Hallucinogenic mushrooms – action, side effects, addiction

Proven content

Hallucinogenic mushrooms or colloquially “hallucinogenic mushrooms” are naturally occurring mushrooms that are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They belong to the group of psychoactive substances that cause changes in perception, mood and thinking. The key ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms is psilocybin. When psilocybin is ingested it is converted into psilocin in the body, which in turn is a chemical with psychoactive properties

Hallucinogenic mushrooms – occurrence and types

Hallucinogenic mushrooms are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin and psilocin, naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compounds. Psilocybin is classified as an indole alkylamine (tryptamine). These compounds are similar in structure to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and are abused for their hallucinogenic and euphoric effects to induce so-called “Trip”. The hallucinogenic (psychedelic) effects are likely due to actions on the serotonin (5-HT) receptors of the central nervous system.

There are over 180 species of mushrooms that contain either psilocybin or psilocin. Like peyote (mescaline), hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used for centuries in indigenous or religious rites. Both psilocybin and psilocin can also be produced synthetically in the laboratory. There are reports that psilocybin bought in the streets may in fact be other LSD-added species of mushrooms.

Psilocybin was first isolated in 1958 by Dr. Albert Hofmann, who also discovered lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

See also: LSD can help in the treatment of alcohol addiction

Hallucinogenic mushrooms – how to recognize them?

The psilocybin-containing mushrooms look like ordinary mushrooms with long, slender stems that have whitish-gray and dark brown caps with a light brown or white center. The dried mushrooms are rusty brown with off-white areas.

Hallucinogenic mushrooms can be eaten, mixed with food or brewed like drinking tea. They can also be mixed with hemp or tobacco and smoked. Liquid psilocybin is also available, which is a naturally occurring psychedelic agent found in the Psilocybe semilanceata (Latin Psilocybe semilanceata), a species of mushroom that grows naturally in Poland, which, due to its appearance and psychoactive properties, is sometimes called the “freedom cap” or “magic mushroom”. “.

See also: Mushrooms in the human body

Hallucinogenic mushrooms – action

Hallucinogenic mushrooms are hallucinogens, which means they can cause us to see, hear and feel sensations that seem real, but are not. The effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms, however, are highly variable and are believed to be influenced by environmental factors.

Mushrooms have a long history of association with spiritual experiences and self-discovery. Many believe that naturally occurring agents such as hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana, and mescaline are sacred herbs that enable people to attain higher states of consciousness. Others take hallucinogenic mushrooms to experience euphoria, connection, and a distorted sense of time.

Psilocybin found in mushrooms is converted into psilocin in our body and is believed to affect serotonin levels in the brain, leading to altered and unusual perceptions. Effects start from 20 to 40 minutes and can last up to 6 hours – this is the same time it takes to metabolize and excrete psilocin.

The effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms are influenced by many factors, including dosage, age, weight, personality, emotional state, environment, and a history of mental illness.

It is interesting to note that while hallucinogenic mushrooms are often sought to get a quiet ‘high’, it has been reported that the mushrooms cause anxiety in some people, frightening hallucinations and paranoia also known as a ‘bad trip’.

See also: Hallucinogenic mushrooms can change personality permanently

Hallucinogenic mushrooms – side effects

All psychedelics carry a risk of causing mental and emotional problems and causing accidents under their influence. Among adolescents, hallucinogenic mushrooms are often taken in conjunction with alcohol and other drugs, which increases the risk of mental and physical problems.

The amount of psilocybin and psilocin contained in any hallucinogenic mushroom is unknown, and mushrooms vary widely in the amount of psychoactive content. This means that it is very difficult to determine the length, intensity and type of “journey” someone will experience.

Eating mushrooms can result in a mild trip, making the user feel relaxed or sleepy. It can also be a frightening experience, however, marked by hallucinations, delusions and panic. At worst, hallucinogenic mushrooms are known to cause convulsions.

The side effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms can include both physical and psychological effects.

Physical effects of using hallucinogenic mushrooms.

1. Dilated pupils;
2. Somnolence;
3. Headaches;
4. Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature;
5. Lack of coordination;
6. Weak muscles;
7. Nausea;
8. Yawning.

Mental effects of using hallucinogenic mushrooms.

1. Distorted sense of time, place and reality;
2. Euphoria;
3. Hallucinations (visual or auditory);
4. Having introspective (spiritual) experiences;
5. Panic reactions;
6. Paranoia;
7. Psychosis;
8. Nervousness.

More research into the long-term, lasting side effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms is needed, but it has been reported that users may experience long-term personality changes as well as a relapse of past experiences long after taking the mushrooms.

Since hallucinogenic mushrooms look similar to poisonous mushrooms, poisoning is another potential risk of taking these mushrooms. Mushroom poisoning can cause severe disease, organ damage and even death.

It is also common for hallucinogenic mushroom products to be contaminated. A study of 886 samples of purported psilocybin mushrooms analyzed by the Pharm Chem Street Drug Laboratory found that only 252 (28%) were actually hallucinogenic, while 275 (31%) were regular store-bought mushrooms with LSD or phencyclidine (PCP) supplementation, and 328 (37%) did not contain any psychoactive substance.

See also: Do you like a drink? You don’t even know what the consequences might be

Hallucinogenic mushrooms – signs of use

If our loved one takes hallucinogenic mushrooms, they may feel nauseous or appear nervous or oversensitive. When using drugs, you should always pay attention to any changes in sleep and eating patterns, as well as changes in mood, personality and social activity.

See also: Drug addiction

Hallucinogenic Mushrooms – Frequently Asked Questions

Some people believe that hallucinogenic mushrooms are safer than other drugs and cause a milder trip than other hallucinogens. However, in addition to their potential poisonous effects, hallucinogenic mushrooms are just as unpredictable in their effects as other drugs. Some people have reported far more intense and frightening hallucinations with hallucinogenic mushrooms than with LSD.

Many people also mistake toadstools for psilocybin-containing mushrooms – but they’re not the same thing. The fly agaric contains the psychoactive chemicals ibotenic acid and muscimol, which are known to cause tremors, salivation, sweating, dizziness, vomiting and delirium.

Hallucinogenic mushrooms – addiction

Like most drugs, the more hallucinogenic mushrooms we take, the more tolerance we develop. Tolerance also develops quickly with regular use. This means that we need more resources to achieve the same effect.

The development of tolerance can be particularly risky in mushrooms as consuming large amounts can result in overdose symptoms which, while not fatal, may include:

1. fire;
2. vomiting;
3. diarrhea;
4. muscle weakness;
5. panic or paranoia;
6. psychosis;
7. epileptic seizures.

The short-term effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms usually wear off within 6 to 12 hours. Users, however, may experience long-lasting personality changes and a relapse in past experiences long after taking hallucinogens.

The mean half-life of psilocybin varies from one hour to two, and it usually takes five to six half-lives for the substance to be eliminated from our body.

The typical urine drug screening test for drug use does not respond to psilocybin, but there are specific tests that may be ordered to detect a potent hallucinogen. Like many other psychoactive substances, hallucinogenic mushrooms can be found in hair follicles for up to 90 days.

Psilocybin is not addictive and does not lead to compulsive use. This is partly because the agent can cause an intense “trip”. Additionally, people taking hallucinogenic mushrooms can build tolerance to psilocybin fairly quickly, making it difficult to obtain any effect after a few days of repeated use.

While users rarely report physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug, some experience psychological effects that may include depression.

See also: Drug addiction – how is it manifested and what is the treatment?

Hallucinogenic mushrooms – first aid after an overdose

A person after an overdose of hallucinogenic mushrooms should be calmed down and feel the presence of another person (for this purpose, for example, they can be held by the hand). If the symptoms of hallucinogenic mushrooms become more severe or persist for many hours, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Medical assistance includes anxiety therapy and, in extreme cases, drug treatment. Depending on your individual symptoms, your doctor may decide to give you anti-anxiety or sedative medications.

See also: Over-the-counter sedative medications

Hallucinogenic mushrooms – how widespread are they?

Based on a 2018 survey by the SAMHSA National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 5,6 million people 12 years of age or older reported using hallucinogens (which may include hallucinogenic mushrooms) in the year prior to the study. In 2017, that number was around 5,1 million. In the survey, hallucinogens include not only mushroom psilocybin, but also other psychedelic agents such as LSD, MDMA (Ecstasy, Molly), and peyote (mescaline). By comparison, 43,5 million people used marijuana in the year leading up to the 2018 study.

In 2018, 1,1 million people 12 years of age and older first used hallucinogens in the last year. In particular, students and people between the ages of 18 and 25 may choose mushrooms as a drug.

See also: Ecstasy can help victims of post-traumatic stress disorder

Hallucinogenic Mushrooms – Medical Applications and Clinical Trials

Although psilocybin has been used in rituals for centuries, modern medicine has recently reported clinical trials as well. The Journal of Psychopharmacology published a report detailing two small studies which noted that the constituent of “hallucinatory mushrooms” – psilocybin – can reverse the feeling of “existential suffering” that patients often feel after cancer treatment. Apparently, cancer can leave patients with this kind of mental disorder, leaving them believing that there is no point in life. Conventional treatments, such as antidepressants, may not be effective. However, the use of a single dose of synthetic psilocybin reversed the suffering experienced by patients and was a long-term effect.

Two additional studies using psilocybin have been completed: one at New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center in New York and one at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore. For both studies, trained observers were with patients when they experienced drug effects, which could lead to hallucinations.

1. In the NYU study, 29 patients with advanced cancer were administered either a single dose of psilocybin or a vitamin B known as niacin, both in combination with psychotherapy. After seven weeks, patients switched treatment (a crossover study). In 60% to 80% of patients receiving psilocybin, relief from suffering appeared quickly and lasted over six months. The long-term effect has been assessed by scientists looking at test results for depression and anxiety.
2. In a study by Johns Hopkins Medical School, researchers treated 51 adults with advanced cancer with a low dose of psilocybin, followed five weeks later by a higher dose, with a 6-month follow-up. As with the NYU study, approximately 80% of participants experienced clinically significant relief from anxiety and depression that lasted for up to six months.

At the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, researchers focus on how psychedelics affect behavior, mood, cognition, brain function, and biological markers of health. This research group was the first to obtain US regulatory approval to continue research with psychedelics in healthy volunteers. Additional research is expected with psilocybin, one of which is comparing the chemical with a leading traditional antidepressant.

As reported by Johns Hopkins Medical School, upcoming research will evaluate the use of psilocybin as a novel therapy for opioid dependence, Alzheimer’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Lyme disease, anorexia, and alcohol consumption in people with severe depression. A focus on precision medicine tailored to the individual patient is expected.

In November 2019, the FDA designated Psilocybin Therapy to the Usona Institute as a “breakthrough therapy” for depression, an action the agency uses to accelerate the development and review of experimental drugs. Breakthrough therapies are expected to deliver significant improvements over the resources currently available for unmet medical needs.

See also: Will Drugs Cure Depression?