My son and I were recently having a discussion about mushrooms and I found I really didn't have much knowledge about this drug. So I did some research and would like to share a bit about what I learned. This blog is designed to help people who are suffering (or have loved ones who are suffering) with drug addiction. I feel by sharing in my education it may also help others.
Psilocybin mushrooms also known as "magic mushrooms" have hallucinogenic effects for those who ingest them. Mushrooms differ from a lot of other drugs like cocaine or heroin because they are not addictive. Some people may build up a short term tolerance if they are eating them regularly but in the overall spectrum of drug use and abuse you do not hear of many people seeking drug rehabs for addiction to mushrooms.
The effects of mushrooms:
Oral ingestion can sometimes produce nausea, dizziness, and (sometimes) vomiting. Cannabis (marijuana) is often used to lessen this stomach discomfort. Because the "high" you get from mushrooms is very subjective and unpredictable having a "bad trip" is one of the greatest dangers in that it can cause severe emotional and psychological distress.
Physical reactions:
Loss of appetite, coldness in the extremities, increase of pulse rate, numbness of the mouth and adjacent features, nausea, elevated blood pressure, weakness in the limbs, muscle relaxation, yawning, swollen features, and pupil dilation.
Sensory reactions:
Changes to the audio, visual, and tactile senses can occur within ten minutes after ingestion. The visual include enhancement of colors, strange light phenomena, surfaces seem to ripple, shimmer, or breathe; complex open and closed eye visuals or images, objects that warp, or morph. Sounds appear with increased clarity.
Emotional reactions:
During the psychedelic experience, emotions can rapidly and inexplicably change. Contradictory emotions, such as excitement, happiness, sadness, fear can all be encountered within minutes of each other or simultaneously. Users may experience greater than usual feelings of connectivity with a higher power or the universe.
The high associated with mushrooms is often compared to LSD, the experience, or "trip," is strongly dependent upon the setting. A negative environment could induce a bad trip, whereas a comfortable and familiar environment would allow for a pleasant experience.
Psychological reactions:
Can range from insightful to disorienting. Users report an increased ability to concentrate on memories, abstract or disorganized thought patterns and, sometimes, sudden, intuitive realizations. Mushrooms allow what would typically be bypassed by the brain's natural filters are magnified, along with the ideas and emotions that accompany such thoughts. Significant amounts of time are often spent in deep philosophical or introspective silence. If this introspective mindset is negative, it can be painful and uncomfortable for the user to experience.
A typical dose is about 1-2 grams. Potency can vary for a number of reasons. A "trip" will usually last between 3-7 hours, depending on potency and amount ingested. Symptoms or effects are usually completely gone within 24 hours. After one week usage of mushrooms will not show up in a urine or blood drug test.
