Psilocybin and Magic Mushrooms: Effects and Risks

Magic mushrooms have been part of various cultures for millennia. In ancient times, people utilized them without knowing psilocybin and magic mushrooms effects and risks. In contemporary times, ongoing research studies are shedding light on the nature of these mushrooms and their impact on the human brain and potential benefits.

Effects of Magic Mushrooms (Recreational)

While individuals consume magic mushrooms with diverse intentions, the primary outcome entails a sequence of changes in mood, sensory perception, and psychological outlook. This involves entering a dissociative trance state that leads to the separation of an individual from their ego.

Psychological

• Sensations of joy
• Modified thought processes
• Shifted perspectives
• Synesthetic experiences 
• Spiritual interconnectedness
• Mystical sensations
• A disconnect between one’s thoughts and emotions
• Sense of unity between the self and surroundings
• Changed perception of space and time
• Dissociation

Physical

• Elevated heart rate
• Muscle tension release
• Cramping
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Digestive issues
• Widened pupils
• Dryness of the mouth
• Perspiration
• Cold shivers
• Numbness
• Feeling of drowsiness

Medical Benefits of Effects

Improving Mental Health

Magic mushrooms are demonstrating intriguing potential in alleviating mental health disorders among the myriad conditions they may benefit from.

• In a study published by Elsevier Ltd, the open-label study suggests that psilocybin can warrant further research on its efficacy in managing treatment-resistant depression. Psilocybin also exhibits a favourable toxicity profile and is not linked to compulsive drug-seeking behaviours in both animals and humans.
• Journal of Psychopharmacology: Administering high doses of psilocybin resulted in significant reductions in both clinician- and self-assessed levels of depressed mood and anxiety. These positive changes persisted at the 6-month follow-up, with approximately 80% of participants maintaining clinically significant reductions in depressed mood and anxiety. 
• Harm Reduction Journal: Even when administered in minimal doses through microdosing, psilocybin has demonstrated the ability to enhance mood (26.6%) and focus (14.8%).

Reducing Alcohol and Nicotine Dependence

• Journal of Psychopharmacology: 12 out of 15 participants (80%) achieved seven-day point prevalence abstinence at the 6-month follow-up. This observed rate of smoking cessation significantly surpasses the rates commonly reported for other behavioural and/or pharmacological therapies, which typically fall below 35%. 
• Sage Journals: There was a significant increase in abstinence following the introduction of psilocybin. These improvements lasted up to the 36-week follow-up.

Increase Openness or Change in Personality

• Sage Journals: Among participants who underwent mystical experiences during their psilocybin session, Openness remained significantly elevated compared to baseline, extending beyond one year after the session. 

Risks

As previously outlined in a study published by Elsevier Ltd., psilocybin exhibits no addictive properties and boasts a favourable toxicity profile. Nonetheless, certain risks may arise based on factors such as dosage, user experience, and the mindset of the individual.

• When consuming shrooms outside of a controlled environment, individuals may engage in risky behaviours.
• For some users, the effects of shrooms can be prolonged, which can result in distressing and persistent alterations in their perception of the world. 
• Certain users may experience adverse effects such as psychosis, fear, confusion, delirium, or agitation.
• Interaction with other medications.

What is Responsible for the Effects of Magic Mushrooms?

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring tryptamine compound in at least 100 mushrooms. Typically administered orally, psilocybin undergoes hepatic metabolism, converting into psilocin. It is psilocin that seems to be the pharmacologically active substance accountable for the psychotropic effects associated with magic mushrooms. Most studies used psilocybin because it is more stable than psilocin.

Possible Theories on How Shrooms Induce Its Benefits/ Effects

• Psilocin interacts agonistically with serotonin (5-HT2A) receptors, resulting in a hallucinatory effect characterized as “mystical-like.”  This effect is due to induced frontal hyper-frontality, which, in turn, facilitates its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.
• Psilocybin’s antidepressant action involves deactivating or normalizing the hyperactivity in the medial prefrontal cortex. In cases of depression, the mPFC tends to exhibit heightened activity.
• The psilocybin’s antidepressant effects are achieved by influencing the prefrontal and limbic brain regions, including the amygdala.
• A potential way in which psilocybin generates antidepressant effects involves its interaction with or modification of the default-mode network (DMN). It reduces functional connectivity within dopamine (DA)-associated striatal networks. 
• There is an alteration in the functional connectivity (increase) between 5-HT-associated networks and cortical areas. This affirms that psilocybin interacts with the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway to bring about both neural and psychological effects.

How to Get Started with Magic Mushrooms?

Consider Set and Setting	Set pertains to your mental state as you embark on the experience. Approaching your psychedelic encounter with a positive mindset enhances the likelihood of a harmonious journey. Setting encompasses the physical and social environment. Ensuring a secure environment is necessary for fully embracing the mushroom and allowing it to reveal insights.  It’s advisable to clear your schedule and consider having a “trip sitter” present.
Dosage	Adopt a cautious approach by starting with one gram or less, following the principle of “go low and slow.”  Dosage accuracy requires the use of a digital scale. Recording the time of the initial dose is important since psilocybin is known to distort time perception. Before considering further doses, wait until your psychedelic experience has begun to assess its intensity. If you want to deepen the experience, take another dose 60-90 minutes after the first.
Shrooms and Other Medications	Combining psilocybin with other substances can alter the intensity of the experience and may result in unintended outcomes. For example, antidepressants can significantly diminish the effects of mushrooms. Consuming alcohol while on shrooms is discouraged, as it can result in poor decision-making, posing risks to yourself and others in terms of accidents or uncomfortable situations.
Plan for any Challenging Trip	A common method to center and ground yourself is by focusing on your breath.  Utilizing soft, instrumental music or engaging in a body scan meditation can also prove beneficial.  Connecting your awareness to the body helps ground you in the present moment. Changing your environment, such as moving indoors if you’re outside or relocating to a different room, may offer a shift in perspective.
Drinks and Food	Ensure there is an ample supply of drinking water available and have access to beverages containing sugar. This way, if the effects of shrooms become too intense, consuming something sugary can help mitigate them.
Method of Consumption	There are various methods of consuming shrooms. Discover the approach that best suits your desired psychedelic experience. Eating dried mushroomsMaking teaLemon tekkingEating ediblesIngesting capsules
Plan for After the Trip	Plan to have at least one day without obligations immediately after your journey. Returning to work immediately can induce anxiety and potentially disrupt any ongoing psychological processes from your mushroom encounter.
Fast	Magic mushrooms have the potential to cause nausea or even vomiting, so fast for 4-12 hours beforehand.  This approach may result in a quicker onset time and increased effectiveness, as there are no competing substances in the stomach during digestion.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to encounter negative effects when using shrooms?

Yes. Bad trips can occur even if you have been using shrooms for quite some time. A bad trip may entail feelings of confusion, panic, despair, anxiety, or paranoia, lasting from a few hours. 

To mitigate this risk, starting with a very small dose is advisable. This precaution is essential as an unexpectedly strong dose may increase the likelihood of an unfavourable encounter.

If you are dealing with personal challenges, do not use shrooms in an unsupportive or unsafe environment, as this may elevate the likelihood of a negative trip.

Can I ingest shrooms without the hallucinogenic effects?

Yes. Microdosing is a strategy that people use to experience the benefits of shrooms without tripping. A standard microdose ranges from 0.1g to 0.3g of dried mushrooms, equivalent to 1mg to 3mg of psilocybin.

Benefits:

• Enhance mood
• Cognitive function
• Reduce anxiety
• Alleviate depression
• Mitigate stress experiences

How potent are magic mushrooms?

The potency of shrooms depends on the levels of psilocybin and psilocin in a mushroom. Among the shrooms accessible online, Psilocybe cubensis stands out as the most widely sought-after. While it may not be the most potent, its effects are strong enough, even for seasoned psychonauts. The potency can fluctuate based on the strain and form.

Penis Envy and its variants are some of the most potent cubes. When consumed in their dried form, they are approximately 10 times more potent.

What factors contribute to the impact of shrooms?

• Dosage: 
• Age
• Weight
• Personality
• Emotional state
• Environment
• History of mental illness

How long do shroom effects last and remain in the body?

Shroom effects typically commence around 30 minutes post-ingestion and peak within an hour, and the psychedelic encounter can endure for up to six hours. 

Psilocin has a short half-life of approximately three hours (standard deviation of 1.1 hours). Anticipate that psilocin will be present in the system of the average person for a duration ranging from 12 to 24 hours.

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