Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs that contain the hallucinogens psilocybin and psilocin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin by the body, which then binds to and activates serotonin receptors in the brain, altering mood, cognition, and perception. The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely and can include heightened emotions, senses, creativity, and a sense of mental clarity. However, they can also cause hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nausea, and in some cases, lead to a bad trip. The effects of magic mushrooms typically occur within 30 to 45 minutes of ingestion and can last between four to six hours. While there is growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for treating various conditions, it is important to note that the consumption of magic mushrooms also carries risks, including the possibility of accidental poisoning from misidentifying mushrooms and adverse mental health outcomes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin |
| Forms | Fresh, dried, powder, capsules, tablets, tea |
| Effects | Hallucinations, heightened senses, heightened emotions, distorted sense of reality, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, drowsiness, relaxation, happiness, creativity, giggling, mental and emotional clarity |
| Time to take effect | 30-45 minutes |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Factors influencing effects | Quantity consumed, past experiences, expectations, mood, personality, environment, anxiety |
| Adverse effects | Bad trips, flashbacks, accidental poisoning, gastrointestinal illness, psychosis, death |
| Therapeutic uses | Treatment of substance use disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, neurodegenerative disorders |
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What You'll Learn
The effects of taking psychedelic mushrooms
Psychedelic mushrooms can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing, hearing, or feeling things that do not exist or are distorted. They can also affect a person's sense of time, place, and reality. The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin after about 30 to 45 minutes and can last as long as 4 to 6 hours. Early effects often include nausea and excessive yawning, followed by a "trip" that can be mild or intense, depending on the dose and the individual. A mild trip may leave a person feeling drowsy or relaxed, while a stronger trip can bring on hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and fear.
In some cases, the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to a "bad trip," which may be frightening and include paranoia, loss of boundaries, a distorted sense of self, and impaired judgment. The risk of a bad trip may be increased by taking higher doses, having feelings of anxiety before taking the drug, or consuming mushrooms in a noisy or crowded place. During a bad trip, individuals may experience extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia, and impaired judgment may lead to risk-taking behaviour, which could result in traumatic injuries or even death.
In rare cases, individuals may experience "flashbacks" involving a previous magic mushroom experience, which can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. Flashbacks typically last a minute or two and can be triggered by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise. While the risk of mental health problems in supervised clinical settings is low, poor mental health outcomes may be more likely with use outside of these settings.
There is currently no evidence that psilocybin is addictive, and no physical symptoms occur after stopping use. However, regular use may cause individuals to become tolerant to its effects, and further research is needed to understand all the factors that influence the effects of magic mushrooms.
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The risks of taking psychedelic mushrooms
While some people take magic mushrooms for their psychoactive effects, the risks associated with psychedelic drugs, including psilocybin mushrooms, are mostly psychological rather than physical.
Risk of Poisoning
There is a risk of accidental poisoning from mistaking a poisonous mushroom for a magic mushroom. Poisonous mushrooms can cause a person to become very sick and can even result in death. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium.
Psychological Effects
Regular use of magic mushrooms may lead to psychological effects such as hallucinations, altered perception, and changes in consciousness. Long-term use has been associated with potential alterations in brain chemistry, specifically affecting the serotonin system which regulates mood, emotions, and cognitive functions. One recognized long-term effect of shroom use is the development of Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), which involves perceptual changes that can persist for weeks or months.
Bad Trips
The risk of a bad trip may increase with higher doses or feelings of anxiety before taking magic mushrooms. Being in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment with trusted friends can reduce the risk of a bad trip. Combining magic mushrooms with other drugs, such as ice, speed, or ecstasy, can also increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to panic.
Physiological Effects
While magic mushrooms are considered less toxic to internal organs than other drugs, there have been reports of serious harm associated with intravenous injection, including septic shock and multi-system organ failure. Short-term physical effects may include heightened emotions, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and nausea.
Addiction
Magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, and current research suggests psilocybin is not addictive. However, regular use may lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects.
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The therapeutic potential of psychedelic mushrooms
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, have been used for thousands of years. They contain hallucinogens, primarily psilocybin and psilocin, which are controlled substances internationally. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary widely, and can be influenced by factors such as dosage, individual expectations, past experiences, and the environment in which they are consumed. Positive effects may include heightened emotions and senses, happiness, creativity, laughter, and a sense of mental and emotional clarity. Some people may also experience visual or auditory hallucinations, which can be desirable for those seeking a spiritually meaningful experience.
While the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic mushrooms are still being researched, there is a growing interest in their ability to treat conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders. Clinical trials with psilocybin have shown promising results, but currently, there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin.
It is important to note that magic mushrooms can also lead to adverse effects, commonly known as a "bad trip". These experiences may be frightening and include paranoia, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches. In rare cases, extreme doses can lead to long-term mental health conditions or even death. Additionally, there are risks associated with misidentifying mushrooms, as some species are extremely poisonous and can cause severe illness or death.
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The legality of psychedelic mushrooms
Despite this, many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms. For example, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In the United States, psilocybin and psilocin were first subjected to federal regulation by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965. The law was passed in July 1965 and came into effect on 1 February 1966. It was intended to regulate the unlicensed "possession, manufacture, or sale of depressant, stimulant, and hallucinogenic drugs". The possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances and often carry severe legal penalties.
However, there has been a growing movement to decriminalize psilocybin, with advocates citing the rapid legalization of cannabis in the United States as a precedent. As of August 2024, decriminalization efforts have not included synthetic psychedelics such as LSD and MDMA. In May 2019, Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms. The initiative did not legalize mushrooms but prohibited the city from spending any resources prosecuting people for their use or possession. In November 2020, Oregon became the first US state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize it for supervised non-medical use. In January 2021, Washtenaw County, Michigan, followed suit. In February 2021, the City Council of Somerville, Massachusetts, voted unanimously to decriminalize the possession of entheogenic plants, including psilocybin mushrooms. In March 2025, Colorado State Regulators issued the first sets of Licenses for Medical Assisted Use.
As scientific research on the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics grows, so does legal and political support. An interactive map by the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP), Psychedelic Alpha, and Calyx Law offers a guide to the shifting legal landscape. The map provides real-time updates on state-level bills and initiatives focused on decriminalization and legal access to psychedelic therapies.
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The different types of psychedelic mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, often called "magic mushrooms", are hallucinogenic fungi that produce two primary psychoactive compounds: psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds are responsible for the mind-altering effects experienced by users. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for hundreds or even thousands of years by Indigenous groups around the world, particularly during religious rituals. For example, the Aztecs referred to these mushrooms as "the flesh of the gods".
There are several different types of psilocybin mushrooms, with over 100 species worldwide, most of which are members of the genus Psilocybe. Some specific species include Psilocybe mexicana, P. cubensis, and Psilocybe semilanceata. The potency and effects of these mushrooms can vary significantly, influenced by their varying concentrations of psilocybin and psilocin, as well as other psychoactive compounds present. For example, strains like Psilocybe azurescens are known for their high potency.
The subjective experience of taking psilocybin mushrooms can vary greatly from person to person, even when consuming the same type of mushroom. Factors such as individual biology, dose, and environment can all play a role in shaping the experience. Some common effects of psilocybin mushrooms include distorted and heightened sensory impressions, such as seeing vivid colours or auras, witnessing objects morphing into other forms, and experiencing synesthesia. Psilocybin and psilocin typically intensify emotional responses, with users reporting feelings of happiness, euphoria, and oneness with all life.
In addition to their historical use in Indigenous cultures, psilocybin mushrooms have more recently been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits. Some research suggests that psilocybin and psilocin may have the ability to break old neural connections and create new ones, potentially reducing negative or obsessive thinking and allowing patients to develop more positive behaviours. However, it is important to note that the use of psilocybin mushrooms also carries risks, and prolonged use can result in adverse consequences for physical, mental, and emotional health.
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Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, magic mushrooms, or simply mushrooms, are hallucinogenic drugs that can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. The effects can range from mild to intense depending on how much you take, your mindset, and your environment. The effects typically start 20-40 minutes after ingestion, peak around 2-3 hours later, and last for 4-6 hours.
The biggest risk of taking psychedelic mushrooms is misidentifying them and accidentally consuming a poisonous mushroom, which can be fatal. Other risks include experiencing a "'bad trip", which can involve extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia. Regular use may also lead to tolerance and cross-tolerance with other drugs. Long-term effects may include flashbacks, which can be disturbing.
Psychedelic mushrooms are illegal in many places, including the U.S. (both at the federal level and in most states like New York), and Australia. However, some localities have decriminalized their use, such as the city of Denver in the U.S. There is also ongoing advocacy for removing legal restrictions on mushroom possession due to their potential therapeutic benefits.
