Tripping on shrooms: What does the science tell us?
The bottom line
Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin and psilocin, which cause hallucinations, euphoria, altered time and space perception, intensified emotions and spiritual experiences. An overdose is unlikely but adverse effects of usual doses include panic reactions, psychosis, flashbacks, recurring visual disturbances, and drug interactions related to the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Prevention Tips
Store magic mushrooms up, away, and out of sight of children.
Educate yourself on the proper dose and potential risks.
Know the effects associated with their use.
Talk to other people who have used magic mushrooms before using so you know what to expect.
Start with low doses and if you increase the dose, do so slowly.
Use in a comfortable and safe setting.
Have a friend with you for support.
Stop using it if you notice a negative change in your mental health.
This Really Happened
A teenager presented to the hospital with altered mental status, non-sensical speech, and shaking extremities after ingesting psilocybin. He was agitated with disorganized thought processes and evidence of psychosis. MRI findings led to a diagnosis of toxic metabolic encephalopathy due to psilocybin. He was treated with risperidone and lorazepam, his mental status improved over 6 days, and he was discharged.
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What are magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic mushrooms of the genusPsilocybethat contain psilocybin and psilocin, which are naturally occurring psychedelic mind-altering compounds. They are also known as “shrooms.”
How does psilocybin affect the brain?
Users experience sensory effects including visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations. Euphoria, as well as mystical and spiritual experiences, are possible. They have been known to alter perceptions of time and space, as well as lead to intensified emotions and the inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
After ingesting the dried or fresh mushroom, the onset of effects is 20 minutes, the peak is at 3-4 hours, and the total duration is 6-8 hours. Effects vary from one person to another. The experience depends on setting, such that a comfortable environment can result in a good trip, whereas a negative environment can lead to a bad trip.
How does psilocybin affect the body?
Physical effects of ingesting psilocybin include nausea, vomiting, dilated pupils, sweating, drowsiness, muscle weakness, tremors, and incoordination.
Is psilocybin dangerous? Can You overdose on it?
It is difficult to ingest a large enough number of magic mushrooms to overdose. However, trip-induced panic reactions and psychosis or other disturbing emotional effects can lead to toxicity and death. For example, a user experiencing a bad trip may jump out of a window or in front of a car.
Psilocybin is a serotonin agonist, which means that serotonin toxicity can occur from psilocybin itself or due to interactions with other serotonergic agents. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which regulates mood, emotions and memory. Too much serotonin can cause serotonin syndrome, which is characterized by mental status effects such as agitation, anxiety, and confusion; physical effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure; and neuromuscular effects including tremors, muscle stiffness, and twitching.
Are there long-term effects of taking magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms can affect serotonin levels in the brain, which may influence emotions, cognition, and mood. Flashbacks are also associated with long-term use. The user experiences a recurrence of emotions or sensory perceptions that occurred during a prior use. Another long-term effect is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder, which can last for weeks and is characterized by recurring visual disturbances.
Are there medicinal benefits of taking magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms may have some beneficial medicinal effects, especially for depression. It has also been studied as a potential treatment for mood disorders (such as anxiety) and drug dependence.
Mental health and magic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms may improve mental health in some people. In others, long-term use can lead to anxiety, depression, and psychotic symptoms. Magic mushrooms can affect behavior and personality. These effects may be positive (such as increased creativity and spirituality) or negative (such as impaired social functioning).
What is microdosing?
Microdosing is taking a small amount of a hallucinogen such as magic mushrooms (psilocybin) on a regular schedule to improve mood and mental health. The dose is usually 5-10% of a normal recreational dose so for psilocybin a microdose would be 1-2 mg. Microdosing is purported to improve mood, motivation and sense of wellbeing as well as decrease anxiety and depression. However, evidence of efficacy is mixed without proof that it is helpful. There are a lot of anecdotal self-reports that it is helpful. The risk of serious adverse effects is low.
Have more questions about magic mushrooms?
Use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
