Also known as psilocybin mushrooms, magic mushrooms are among the popular psychedelic substances globally. The term magical in this context applies to different fungus species that contain active ingredient psilocybin or psilocin, its derivative. These compounds are believed to bind with serotonin receptors in your brain to induce some kind of psychedelic experience that many users create a ‘trip.’
Psilocybin mushrooms are either cultivated or grown in the wild. Keep in mind that psilocybin is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic and psychoactive compound. It is classified as a schedule 1 drug, which means it has a higher potential for misuse, and currently, it’s not accepted for medical use in the United States.
Different cultures have known about the use of hallucinogenic properties of psilocybin mushrooms for many centuries. However, psilocybin was first isolated by Dr. Albert Hoffmann in 1958. He also discovered LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide).
These types of mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are often prepared by drying and can be eaten by adding them to drinks or food. Some people choose to eat freshly picked psilocybin mushrooms. Note that magic mushrooms, also referred to as “shrooms” or “mushies,” have different names depending on the region where they grow. For instance, you can find them easily at a reputable magic mushroom dispensary Vancouver, and some popular varieties include golden tops, blue meanies, philosopher’s stones, liberty caps, and more.
What do psilocybin mushrooms do?
Accumulating scientific evidence shows that psilocybin mushrooms hallucinogenic drugs. That means they can cause you to hear, feel, and see sensations that sound real but are not. The impact of psilocybin, a compound commonly found in these mushrooms, is variable and believed to be influenced by various environmental factors.
Mushrooms have a long history of spiritual-related experiences and self-discovery. Most people believe that natural drugs, like mushrooms, mescaline, and marijuana, are sacred herbs that allow people to get a superior spiritual state. Some people consume magic mushrooms to experience a sense of connection, euphoria, and probably a distorted sense of time. And also to know what do shrooms taste like.
As mentioned earlier, psilocybin is a joint compound in shrooms. This compound is converted to psilocin in your body and can influence serotonin levels in your brain. This leads to altered and unusual perceptions of reality. Keep in mind that the impact of psilocybin can take 20 minutes to 40 minutes to start and can last for about 6 hours. This is the same period it takes your body to metabolize and excrete psilocin.
What do experts say?
Though magic mushrooms are usually sought out for a somewhat peaceful high, mushrooms are also reported to induce anxiety, scary hallucinations, confusion, and paranoia in some uses. In most cases, hospital admissions related to the consumption of magic mushrooms are connected to what medical experts call a ‘bad trip.’ However, this might not be the case if only you can limit consumption to the recommended doses.
Recently approved uses
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for centuries both for spiritual advice medicine you use among indigenous Europeans and Americans. In 2018, scientific researchers from Johns Hopkins University issued a recommendation that suggested the reclassification of the drug from Schedule I drugs to Schedule IV drugs. This could allow its medical use. Accumulating scientific evidence suggests that psilocybin can be used to treat cancer-related psychiatric distress, anxiety, substance use disorders, depression, and nicotine addiction.
Denver became the very first city to decriminalize magic mushrooms in 2019. Oakland was the second city that decriminalized mushrooms less than a month later. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean mushrooms are legal. But these cities are not allowed to spend resources in imposing criminal penalties on individuals caught in possession of psilocybin mushrooms.
What are the side effects of psilocybin mushrooms?
Studies show that all hallucinogens have the risk of triggering emotional and mental related problems that could cause accidents while under different levels of influence of the drug. Among adolescents and young adults, psilocybin mushrooms are frequently taken in combination with other drugs such as alcohol. This could heighten the psychological and physical risks associated with the consumption of magic mushrooms.
It’s important to mention that the amount of psilocybin and the psilocin ingredients in any given mushroom is unknown. This is because mushrooms vary widely in terms of the number of psychoactive components. It is, therefore, hard to determine the length, intensity, and type of experience you will have once you consume these mushrooms.
Different studies in the past have explored the possible effects of the safe consumption of magic mushrooms. Low doses of this product are associated with a mild ‘trip’ that causes the user to feel relaxed. On the other hand, consuming high quantities of psilocybin mushrooms could lead to hallucinations, panic, and delusions. And this is terrible news for the consumer. In the worst-case scenario, psilocybin mushrooms have been known to cause high levels of convulsions.
The side effects of consumption of these mushrooms, including mental and physical effects. The physical products include;
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Dilated pupils
- Headache
- Lack of coordination
- Frequent yawning
- Increased heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure
- Muscle weakness
The mental side effects of consuming magic mushrooms may include the following:
- Euphoria
- Psychosis
- Hallucinations both auditory and visual
- Panic reactions to typical situations
- Nervousness
- Distorted sense of place, reality, and time
- Having introspective experiences
It’s Important to mention that more research is necessary to determine the long-term side effects of consuming psilocybin mushrooms. A few studies in the past have suggested that chronic consumption of these mushrooms could cause long-term changes in one’s personality and frequent flashbacks.
Note that psilocybin mushrooms look similar to the poisonous species of mushrooms. That means if you picked the wrong species, poisoning is another potential risk of taking these drugs. You already know that mushroom poisoning can result in severe illness, significant organ damage, and eventual death.
Summary
Just like marijuana, magic mushrooms are likely to have a lot of health benefits for consumers. But this is just a possibility, and more scientific studies are required to determine if this is true. Until then, consult with your doctor before you purchase magic mushrooms online.