorder in adults for up to a year, with stable rates of response and remission during the follow-up period.
- Precautions: Mixing psychedelic mushrooms with certain drugs, including ice, speed, ecstasy, and some psychiatric medications, can increase the chances of a negative experience and lead to potential harm. Additionally, consuming the wrong types of mushrooms poses a risk of accidental poisoning.
- Regulation and Research: The use, possession, and sale of psychedelic mushrooms are regulated by laws in various jurisdictions. While research on the potential risks and benefits of psilocybin is ongoing, it is important to approach its use with caution, as adverse reactions can occur.
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Therapeutic uses
Psilocybin, or 'magic mushrooms', belongs to a group of drugs called psychedelics. Magic mushrooms have been used by some Indigenous communities around the world for over 1000 years. They may 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.
In the 1950s and 1960s, scientists became interested in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. They began to study psychedelics to treat conditions including treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, anorexia nervosa, and addiction.
Psychedelic therapy should always take place under professional supervision to reduce risk. In a clinical setting, a pre-determined and controlled dose of psilocybin is given to the patient under the supervision of a medical professional. Because the patient is in a therapeutic space and the dose is known, it is unlikely there will be a bad reaction.
Psilocybin has been shown to increase neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to create new connections. This may be connected to the improved openness found in people who take psilocybin. This openness encompasses sensitivity, imagination, and an appreciation for the values and viewpoints of others.
Psilocybin has also shown positive results in smoking cessation studies. In October 2021, the National Institute of Health awarded Johns Hopkins a grant to explore the potential value of psilocybin as a smoking cessation tool — the first federal grant given in 50 years for the study of a psychedelic treatment in the US.
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Frequently asked questions
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, hilarity, lack of concentration, muscular relaxation, and dilated pupils. Physical effects may also occur, including nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically appear within 15-45 minutes of ingestion and can last up to 6 hours.
Psilocybin mushrooms have not been known to cause physical or psychological dependence. However, they can lead to negative experiences or "bad trips", especially in a disturbing environment or if the user is in a negative state of mind. In some cases, fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis have occurred as a result of over-consumption of psilocybin mushrooms.
The active ingredients in magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, are controlled substances under international law and in many countries, including Australia, Canada, and the United States. The production, sale, and possession of magic mushrooms may be illegal in these jurisdictions. However, there is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin.
