Michael Davis
Psilocybin mushrooms, more 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 most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and continue to be used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. The experience of consuming psychoactive mushrooms can be unpredictable and varies greatly between individuals, with factors like the mushroom species, setting, and the user's mental state influencing the nature of the experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Effects | Euphoria, hallucinations, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, flashbacks |
| Length of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada, controlled under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions, and under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) in Canada |
| Treatment | No approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin in Canada or elsewhere |
| Overdose | Neurotoxicity-induced fatal events are uncommon, but fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis can occur |
| Use | Used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts |
| Species | Psilocybe azurescens, Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe cyanescens, Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe Mexicana |
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What You'll Learn
What are psilocybin mushrooms?
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, 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 most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been found in several other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and continue to be used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. They may also be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but they are more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas. Psilocybe cubensis, for example, grows naturally in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions they provide for the growth of the fungus.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms come from the substances psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation, resulting in the compound psilocin, responsible for the psychedelic effects. Psilocybin and psilocin create short-term increases in tolerance, making it difficult to misuse them as the more often they are taken within a short period, the weaker the effects become. Psilocybin mushrooms have not been found to cause physical or psychological dependence. The psychedelic effects typically appear around 20 minutes to 45 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours.
The experience, often referred to as a "trip," is strongly dependent on the user's mental state, the setting, and the mushroom species. The effects can vary from person to person, and it is challenging to predict the intensity and nature of the experience. A comfortable and familiar environment with trusted friends can contribute to a positive experience, while a negative environment or taking mushrooms with certain medications can increase the chances of a "bad trip." Physical effects may include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, lack of coordination, anxiety, fear, muscle twitches, increased heart rate, and blood pressure. Psychological consequences include hallucinations, an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, and psychosis, particularly with large doses.
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How do they work?
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 upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms come from the psilocybin and psilocin they contain. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation, resulting in the compound psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. They may also have been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, and are more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas. Psilocybe cubensis, one of the most potent species of psilocybin mushrooms, grows naturally in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions they provide for the growth of the fungus.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically appear around 20 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours. Physical effects may include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. Psychological consequences can include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, and psychosis, particularly with large doses. The experience, often referred to as a 'trip', is strongly dependent on set and setting. Set refers to a person's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations, while setting refers to the environment in which the drug is taken. A negative environment can contribute to a bad trip, while a comfortable and familiar environment can lead to a pleasant experience. Psychedelics can intensify a person's emotions, so entering a trip in an anxious state of mind may result in heightened anxiety during the trip.
Small clinical trials have shown that one or two doses of psilocybin, administered in a therapeutic setting, can bring about significant and long-lasting changes in people suffering from treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Based on this research, the US Food and Drug Administration has described psilocybin as a breakthrough medicine. However, it is important to note that psilocybin mushrooms can have side effects and may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may experience flashbacks involving previous mushroom experiences, which can be disturbing if a frightening experience is recalled. Additionally, not everyone is a candidate for psychedelic treatment, as it will not work for people currently taking SSRIs due to the serotonin receptors in their brains already being flooded.
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What are the effects?
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. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver and converted into psilocin, the chemical responsible for the drug's psychedelic effects.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users. The experience, often referred to as a "trip", is strongly dependent on the user's set and setting. Set refers to the user's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations of the experience. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before taking magic mushrooms may result in a bad trip. The setting is the environment in which the drug is taken – whether it is known and familiar, who the user is with, if they are indoors or outdoors, the type of music and lighting, etc. Being in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment with trusted friends can contribute to a pleasant experience, while being in a noisy and crowded place may result in a negative experience.
Psychedelic substances make experiences more intense, so if a person enters a trip in an anxious state of mind, they will likely experience heightened anxiety. The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions, extreme fear, paranoia, and psychosis may also occur, particularly if a user ingests a large dose. Physical effects may also occur, including nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
Psilocybin creates short-term increases in tolerance in users, making it difficult to misuse. The more often the mushrooms are taken within a short period, the weaker the resultant effects are. Additionally, there is no evidence that psilocybin mushrooms cause physical or psychological dependence (addiction). However, some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving previous experiences, usually involving visual distortions and changes in emotions or perception. These flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled, and can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise.
In medical settings, psilocybin may show promise in helping to treat or manage certain conditions. Research suggests that psilocybin can reduce anxiety and depression in people with cancer and can promote well-being, quality of life, and acceptance of their illness. Additionally, psilocybin may have short-term and long-term antidepressant effects, although more research is needed to understand its full potential as a treatment option.
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What are the risks?
Psychedelic mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. 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 approximately a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and continue to be used in Mexican and Central American cultures in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. They are also used as recreational drugs.
The risks of consuming psychedelic mushrooms include:
- Poisoning: Consuming the wrong types of mushrooms can result in poisoning. Poisonous mushrooms that resemble magic mushrooms can cause sickness and even death.
- Adverse side effects: While adverse side effects are often mild or moderate, some people may experience negative physical and psychological side effects that require medical treatment. These can include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, lack of coordination, and euphoria.
- Bad trips: The risk of a bad trip may be increased by a higher dose, anxiety, a negative environment, or the use of other drugs. Bad trips can lead to panic, heightened anxiety, and psychosis.
- Flashbacks: Some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences, even weeks, months, or years later. These flashbacks can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled.
- Tolerance: Regular use of magic mushrooms can lead to tolerance, where even high amounts of the drug will no longer produce the desired effect.
- Illegality: In many places, activities involving magic mushrooms, such as sale, possession, production, and driving under their influence, are illegal and can result in penalties.
- Unpredictable interactions: Combining magic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can lead to unpredictable and dangerous effects.
- Intravenous injection: There have been reports of serious harm, including septic shock and multi-system organ failure, associated with intravenous injection of mushrooms.
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Where are they found?
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybe mushrooms are believed to have originated in the Pacific Northwest of the United States or Australia and have since spread worldwide. They grow most reliably in damp, chilly conditions, often near urban areas, and on excess carbon deposits like wood chips. Psilocybe cubensis, another potent species, grows naturally in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions they provide for fungal growth.
In the United States, the three most common Psilocybe varietals are P. cyanescens, P. allenii, and P. ovoideocystidiata. These mushrooms are relatively small, averaging 2 to 3 inches in height, and are often chestnut brown, turning a deep purplish-blue when crushed due to the presence of purple spores. Psilocybe mushrooms can be found in the wild but are most commonly found near urban areas.
In addition to the Psilocybe genus, psilocybin has also been isolated from approximately a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina. These mushrooms may be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe but are more prominently represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. Prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been and continue to be used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, or spiritual purposes. Rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE from Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformation of the user under their influence. While some jurisdictions have decriminalized or legalized psilocybin mushrooms, they are still classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), representing the most dangerous substances available with the highest forms of associated punishment under the law.
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Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion.
The effects of psychedelic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on factors such as the mushroom species, the dose, the setting, and the user's mental state. Common effects include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle relaxation, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. The length of the trip can last up to 6 hours.
Psychedelic mushrooms can have negative effects, such as a bad trip, flashbacks, and, in rare cases, fatal events due to overconsumption. Mixing psychedelic mushrooms with other drugs or medications can also be unpredictable and dangerous. It is important to note that it is illegal to possess, use, or sell psychedelic mushrooms in many places.
There are over 200 species of psychedelic mushrooms, and many of them look similar to non-psychedelic mushrooms. Some common species include Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe azurescens, Psilocybe cyanescens, and Psilocybe semilanceata.
While psychedelic mushrooms are not typically associated with physical dependence, some individuals may develop a psychological dependency on them due to the pleasurable effects they produce. However, they do not appear to cause physical or psychological addiction in the same way that other drugs do.
