Some people believe that magic mushrooms are the key to a more enlightened and empathetic existence. Others claim they can have devastating effects. What’s the truth about these drugs? Are magic mushrooms dangerous? Can you get addicted to shrooms?
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What Are Magic Mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms, which are often referred to simply as shrooms, are fungi that naturally contain a psychoactive chemical called psilocybin. Consuming mushrooms that contain psilocybin can trigger a psychedelic or hallucinogenic experience, similar to what can occur after taking LSD.
A Brief History of Magic Mushrooms
The earliest recorded mentions of magic mushroom use are from indigenous Mesoamerican cultures in the early 1500s. Mesoamerica is a historic region in Central and North America that encompasses the area currently occupied Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and parts of Mexico and Costa Rica.
Stones carved into mushrooms, some of which included depictions of animals and humans, have been discovered among Mayan ruins in Guatemala. Testing indicates that these stones date to at least 1000 BC, which suggests that the history of magic mushroom use for religious or ritual purposes may date much farther back than written records indicate.
In the United States, magic mushrooms first received national attention in the late 1950s, when Life magazine and This Week published articles in which Dr. Valentina Wasson and her husband, Gordon, described their experiences with the fungi during a trip to Mexico.
Modern Research & Potential Therapeutic Benefits
Throughout the 1960s, as the recreational use of magic mushrooms increased in the U.S., researchers began to explore psilocybin’s potential therapeutic value. However, most efforts to study this substance were halted in 1970, when the Controlled Substances Act was signed into law and psilocybin was classified as a Schedule I drug.
In recent years, a renewed effort to study psilocybin has revealed that it may be a beneficial element of treatment for people who have concerns such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), suicidal ideation, and alcohol use disorder (alcoholism)
Studies indicate that psilocybin can also help cancer patients overcome their emotional distress.
Are Magic Mushrooms Addictive?
One area of concern for both recreational use and clinical research is, are magic mushrooms addictive?
This concern is bolstered in part by psilocybin’s status as a Schedule I controlled substance, a category for substances that the U.S. government has determined have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”
Here’s what various reputable sources say about the addictiveness of magic mushrooms:
- A 2016 report from the U.S. surgeon general indicates researchers have not found conclusive evidence that you can get addicted to shrooms. “It is not known whether psilocybin is addictive,” the report notes, while noting that additional studies are needed.
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) concurs with this view, reporting that “research to date suggests that use of psilocybin does not typically lead to addiction.”
- A review in the November 2018 edition of the journal Neuropharmacology determined that psilocybin poses a low risk of abuse and “no physical dependence potential.”
So, can you get addicted to magic mushrooms? The experts agree that addiction is highly unlikely.
Does this mean that magic mushrooms are safe? We’ll explore that question in the next section.
Are Magic Mushrooms Dangerous?
People have been using magic mushrooms for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years. Researchers have found no compelling indication that magic mushrooms are addictive, but they have determined that psilocybin may be able to ease the symptoms of various mental health concerns.
That has to mean that shrooms are safe, right?
Not exactly.
It’s possible to have a positive, enlightening experience with magic mushrooms. But there’s no guarantee that this will occur every time you take them. And a “bad trip” can be a source of severe psychological distress.
The type, intensity, and duration of effects that you may experience after taking magic mushrooms can vary depending on a range of factors, including:
- Which type of mushroom you consume
- How much you consume
- If you have used mushrooms before
- Your mindset when you ingest the mushrooms
- Your environment, including who you’re with
When you ingest magic mushrooms, your body converts the psilocybin into a substance called psilocin. Psilocin, in turn, stimulates the 5-HT2A receptors in your central nervous system.
Receptors involved with the neurotransmitter serotonin play key roles in learning, memory, and other cognitive functions. Dysfunction in these receptors links directly to concerns such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, OCD, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
A “Good Trip” Can Include:
- Elevated mood, to the point of euphoria
- Greater sense of connection and empathy
- Pleasant hallucinations
A Negative Experience With Shrooms Can Cause:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Panic attack
- Terrifying hallucinations
- Extreme mood swings
- Fear that you are “going crazy”
- Detachment from your mind and body
The perceptual distortions that are characteristic of shroom use can also put you at risk for physical injuries if you aren’t in a safe environment with people who are ready to protect you.
The effects of magic mushrooms can last for six to eight hours. During a positive experience, this time may seem to fly by. But if you have a bad trip, it can feel like time is standing still or that you’ve been under the influence of shrooms from much longer than you actually have.
Taking magic mushrooms outside of a safe clinical environment can be risky. Without proper professional supervision, a bad trip may lead to physical harm or psychological damage.
Find Addiction Help in the San Francisco Area
Magic mushrooms aren’t addictive – but if you regularly abuse shrooms and other drugs, you may be at risk of developing a substance use disorder.
Personalized care from a reputable provider empowers you to overcome substance use, take control of your thoughts and behaviors, and embrace a healthier life.
Live Oaks Wellness Center offers a full continuum of customized care, including detox, residential treatment, and outpatient programming, for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We also serve patients whose struggles with compulsive substance abuse area accompanied by co-occurring mental health concerns.
If you have been looking for a quality rehab center in the San Francisco are, the Live Oaks team is here for you.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
