Michael Davis
Hallucinating mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. This substance turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely and can be unpredictable, ranging from mild to intense, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. The effects usually begin within 30 minutes to an hour when ingested and can last between four and six hours, although they can seem much longer due to psilocybin's ability to alter time perception. While some people may experience positive effects such as relaxation and euphoria, others may have terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, or a bad trip. It's important to note that the use of hallucinating mushrooms comes with risks, including the possibility of poisoning from picking the wrong type of mushroom, and adverse side effects that may require medical treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, philosopher's stones, liberties, amani, agaric |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, yawning, drowsiness, nervousness, paranoia, panic, psychosis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, dilated pupils, euphoria, facial flushing, increased heart rate, sweating, irregular heartbeat, headache, higher body temperature, chills, change in consciousness, change in perception, altered sense of time and space, intense changes in mood and feelings, inability to discern fantasy from reality |
| Onset of effects | Within 30 minutes of ingestion |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Dosage | 0.1-0.3g of dry mushrooms, taken up to three times per week |
| Risk of addiction | Low |
| Legality | Illegal in most places; decriminalised in some U.S. cities, including Denver, Oakland, Santa Cruz, and Ann Arbor; legal for therapeutic use in Oregon |
| Poisoning risk | High; hallucinogenic mushrooms closely resemble poisonous mushrooms, which can cause severe illness or death |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinations and altered states of consciousness
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted by the body into psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely and are influenced by a number of factors, including dosage, age, weight, personality, emotional state, environment, and history of mental illness. Magic mushrooms can induce hallucinations, both visual and auditory, causing people to see, hear, and feel sensations that seem real but are not. These hallucinations can be frightening and disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. They can also distort how people perceive objects and people in their environment. Other psychological consequences of psilocybin use include an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, and psychosis, particularly if a large dose is ingested.
The experience of taking magic mushrooms, often referred to as a "trip," is strongly dependent upon set and setting. Set refers to a person's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations of what will happen. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before using magic mushrooms may result in a bad trip. Setting refers to the environment in which the drug is taken, including whether it is a familiar place, who the person is with, if they are indoors or outdoors, and the type of music and lighting. A negative environment can contribute to a bad trip, while a comfortable and familiar environment can lead to a pleasant experience. Psychedelics make experiences more intense, so if a person enters a trip in an anxious state of mind, their anxiety may be heightened.
In addition to hallucinations, magic mushrooms can cause a range of other side effects, including nausea, yawning, feeling drowsy, nervousness, paranoia, panic, and psychosis. They can also affect a person's sense of time, emotions, mood, cognition, and perception. While psilocybe mushrooms are often sought out for a peaceful high, they have been reported to induce anxiety in some individuals.
It is important to note that magic mushrooms carry risks and can cause accidents while under the influence. They may also contain poisonous substances that can make people violently ill or even kill them. Additionally, hallucinogenic mushrooms can give people stomach cramps, diarrhea, and make them throw up. The only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not taking magic mushrooms.
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History and legality
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the drug psilocybin. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, mood, cognition and perception.
History
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used by various cultures throughout history, potentially as far back as 8,000 years ago. Rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE from Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and their effects on users. 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. A Psilocybe species known to the Aztecs as teōnanācatl (literally "divine mushroom") was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. After the Spanish conquest, the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms, along with other pre-Christian traditions, was quickly suppressed. Despite this, the use of teonanácatl has persisted in some remote areas.
In modern times, psilocybin use may be recreational, often at dance clubs, or by people seeking a transcendent spiritual experience. In the 1960s, psilocybin mushrooms became popular in the United States when American researchers first studied their healing properties and medical applications. Timothy Leary, a Psychology Professor at Harvard, became interested in magic mushrooms and began testing their effects by consuming them himself and with others in his labs. During the Concord Prison Experiment, Leary gave inmates psilocybin to determine if hallucinogenic drugs could prevent them from becoming repeat offenders once released. The results from the study found that magic mushrooms decreased the likelihood of a prisoner returning to jail, but questionable research tactics discredited Leary’s work.
Legality
The legal status of unauthorised actions with psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin are 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 recognised 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.
Many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms, such as the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances, and often carry severe legal penalties. However, there has been ambiguity about the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in many national, state, and provincial drug laws, with selective enforcement in some places. Most US state courts have considered the mushroom a "container" of the illicit drugs, and therefore illegal.
A loophole further complicates the legal situation—the spores of psilocybin mushrooms do not contain the drugs and are legal to possess in many areas. However, some jurisdictions have specifically enacted or amended laws to criminalise the possession of psilocybin mushroom spores, including Germany, California, Georgia, and Idaho in the United States.
Amidst continuous emerging research on the benefits of psilocybin for therapeutic use, psychedelics are seeing increased legalisation and decriminalisation globally. As of 2024, some psychedelics have been given a legal or decriminalised foothold in 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.
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Types of hallucinating mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They 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 combination of psilocybin and psilocin. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation, resulting in psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects.
The most potent species of psilocybin mushrooms are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybe cubensis is the most common Psilocybe in tropical areas. P. semilanceata is considered the world's most widely distributed Psilocybe mushroom, found in temperate parts of Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand, although it is absent from Mexico. In 2024, two new Psilocybe species (Hymenogastraceae), P. ingeli and P. maluti, were described in southern Africa.
Some bolete mushrooms, which are not closely related to any known psilocybin-containing mushroom species, have been reported to be hallucinogenic. These mushrooms were found in Yunnan province in China, and while the exact species and specific active compounds are not known, unidentified indolic compounds were detected by Albert Hofmann in some boletes such as Boletus manicus.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are similar to those of LSD. They include an altered perception of time and space, and intense changes in mood and feelings. 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. Hallucinogens also work in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses. The experience, or 'trip', is strongly dependent on set and setting. Hilarity, lack of concentration, muscular relaxation, and dilated pupils are all normal effects, sometimes in the same trip. A negative environment can contribute to a bad trip, while a comfortable and familiar environment can lead to a pleasant experience.
Microdosing has become a popular technique for many users, involving taking less than 1.0 g of dried mushrooms for an experience that is not as intense but still enjoyable. A microdose of psilocybin mushrooms is about 10% of a recreational dose, ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 g of dried mushrooms, taken up to three times per week.
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How to ingest hallucinating mushrooms
When ingesting hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, it's important to understand the effects and potential risks involved. Here is a guide on how to safely ingest hallucinogenic mushrooms:
Identifying and Preparing the Mushrooms:
Start by properly identifying the mushrooms. Look for key characteristics such as gill attachment, spore color, stalk texture, and the presence of a partial veil. Compare your findings with trusted field guides or online resources specific to mushroom identification. Incorrect identification can lead to serious health risks.
Once you've confidently identified the mushrooms as psilocybin-containing species, clean them by gently brushing off any dirt or debris with a soft-bristled brush or a damp paper towel. Do not wash them, as they tend to absorb water and lose potency.
Drying the mushrooms is recommended to concentrate the psilocybin and prevent potential stomach discomfort. Use a dehydrator, or place the mushrooms on a drying rack or parchment paper in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Once dried, store them in airtight containers, preferably out of direct light and in a cool, dry place.
Methods of Ingestion:
The most common method is simply chewing and swallowing the dried mushrooms. For a more pleasant experience, you can grind the dried mushrooms into a powder and mix them with a sweet food item like chocolate, honey, or peanut butter. This helps mask the earthy taste of the mushrooms.
Another popular method is to make a tea infusion. Boil some water, then let it cool down slightly before pouring it over the dried mushrooms. Allow the mixture to steep for 10-15 minutes. You may strain the mushrooms or leave them in the tea, depending on your preference. Adding lemon juice to the tea can help intensify the effects due to the citric acid converting psilocybin to psilocin.
You can also make a mushroom extract, which involves simmering the mushrooms in a small amount of water for an extended period, usually around 4-6 hours. This creates a concentrated liquid that can be consumed directly or added to other beverages.
Dosage and Set & Setting:
Start with a low dose, especially if it's your first time. You can always take more, but you cannot undo a high dose. Typically, a "threshold dose" is around 0.25-1 gram of dried mushrooms, a "light dose" is 1-2.5 grams, a "moderate dose" is 2.5-5 grams, and a "strong dose" is above 5 grams.
Always pay attention to your set (mental state) and setting (physical environment). Ensure you are in a comfortable, safe place with people you trust. Have a "trip sitter," a sober companion who can provide support and assistance if needed.
Remember, the effects can last for several hours, so plan your day accordingly and avoid operating heavy machinery or driving during the experience.
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Risks and side effects
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, philosopher's stones, liberties, amani, and agaric, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion.
Risks of Poisoning and Misidentification
Magic mushrooms closely resemble poisonous mushrooms, which can cause severe illness, organ damage, and even death. As a result, misidentifying and consuming the wrong type of mushroom poses a significant risk of poisoning. Mushroom poisoning may lead to muscle spasms, confusion, delirium, gastrointestinal issues, and in severe cases, organ damage and death.
Contamination and Adulteration
Magic mushroom products are commonly contaminated or adulterated with other substances. An analysis of 886 samples alleged to be psilocybin mushrooms found that only 28% were genuinely hallucinogenic. About 31% were regular mushrooms laced with LSD or phencyclidine (PCP), and 37% contained no drugs at all. Consuming contaminated or adulterated mushrooms may increase the risk of adverse effects and poisoning.
Hallucinogen-Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, some people who consume magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks or visual distortions involving changes in emotions or perception. These flashbacks can occur anywhere from weeks to years after using the hallucinogen and are indicative of a rare condition called hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD).
Unpredictable Behavior and Injuries
Hallucinogenic drugs, including magic mushrooms, can cause unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior, leading to injuries. The altered state of perception and impaired judgment associated with mushroom consumption may result in risky actions, such as jumping out of a window.
Negative Experiences and "Bad Trips"
The effects of magic mushrooms are highly variable and dependent on individual factors such as mood, expectations, and environment. Negative experiences or "bad trips" can occur, especially if consumed in an unfamiliar or uncomfortable setting, or if the user has feelings of stress, anxiety, or fear before or during the experience.
Physical Side Effects
Common physical side effects of magic mushroom consumption include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, increased heart rate, hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), dilated pupils, yawning, drowsiness, nervousness, paranoia, and headache.
Psychological Side Effects
In addition to hallucinations, magic mushrooms can induce psychological side effects such as panic, psychosis, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. These effects may be particularly pronounced with higher doses or in individuals with a history of mental health issues.
It is important to note that the risks and side effects of consuming magic mushrooms can vary widely, and ongoing research is needed to fully understand their potential dangers and benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, 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.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely. They can cause hallucinations, an altered perception of time and space, and intense changes in mood and feeling. They can also cause unwanted side effects such as nausea, yawning, feeling drowsy, nervousness, paranoia, panic, and psychosis.
All hallucinogens carry the risk of triggering mental and emotional problems and causing accidents while under the influence. Magic mushrooms can also cause a bad trip, which can be influenced by a person's mood and environment. There is also a risk of accidental poisoning from eating a poisonous mushroom by mistake.
Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it has a high potential for misuse and has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Shrooms are illegal in most places, but some cities in the US have decriminalized mushrooms, including Denver, Oakland, Santa Cruz, and Ann Arbor. In 2020, Oregon became the first state to establish a legal framework for receiving psilocybin therapeutically.
