Magic Mushrooms

For individuals in tune with drug culture, the aesthetic of bright, colorful mushrooms can be found on posters, t-shirts and on album covers of CDs and records. Shrooms, or magic mushrooms are a commonly recognized, natural hallucinogen. It is also considered to be one of the least dangerous narcotics that you can ingest. So what is it really?

What are Psychedelic Mushrooms?

Mushrooms containing the chemical psilocybin are considered to be ‘magic’ mushrooms. Ingesting these fungi produces intense hallucinations in the user. Historians hypothesize that psychedelic mushrooms were used in religious ceremonies and rituals around the world as far back as 6,000 years ago. Evidence of use has been found on cave rock art, and in sculptures in nearly every continent. Many users, even today, describe using mushrooms as a spiritual experience. In fact, in some countries, its use is still legal if it is used for religious ritual or for spirituality.

What is Psilocybin?

Psilocybin is a natural psychoactive, hallucinogenic substance that is found in hundreds of species of mushrooms. Though this magical formula has been used for hundreds of years, the compound was first isolated in 1958. Ingestion is the primary method of intake. Typically, the mushrooms are dried out and put on food to overcome the bitter taste, though they can also be brewed in tea or made into an oil. This chemical is converted into psilocin by the body, which has hallucinogenic effects that are similar to DMT or LSD. The intensity of the high is dependent on the species of mushroom and how much is ingested. As with any substance, the user’s physiology plays a role. It has a low toxicity and typically does not cause harm to the body.

Abusing Mushrooms

Psilocybin is a non-addictive substance. This means that despite it having powerful effects on the body and mind, there is no craving or withdrawal. Despite there being no actual cravings, many users do enjoy regular recreational use. While it is very rare, it is possible to overdose on magic mushrooms. Psychologically and physically, it is considered to be one of the safest drugs to use. There can be uncomfortable side effects, though, they are not devastating.

To identify the rare but possible risks of overdose, you should be aware of the following:

Panic Attacks
Paranoia
Psychosis
Seizures
Vomiting
Being in a high stress mindset, or in a volatile place that you are not comfortable in can all impact whether or not you experience difficulties while using mushrooms.