Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin. They are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects, which can include euphoria, sensory distortion, and visual or auditory hallucinations. The effects of magic mushrooms typically occur within 30 minutes to an hour of ingestion and can last between 3 to 6 hours. While some people use magic mushrooms recreationally, they also have potential health benefits, such as lowering the risk of cancer and improving cognitive function. However, it is important to note that magic mushrooms can be mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, and consuming them carries risks, including accidental poisoning and negative psychological effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin |
| Effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, flashbacks, delayed headaches |
| Duration of effects | 3 to 6 hours |
| Time to onset of effects | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Forms | Fresh, dried, brewed tea, mixed with food, capsules |
| Legality | Illegal in the US, but decriminalized in some cities |
| Risks | Poisoning, accidental ingestion by children, relapse or worsening of psychiatric conditions, bad trips |
| Health benefits | Lower risk of cancer, lower cholesterol, improved cognitive function, source of vitamin D |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinations and sensory distortion
The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin after 30 to 45 minutes and can last up to six hours. The duration and intensity of a trip vary depending on the mushroom's strength, the dosage, the user's mood, personality, and expectations. While some trips may be enjoyable, others can lead to terrifying thoughts, paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death.
During a trip, individuals may become fixated on certain things, experience emotional shifts, or exhibit paranoid behaviour. Visual and auditory distortions are also common, with users reporting altered sound and vision. These sensory distortions can contribute to a sense of losing oneself or a dissolution of the ego.
While bad trips can be frightening, some users argue that they can provide deep existential and life-altering insights. Through narrative sense-making, individuals can transform challenging experiences into valuable lessons that facilitate continued exploration with psychedelics. However, it is crucial to approach these substances with caution, as consuming too large a dose can lead to long-term mental health issues such as psychosis.
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Euphoria and anxiety
The effects of magic mushrooms are highly variable and depend on factors such as dosage, the user's mood, personality, and expectations, and size, as well as the strength of the mushrooms and whether other drugs were consumed. Generally, the effects of mushrooms begin after 30 to 45 minutes and can last up to 6 hours. The early effects often include nausea, vomiting, and excessive yawning, followed by the onset of the "trip".
The trip itself can vary greatly in intensity and nature. Lower doses or milder mushrooms may induce a relaxed or drowsy state, while higher doses or stronger varieties can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and distorted senses of time, place, and reality. Some users experience euphoria, with feelings of laughter, fixation on certain objects or ideas, and emotionality. However, others may encounter anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death or losing control. The sense of self may become blurred, leading to a feeling of "ego dissolution" or "going crazy".
The variability of mushroom trips means that a single user may experience a range of effects during different trips, and even within the same trip. For example, a user may experience an initial sense of euphoria and insight, followed by a "bad trip" characterised by anxiety and paranoia. The concept of a "bad trip" is complex and often involves frightening or challenging experiences. However, many users argue that these difficult periods can lead to valuable insights and life-altering perspectives, facilitating continued mushroom use despite the risks.
While magic mushrooms are often associated with recreational use and the pursuit of euphoric or insightful experiences, they also show potential in therapeutic applications. Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, has been studied for its ability to increase brain connectivity in people with depression, even weeks after use. Researchers suggest that psilocybin may be particularly effective in treating depression due to its ability to make the brain more flexible and less entrenched in negative thinking patterns. However, it is essential to approach self-medication with caution, as taking magic mushrooms without proper safeguards may lead to adverse outcomes.
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Poisoning and accidental ingestion
Poisoning from ingesting wild mushrooms is a serious issue, and it can be difficult to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms contain a variety of toxins, with symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal upset to organ failure and death. The majority of mushroom poisonings are not fatal, but the toxins found in death caps and related mushrooms cause 90% of mushroom poisoning deaths worldwide. Death caps are extremely poisonous, even in small doses, and toxins from these mushrooms can cause liver and kidney failure. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect mushroom poisoning and to have a sample of the mushroom for identification.
Mushroom poisoning is often the result of misidentifying toxic mushrooms as edible ones, as some poisonous mushrooms have a close resemblance to edible species. For example, the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is often confused with the Asian paddy-straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea). The golden top (Psilocybe subaeruginosa) looks similar to some varieties of Galerina, which are potentially deadly. Clitocybe dealbata, which is sometimes mistaken for an oyster mushroom, contains muscarine. Gyromitra spp., or "false morels", are deadly poisonous if eaten raw, containing a toxin called gyromitrin that can cause neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and destruction of blood cells. Verpa bohemica, also known as "thimble morels" or "early morels", has also been known to cause toxic effects in some individuals.
Mushroom poisoning can also occur from ingesting wild mushrooms that are known to be toxic, such as Chlorophyllum molybdites, which often grows on lawns and causes severe gastrointestinal upset. In 1981, there was one fatality and two hospitalizations from consuming Galerina marginata, which was mistaken for a Psilocybe species. Another case reported kidney failure after ingesting Cortinarius orellanus, a mushroom containing orellanine.
The symptoms of mushroom poisoning depend on the specific toxin ingested and can vary in terms of severity and how long they take to appear. Amatoxin, found in death caps, is thermostable, so mushrooms containing this toxin will not be safe to eat even if cooked. Symptoms of death cap mushroom poisoning usually occur 6 to 24 hours after ingestion, with a latent phase where patients may feel better, followed by organ damage in the final hepatorenal phase. Other toxins include psilocybin, muscarine, coprine, allenic norleucine, and gyromitrin. Symptoms of gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea, usually appear within 20 minutes to 4 hours of ingestion and may require hospitalization. Other symptoms of mushroom poisoning can include headaches, vertigo, palpitations, and cramping.
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Flashbacks and distorted perception
The effects of "magic" mushrooms typically begin after 30 to 45 minutes and can last up to six hours. The early effects include nausea, excessive yawning, and distorted sound and vision. After these initial effects, the "trip" begins. A trip might be mild, leaving a person feeling drowsy or relaxed. However, higher doses or stronger mushrooms can bring on hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. The person may experience a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. A large enough dose can lead to a long-term mental health condition known as psychosis.
The intensity of a mushroom trip varies from person to person and depends on factors such as mood, personality, expectations, and dosage. Some trips may be enjoyable, while others may lead to terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death. This negative experience is often referred to as a "bad trip". During a bad trip, a person may feel like they are losing themselves or going crazy, also known as ego dissolution.
Despite the frightening nature of bad trips, many users argue that these experiences are beneficial and can lead to deep existential and life-altering insights. Bad trip narratives may serve as a potent coping mechanism, enabling users to make sense of their frightening experiences and integrate them into their life stories. Through storytelling, users can transform challenging trips into valuable experiences and facilitate their continued use of psychedelics.
In addition to the potential risks and negative experiences, magic mushrooms have also been explored for their therapeutic effects. Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, has been studied for its ability to increase brain connectivity in people with depression. Research suggests that psilocybin may work differently from conventional antidepressants by increasing brain flexibility and reducing negative thinking patterns. As a result, psilocybin-assisted therapy has been proposed as a potential alternative treatment for depression and other mental illnesses, such as anorexia or addiction.
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Medical uses and health benefits
Mushrooms are a nutritious food packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are a good source of vitamin D, vitamin B6, selenium, zinc, potassium, and fiber. They are also low in calories, fat, and sodium. The use of mushrooms for their health benefits dates back thousands of years, especially in Asian regions.
One of the most well-known benefits of mushrooms is their potential to reduce the risk of cancer. Studies have shown that eating just 18 grams of mushrooms, or about two medium mushrooms, per day may lower the risk of cancer by up to 45%. Mushrooms are a rich source of the amino acid and antioxidant ergothioneine, which helps prevent and slow cellular damage. They also contain other antioxidants that protect the body from stress and enhance the immune system's ability to protect against infection and disease, including the growth of tumor cells.
Mushrooms are also known to promote cognitive function and may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. A study in Singapore found that participants who ate more than two cups of mushrooms per week had a 50% lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. Exotic mushroom varieties such as Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, and Turkey Tail may have extra brain-boosting benefits due to their higher bioactive nutrient content.
Mushrooms are also beneficial for heart health. They are rich in potassium, which helps to control blood pressure and reduce the negative impact of sodium on the body. They also contain heart-healthy compounds that help prevent plaque buildup on arterial walls. Additionally, mushrooms can be used as a substitute for red meat, helping to minimize cholesterol, fat, and calorie intake.
Some types of mushrooms have specific benefits. For example, Reishi mushrooms, also known as Ganoderma lingzhi, have been used for thousands of years in China to promote calmness and enhance meditative practices. They are also believed to promote longevity and healthy aging. Turkey Tail mushrooms, or Trametes versicolor, are commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to support digestion, lung health, body fluid regulation, and vitality. They boost the immune system by stimulating cytokine production, increasing natural killer cells, and through other immune-boosting functions.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain hallucinogenic substances. They are often referred to as 'shrooms'.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin 30 to 45 minutes after consumption and can last up to 6 hours. Early effects include nausea, yawning, and drowsiness. Higher doses can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
A bad trip refers to a frightening or unpleasant experience while under the influence of magic mushrooms. It may involve feelings of losing oneself or going crazy, also known as ego dissolution. However, some users argue that bad trips can lead to valuable insights and life-altering experiences.
If you feel unhappy or are in an unsafe environment, you may be more likely to have a bad trip. It is recommended to inform your friends and move to a quiet and safe space if you feel like you are having a bad trip.
The biggest danger is accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, as many poisonous varieties look similar to magic mushrooms. Consuming large doses of magic mushrooms can also lead to unpredictable behaviour and long-term mental health issues such as psychosis.
