Psilocybin is the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. Over 100 types of mushrooms have hallucinogenic properties, and these have been used as part of religious and cultural rituals for hundreds of thousands of years by indigenous populations. They were also a popular drug of choice during the 1960s, leading them to be banned and put on the controlled substances list. Though they are organic and perceived as safer compared to synthetic hallucinogens, magic mushrooms can have major detrimental effects on physical and mental health.
What is psilocybin?
The types of mushrooms that have hallucinogenic effects when ingested contain a substance called psilocybin. Psilocybin is converted into another chemical compound in the body called psilocin, which has wide-ranging effects on the brain. Psilocybin mushrooms are native to Central and North America, and they can be digested when eaten or brewed as a tea. These effects can cause dramatic changes in perception, auditory and visual hallucinations, and changes in mood.
The effects last for several hours, and they can be unpredictable, sometimes causing what is known as a bad trip. During a bad trip, a person might have terrifying hallucinations or severe paranoia or panic. Because of the drug’s long duration, they may feel trapped in this altered state. Despite these risks, magic mushrooms are favored by individuals who feel that the drug makes them feel spiritual experiences whereby they feel unified with the universe.
How does psilocybin affect the brain?
Psilocybin affects many areas of the brain by acting on serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is essential for mood regulation, perception, learning, memory, and thought. Psilocybin, acting through its derivative psilocin, activates serotonin receptors for many hours, temporarily changing the way the brain thinks and perceives the world. This effect tends to dull the perception of negative emotions, increase well-being, and severely distort normal perception. However, it’s important to note that the effects of psilocybin mushrooms are very context dependent and can be affected by the general environment and the user’s mood. That’s why one person may have a peaceful hallucinogenic high and another may have a bad trip, even when using the same amount of the same substance.
The psychedelic “trip” of psilocybin mushrooms can take effect 20 to 30 minutes after they are ingested. Subsequently, they can last up to 6 hours. The acute effects of psilocybin use may include:
- Increased positive mood and blunted negative emotion
- Distorted or exaggerated sensory perceptions
- Visual and auditory hallucinations
- Synesthesia, which makes people feel like their senses are mixing. For example, seeing sounds
- Changed perception of time
- Out-of-body experiences and other bodily sensations
- Inability to distinguish what is real and what is not
- Feeling one with the universe
These psilocybin mushroom effects come at a price. Shrooms have drastic effects on the central nervous system and the body, which is evident through side effects that may be experienced when taking mushrooms. These potential side effects include:
- Paranoia, severe distress, or panic
- Dilated pupils
- Restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
- Dizziness
- Impaired coordination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle twitching
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Increased heart rate
- Dry mouth
- Stomach pain and diarrhea
- Headache or migraine
Risks of using psilocybin mushrooms
Use of shrooms also presents other risks to health and safety including the possibility of accidentally ingesting toxic mushrooms or engaging in dangerous behaviors that can lead to injury, accident, or death. It’s not unusual for individuals on mushrooms to commit acts of violence or self-harm because they are disconnected from the real consequences of their behavior. For instance, they may believe they can fly and jump from a high altitude.
Long-term mushroom use can also lead to permanently distorted perception. This is known as Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPDD), a condition that results in sudden flashbacks of hallucinations. Though HPDD is more likely with long-term mushroom use, it may occur to new or infrequent users as well.
Are mushrooms addictive?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), as many as 7 million Americans take hallucinogens every year. Psilocybin is not generally considered addictive, because it doesn’t have compounds like opioids that can easily cause physical dependence. However, continued abuse may still lead to psychological addiction and dependence. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), just a couple of problematic behaviors with regard to mushrooms and similar substances are enough to meet diagnostic criteria for substance use disorders. These criteria include:
- Spending more time time and energy trying to get, use, or recover from mushroom use
- Continued use of magic mushrooms even if they have detrimental effects on one’s professional or personal life
- Continued use of mushrooms even if they cause or exacerbate existing physical conditions
- Taking mushrooms in situations that can increase the chance of danger such as while driving
- Trying and failing to quit using mushrooms
- Developing tolerance, meaning that larger and larger doses are required over time to achieve the same effect
- Withdrawal symptoms if hallucinogen use is suddenly discontinued
Psilocybin mushrooms are unlikely to cause lethal overdose on their own. An extremely high and unrealistic dose would be required for lethal overdose. However, it is possible to overdose in a way that causes severe distress and drastic physical effects. People taking large doses of mushrooms are more likely to experience a bad trip, leading to intense fear or anxiety, even feeling like they’re drying. In this state, individuals are more likely to engage in acts of self-harm or violence and accidentally hurt themselves or others. As with any substance, the chances of lethal overdose increase exponentially if mushrooms are mixed with other drugs or substances. Two or more drugs can have a synergistic effect, which is much more powerful and unpredictable than the effect of any one drug.
Psilocybin mushroom abuse and addiction may be complicated because sometimes shrooms exacerbate or even trigger other mental health conditions like psychosis or schizophrenia. Thus, it’s important for addiction treatment to be individualized and address underlying or co-occurring psychological issues. This may also include concurrent substance abuse issues like alcoholism.
Treatment for psilocybin mushroom abuse begins with medically supervised detox. During detox, the individual is monitored around-the-clock to ensure that they can safely eliminate all substances from the body. Though mushrooms do not typically cause major physical withdrawal symptoms, there may be lingering effects after using mushrooms.
Following detox, addiction treatment shifts focus to individual and group therapy that can address underlying issues which are related to problematic psilocybin use. The goal of psychological intervention is to develop healthier coping strategies as a way to prevent using drugs as a crutch for emotional distress. Group therapy can also be very beneficial as these peers provide a supportive network of individuals at varying points in their recovery journey who can support recovery.
Psilocybin mushroom addiction FAQs
Is it safe to microdose magic mushrooms?
Some current research is evaluating the benefits of taking a fraction of a regular dose of psilocybin for certain mental health disorders like anxiety, but until now, it is still not an approved medical treatment.
Are mushrooms safer than synthetic hallucinogens?
Many people believe that mushrooms are a safer alternative to synthetic drugs like LSD because they are organic and not synthesized illicitly in a lab. However, there are still many negative effects of mushroom use despite their perceived safety.
Is psilocybin a controlled substance?
Yes, psilocybin is a controlled substance according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). It is classified as a Schedule I substance, which means that it carries a high potential for abuse and no safe medical use.
Effective substance use treatment requires a careful assessment of each person’s needs and recovery goals.
At Austin Pines Ranch, we offer an extensive array of programs and services to accommodate those needs, taking into account personal and professional obligations and time commitment. With the help of a professional team, we will evaluate substance abuse history, mental health, and psychosocial status to determine the level of care that’s best suited for you.
