Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, 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. However, psilocybin has also been isolated from approximately a dozen other genera, including Copelandia, Inocybe, and Pluteus. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches. The experience, or trip, is highly dependent on the user's psychological state and the environment in which the drug is consumed. While the short-term effects of psilocybin mushrooms are well-known, the long-term effects of repetitive use remain unknown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, synesthesia, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, lack of coordination, inability to discern fantasy from reality, panic reactions, psychosis |
| Duration of effects | 4-6 hours |
| Onset of effects | 15-45 minutes |
| Legality | Varies by country. Illegal in Canada and Australia. First decriminalized for therapeutic use in Oregon, USA in 2020. Legalized for personal use in Colorado, USA in 2022. |
| History of use | Used for hundreds or thousands of years by indigenous groups around the world. |
| Cultural significance | Sacred in many cultures, considered "the flesh of the gods" by the Aztecs. |
| Medical uses | Tested as a treatment for chronic mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and PTSD. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms' key ingredient: psilocybin
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin-containing mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation. This results in the compound psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects of magic mushrooms.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic found in certain types of mushrooms that grow on nearly every continent. The mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies, with evidence of indigenous people in Central America using them for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 BC. Today, some people use magic mushrooms in the hopes of having a unique, interesting, enlightening, and/or spiritual experience. Others take very small amounts of the substance regularly, a practice called microdosing, trying to improve their mental state and productivity.
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 20 to 30 minutes of ingestion and can last up to 6 hours. The duration may be shorter, around 4 to 6 hours, when the mushrooms are consumed as a soup or tea. The effects of magic mushrooms include hallucinations, an altered state of consciousness, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Physical effects may include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
It is important to note that the effects of magic mushrooms can vary considerably among individual users. A person's personality, expectations, surrounding people, and environment can all influence their experience. Additionally, the strength of magic mushrooms can vary greatly, as the concentration of active ingredients can differ between mushrooms.
While magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, there is still much to learn about their potential therapeutic uses. Researchers are currently studying psilocybin's potential to treat mental health disorders, including substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, it is important to approach the use of magic mushrooms with caution, as there are health risks associated with unsupervised consumption.
Mushrooms and Tyramine: What's the Deal?
You may want to see also
How psilocybin and psilocin create psychedelic effects
Psilocybin and psilocin are the active ingredients in magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms. They are hallucinogens that produce effects similar to LSD. The effects of psilocybin and psilocin include euphoria, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, spiritual experiences, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches. The duration of action is several hours.
Psilocybin is a prodrug of psilocin, meaning that it is biologically inactive until it is ingested and converted by the body into psilocin. Psilocybin is transformed into psilocin by dephosphorylation mediated via phosphatase enzymes. Psilocin is a substrate of the monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme MAO-A. It acts by altering the action of serotonin, an indole amine neurotransmitter that occurs in brain tissue. Psilocybin and psilocin create short-term increases in user tolerance, making it difficult to misuse them as the more often they are taken within a short period, the weaker the effects are.
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms vary in their psilocybin and psilocin content but are typically around 1% of the dried weight of the mushrooms. Psilocin is about 1.4 times as potent as psilocybin because of the two compounds' difference in molecular weight. Low doses of psilocybin are 5 to 10 mg, an intermediate or "good effect" dose is 20 mg, and high or ego-dissolution doses are 30 to 40 mg. Microdosing involves the use of subthreshold psilocybin doses of less than 2.5 mg. When psilocybin is used in the form of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, microdoses are 0.1 g to 0.3 g and psychedelic doses are 1.0 g to 3.5–5.0 g in the case of dried mushrooms.
The effects of psilocybin and psilocin are strongly dependent upon set and setting. Set refers to a person's state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations of what's going to happen. Feelings of stress or anxiety before using magic mushrooms may result in a bad trip. Setting refers to the environment in which someone takes a psychedelic drug, including whether it's known and familiar, who they're with, if they're indoors or outdoors, the type of music and light. Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends and a safe environment before taking magic mushrooms reduces the risk of having a bad trip.
Mushrooms' Intriguing Reproduction: Secrets of Their Survival
You may want to see also
The subjective nature of the experience
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. This drug is converted by the body into 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 set and setting. The "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 psilocybin mushrooms can lead to a negative experience or a "bad trip". The "setting" refers to the environment in which the psychedelic drug is taken, including factors such as the familiarity of the place, the company, whether it is indoors or outdoors, and the type of music and lighting. For instance, consuming magic mushrooms in a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a positive experience, while being in a noisy and crowded place may result in a negative trip.
The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include hallucinations, sensory distortions, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. The physical effects may include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. However, the specific effects can vary depending on the individual, the dose, and the type of mushroom consumed.
It is important to note that the active ingredients in magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. While there is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin, especially in treating mental health disorders, it is classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), indicating a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose.
Mushroom Trips: Lucid or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin-containing mushrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are hallucinogenic and have been used for thousands of years, including in religious and traditional rituals.
Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose. However, current research does not consider psilocybin to be addictive, and it has a low level of toxicity.
Despite the historical and ongoing stigmatization of psilocybin, there is increasing interest in its therapeutic potential. A growing body of research suggests that, when administered in controlled conditions with supportive therapy, psilocybin may be useful for treating various psychiatric disorders, like depression and anxiety. For example, a 2022 review suggested that psilocybin may help to regulate the brain's reward system in people with depression or suicidal ideation. Another 2023 study found that adults who took psilocybin experienced a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to adults who took a placebo.
In addition to treating depression and anxiety, psilocybin is being studied for its potential to treat other mental health disorders like substance use disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and end-stage cancer-related distress. Furthermore, some people take very small amounts of psilocybin regularly, a practice called microdosing, in an attempt to improve their mental state and productivity.
While the therapeutic potential of magic mushrooms is promising, it is important to note that more research is needed. There are still basic questions about psilocybin that lack solid answers, and more clinical trials with larger numbers of participants are required. Additionally, there are regulatory and funding hurdles that must be addressed before psilocybin can be widely adopted for therapeutic use.
How Bleach Can Kill Mushroom Spores
You may want to see also
Legality of magic mushrooms
The legality of magic mushrooms varies across the world. Psilocybin and psilocin, the active ingredients in magic mushrooms, are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a "high potential for abuse" and "no recognized medical uses". However, magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in several cultures.
In the United States, the federal law classifies psilocybin as a Schedule I controlled substance, and its use, sale, and possession are illegal. However, some states have amended their drug laws to decriminalize psilocybin to varying degrees. For instance, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize it for therapeutic use in 2020, although selling it without a license is still illegal. In 2022, Colorado followed suit by legalizing the consumption, growing, and sharing of psilocybin for personal use, but sales are prohibited. Other states, including California, Washington, and Massachusetts, have also made moves to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms.
In Canada, magic mushrooms are illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), and activities such as sale, possession, and production are prohibited unless authorized by Health Canada. Similarly, Australian federal and state laws impose penalties for possessing, using, selling, or driving under the influence of magic mushrooms.
On the other hand, some countries have more relaxed laws regarding magic mushrooms. Jamaica, for example, has no specific law surrounding psilocybin, and in Nepal, psilocybin is not explicitly mentioned in the country's Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act. Switzerland has had an exceptional use program in place since the 1980s, making it the first country in the modern era to legalize psychedelic therapy, albeit only upon official request.
Adderall and Magic Mushrooms: A Risky Mix?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are mushrooms that contain hallucinogens, usually psilocybin and psilocin. They are often consumed for their mind-altering effects.
The effects of consuming psychedelic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on factors such as the type of mushroom, dose, and setting. Common effects include hallucinations, altered sense of reality, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches.
Yes, consuming psychedelic mushrooms can lead to what is commonly known as a ""bad trip," which may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and distorted sense of self. Mixing psychedelic mushrooms with other substances can also elevate the risks of serious side effects.
The legality of psychedelic mushrooms varies by region. In some places, such as Canada and Australia, the production, sale, and possession of psychedelic mushrooms are illegal. In the United States, the regulations vary by state, with Oregon and Colorado having more relaxed laws.
Psilocybin mushrooms can be found in the wild, especially in tropical and subtropical forests, and are commonly found in Mexico. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between different species of mushrooms, and consuming the wrong type can be dangerous.
