Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of fungus that contains psychedelic compounds. Psychedelic drugs trigger a psychedelic experience, or trip, which is a temporarily altered state of consciousness. LSD and mescaline are other forms of psychedelic drugs. These drugs are frequently used by people seeking some sort of enlightenment or epiphany. Some experts believe that mushrooms were used in ancient religious rites, and there are depictions of them on Stone Age rock art. Researchers think that psilocybin could have originally evolved as a defense mechanism, deterring fungi-eating pests by altering the insects’ minds.
There are four main characteristics of psychedelic drugs: alteration in visual perception, personally or spiritually important experiences, mystical or religious experiences, and a “bad trip”. The bad trip, or temporary psychosis, is more common at high doses and can include anything from anxiety to terror and insanity.
There are more than 180 species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin. They are illegal and categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, although they have been proved to have the potential for treating cluster headaches, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety, depression, and addiction. Psilocybin interacts with the receptors in regions of the brain which deal with sensory experiences, which is why people experience visual effects. Since it is a serotonin agonist – meaning it activates serotonin receptors – it should not be combined with certain other medications that affect the serotonin system, like SSRI antidepressants.
Studies have shown that mushrooms are among the safest illegal drugs that are used, because they’re not very addictive and they’re difficult to overdose on. In fact, taking more in an effort to get a better high doesn’t work, as they give you a short-term tolerance. Taking too much is more likely to make you paranoid and not eager to repeat the experience.
One of the most dangerous things about them is actually that they can look very similar to poisonous mushrooms. People sometimes go hunting for them in the woods and end up accidentally picking and ingesting the toxic kind instead. It’s fairly easy to grow magic mushrooms yourself (not that you should, as it’s illegal in the United States.)
Studies have shown that the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms could be an effective new treatment for depression, avoiding some of the side effects of conventional antidepressants. People taking antidepressants often complain of feeling as though they’re floating through life, unable to experience any feelings, good or bad. Researchers at Imperial College London (ICL) in the United Kingdom have suggested that mushrooms could treat depression without these side effects.
As a side note, some people believe it’s possible that a particular type of mushroom called A. muscaria, which was given out as gifts by Siberian shamans in the 1600s in late December, often entering homes via the roof due to deep snow.
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