John Miller
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. Magic mushrooms are eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea and can induce hallucinations, alter perception, and affect emotions. While magic mushrooms are known to have therapeutic benefits for some psychiatric conditions, there is also a potential risk of suicidality associated with their use, particularly for individuals with mental or psychiatric disorders. Several studies have reported cases of self-harm and suicide under the influence of magic mushrooms, suggesting a possible link between psychedelic use and increased suicidality. However, other studies have found that classic psychedelic use may have a protective effect and lead to reductions in suicidal ideation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin, which is converted to psilocin in the body |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered thinking, altered sense of time, altered emotions, perceptual changes, nausea, vomiting, agitation, confusion |
| Use | Recreational, spiritual, religious, therapeutic |
| History | Used by indigenous people in Central America for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 B.C. |
| Risks | Bad trips, poisoning, misidentification, flashbacks, psychosis, suicidality, self-harm, psychotic symptoms |
| Treatment | Poison control centers, emergency departments |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are hallucinogenic and can cause bad trips
- They can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea
- They are not physically addictive, but can cause flashbacks and bad trips
- They have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and healing purposes
- Research is being conducted into psilocybin-assisted therapy as a treatment for psychiatric conditions
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, are hallucinogenic and can cause bad trips
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours. The effects can include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as altered thinking, sense of time, and emotions. While the use of magic mushrooms rarely results in life-threatening symptoms, consuming a large amount or a strong batch of mushrooms can lead to negative experiences, commonly known as a "bad trip".
A bad trip can involve frightening experiences, such as the feeling of losing oneself or going crazy, also known as ego dissolution. Bad trips can be influenced by a person's mood or state of mind, as well as the environment they are in. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before using magic mushrooms may result in a bad trip. Additionally, consuming magic mushrooms alone can be risky, as it may mean facing a bad trip without support.
While some people may find the negative effects of magic mushrooms beneficial, leading to deep existential and life-altering insights, it is important to note that hallucinogenic drugs can cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behaviour, which may lead to injuries. The only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not taking magic mushrooms. However, if one chooses to consume magic mushrooms, it is recommended to do so in a safe and peaceful environment, with a trusted friend who is not under the influence of any substances.
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They can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the prodrug psilocybin. This substance is converted into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties. Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They can also be consumed dried or powdered, or turned into extracts or food products such as mushroom edibles.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5 to 10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last for approximately four to six hours. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been found in a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Magic mushrooms have a long history of use, dating back to indigenous people in Central America who used them for healing and spiritual rituals as early as 3000 B.C. They are also depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe and represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. Today, they are used as recreational drugs and have been of increasing interest to researchers exploring their potential therapeutic benefits for various psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and alcohol use disorder.
It is important to note that the use of magic mushrooms can carry risks. They can affect everyone differently, and side effects such as agitation, confusion, vomiting, or nausea may occur and require medical attention. Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming a toxic variety. People with mental or psychiatric disorders should exercise caution, as ingestion of magic mushrooms may lead to negative experiences, including horror trips, self-destructive thoughts, and automutilation.
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They are not physically addictive, but can cause flashbacks and bad trips
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties. Magic mushrooms are typically consumed dried, powdered, fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They have been used for thousands of years for religious, spiritual, and cultural purposes, and more recently, there has been a surge of interest in their potential therapeutic benefits.
While magic mushrooms are not physically addictive, regular users may experience flashbacks involving previous mushroom trips. These flashbacks can include visual distortions, emotional changes, or altered perceptions and can be triggered by stress, tiredness, or drug use, even weeks, months, or years after last taking mushrooms. In addition to flashbacks, magic mushrooms can also cause bad trips, which are characterized by extreme fear, anxiety, panic, paranoia, or hallucinations. These negative experiences may be more likely to occur when magic mushrooms are consumed by individuals with mental or psychiatric disorders, potentially leading to horror trips, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm.
The risk of experiencing a bad trip or flashbacks can depend on an individual's mood or environment. Feelings of stress or anxiety before using magic mushrooms may increase the likelihood of a bad trip. Additionally, the dosage and potency of psilocybin and psilocin in the mushrooms can vary significantly, affecting the intensity of the experience. While life-threatening symptoms are rare, consuming a large amount or a strong batch of mushrooms can lead to severe side effects such as agitation, confusion, vomiting, or nausea, requiring medical attention.
Although magic mushrooms are not physically addictive, they can have psychological impacts, and some individuals may experience mild withdrawal effects such as feeling tired. It is important to be cautious when consuming any type of drug, including magic mushrooms, as they can affect everyone differently. Poisonings from misidentifying mushrooms or consuming toxic commercial products containing psilocybin have been reported, underscoring the importance of accurate identification and responsible use.
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They have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and healing purposes
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and healing purposes. They are typically consumed dried, powdered, fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The mushrooms have hallucinogenic effects and can induce changes in perception, such as visual and auditory hallucinations. They can also cause altered thinking, emotions, and sense of time.
The history of using magic mushrooms for spiritual and healing purposes dates back to ancient times. There is evidence that indigenous people in Central America used them for healing and spiritual rituals as early as 3000 B.C. In Africa and Europe, Stone Age rock art may depict the use of magic mushrooms, and they are represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. Psilocybe cubensis, one of the most common species, has been found in tropical areas worldwide.
Magic mushrooms contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin is part of a group of drugs called psychedelics or hallucinogens, which can alter a person's sense of reality. The use of magic mushrooms has been associated with religious and spiritual ceremonies, as well as therapeutic options for neuropsychiatric conditions. They have been of interest for their potential to treat mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While magic mushrooms have been used for their perceived benefits, they can also pose risks, especially for individuals with mental or psychiatric disorders. Ingesting magic mushrooms may lead to negative experiences, such as "horror trips," combined with self-destructive thoughts and intentions, and automutilation. However, the risk of mental health problems in supervised clinical settings is considered low. Additionally, there is a possibility of misidentifying mushrooms, as they resemble poisonous mushrooms that can cause severe illness or even death.
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Research is being conducted into psilocybin-assisted therapy as a treatment for psychiatric conditions
"Suicide mushrooms" is a term used to refer to psilocybin or magic mushrooms. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms. When ingested, psilocybin is converted in the body to psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties. These mushrooms have been consumed by various cultures worldwide for thousands of years.
Psilocybin has hallucinogenic effects, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and senses. The effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last for approximately four to six hours. While the use of magic mushrooms rarely results in life-threatening symptoms, some people may experience a ""bad trip", which can lead to feelings of self-destruction and suicidal thoughts.
Despite the potential risks, research is being conducted into psilocybin-assisted therapy as a treatment for psychiatric conditions. The molecular structure of psilocybin allows it to penetrate the central nervous system, and experts are beginning to understand its effects on the brain and its potential as a therapeutic aid for mental illnesses. The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research is a leading institution in this field, exploring innovative treatments using psilocybin.
Initial studies have shown promising results for psilocybin-assisted therapy in the treatment of various psychiatric conditions, including depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and alcohol use disorder. For example, an online survey of over 300 people with Alcohol Use Disorder reported a reduction in alcohol consumption after taking psilocybin. Additionally, psilocybin-assisted therapy has been found to relieve major depressive disorder symptoms in adults for up to a year with the help of supportive psychotherapy.
However, it is important to note that many studies have been limited by small sample sizes and have not comprehensively evaluated treatment risks outside of controlled settings. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness and safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy, including its potential impact on suicidality and other serious adverse events.
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Frequently asked questions
Suicide mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion.
Suicide mushrooms can induce hallucinations, causing people to see or hear things that are not real or are distorted. They can also cause extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia, which is known as a ""bad trip".
People with mental or psychiatric disorders should not take suicide mushrooms as they may experience horror trips combined with the intention of self-destruction and suicidal thoughts.
If you believe you have eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Contact your local poisons information centre immediately. If the person has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a fit, or is suffering an anaphylactic reaction, call an ambulance.
