Laura Smith
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that comes in many shapes, sizes, and colours. Some mushrooms are edible and used in cooking, while others are poisonous and can cause serious harm or even death if consumed. Then there are mushrooms with hallucinogenic properties, commonly known as magic mushrooms. These mushrooms contain the psychoactive substances psilocybin and psilocin, which can induce hallucinations, alter a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions, and cause perceptual distortions. Due to these effects, psilocybin mushrooms are classified as Schedule I drugs, but researchers are exploring the potential for reclassification to facilitate their use in clinical settings under tight control.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Category | Psychedelic and dissociative drugs |
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, hallucinogenic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin, which is converted to psilocin in the body |
| Effects | Hallucinations, perceptual distortions, altered thoughts or mood, lucid awareness, minimal effects on memory, raised blood pressure and heart rate, agitation, confusion, vomiting, nausea |
| Legality | Schedule I drug, though some states have decriminalized possession |
| Safety | Relatively less harmful than other drugs, not prone to compulsive abuse, but can cause 'bad trips' and mild psychological withdrawal effects |
| Treatment | Researchers suggest re-categorization to Schedule IV if clinical trials are successful, with tighter control |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, or 'shrooms', are psychedelic drugs
Mushrooms are a type of fungus. Psilocybin mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Hallucinogenic mushrooms, or shrooms, are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They can cause hallucinations, which are sensations and images that seem real but are not. People may hear, feel, or see things that are not there or are distorted.
Psilocybin mushrooms are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are used as recreational drugs and may have been used in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe. They have also been represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been isolated from a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, and Pluteus.
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 they can last approximately four to six hours. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and psychosis may also occur, particularly if a user ingests a large dose. People can have “good trips,” where the experience is positive, or “bad trips,” where the experience is negative.
Australian federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, or selling magic mushrooms, or driving under their influence. However, researchers at Johns Hopkins suggest that if psilocybin clears phase III clinical trials, it should be reclassified from a Schedule I drug—one with no known medical potential—to a Schedule IV drug, such as prescription sleep aids, but with tighter control.
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They can cause hallucinations and distort perception
Mushrooms are classified into three main categories: edible, poisonous, and those with psychoactive properties. The last category, which includes "magic mushrooms", contains hallucinogens that can distort perception and cause hallucinations.
Magic mushrooms contain hallucinogenic substances, most commonly psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties. Psilocybin works by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in parts of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which affect mood, cognition, and perception.
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 hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted. They can also cause a distorted sense of time, place, and reality, as well as changes in emotions or perception. Some people who use psilocybin may experience flashbacks involving a previous magic mushroom experience, which can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled.
While magic mushrooms are not prone to compulsive abuse and are considered relatively less harmful than other drugs, they can still cause negative effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. In very rare cases, if someone takes a huge amount of mushrooms, the side effects can be severe enough to cause death. It is also possible to accidentally ingest poisonous mushrooms, which can result in violent illness or death. Therefore, it is important to exercise caution when consuming mushrooms and to seek medical attention if any negative symptoms occur.
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They are not physically addictive, but can cause flashbacks
Mushrooms, specifically psilocybin mushrooms, are classified as Schedule I substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in the United States. Schedule I drugs are considered to have a high risk for abuse, no accepted medical use, and are not approved for use even under medical supervision. However, researchers from Johns Hopkins suggest that psilocybin mushrooms should be reclassified as Schedule IV substances, similar to prescription sleep aids, if they clear phase III clinical trials.
While psilocybin mushrooms are not physically addictive, they can lead to psychological dependence. Studies indicate that mushroom usage does not follow typical addiction patterns, and there is no significant physiological dependence associated with the drug. However, users may continue consuming mushrooms to attain pleasurable feelings, which can lead to problematic and compulsive usage patterns. Additionally, there is a risk of developing psychological dependence, and cross-tolerance with other hallucinogens like LSD is possible with repeated mushroom use.
It is important to note that psilocybin mushrooms can cause flashbacks, also known as hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Flashbacks are episodic recurrences of drug effects after the acute pharmacological effects have subsided. They are characterized as transient, lasting just seconds or minutes, and are often easier to control than an actual drug experience. However, flashbacks can be intense, unpleasant, and frequent, causing distress or impairment in various areas of life. They can occur days, weeks, months, or even years after discontinuing mushroom use, and their cause is not yet fully understood.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) classifies persisting flashback phenomena causing significant distress or impairment as HPPD. HPPD can be further categorized into two types: Type 1 involves transient recurrences of alterations in perception, mood, or consciousness, while Type 2 is characterized by constant or near-constant visual phenomena, often accompanied by depersonalization, derealization, anxiety, or depression. While flashbacks usually subside on their own after discontinuing drug use, individuals experiencing intense and frequent flashbacks should seek professional help and be honest about their drug use history.
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They are often eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea
Mushrooms are versatile and can be eaten raw, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They are often used in various cuisine types and recipes, adding a savoury umami flavour to dishes. While they are technically fungi, nutritionally they resemble vegetables and are rich in potassium, vitamin B6, and selenium. Certain mushrooms exposed to UV light during cultivation can also be a source of vitamin D.
When preparing mushrooms to be eaten fresh, it is important to select those that are dry and firm, avoiding any with spots or a slimy texture. They should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-7 days. Cleaning mushrooms before consumption is essential, and this can be done using a soft brush or a slightly damp paper towel. Raw mushrooms are suitable for slicing and adding to salads, providing a nutritious boost to your meal.
Cooking mushrooms is a popular way to enhance their flavour and texture. A common method is to sauté them in a skillet on the stove with olive oil, butter, thyme, and lemon. It is important not to crowd the mushrooms in the pan, as this can cause them to steam instead of achieving the desired golden brown crust. Seasoning with salt and pepper can be done at the end of the cooking process, as salting mushrooms too early can prevent browning. For a special touch, try using truffle or porcini salt, which deepens the mushroom flavour.
Mushroom tea, also known as psilocybin tea, has gained popularity as a fun way to consume mushrooms. It involves brewing whole mushrooms into a tea, offering an alternative experience to eating them whole or in edible forms like chocolate bars and gummies. The serving size for mushroom tea depends on the desired potency, and steeping the tea for at least 10-15 minutes is crucial to extracting the active compounds. After steeping, the tea can be strained and stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
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They are classified as Schedule I drugs with no medical potential
Psilocybin, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", is a hallucinogenic drug. It is classified as a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Psilocybin is a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which categorizes drugs based on their potential for abuse and medicinal value.
Despite the classification, psilocybin has gained attention for its potential therapeutic benefits. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have suggested that psilocybin be reclassified as a Schedule IV drug, similar to prescription sleep aids, if it clears phase III clinical trials. This recommendation is based on the drug's relative safety compared to other controlled substances. According to Matthew W. Johnson, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, rescheduling psilocybin would facilitate its path to clinical use and minimize future logistical hurdles.
While psilocybin is not considered the most harmful drug, its recreational use can lead to adverse effects such as "bad trips", which are marked by distorted thinking, perceptual changes, and intense feelings of fear, anxiety, and confusion. These negative experiences can occur even when psilocybin is consumed under medical supervision. However, the risks associated with psilocybin are relatively lower than those of other drugs, and it is not prone to compulsive abuse.
Psilocybin is naturally occurring in certain species of mushrooms, primarily belonging to the genuses Psilocybe, Panaeolus, and Copelandia. These mushrooms are commonly referred to as "magic mushrooms" and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea, with the effects typically lasting around four to six hours. While the use of magic mushrooms rarely results in life-threatening symptoms, consuming a large amount or a strong batch can lead to negative consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are fungi that contain hallucinogenic compounds, most commonly psilocybin and psilocin. They are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects, which can include perceptual distortions and alterations of thought or mood.
Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in the US and are categorized as a Schedule I drug, meaning they have no known medical potential. However, there has been recent discussion about re-categorizing them as a Schedule IV drug if they clear phase III clinical trials. Possession of psilocybin has become increasingly decriminalized throughout the US at the state level.
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. Effects can include visual and auditory hallucinations, perceptual changes, and altered thinking, sense of time, and emotions. It's important to note that adverse effects such as "bad trips" can also occur, which may involve distorted thinking, putting oneself in physical danger, and intense feelings of fear, anxiety, and confusion.
