Emma Wilson
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are mostly illegal in the U.S., but have a wide range of health benefits. The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person, and the strength of the mushrooms can vary greatly. The biggest risk associated with their use is that they look very similar to some types of poisonous mushrooms, which can make people violently ill or even kill them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, Shrooms, Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, Psilocin, Norpsilocin, Baeocystin, Norbaeocystin, Aeruginascin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, Anxiety, Paranoia, Fear, Nausea, Excessive yawning, Distorted sense of time, place, and reality, Flashbacks, Delayed headaches |
| Dosage | 1.0 to 3.5–5.0 g of dry mushrooms, 10 to 50 g of fresh mushrooms, 10 to 50 mg of psilocybin |
| Legality | Illegal in Canada and the U.S. (except in Denver) |
| Risks | Poisoning, Accidental ingestion of poisonous mushrooms, Bad trips, Psychosis, Physical dependence, Unwanted effects |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are used as recreational drugs
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are commonly used as recreational drugs due to their hallucinogenic and psychoactive effects.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used as recreational drugs for centuries, with potential depictions in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe and more certain representations in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. 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 other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, and Pluteus.
Recreational doses of psilocybin mushrooms typically range from 1.0 to 3.5-5.0 grams of dried mushrooms and 10 to 50 grams of fresh mushrooms. The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly within the same species. Psilocybe cubensis, one of the most popular species, has been reported to contain around 0.63% psilocybin and 0.6% psilocin, or about 1.2% combined.
Magic mushrooms can be consumed in various forms, including fresh or dried mushrooms, extracts, edibles, or tea. When ingested, psilocybin is broken down by the liver and converted into psilocin, which produces the psychedelic effects. These effects can include heightened emotions and senses, laughter, and a sense of mental and emotional clarity. However, negative side effects such as nausea, excessive yawning, anxiety, paranoia, and distorted senses may also occur.
The use of magic mushrooms as recreational drugs has been popularized by various figures, such as María Sabina in Mexico, who used native mushrooms like Psilocybe mexicana in her practice. By the early 1970s, the promotion of psychedelic experiences by figures like Timothy Leary and the availability of wild and cultivated mushrooms led to an explosion in the use of psilocybin mushrooms worldwide. Today, magic mushrooms are one of the most widely used psychedelic drugs, with varying degrees of legality across different countries.
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They contain the hallucinogenic substances psilocybin and psilocin
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the hallucinogenic substances psilocybin and psilocin. The psilocybin in magic mushrooms is a prodrug that turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species of magic mushrooms include P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been found in several other genera, including Panaeolus, Copelandia, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
The effects of magic mushrooms can vary significantly depending on the individual. Recreational doses typically range from 1.0 to 3.5-5.0 grams of dried mushrooms, with higher amounts considered a "strong" or "heroic" dose. The effects usually begin within 30 to 45 minutes and can last up to 6 hours. Early effects may include nausea, excessive yawning, and a distorted sense of time and reality. Higher doses or stronger mushrooms can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and impaired judgment, which may result in risk-taking behaviour and traumatic injuries. It is important to note that consuming an extremely large or strong batch of magic mushrooms can lead to a "bad trip," characterised by fear, paranoia, and other unwanted effects.
The active ingredients in magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, are classified as psychoactive substances and are internationally controlled. While magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years and are currently used recreationally or as a health treatment, they are mostly illegal in places like the United States and Canada. The primary risk associated with their use is the possibility of mistaking them for poisonous mushrooms, as they share a similar appearance. Therefore, it is crucial to be well-informed and cautious when considering the consumption of magic mushrooms.
The dosage of magic mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary within the same species. Psilocybe cubensis, a popular species, contains approximately 0.63% psilocybin and 0.6% psilocin, or about 1.2% combined. The effects of pure psilocybin or psilocin may differ from those of psilocybin mushrooms, suggesting an entourage effect with multiple compounds working together. Additionally, β-carbolines found in some magic mushrooms may inhibit the metabolism of psilocybin, thereby enhancing its effects.
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The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person
Magic mushrooms, 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 magic mushrooms vary from person to person, and there are several factors that can influence this variation.
One factor is the dosage and potency of the mushrooms. Recreational doses of psilocybin mushrooms typically range from 1.0 to 3.5-5.0 grams of dried mushrooms, with higher doses leading to more intense effects. However, the psilocybin and psilocin content can vary significantly even within the same species of mushrooms.
An individual's mental state, personality, and immediate environment also play a role in the variability of magic mushroom effects. For example, feelings of stress, anxiety, or pre-existing mental health conditions can increase the risk of negative experiences, such as a "bad trip." Conversely, being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends, and in a safe and familiar environment can contribute to a more positive experience.
The effects of magic mushrooms typically include heightened emotions and senses, distorted sense of reality, sensory distortion (such as seeing music or hearing colours), euphoria, and hallucinations. However, these effects can vary widely, and some people may experience adverse side effects such as nausea, excessive yawning, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, or a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
It is important to note that the use of magic mushrooms carries risks, including the possibility of a "bad trip," delayed flashbacks, and, in rare cases, long-term mental health conditions such as psychosis. Additionally, there is a risk of poisoning due to the similarity between magic mushrooms and certain poisonous mushrooms.
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They may cause a bad trip, which can be frightening
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person, and the strength of the mushrooms can vary greatly. The effects of mushrooms generally begin after about 30 to 45 minutes and can last as long as 6 hours.
A ""bad trip"" may occur, particularly at high doses. These experiences may be frightening and may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self and reality. Impaired judgment during these "bad trips" may lead to risk-taking behaviour, which may then lead to traumatic injuries or even death. In certain cases, users may experience frequent or overly intense psychedelic events that may induce abrupt "flashbacks", i.e., reliving a previous experience. Feelings of stress or anxiety before using magic mushrooms may also result in a bad trip.
The best way to reduce the risk of unpleasant effects and bad trips is to be careful about the use of magic mushrooms. Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends, and in a safe environment before taking magic mushrooms reduces the risk of having a bad trip. The effects of taking magic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescribed medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous.
It is important to note that the biggest risk associated with psilocybin mushroom use is that they look very similar to some types of poisonous mushrooms. It can be easy to mistake a poisonous mushroom for a psilocybin mushroom. Always make sure to use an established guide or grower that produces mushrooms of trusted quality.
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Magic mushrooms are mostly illegal in the US
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are mostly illegal in the US. Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug produced naturally by psilocybin mushrooms, and it is this substance that causes hallucinations when ingested. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary, with early effects including nausea and excessive yawning, and higher doses leading to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. A very high dose can lead to a long-term mental health condition known as psychosis.
The US Psychotropic Substances Act of 1978 classifies psilocybin as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it has "no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse". This classification was first made in the 1970 Controlled Substances Act and further regulated by the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965, which aimed to regulate the unlicensed "possession, manufacture, or sale of depressant, stimulant, and hallucinogenic drugs".
However, there has been some progress towards the decriminalization and legalization of psilocybin mushrooms in the US in recent years. In 2020, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize its supervised non-medical use. This was followed by the District of Columbia, which passed Initiative 81 in November 2020, effectively decriminalizing psilocybin drugs including magic mushrooms. In 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, and in 2025, the state began issuing licenses for medical-assisted use.
While the movement to decriminalize psilocybin has gained momentum, it is not without criticism. Some argue that the push for decriminalization is premature, as more research is needed to understand the potential risks and consequences of unrestricted use. Nevertheless, advocates for decriminalization cite the drug's non-addictive nature and low number of emergency visits compared to other illegal drugs. They also argue that decriminalization would allow law enforcement to redirect resources to higher-priority issues affecting the general public.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies across the US, with some states and cities taking steps towards decriminalization, while others maintain strict regulations or prohibitions. The ambiguity in the legal system has led to an active underground economy involved in the sale of spores and cultivation materials.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion.
People take magic mushrooms for recreational purposes, as they can cause hallucinations and alter a person's thoughts, emotions and sense of reality. They may also be used for their potential health benefits.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. Early effects typically include nausea and excessive yawning. After these initial effects, the "trip" begins. A trip might be mild, leaving a person feeling drowsy or relaxed. But higher doses or stronger mushrooms can bring on hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness.
No, magic mushrooms are not safe. The biggest risk associated with their use is that they look very similar to some types of poisonous mushrooms, which can make people violently ill or even kill them. Consuming an especially large or strong batch of magic mushrooms can lead to a "'bad trip'", which may be frightening and involve paranoia, loss of boundaries and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgement during a bad trip may lead to risk-taking behaviour, which could result in traumatic injuries or even death.
Magic mushrooms are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. However, their legality varies by jurisdiction. For example, they are mostly illegal in the US, but the city of Denver has decriminalised them. In Canada, activities with magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorised by Health Canada.
