Mushroom

What It Is

Several species of mushrooms can produce hallucinations, about a dozen of which grow wild. The most common is the Liberty Cap (or Psilocibe Semilanceata) which contain the hallucinogenic chemicals psilocybin and psilocin. They can be eaten fresh or cooked and can be preserved by drying. Distinguishing hallucinogenic mushrooms from poisonous and sometimes deadly ones can be very difficult and sometimes almost impossible

Street Names

Magic Mushrooms ‘Shrooms, Mushies, Psilocybe mushrooms

How It Is Taken

A small piece of the dried mushroom is eaten.

What It Does

Mushroom users have experiences similar to a mild LSD trip but may also have feelings of euphoria and bodily excitement. At low doses euphoria and detachment occur. At high doses visual distortions and vivid hallucinations occur.

Possible reactions to hallucinogenic mushrooms include vomiting, nausea and stomach pains. As with other hallucinogenic drugs ‘bad trips’ can also occur and may develop into a brief psychotic episode.

The greatest danger is mistaking poisonous mushrooms for “magic mushrooms”.

There are no significant withdrawal effects and no physical dependence although there may be a desire to repeat the experience.

Medical Uses

None

Did you Know?

Distinguishing hallucinogenic mushrooms from poisonous and sometimes deadly ones can be very difficult and sometimes almost impossible.