What
is psilocybin?
Psilocybin is produced synthetically or extracted from the psilocybe
mexicana mushroom and other mushroom species. It is chemically related
to LSD. The
drug is most often sold in the mushrooms themselves and are known
by names like "psychedelic mushrooms," "magic mushrooms,"
and "'shrooms."
How
is psilocybin used?
Usually taken orally, psilocybin is found in dried or fresh mushrooms
or as a powder in capsules. It is sometimes brewed into a tea. Typical
doses range from 4 to 10 milligrams, but are hard to control because
the active amount of hallucinogens in mushrooms differ widely according
to the genus, strength, and condition (fresh or dried) of the mushrooms.
Why
do people take psilocybin?
Mushrooms have been taken in religious rituals in indigenous cultures
in Mexico and Central America for thousands of years. Recreational
users today take them as a hallucinogen that is considered gentler
and more natural (less chemical) than LSD. Users report feelings
of mild euphoria and tingling physical sensations. They also report
increased sensitivity to music and visual sensations.
Small
doses (4 to 8 mg.) produce effects within half an hour which continue
for 4 to 5 hours and may include mental and physical relaxation,
tiredness, a sense of separateness from surroundings, feelings of
physical heaviness or lightness, mood swings and perceptual distortions.
Are
there short-term dangers of taking psilocybin?
Misidentification is one of the biggest dangers to taking psilocybin
mushrooms. It is difficult to know if the mushrooms are psilocybin
mushrooms because poisonous mushrooms also cause hallucinogenic
effects. Signs that the mushrooms are toxic include stomach pains,
vomiting and diarrhea. Poisonous mushrooms can even lead to death.
It is
also difficult to determine what genus of mushroom you have and
the dose of active hallucinogen each mushroom contains. To reduce
the risk of a dangerous experience, it is safer to take a small
amount and wait for its effects to be felt. In some cases, hallucinating
can be unpleasant or even terrifying and the memory of this intense
fear can remain with the person for life. A bad trip can occur at
any dose. Signs of a bad trip include anxiety, confused or disordered
thinking and panic.
At doses
of 13 mg or more, users' perceptions become altered, and they develop
the same symptoms as an LSD user. They also might experience facial
flushing, sweating, a slowed sense of time, and the sense that they
are separate from their bodies. At these higher doses some of the
warning signs of a potential overdose include:
Lightheadedness
or dizziness
Numbness
of the tongue, lips, or mouth
Shivering
or sweating
Nausea
Anxiety
Remember
never to drive on psilocybin or any other hallucinogen. Operating
machinery while under the influence of reality-altering substances
is extremely dangerous.
Are
there long-term consequences to taking psilocybin?
Some users experience such extremely unpleasant hallucinations that
the fear of that experience remains with them for life. Users with
a history of mental illness should not take hallucinogens, including
psilocybin, because they can trigger or aggravate conditions like
schizophrenia, mania, or depression.
Is
psilocybin addictive?
Psilocybin does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior and
addiction to hallucinogens is rare, although poly-drug addicts (people
who are addicted to several drugs) frequently abuse hallucinogens
as well. Tolerance to psilocybin mushrooms builds up rapidly and
deters regular use.
Is
there any way to reduce the risk of having a bad trip?
Experiences with hallucinogens are heavily influenced by environment.
Here are some ways to reduce the risk of having a bad trip:
Make
sure you take it with someone you know and trust, preferably someone
who knows how strong the effects can be.
Make
sure you are somewhere where you feel safe, secure and comfortable.
Avoid
taking hallucinogens if you are upset, feeling low or insecure--this
could lead to a bad trip.
Avoid
taking more. The effects come on stronger after a while, and you
could end up having a much stronger trip than you can handle.
If
you're having a bad time avoid flashing lights and visuals, get
a friend to take you to a safe, calm space.
How
do I help a friend who's having a bad trip?
It is important to make your friend feel safe and comfortable, usually
away from other people, visual stimulation, and noises. Speak in
a soothing voice to them and reassure them that their bad emotions,
sensations, and visions are just the effects of the drug and will
wear off in time. If your friend is inconsolable or seems violently
agitated, seek medical help right away. Call
EMS at 401.863-4111.
How
do I help a friend who's having trouble with alcohol or drugs?
If you are concerned
about a friend's drug or alcohol use, this page contains
information about different ways to help them.
DanceSafe is a harm-reduction web site centered on drugs found
in nightclubs and raves. The site offers drug information, a risk
assessment, ecstasy testing kits and e-news.
This British harm-reduction web site provides extensive information
on mushrooms, including the basics, dangers, mixing with other drugs
and links.
NIDA's report on hallucinogens and dissociative drugs is available
from this link. NIDA drug pages have research reports, statistics
and information on addiction.
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