Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, also known as 'shrooms', are hallucinogenic fungi that distort users' senses and sense of reality. They are often consumed in tea, mixed with food, or eaten raw, and their effects can vary based on the dose, type of mushroom, and individual factors. Users may experience a range of physical and psychological effects, from nausea and increased heart rate to hallucinations, paranoia, and a distorted sense of self. While magic mushrooms have been illegal in many places, there is increasing interest in their potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in clinical trials with psilocybin, one of the active ingredients in magic mushrooms. However, it is important to exercise caution as the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to unpredictable behaviour, adverse health effects, and even death in rare cases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effects | Hallucinations, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate, paranoia, loss of boundaries, distorted sense of self, risk-taking behaviour, flashbacks, drowsiness, relaxation |
| Active Ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin, psilocybin |
| Forms | Fresh, dried, powder, tablets, capsules |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada and the UK |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinations
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are hallucinogenic when ingested. They contain hallucinogens, typically psilocybin and psilocin. The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on the dose and type of mushroom used.
Magic mushrooms can cause users to hallucinate, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't there. They can also distort a person's sense of reality, leading them to believe they can see music or hear colours. The mushrooms can induce paranoia, a loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Users may also experience anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin 30 to 45 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours. A trip can range from mild to intense, with higher doses and stronger mushrooms increasing the likelihood of hallucinations and other adverse effects. During a bad trip, users may experience intense paranoia, disassociation, and impaired judgment, which can lead to risky behaviour and, in rare cases, traumatic injuries or death.
It is important to note that magic mushrooms are illegal in many places and can be extremely dangerous. They may also contain poisonous substances that can lead to severe health issues or even death. Mixing magic mushrooms with other substances, such as cannabis, alcohol, or amphetamines, can elevate the risk of serious side effects.
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Distorted senses
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin stimulates serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to enhanced visuals and sensory distortions. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, depending on the dose, the type of mushroom, and individual factors such as mental health, setting, quantity, and expectations.
One of the most notable effects of magic mushrooms is their impact on visual perception. Users often report seeing vibrant colours, intensified patterns, and enhanced visuals. Objects may appear to breathe, morph, or dissolve, contributing to the psychedelic experience. In addition to visual distortions, magic mushrooms can also alter one's sense of touch. Users may experience enhanced tactile sensations, with surfaces feeling smoother or rougher, and some may even feel a sense of disembodiment, where the boundaries between oneself and the physical world become blurred.
The auditory effects of magic mushrooms can also vary. While some individuals may experience a magnification of sounds, perceiving them as more intense or vibrant, others may encounter distorted sound perception or even synesthesia, where sounds are seen or felt as visual sensations. Magic mushrooms can also affect the sense of taste, with some users reporting intensified taste sensations and others describing a muted or distorted sense of taste. Similarly, the sense of smell can be heightened, with certain aromas becoming more distinct and vibrant, while others may evoke emotional or nostalgic responses.
While magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, they can have negative consequences. "Bad trips" can occur, especially at high doses, and may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgment during a "bad trip" can lead to risk-taking behaviour and, in rare cases, even death. Additionally, flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences can occur weeks, months, or even years after the drug was last taken, which can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience is recalled. It is important to note that the biggest danger to one's health when taking magic mushrooms is accidentally consuming a poisonous mushroom, which can have severe and life-threatening consequences.
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Paranoia
Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, is a hallucinogenic substance that can cause paranoia. While some people take psilocybin mushrooms for recreational purposes, others are exploring their potential as a mental health treatment. However, it's important to note that the research on the benefits of psilocybin is still very new and ongoing.
Magic mushrooms can induce paranoia, anxiety, panic, and other unpleasant emotions, which is commonly referred to as a "bad trip." The intensity of a mushroom trip can vary, and it's challenging to predict what kind of experience each user will have. Factors such as mental health, setting, quantity consumed, past experiences, expectations, mood, personality, and individual sensitivity all play a role in shaping the tripping experience.
During a "bad trip," users may experience intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death or losing control. These negative experiences can be frightening and distressing for the user. It's worth noting that the effects of psilocybin are not always negative. Some people report feelings of euphoria, sensory distortion, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. However, the unpredictability of the experience underscores the risks associated with consuming magic mushrooms.
The risk of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms is also significant. Some mushroom species can cause violent illness or even death. Therefore, it is crucial to be certain about the type of mushroom before consumption. Additionally, driving under the influence of mushrooms is dangerous as they alter one's sense of reality and affect judgment.
While psilocybin is not considered addictive, the potential for disturbing hallucinations, paranoia, and short-term psychosis are serious side effects. The length of a mushroom trip can last between four and six hours, and there is currently no way to end a bad trip prematurely. Therefore, individuals interested in experimenting with psilocybin mushrooms should carefully consider the potential risks and seek professional guidance, especially when exploring their use for mental health reasons.
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Nausea
Mushrooms contain chitin, an indigestible polysaccharide known to trigger inflammation and immune responses in the body, which can lead to detrimental gastrointestinal effects. Cooking mushrooms breaks down chitin and aids digestion, but this method is rarely used for magic mushrooms as it is believed to degrade the psychoactive compounds.
To combat nausea, one can prepare mushroom tea or use the Lemon Tek method, which involves grinding dried mushrooms into a fine powder and steeping it in hot water. This process spares the body from the strain associated with the mechanical breakdown of chitin. The powder can be strained out or left in the tea, but leaving the powder may be less optimal for those prone to nausea.
Another method to reduce nausea is the long mastication process, which involves chewing the chosen dose of mushrooms for at least thirty minutes before swallowing. This maximizes the exposure of the mushrooms to chitinase, a family of enzymes responsible for breaking down chitin.
Additionally, ginger, a potent antiemetic, has been scientifically proven to effectively treat nausea and vomiting. The abundance of gingerol and shogaol in raw and dried ginger root acts on the brain's serotonergic and cholinergic receptors, making it a safe option even for pregnant women or individuals undergoing chemotherapy.
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Poisonous mushrooms
Mushroom poisoning can cause a range of symptoms, from mild gastrointestinal upset to severe organ failure and death. Some mushrooms contain toxins that are not destroyed by cooking, such as amatoxins, so it is important to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them. To avoid poisoning, it is recommended that mushroom gatherers familiarize themselves with both the mushrooms they intend to collect and any similar-looking toxic species.
Magic mushrooms, which contain hallucinogens like psilocybin and psilocin, can also pose serious health risks. While they are not typically deadly, they can cause unpleasant and dangerous side effects, such as anxiety, paranoia, and impaired judgment, which may lead to risk-taking behaviour and traumatic injuries. Mixing magic mushrooms with other substances, such as alcohol or cannabis, can further elevate the risks of serious side effects.
It is important to seek medical help immediately if you suspect mushroom poisoning, and to keep a sample of the mushroom for identification. In the case of magic mushrooms, it is important to be honest with medical professionals about what you have consumed to ensure you receive proper treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain hallucinogens, usually psilocybin and psilocin. They are often referred to as 'shrooms'.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. Generally, the effects of mushrooms begin after 30 to 45 minutes and can last up to 6 hours. Early effects typically include nausea, excessive yawning, drowsiness, and relaxation. Higher doses or stronger mushrooms can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness.
No, magic mushrooms are not safe. They can cause "'bad trips'", which may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgment during these "bad trips" can lead to risk-taking behaviour and traumatic injuries or even death. Additionally, magic mushrooms can cause flashbacks, where users relive some part of a drug trip when they are no longer high. Mixing magic mushrooms with other substances, such as cannabis or alcohol, can also elevate the risk of serious side effects.
Yes, magic mushrooms are illegal in many places, including Canada, the UK, and certain states in the US. In these places, it is illegal to possess, give away, or sell magic mushrooms.
No, magic mushrooms are not addictive. However, users can become tolerant of the effects quite quickly, meaning they will need to take higher doses to achieve the same effects.
