Emma Wilson
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or psychedelic mushrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin has hallucinogenic effects and can cause people to experience distorted sights and sounds, as well as a loss of their sense of time and space. It has been used for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 B.C. and is currently being researched for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Active compound | Psilocybin |
| Active metabolite | Psilocin |
| Effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, increased heart rate, nausea, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, panic attacks, psychotic-like episodes |
| Potential therapeutic uses | Treatment of substance use disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders, anorexia nervosa, tobacco addiction, major depressive disorder, alcoholism |
| Safety | Classified as a Schedule I drug in the US, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose. However, research suggests that psilocybin is safe when used in regulated spaces facilitated by a medical team. |
| Legality | Illegal in the US and criminalized since the 1960s. Possession and use became illegal in 1970. |
| History | Used by indigenous people in Central America for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 B.C. |
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What You'll Learn
History of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, have a long and complex history that dates back thousands of years. One of the earliest known depictions of hallucinogenic mushroom use is a 4000 BCE cave painting in Spain, which illustrates what appear to be Psilocybe hispanica mushrooms, a species known for its hallucinogenic properties.
In Mesoamerica, psilocybin mushrooms have been consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies for centuries. The Aztecs and Mazatecs referred to these mushrooms as "genius mushrooms", "divinatory mushrooms", and "wondrous mushrooms", and they were served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. Spanish chroniclers first documented the use of these mushrooms in the 16th century, and Spanish missionaries attempted to destroy all records and evidence of their use, believing they allowed communication with demons. Despite this, the use of psilocybin mushrooms persisted in some remote areas.
In the 1950s and 1960s, psilocybin mushrooms gained popularity in the United States as American researchers studied their healing properties and potential medical applications. Timothy Leary, a psychology professor at Harvard University, became an advocate for the benefits of psilocybin mushrooms after reading about Gordon Wasson's experience with them in Mexico. Leary conducted experiments with psilocybin, including the Concord Prison Experiment, which found that the use of psilocybin decreased the likelihood of prisoners returning to jail. However, questionable research tactics discredited his work. Despite this, psilocybin was considered a "wonder drug" in the 1960s, believed to cure everything from addiction to anxiety. The hippie movement of the 1960s further popularized the use of psilocybin mushrooms, with Leary coining the phrase "turn on, tune in, and drop out" to encourage the use of the drug.
Increasingly restrictive drug laws in the 1960s and 1970s curbed scientific research into psilocybin and other hallucinogens. Psilocybin mushrooms are currently listed as a Schedule I controlled substance by the US government, indicating that they have no accepted medical use. However, recent years have seen an explosion of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, particularly for mental health treatment. Several FDA-approved clinical studies have indicated the potential medical value of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, and there is ongoing research into its applications for conditions such as alcoholism and autism.
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How psilocybin works in the brain
Psilocybin, the ""magic" component of magic mushrooms, induces temporary changes in brain function, which persist subtly after the initial effects wear off. It works by scrambling one's sense of space, time, and self, resulting in a surreal experience.
Psilocybin disrupts the brain's default mode network (DMN), an interconnected set of brain areas that are simultaneously active when the brain is in its resting state. The network re-establishes itself when the acute effects of the drug wear off, but small differences from pre-psilocybin scans persist for weeks. The DMN includes the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, which are associated with consciousness-altering properties.
Psilocybin binds to and activates serotonin receptors in parts of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which affect mood, cognition, and perception. It also works in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses. Psilocybin may cause visual or auditory hallucinations and distort how some people perceive objects and people in their environment.
Psilocybin has been shown to increase gamma power in human electroencephalography (EEG) studies, indicating enhanced information flow within local regions of the brain. It reduces slow brain wave activity, hindering communication between distant brain regions. Neuronal activity increases, but in a chaotic manner that disrupts regular function. This disruption of normal brain function may be beneficial in treating psychiatric conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, where it may help to reset the brain's connectivity patterns and facilitate emotional release.
Research suggests that psilocybin may be particularly effective in treating depression and anxiety due to end-stage cancer. It has been shown to have antidepressant effects with fewer side effects than traditional selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), requiring only two doses instead of daily treatment.
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Potential therapeutic uses
Psilocybin, the main psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, has been the subject of research for its potential therapeutic uses. While it is currently classified as a Schedule I substance in the US, indicating that it has no accepted medical use, there is a growing body of research that suggests it may have therapeutic benefits for various conditions.
Substance Use Disorders
Psilocybin has been studied for its potential to treat substance use disorders, including alcohol use disorder. Research suggests that psilocybin may help reduce or abstain from alcohol use, with similar effects observed for other substances.
Mental Illnesses
Psilocybin is also being investigated for its potential to treat mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In some cases, psilocybin-assisted therapy, combined with integrative psychotherapy, has shown improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms.
Neurodegenerative Disorders
Additionally, psilocybin is being explored as a possible treatment for neurodegenerative disorders. The compound's ability to alter brain activity and communication between different brain regions may hold potential for addressing these conditions.
Pain Management
There is interest in understanding how psilocybin may help with pain management. While it is often used recreationally or spiritually, its ability to induce a trance-like state and produce euphoria suggests potential benefits for pain relief.
Smoking Cessation
Preliminary research indicates that psilocybin may aid in smoking cessation. When used in conjunction with cognitive-behavioral therapy, psilocybin has shown promising results in helping individuals quit smoking.
While psilocybin shows potential in these therapeutic areas, it is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand its risks and benefits. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and it can cause adverse side effects, including hallucinations, anxiety, nausea, and increased heart rate.
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Side effects and risks
Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a hallucinogenic chemical that can induce euphoria and sensory distortion. While it has been used for thousands of years and has a low risk of addiction, there are still several side effects and risks associated with its use.
One of the primary risks of consuming magic mushrooms is the potential for a ""bad trip". The risk of a bad trip can be reduced by being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends, and in a safe, calm, and familiar environment. However, it is important to note that the only way to completely eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not consuming magic mushrooms. During a bad trip, individuals may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic, agitation, confusion, and intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror. These negative psychological effects can persist and lead to a condition called hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder, where individuals experience visual flashbacks or traumatic recalls of intensely upsetting experiences.
Consuming magic mushrooms can also cause physical side effects, such as increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, and nausea. These physical side effects may be particularly dangerous for individuals with cardiac diseases or heart conditions. In rare cases, consuming large amounts or a strong batch of mushrooms can lead to severe agitation, confusion, vomiting, or nausea, requiring medical attention. Additionally, there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms and accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can result in poisoning or even death.
Another risk associated with magic mushrooms is the potential for impaired judgement and reduced awareness of physical surroundings. This can lead to dangerous behaviours, such as driving or walking in traffic, which may result in physical harm to oneself or others. Furthermore, magic mushrooms are illegal in many places, and consuming them is considered a criminal offence. Obtaining mushrooms from illegal sources may lead to the consumption of dried hallucinogens that contain other unknown and potentially harmful substances.
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Legality
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are illegal in most countries due to their classification as a Schedule I controlled substance. This means that the drug has "no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse". However, there is growing scientific research and evidence on the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psilocybin, which is increasing legal and political support for its use.
In the United States, the federal government classifies psilocybin as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal to possess or use. However, state laws vary, and some states have decriminalized or legalized psilocybin for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. Oregon and Colorado are the only two states that have legalized psilocybin, while other states like Washington, California, and Massachusetts are considering or have already passed legislation to decriminalize or legalize the substance.
In other countries, the legality of psilocybin varies. For example, psilocybin is legal in Jamaica and Nepal, while it is illegal in the United Kingdom and most European Union countries. Some countries, like Switzerland and Israel, have exceptional use programs or compassionate use programmes in place that allow for the therapeutic use of psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA under certain circumstances. In Australia, psilocybin has been approved for use in prescription medications for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
The United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, adopted in 1971, requires its members to prohibit psilocybin and restrict its use to medical and scientific research under controlled conditions. However, due to pressure from the Mexican government, the convention did not specifically include mushrooms containing psilocybin. As a result, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies among signatory countries, with some amending their national drug laws to reflect the terms of the convention.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms, also 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.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms vary widely and can range from euphoria and hallucinations to anxiety and panic. Other effects include distorted sights and sounds, loss of sense of time and space, and intense emotions.
Psilocybin mushroom treatment, also known as psilocybin-assisted therapy, is a potential treatment for substance use disorders, mental illnesses, and other conditions such as depression, PTSD, and addiction. The treatment typically involves ingesting a controlled dose of psilocybin mushrooms in combination with integrative psychotherapy.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, but there are potential side effects such as nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, panic attacks, and psychotic-like episodes, especially if a high dose is consumed. There is also a risk of a bad trip, which can lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous behavior.
