Are Magic Mushrooms Safe?

Although magic mushrooms aren’t as popular as other recreational drugs like MDMA, cannabis, and LSD, they have been getting more attention. However, are magic mushrooms safe to use?

Aside from the hype psilocybin mushrooms get from celebrities and mainstream media, scientists are keen on studying psychedelic drugs like these fungi for their possible use for mental health problems.

Magic mushrooms are also fairly popular within the microdosing community, fueled by the promise of improved mood, creativity, productivity, and overall well-being.

But is it safe to consume magic mushrooms?

What Are Magic Mushrooms?

Known by various names like Magics, Shrooms, Agaric, Liberties, Amani, Liberty Caps, and Philosopher’s stones, magic mushrooms refer to a type of mushrooms that contain the naturally occurring psychedelic drug psilocybin.

Psilocybin mushrooms are classified as psychedelics because they can alter the senses, cognition, emotions, and even one’s sense of time. Additionally, psychedelics can cause visual and auditory hallucinations.

Psilocybin is the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. Once ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin by the body. Psilocin contains psychoactive properties.

What do magic mushrooms look like?

At first glance, it can be hard to distinguish magic mushrooms from ordinary mushrooms because they look the same.

However, magic mushrooms share a few colour characteristics. Most of these mushrooms have gills and black or brown spore prints. Their bodies have a bluish colour.

According to psychedelic mushroom experts, highly potent ones have a bluish colour. However, a bluish colour does not necessarily mean that a mushroom is psychedelic, especially if it does not have black or brown spores.

History of magic mushrooms

Different civilizations have used magic mushrooms for thousands of years. Many of these civilizations have used psilocybin mushrooms for religious, ceremonial, and medicinal purposes.

Interest in taking magic mushrooms was revived in 1957 following R. Gordon Wasson’s photo essay published in Life Magazine.

Before that, Wasson, a banker by trade, came across a Mexican indigenous tribe that used magic mushrooms. Wasson sampled the magic shrooms and sent samples to Albert Hoffman.

Hoffman is a Swiss chemist credited for discovering the psychedelic substance known as LSD. After receiving the samples sent by Wasson, Hoffman isolated the psilocybin from the magic mushrooms and converted it to liquid psilocybin.

Eventually, Hoffman created a synthetic version of the substance and put that into pill form to be distributed to other researchers.

Interest from the scientific community regarding psychedelics like magic mushrooms flourished with numerous research and experiments.

A diverse range of experts, especially in the fields of psychiatry and psychology, sought to determine whether psychedelics can help treat mental health disorders ranging from anxiety to schizophrenia to substance abuse.

At the same time, more people began experimenting with magic mushrooms and other psychedelic drugs in search of benefits like creativity, productivity, wellness, and mental health.

But all of these came to a screeching halt, with psychedelic drugs being classified as Schedule I controlled substances in the seventies.

The legal status of magic mushrooms

It’s no understatement to say that the classification of psychedelic drugs like magic mushrooms in the seventies has set back scientific research.

And while psilocybin remains illegal in most countries, there are a few things that may help swing the tide in favour of magic mushrooms and psychedelics.

First, interest in the scientific community continues to grow. Second, more and more people are accepting the idea that psilocybin mushrooms and similar substances can help treat a diverse range of conditions.

Places like Oregon have taken a remarkable step forward by decriminalizing magic mushrooms, and many other states are seen to follow suit.

But do take note that decriminalization is not the same as legalization. Decriminalization means that magic mushrooms still retain their illegal status, but prosecution of people found to possess these mushrooms is highly discouraged.

Decriminalizing magic mushrooms doesn’t eliminate the rules and regulations pertaining to research on these psychedelics.

This is why many advocates strongly urge authorities to reclassify magic mushrooms and other psychedelics with promising potential for medical use.

Magic mushroom species

Magic mushroom is an umbrella term used to describe mushrooms containing psilocybin.

To date, experts have identified 180 species from different parts of the globe. Although these magic mushrooms come in various shapes, flavours, and effects, they all contain psilocybin.

Here are a few species of magic mushrooms.

Psilocybe cubensis

Psilocybe cubensis is among the most popular species of magic mushrooms.

Nicknamed “cubes,” Psilocybe cubensis is fairly easy to cultivate indoors. This is why this species has 60 different strains, including Penis Envy Mushrooms, Golden Teachers, and Pink Buffalo.

Psilocybe semilanceata

Nicknamed “Liberty Caps,” Psilocybe semilanceata can be found in various places in the world.

They can be found in European countries like Italy, Russia, Finland, and North America. Some strains have been discovered in New Zealand and Chile.

This species has also earned the accolade of being the third most potent species of magic mushrooms.

Psilocybe azurescens

Psilocybe azurescens, or flying saucer mushrooms, are considered by many as the most potent among magic mushroom species.

This species can only be found on the United States West Coast.

Psilocybe tampanensis

Psilocybe tampanensis are considered to be the rarest magic mushrooms because it can be difficult to find them in the wild.

Nicknamed the “Philosopher’s Stone,” Psilocybe tampanensis have sclerotia or truffles that grow underground.

What Are the Effects of Magic Mushrooms?

Consuming magic mushrooms can cause a diverse array of physical and psychological effects. Typically, psilocybin mushrooms are ingested to induce a trip.

Each trip varies, from simple relaxation and drowsiness to panic attacks from a bad trip.

Physical effects

• Pupil dilation
• Drowsiness
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle weakness
• Headaches
• Increased body temperature
• Elevated blood pressure

Mental effects

• Euphoria
• Auditory or visual hallucinations
• Paranoia
• Psychosis
• Altered perception
• Spiritual experience

Possible treatments using magic mushrooms

Most of the research on magic mushrooms centers around their potential health benefits.

In fact, the FDA has granted a breakthrough therapy status to psilocybin therapy for treating depression.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University are also looking at using magic mushrooms to help people who have succumbed to drug abuse as well as smokers who want to kick the habit.

The Heffter Research Institute, on the other hand, is looking into using magic mushrooms to manage the symptoms of psychological distress caused by cancer.

Magic mushroom dosage

When taking magic mushrooms, one crucial thing to remember is that the results are highly subjective. The effects on one person may be different from another.

Factors like your personal circumstances, openness, magic mushroom species, method of consumption, and dosage all affect your psychedelic trip.

Figuring out the correct dosage can be tricky due to many factors. For one, the psilocybin content of magic mushrooms varies depending on which part you use, whether you are ingesting fresh or dried mushrooms, and more.

Second, due to a lack of intensive studies, there are no established guidelines for dosage.

Typical dosage can vary from a microdose (equivalent to 0.1 to 0.5 mg of magic mushrooms) to a high dose (equivalent to 3.5 grams of magic mushrooms).

Ultimately, your dose will depend on your goals—people who microdose use a minute amount of magic mushrooms to reap the psychedelic benefits without impairment.

On the other hand, if you are after the psychedelic effects, you should use a high dose.

Addiction and tolerance

Are magic mushrooms addictive?

According to some studies, there is a low risk that you can become addicted to psilocybin mushrooms.

However, there is a high chance of developing tolerance to magic mushrooms, even if you are microdosing. This is why most recreational users stop using shrooms after weeks of daily usage.

Are Magic Mushrooms Safe?

Among the different psychedelic drugs, magic mushrooms are considered to be the safest ones to use.

A study conducted by the Global Drug Survey in 2017 revealed that people who take magic mushrooms are the most sensible and take the right precautionary measures to eliminate most risks.

Taking magic mushrooms can make you feel euphoric because it reduces brain activity in the thalamus. The thalamus is responsible for processing movement and sensations.

Users report seeing the world in a different light, with colours and patterns becoming enhanced.

Several studies also report that taking magic mushrooms does not worsen existing mental health problems, unlike other drugs.

Some studies suggest that magic mushrooms can even help in treating depression. And contrary to the belief of some that using magic mushrooms can lead to flashbacks, Norwegian scientists found no evidence to support this belief.

Additionally, using magic mushrooms does not lead to dependence or tolerance. And unlike other drugs like cocaine or heroin, mushrooms aren’t toxic to the human body and internal organs.

Risks of taking magic mushrooms

While magic mushrooms are generally safe for consumption, it does carry a few risks.

For one, taking magic mushrooms in large doses can lead to a bad trip. And in turn, bad trips can lead to paranoia, impaired judgement, risk-taking, and a distorted sense of self.

Magic mushrooms can also elevate blood pressure and heart rates.

Taking magic mushrooms with other drugs is strongly discouraged as this can lead to adverse side effects.

Harm reduction tips

Set and setting

In psychedelic circles, the use of psilocybin mushrooms is tied to the concept of set and setting. In a nutshell, you need to prepare yourself and your environment for your psychedelic trip.

The main idea is that your immediate environment can affect your overall psychedelic experience.

Start low

If you are new to taking magic mushrooms, err on the side of caution and start with a lower dose.

Find a trip sitter

The primary role of a trip setter is to take care of you while you are on a psychedelic trip. They are there to protect you and help you stay calm, especially during a bad trip.

Get your mushrooms from a reputable source.

One of the greatest risks of taking magic mushrooms is mistakenly taking poisonous mushrooms.

This is why it is critical to get your shrooms only from trusted sources.

How to Distinguish Magic Mushrooms from Poisonous Mushrooms

Finding magic mushrooms near where you live is certainly exciting. However, knowing the difference between a magic mushroom and a poisonous mushroom is crucial. That can be quite tricky because some magic mushrooms look like poisonous mushrooms, especially when seen by an untrained eye.

If you are unsure whether you have found magic mushrooms or not, here are some helpful tips.

An important caveat

If you are inexperienced and looking for magic mushrooms, consider investing in a field guy. It certainly helps to partner up with someone who has magic mushroom-hunting experience.

If you are unsure if the mushrooms you found are magic mushrooms, do not consume them. Poisonous mushrooms can kill you.

Identifying magic mushrooms

Know your magic mushrooms

There are close to 200 magic mushroom species around the world. Studying them all is difficult and impractical, especially if you aren’t travelling for mushroom hunting.

As much as possible, learn about the different mushroom species where you plan to forage. Some species grow only in specific areas.

Take photos

It’s a great idea to bring a camera with you during your magic mushroom hunting trip. However, your phone will do.

Taking photos of the mushrooms you have found will help you compare them with pictures of magic mushrooms you can find online.

Look for experts

The great thing about the Internet is that you can leverage the experience and expertise of experts to help you.

With magic mushrooms, you can ask the advice of enthusiasts and experts on different online platforms.

Of course, nothing can substitute real-life interaction. If you can, join your local clubs.

Magic Mushrooms: The Safest Psychedelics

While the use of magic mushrooms has been frowned upon in the past, the general public’s perception is rapidly changing. It certainly helps that the naturally occurring psychedelic drug has shown promise in treating mental health issues as well as providing benefits like creativity and productivity.

And while more research needs to be done on magic mushrooms, especially in terms of long-term use, the future looks promising.

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