Sarah Brown
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, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are highly subjective and can vary depending on the type of mushroom, how it is prepared, the dosage, and the user's psychological state and environment. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for hundreds or thousands of years by Indigenous groups around the world and continue to be used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, or spiritual purposes. While the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms are being explored in the treatment of chronic mental disorders, there are also risks associated with their use, including the possibility of negative experiences or bad trips, flashbacks, and, in rare cases, fatal events due to overconsumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, Shrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active compounds | Psilocybin, Psilocin, β-carbolines |
| Effects | Hallucinations, Nausea, Euphoria, Muscle weakness, Relaxation, Drowsiness, Lack of coordination, Inability to discern fantasy from reality, Panic, Psychosis, Flashbacks |
| Duration of effects | 20 minutes to 6 hours |
| Use | Recreational, Religious, Spiritual, Healing, Treatment for chronic mental disorders |
| Legality | Illegal in some places, including Australia |
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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. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver and converted into psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects. These mushrooms are often consumed in their dried or fresh form, or as extracts or food products such as mushroom tea.
The most potent species of psilocybin mushrooms belong to the genus Psilocybe, including P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been identified in several other genera, such as Agrocybe, Copelandia, Galerina, Gymnopilus, Hypholoma, Inocybe, Panaeolus, Pholiotina, and Pluteus. Psilocybe cubensis, for instance, thrives in tropical and subtropical environments, particularly near cattle due to the favourable conditions for fungal growth.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of traditional use and are widely regarded as sacred in various cultures. Indigenous groups around the world have utilised these mushrooms for hundreds or even thousands of years for healing, divination, and spiritual rituals. In pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas, as well as in prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain, depictions of these mushrooms and their ritualistic use have been discovered.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are highly subjective and can vary depending on the user's psychological state, the environment, the type of mushroom, its preparation, and the dosage. Users may experience sensory, emotional, and neural changes, including hallucinations, distorted and heightened sensory impressions, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. It is important to note that the effects of combining psilocybin mushrooms with other drugs, including medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous. Additionally, while psilocybin mushrooms are not known to cause physical or psychological dependence, there are risks associated with their consumption, including the possibility of negative experiences or "bad trips," flashbacks, and, in rare cases, fatal events due to overconsumption.
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How do they work?
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, psilocybin, or psychotropic mushrooms, 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 a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic and cause differences in mood, perception, and behavior, commonly known as "tripping." They can distort the perception of actual objects, and people may see things in different colors or see patterns. Existing colors, sounds, tastes, and textures may be distorted, while feelings and emotions intensify. It can feel like time has sped up, slowed down, or stopped completely. There can be a changed perception of one's place in the universe and a feeling of communing with a higher power. The experience, or "trip," is strongly dependent on the environment and the user's state of mind. Hilarity, lack of concentration, muscular relaxation, dilated pupils, nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination are all normal effects.
Psilocybin mushrooms are non-addictive and have been shown to have potential therapeutic benefits. Small clinical trials have demonstrated that one or two doses of psilocybin, administered in a therapeutic setting, can positively impact people with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder. Additionally, psilocybin may rewire the brain to ease anxiety and depression. However, it is important to note that psilocybin mushrooms can also lead to negative experiences, such as panic reactions, psychosis, and flashbacks involving previous mushroom experiences.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms come from the breakdown of psilocybin by the liver, resulting in the compound psilocin, responsible for the psychedelic effects. Psilocybin and psilocin create short-term tolerance in users, making it challenging to misuse them as the effects weaken with frequent consumption within a short period. Psilocybin mushrooms can be consumed in various forms, including dried or fresh mushrooms, extracts, or food products such as edibles or tea.
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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. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms come from psilocybin and psilocin. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation, resulting in the compound psilocin, which is responsible for the 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 state of mind and the environment in which the drug is consumed.
Psilocybin mushrooms can cause an altered perception of time and space, intense changes in mood and feelings, and sensory distortion. Users may experience euphoria, hallucinations, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Physical effects may include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically appear around 20 minutes after ingestion and can last up to 6 hours. Psilocybin creates short-term increases in tolerance, making it difficult to misuse as the effects weaken with frequent use within a short period. However, some people who regularly use psilocybin mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving previous experiences, which can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. These flashbacks can occur weeks, months, or even years after the last use and are usually triggered by using other drugs, stress, tiredness, or exercise.
Psilocybin mushrooms have not been found to cause physical or psychological dependence, but fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis can occur as a result of overconsumption. It is important to note that there is a risk of misidentifying mushrooms, and consuming a toxic mushroom instead of one containing psilocybin can have severe consequences.
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Are they safe?
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 include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, euphoria, muscular relaxation, dilated pupils, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality.
Magic mushrooms are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. While the effects of magic mushrooms can be pleasant and positive, there are also risks associated with their use.
One of the main risks of consuming magic mushrooms is the possibility of a "bad trip". A bad trip can occur due to various factors, such as a person's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, expectations, and the environment in which the drug is consumed. Feelings of stress or anxiety before taking magic mushrooms, or being in a noisy and crowded place, can increase the risk of a bad trip. During a bad trip, individuals may experience paranoia, loss of boundaries, a distorted sense of self, and impaired judgment, which can lead to risk-taking behaviours and potentially traumatic injuries or even death.
Another risk associated with magic mushrooms is the possibility of consuming poisonous mushrooms by mistake. Since many species of mushrooms look alike, it can be challenging to distinguish between magic mushrooms and toxic varieties, which can result in serious health consequences or even death.
While studies suggest that magic mushrooms do not lead to increased mental health problems or psychological dependence, there is a potential for flashbacks or "hallucinogen persisting perception disorder" (HPPD), where individuals experience recurrent and involuntary flashbacks of previous hallucinogen experiences. These flashbacks can be disturbing and impact an individual's emotions and perception.
In terms of legality, magic mushrooms are considered a controlled substance in many jurisdictions, including Canada and Australia, where activities such as sale, possession, and production are illegal without proper authorization. In the UK, psilocybin is classified as a Class A drug, similar to heroin and crack cocaine. However, it is important to note that the laws and regulations regarding magic mushrooms may vary depending on the region and country.
Overall, while magic mushrooms may have potential therapeutic benefits and are considered by some to be the safest "recreational" drug, they are not without risks. It is essential to approach their consumption with caution and be aware of the potential dangers associated with their use.
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Where can they be purchased?
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, can be purchased from physical stores or online.
In the early 2020s, psychedelic mushroom stores began to open and gain popularity in certain parts of the United States and Canada, particularly in California, British Columbia, and Ontario. These stores are analogous to cannabis dispensaries and sell a variety of hallucinogenic mushroom products, including fresh or dried mushrooms, mushroom edibles, and mushroom tea. Some notable brands of mushroom edible products include PolkaDot and Tre House.
In the past, magic mushroom stores were prevalent in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, but they have since been made illegal in these countries. However, magic truffles, which are the psilocybin-containing sclerotium of magic mushrooms, remain legal in the Netherlands and are still sold.
It is important to note that the legality of psychedelic mushrooms varies by jurisdiction, and they may be considered illegal controlled substances in certain places. As such, some stores selling these products have been raided and/or shut down by government authorities.
In addition to physical stores, psychedelic mushrooms can also be purchased online. A 2003 study found that 58% of the first 100 non-sponsored links obtained from Google searches for "psilocybin spores" led to websites offering to sell psilocybin spores and whole Psilocybe mushrooms.
It is worth mentioning that the mushroom edible market is largely unregulated, and it may be unclear what these products contain or what doses are present. There have been cases of poisonings linked to certain mushroom edible products, so caution should be exercised when purchasing and consuming these products.
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Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic 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 type of mushroom, the dosage, and the environment in which they are consumed. Common effects include hallucinations, changes in perception, nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
Psychedelic mushrooms can cause negative side effects such as panic reactions, psychosis, and flashbacks. In rare cases, consuming large amounts of psychedelic mushrooms can lead to severe consequences, including death. Additionally, it is important to distinguish between psychedelic mushrooms and poisonous mushrooms, as some mushroom species can be harmful or even deadly.
Psilocybin mushrooms can be found in various locations, depending on the species. They are commonly found in tropical and subtropical forests, especially in Mexico and Central America. They may also be purchased in certain jurisdictions from specialised stores or through illegal means.
The legality of psychedelic mushrooms varies by jurisdiction. In some places, such as Australia, there are penalties for possessing, using, or selling magic mushrooms. However, they may be legally used in controlled settings for research purposes or as a treatment for mental health disorders.
