Emma Wilson
Psilocybin mushrooms, more 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. They are hallucinogenic and can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. Psilocybin mushrooms have their own slang and street names, such as emojis, that are used to discreetly reference their use. The falling green leaves emoji, for example, refers to the natural origin of the drug. Slang terms are commonly straightforward but still conceal the true nature of drug-related activities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Dope |
| Appearance | Long, slender stems with caps that are dark on the underside. |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered state of consciousness, perceptual changes, flashbacks, 'bad trips' |
| Duration | Effects begin in 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5-10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea and can last approximately 4-6 hours. |
| Legality | Buying spores of mushroom species containing psilocybin is legal in the US except in Georgia, Idaho, and California. |
| Emojis | Falling green leaves emoji |
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What You'll Learn
Magic Mushrooms: Slang and Street Names
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are commonly known by several slang names, including "magic mushrooms," "mushrooms," or "shrooms". The use of slang or code words for controlled substances can cause confusion, especially in healthcare and law enforcement settings.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and other organizations have identified various slang terms and emojis used to discreetly refer to magic mushrooms. One commonly used emoji is the falling green leaves emoji, which refers to the natural origin of psilocybin mushrooms. These emojis are used as a discreet way to communicate about the drug and its effects without explicit statements.
Other slang terms for magic mushrooms include "dope," which is a nickname for various drugs, and terms that describe the effects of using psilocybin, such as "tripping" (referring to the altered state of consciousness induced by mushrooms). The term "communing with nature" implies a connection to the natural world and positions psilocybin mushrooms as a natural drug rather than a chemical substance.
In addition to these general slang terms, there are also specific street names for magic mushrooms. The National Drug Intelligence Center has reported various street names that may or may not be currently in use. Furthermore, certain species of magic mushrooms have their own nicknames; for example, the most common types of magic mushrooms in Australia are called "golden tops," "blue meanies," and "liberty caps."
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Psilocybin Mushrooms: Effects and Addiction
Psilocybin mushrooms, often called shrooms, magic mushrooms, or simply mushrooms, are a form of fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. This compound is a hallucinogen that can cause changes in perception, thought, and mood. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically include hallucinations, sensory distortion, and euphoria. The effects can vary depending on the amount consumed, the user's intention or mindset, and the physical and social environment in which they are consumed.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten and can last approximately four to six hours. However, when taken as a soup or tea, the effects can occur within 5 to 10 minutes. The mushrooms themselves often have long, slender stems topped by caps that are dark on the underside, resembling ordinary mushrooms. It is important to note that magic mushrooms can be mistaken for poisonous mushrooms, which can cause severe illness or even death.
While psilocybin mushrooms are not considered highly addictive, psychological dependence can develop. According to current research, psilocybin does not typically lead to addiction, and no physical symptoms occur after stopping use. However, regular users may experience "flashbacks," where they feel the effects of the drug long after the last use. These flashbacks can be triggered by various factors and can be disturbing, especially if they recall a frightening experience.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms can also impair judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. Additionally, consuming large amounts or strong batches of mushrooms can lead to negative experiences, commonly known as "bad trips." These bad trips may involve extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia. It is important to be cautious when consuming any type of drug, including psilocybin mushrooms, as the effects can vary widely among individuals.
If you or someone you know is struggling with psilocybin mushroom addiction or abuse, it is crucial to seek professional help as soon as possible. Treatment programs can provide a structured and secure environment for individuals to focus on their recovery and develop the necessary skills for long-term sobriety.
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Hallucinogenic Properties
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in certain types of mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms". 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. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the chemical that causes the psychoactive effects of the drug.
The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes of ingestion and can last between four and six hours. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary depending on the individual and the environment in which the drug is taken. Perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, are common. These hallucinations may involve seeing or hearing things that are not there or are distorted. Some people may also experience flashbacks, which can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled.
The species within the most commonly ingested genus of psilocybin mushrooms, Psilocybe, contain two primary hallucinogenic toxins: psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocybe mushrooms have a long history of use in various cultures and locations across the world, potentially dating back thousands of years. They have been used in religious rituals, divination, and healing practices in different societies.
It is important to note that abusing magic mushrooms can have serious physical and psychological effects. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), psychosis or psychotic-like episodes may occur if an individual ingests a high dose of psilocybin. Additionally, there is a risk of accidental poisoning from consuming poisonous mushrooms that resemble hallucinogenic mushrooms.
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Legality of Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, often referred to as "magic mushrooms", "mushrooms", or "shrooms", are hallucinogenic drugs that can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. The drug is listed as a Schedule I substance under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which means it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical uses. As a result, the possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances in most countries, and violations often carry severe legal penalties.
However, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide, and there has been ambiguity and selective enforcement in some places. While the UN Convention requires its members to prohibit psilocybin, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government. This has led to varying approaches in different countries and even within individual US states.
In the United States, psilocybin and psilocin were first subjected to federal regulation by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965. Most US state courts have considered the mushroom itself a "container" of the illicit drugs, and therefore illegal. However, there is a loophole in the law: psilocybin mushroom spores do not contain the drugs and are legal to possess in many areas, including some states like California, Georgia, and Idaho, which have specifically criminalized spore possession. This loophole has led to an active underground economy for spores and cultivation materials.
In other countries, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies. For example, in Oregon, voters passed a ballot initiative in 2020 that made "magic mushrooms" legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings. Similarly, the District of Columbia passed the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, which allows for the possession and non-profit distribution of psilocybin mushrooms. In contrast, other countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia have amended their drug laws to reflect the terms of the UN Convention, prohibiting the use and possession of psilocybin mushrooms.
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History of Psilocybin Mushrooms
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 when ingested. Psilocybin is also known as 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-PO-DMT), a naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid found in over 200 species of mushrooms. The effects of psilocybin include euphoria, changes in perception, distorted sense of time, and spiritual experiences, but it can also cause adverse reactions such as nausea and panic attacks.
The history of psilocybin mushrooms dates back to ancient times, with depictions of hallucinogenic mushrooms in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, and cave paintings in Spain dating back to 4000 BCE. In Mesoamerica, the mushrooms were consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies, and the South American Aztec Indians referred to them as "teonanacatl" or "god's flesh". Spanish chroniclers and missionaries in the 16th century documented and attempted to destroy the use of these mushrooms, with friars and historians mentioning their use in extensive writings.
In the 1950s and 1960s, psilocybin mushrooms gained popularity in the United States when American researchers studied their healing properties and potential medical applications. Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the Psilocybe mexicana mushroom in 1958, and his employer, Sandoz, marketed and sold pure psilocybin worldwide for use in psychedelic therapy. Timothy Leary, a psychology professor at Harvard, became an advocate for the benefits of psilocybin mushrooms and introduced them to popular culture through his experiments and the phrase "turn on, tune in, and drop out".
Despite the promising research in the 1960s, increasingly restrictive drug laws in the following decades curbed scientific research into psilocybin and other hallucinogens. However, their popularity as an entheogen grew in the next decade due to increased access to information on cultivation methods. Today, psilocybin mushrooms are listed as a Schedule I controlled substance by the U.S. government, indicating they have no accepted medical use. However, recent years have seen an explosion of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, with several FDA-approved clinical studies indicating the potential value of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating various health conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as 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 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 include perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations, and feelings of distorted emotions or perception.
Some slang terms for magic mushrooms include "mushrooms", "shrooms", and "dope". Emojis are also used as a type of drug slang to communicate about magic mushrooms, such as the falling green leaves emoji, which refers to the natural origin of the drug.
Magic mushrooms can affect everyone differently, and there is a risk of having a ""bad trip", especially if taken with other drugs, or if the user is feeling stressed or anxious. In rare cases, a large amount of magic mushrooms can result in life-threatening symptoms. Additionally, people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks, which can be disturbing.
