Psilocybin and psilocin (Magic mushrooms)

“Dried Magic Mushroom” are mushrooms that contain hallucinogens – usually psilocybin and psilocin. Taking magic mushrooms may cause you to see, hear or feel things that are not there, or to experience anxiety, fear, nausea and muscle twitches accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure. In some cases, the consumption of magic mushrooms can lead to “bad trips” or “flashbacks”.

About magic mushrooms

Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years. There are over 200 species of magic mushrooms. Since many species look alike, it can be hard to tell the different species of mushrooms apart. It is possible for people to consume poisonous mushrooms, mistaking them for magic mushrooms.

When consumed, the effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person. In addition, the strength of magic mushrooms can vary greatly. One mushroom may have different concentrations of the active ingredients compared to another and, consequently, the effects of the magic mushroom can depend on the dose and type of mushroom used.

Magic mushrooms are sale illegally in the form of dried whole mushrooms or a powder. People may choose to take the mushrooms in many ways, including:

• eaten raw or cooked;
• ground up and used to make tea or mixed in a beverage;
• swallowed as capsules;
• sniffed up the nose (snorted), when in a powder.

Shroom should never be injected intravenously. There have been case reports in the literature of serious harms associated with intravenous injection of mushrooms, including septic shock and multi-system organ failure.

Short-term effects of magic mushrooms

Using magic mushrooms can lead to short-term mental and physical effects.

Mental effects

Magic mushrooms can cause heightened emotions and senses and people may feel happy and creative. They may laugh or giggle a lot and experience a sense of mental and emotional clarity.

Magic mushrooms can also cause hallucinations and affect people by:

• distorting their sense of reality (they see and hear things that are not there)
• mixing up their senses (they believe they can see music or hear colours)
• altering their sense of time

Some of the negative mental effects of taking magic mushrooms include:

• changes in mood
• light-headedness
• anxiety and panic attacks
• confusion and disorientation
• fear or paranoia

Physical effects

Taking magic mushrooms can produce:

• numbness, particularly in the face
• increased heart rate and blood pressure
• dry mouth, sometimes leading to nausea and vomiting
• muscle weakness and twitching, or convulsions
• exaggerated reflexes
• sweating and high body temperature, often followed by chills and shivering
• loss of urinary control

Long-term effects of magic mushrooms

Currently, no studies have evaluated the long-term effects of repetitive use of magic mushrooms.

Risks related to use of magic mushrooms

• What is commonly known as a “bad trip” may occur, particularly at high doses. These experiences may be frightening and may include paranoia, loss of boundaries and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgement during these “bad trips” may lead to risk-taking behaviour, which may then lead to traumatic injuries or even death.
• In certain cases, users may experience frequent or overly intense psychedelic events that may induce abrupt “flashbacks”, i.e., reliving the previous experience.
• Using magic mushrooms with substances such as cannabis, amphetamines, alcohol, etc., elevates the risks of serious side effects and adverse events.
• For individuals predisposed to or with existing psychiatric conditions, there may be an elevated risk of side effects. This association is still being evaluated.
• For individuals with cardiac diseases, short-term effects such as increased blood pressure and heart rate could potentially be harmful.

Potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin

At this time, there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin in USA or elsewhere. This means that the safety, efficacy and quality of products containing psilocybin have not been assessed by Health USA, and they have not undergone the rigorous scientific review process required to be authorized for sale in USA or elsewhere. There is ongoing research looking at the potential of psilocybin to treat various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and problematic substance use. While some initial clinical trials have shown promising results, the evidence is currently limited. Clinical trials are the most appropriate and effective way to advance research with unapproved drugs such as psilocybin while protecting the health and safety of patients.

Health USA encourages Americans seeking support for these disorders to talk with their health care provider about options available to them.

How does a gram of Dried Magic Mushroom look like?

A gram of dried psilocybin mushrooms is a relatively small amount. It’s often compared to the weight of a standard paperclip or a single raisin.

Shelf Life and Storage of Shrooms

Shrooms are a type of fungus, making them particularly vulnerable to mold and decay if they aren’t stored correctly. If shrooms aren’t properly dried or they are exposed to too much moisture, they will start to decay quickly and become unsafe to consume after about a week. As with most mushrooms, fresh shrooms that have gone bad will have a slimy texture, look shriveled, or have dark spots that weren’t there before.

Dried shrooms that are stored in a cool, dark place can last up to 12 months, although they do lose their potency over time. Frozen shrooms have been known to last for four years or more without losing their potency.

Drug Use Detection Times

Here is a table summarizing the detection times for psilocybin in various types of drug tests:

Test Type	Detection Window
Urine Test	Up to 24 hours
Blood Test	Up to 24 hours
Saliva Test	Rarely used, detection time unclear
Hair Follicle Test or Hair Test	Up to 90 days

This table provides an overview of how long psilocybin can be detected in different types of routine drug tests and specialized tests, although individual factors can influence these times.

Conclusion

Dried Magic Mushroom are not physically addictive, and death from overdose is incredibly rare. Still, taking them in the wrong circumstances or overusing them can still be dangerous. If you do decide to take Magic Mushroom make sure that you know exactly what you are taking, and only do so in an environment where you feel safe. If you store Magic Mushroom remember that they can last for close to a year when they are properly dried and stored in a cool, dark location. If you have fresh shrooms, store them in a dry place and use them within a week if you don’t plan to freeze or dry them.

Even though shrooms aren’t physically addictive, psychological addiction can still occur. If you or someone you know has an addiction to shrooms or other substances, there is help available. Contact Our Illinois Recovery Center, a healthcare provider for addiction, today for more information about our substance use disorder or addiction treatment programs. Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you might have and help you find a program that is best for you.