What are Magic Mushrooms?

Magic Mushrooms

Magic mushrooms (also called shrooms or mushrooms) are a type of mushroom that contain the chemicals psilocybin or psilocin. These chemicals cause you to see, hear, and feel things that are not real (hallucinations).

Magic mushrooms come in fresh, dried, or powdered form. Magic mushrooms can be taken as a tea, cooked with food, or added to fruit juice.

A person can take psilocybin legally by being in a research study or getting special permission from Health Canada with the support of their doctor. Otherwise, it is illegal to grow, sell, or carry magic mushrooms online.

How do magic mushrooms work?

Psilocybin works by activating trusted source serotonin receptors, most often in the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain affects mood, cognition, and perception. Hallucinogens also work in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses.

Psilocybin does not always cause active visual or auditory hallucinations. Instead, it distorts how some people who use the drug perceive objects and people already in their environment.

The quantity of the drug a person consumes, their past experiences, and their expectations of how the experience will take shape can all impact the effects of psilocybin.

According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), the hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes after a person ingests it and last 4–6 hours.

In some individuals, changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can last for several days.

Potency

The potency of a magic mushroom depends on:

• species
• origin
• growing conditions
• harvest period
• Whether they are eaten fresh or dried,

The EMCDDA suggests the amount of psilocybin in dried mushrooms is about 10 times higher than that of their fresh counterparts.

Consumption

Mushrooms containing psilocybin are small and usually brown or tan. In the wild, people may mistake mushrooms containing psilocybin for any number of other mushrooms that are poisonous.

People usually consume psilocybin as a brewed tea or prepare it with a food item to mask its bitter taste. Manufacturers also crush dried mushrooms into a powder and prepare them in capsule form.

Some people who consume these mushrooms cover them with chocolate.

Extent of use

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 7.4 million Americans ages 12 and older used hallucinogens, including psilocybin, in 2021. Of this number, adults ages 18–25 were the most frequent users.

Psilocybin has been used in various cultures and locations across the world, potentially as far back as 8,000 years ago, according to a 2022 reviewTrusted Source.

In modern times, psilocybin use may be recreational at dance clubs or by people seeking a transcendent spiritual experience.

In medical settings, psilocybin may show promise in helping to treat or manage the following conditions:

• addiction
• depression
• end-stage cancer mood disorders

However, the review authors highlight that research is ongoing.

Short-term effects

Magic mushrooms affect everyone differently depending on:

• How much do you take?
• Where are you
• what you expect
• Your age and weight.
• What did you eat around the same time?
• Past and present substance use
• your personality

You can feel the effects of magic mushrooms about 30 minutes after taking them. The effects last about 3–6 hours and are strongest (peak) during the first 3–4 hours.

Magic mushrooms can change the way you see, smell, hear, taste, and touch. For example, you might think you can see music or hear colors. Your body might feel very heavy or very light. You might feel like you are having a magical or religious experience.

While taking magic mushrooms, you might also:​

• have high blood pressure
• have a faster heart rate
• feel dizzy or light-headed
• Shiver and get the chills.
• feel anxious
• I am experiencing nausea or vomiting.
• have a numb tongue and mouth

Long-term effects

The long-term effects of magic mushrooms may include flashbacks. This refers to the recurrence of unpleasant memories during periods when you are not using the mushrooms.

Taking mushrooms with other drugs or alcohol may put you at higher risk for other health problems. ​

Tolerance and dependence

You can build up a tolerance to magic mushrooms after using them every day for as few as 3 or 4 days. This implies that you will need to consume an increasing amount to experience the same effects as the initial dose.

If you use magic mushrooms for several days in a row, you can develop a complete tolerance. If you use magic mushrooms regularly, you can become mentally dependent on the way they make you feel.

How do people take magic mushrooms?

By eating it,

After harvesting, people often consume liberty caps raw or store them dried. People typically avoid eating fly agaric mushrooms raw because they can cause severe nausea.

By drinking it,

Some people make tea from dried mushrooms.

By taking drops of liquid psilocybin

Liquid psilocybin is made by extracting psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic drug found in mushrooms like liberty caps.

Can magic mushrooms make you addicted?

Magic mushrooms are not addictive, but as with LSD, you can become tolerant to the effects quite quickly—and that means you’ll need to take more to get the same effect as before.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are magic mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms are specific fungi that contain psilocybin, a chemical that can cause hallucinations and changes in perception.

How do people consume magic mushrooms?

People can eat magic mushrooms raw or cooked, make tea with them, or take them in capsules. Some even snort the powdered form, but that’s not safe.

What effects can magic mushrooms have?

They can make you feel happy and creative, and they can cause visual and auditory hallucinations.  However, they can also lead to anxiety and confusion.

Are magic mushrooms legal?

The legality of magic mushrooms varies by country and region. In many places, they are illegal, but some areas are beginning to decriminalize them.

What effects do magic mushrooms have?

The effects can include feeling happy, seeing things that aren’t there (hallucinations), and feeling like time is moving differently. But they can also cause nausea and anxiety.

How long do the effects last?

After taking magic mushrooms, you might start to feel their effects in about 30 minutes, and they can last for 3 to 6 hours.

Are there any risks with using magic mushrooms?

Indeed, some individuals may experience negative experiences known as “bad trips,” which can evoke feelings of fear or anxiety. Combining them with other drugs can also be dangerous.

Can you become addicted to magic mushrooms?

There is little evidence that people can become addicted to magic mushrooms. However, using them often can lead to tolerance, meaning you need more to feel the same effects.