Sarah Brown
Nausea is a common side effect of ingesting magic mushrooms, with other symptoms including vomiting, stomach pains, and gastrointestinal distress. There are several theories as to why mushrooms cause nausea, including indigestible chitin, immune response to pathogens or toxins, disruption of serotonin levels, and the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin. The method of preparation can also affect the likelihood of nausea, with cooking mushrooms breaking down chitin and easing digestion. Additionally, smaller doses of magic mushrooms are less likely to cause nausea.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Indigestible substances in mushrooms | Chitin, beta-glucan, raw mushroom flesh |
| Immune response | To pathogens or toxins |
| Psychoactive compounds | Psilocybin, psilocin, phenethylamine (PEA), baeocystin, norbaeocystin, norpsilocin |
| Serotonin disruption | Interference with normal digestive processes |
| Preparation method | Lemon tek, tea, chewing |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Indigestion due to raw mushrooms
Nausea is one of the most common side effects of ingesting psilocybin mushrooms. While the specific causes are not yet fully understood, there are several factors that may contribute to nausea when consuming raw mushrooms.
Firstly, raw mushrooms contain indigestible chitin, a tough polysaccharide that can trigger inflammation and immune responses in the body. Chitin is broken down during cooking, making cooked mushrooms easier to digest. However, people often consume magic mushrooms raw to avoid degrading their psychoactive compounds.
Secondly, the chemical reaction between psilocybin, the primary compound in magic mushrooms, and the acidic environment of the stomach can be harsh on the gut, leading to nausea. Psilocybin is rapidly converted into psilocin in the stomach, and this conversion process is speculated to contribute to nausea. Additionally, the disruption of serotonin levels caused by magic mushrooms can interfere with normal digestive processes, further leading to nausea and an unsettled stomach.
Moreover, the presence of beta-glucan in the cell walls of fungi, including mushrooms, may also be a factor in mushroom-induced nausea. Beta-glucan supplements, for example, are associated with side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. The breakdown of beta-glucan by stomach acid is believed to contribute to the feeling of an upset stomach.
It is also important to consider the potential presence of harmful pathogens and heat-sensitive toxins in raw mushrooms, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation and allergic reactions. Cooking mushrooms can help eliminate these potential hazards and make them safer for consumption.
To reduce the likelihood of nausea when consuming raw mushrooms, some people recommend preparing them using the "lemon tek" method. This involves grinding the mushrooms into a fine powder and soaking them in lemon juice before consumption. This process is believed to pre-digest the beta-glucan, reducing the workload on the digestive system and potentially mitigating nausea.
Mushroom Hunting in Michigan: A Forager's Paradise
You may want to see also
Conversion of psilocybin to psilocin
Nausea is one of the most common side effects of ingesting psilocybin mushrooms. There are several theories as to why this occurs. One theory speculates that the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin may be responsible for the nausea. Psilocybin is a prodrug, meaning it is biologically inactive when ingested but is quickly converted by the body into psilocin, its active form. This conversion occurs through a process called dephosphorylation, which is mediated by phosphatase enzymes. During this process, a functional phosphate group is removed from the psilocybin molecule, resulting in the formation of psilocin.
Psilocybin is typically ingested orally, and upon ingestion, the acidic environment of the stomach facilitates the conversion to psilocin. Additionally, the enzyme alkaline phosphatase, primarily found in the liver and intestine, further promotes this conversion. Psilocybin itself is hydrophilic and cannot easily cross the blood-brain barrier. On the other hand, psilocin is lipophilic and can readily cross this barrier, allowing it to exert effects on the central nervous system.
The conversion of psilocybin to psilocin occurs rapidly, with plasma levels of psilocin peaking around 20 to 30 minutes after ingestion. The oral bioavailability of psilocybin as psilocin is approximately 55%, according to a small older study. However, there is a high degree of variability in the maximal response and conversion to psilocin between individuals, suggesting that intrinsic physiological factors such as age, gender, and overall health status play a role in the bioavailability of psilocin.
While the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin is a crucial aspect of its pharmacological activity, it is important to note that psilocybin-containing mushrooms also contain other compounds that may contribute to the overall effects, including nausea. The available evidence suggests that indigestible chitin, immune response to pathogens or toxins, psilocybin, psilocin, or a combination of these factors may be responsible for the nausea experienced by some individuals. Furthermore, individual variations in metabolism, dosage, and other factors can also influence the occurrence of nausea.
Mushrooms: A Rich Source of Magnesium?
You may want to see also
Serotonin disruption in the gut
Serotonin, a neurotransmitter, is often associated with mood regulation in the brain, but 95% of the body's serotonin is found in the gut, where it plays a vital role in digestion. When ingested, psilocybin, which is found in high quantities in magic mushrooms, is rapidly converted to psilocin by the acidic environment of the stomach and alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme found in the liver and intestine. This conversion process may cause nausea, as even individuals given pure psilocybin in clinical trials experienced nausea.
Psilocybin and psilocin affect serotonin receptors in both the brain and the gut, disrupting normal serotonin levels and interfering with regular digestive processes, which can lead to nausea and an unsettled stomach. This disruption can trigger feelings of queasiness and stress, as the body reacts to the altered serotonin balance.
Additionally, the way magic mushrooms alter sensory and cognitive experiences may also contribute to nausea. As mushrooms start to shift perception, the body may respond with mild stress or discomfort, leading to nausea.
The preparation method for consuming magic mushrooms can also impact the likelihood of experiencing nausea. Cooking mushrooms breaks down chitin, a tough, indigestible polysaccharide found in raw mushrooms, making them easier to digest. However, cooking may degrade psychoactive compounds, so alternative preparation methods, such as lemon tek, are often used to reduce nausea while preserving the psychoactive effects. Lemon tek involves grinding dried mushrooms into a fine powder, adding lemon juice, and then steeping the mixture in hot water. This process increases acidity, aiding the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin outside the body, which may reduce nausea.
While the exact mechanisms are still unclear, the available evidence suggests that the disruption of serotonin levels in the gut, combined with the impact on sensory and cognitive processes, contributes to the nausea commonly experienced after consuming magic mushrooms.
Preparing Chestnut Mushrooms: A Simple Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Phenethylamine (PEA) effects
One of the compounds in magic mushrooms is phenethylamine (PEA). This compound is a central nervous system stimulant, neurotransmitter, and hallucinogen in humans. It is chemically similar to amphetamine and may cause similar effects such as rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, agitation, and nausea.
Phenethylamine (PEA) is a chemical with stimulant effects. It is found naturally in plants, bacteria, fungi, and animals. It can also be made in a lab. Phenethylamine stimulates the body to make certain chemicals that play a role in brain chemistry. It is similar to the drug amphetamine and may cause similar side effects. People use phenethylamine for athletic performance, depression, obesity, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Phenethylamine is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth. It is similar to amphetamine and may cause side effects such as rapid heart rate, anxiety, or agitation. It might cause people with bipolar disorder to switch from depression to mania. It might worsen schizophrenia symptoms, including hallucinations or delusions. It might also affect the central nervous system, which could interfere with surgery.
Phenethylamine increases serotonin, a brain chemical. Some medications used for depression also increase serotonin. Taking phenethylamine along with these medications might increase serotonin too much, causing serious side effects such as severe headaches, heart problems, shivering, confusion, and anxiety.
Phenethylamine is a potent agonist of the human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1). It enhances the action potential-mediated release of monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. It is a monoaminergic activity enhancer (MAE) of these neurotransmitters, in addition to its catecholamine-releasing activity. Phenethylamine is also an odorant-binding TAAR4 in mice, thought to mediate predator avoidance.
Mold and Mushrooms: What's the Link?
You may want to see also
Beta-glucan breakdown
Beta-glucans (β-glucans) are a group of powerful compounds found in mushrooms, yeasts, and certain grains. They are naturally occurring polysaccharides—complex carbohydrate molecules found in various natural sources. Beta-glucans are the building blocks that make up cell walls in these organisms, forming a structure much like bricks in a building.
Mushrooms contain some of the most beneficial and well-researched forms of beta-glucans, which have unique structural characteristics that set them apart from those found in other sources. For example, mushroom beta-glucans typically have a branched structure with both 1,3 and 1,6 linkages, while oat beta-glucans have a simpler linear structure with 1,3 and 1,4 linkages. This structural variation gives each mushroom species a unique set of benefits.
Beta-glucans are indigestible polysaccharides, meaning they cannot be broken down and absorbed by the human body in their original form. However, they still provide significant health benefits, particularly for the immune system. They act as personal trainers for the immune system, helping to keep natural defences strong and in top shape. The beta-glucan content in mushroom products can vary significantly depending on the species and extraction methods, so testing is crucial to ensure consistent quality and potency.
The breakdown of composite polysaccharides in mushrooms, including beta-glucans, has been studied for its potential to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes. The carbohydrates in mushrooms function as prebiotics, altering gut bacteria composition and reducing insulin resistance. Additionally, beta-glucans have been widely studied for their unique sensory properties and nutritional values, as well as their health benefits due to their bioactive compounds.
Mushrooms: Insect or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The available evidence points to indigestible chitin, immune response to pathogens or toxins, psilocybin, psilocin, or a combination of these factors as possible causes of nausea from ingesting magic mushrooms.
In some cases, vomiting, stomach pains, GI distress, anxiety, hallucinations, and psychosis can accompany nausea.
Smaller doses of magic mushrooms will not cause nausea or general intoxication. Lemon tek is a popular method of reducing nausea. This involves grinding the mushrooms into a fine powder, adding lemon juice, and then steeping the mixture in hot water.
If you experience nausea after consuming mushrooms, contact a Poison Control Center as soon as possible.
