Psilocybin mushrooms are psychedelic mushrooms more commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. Archaeology suggests psilocybin mushrooms were used in ancient times for religious communion, divination and healing. The Aztecs referred to them as ‘divine mushrooms’. Psilocybin mushrooms usually grow in humid climates but grow all around the world and are cultivated now by users in controlled conditions. Mushrooms are ingested orally by brewing them into a tea, mixing them into food or simply eating them fresh or dried. The price may vary but on average a 1/8 ounce costs $30 to $35.
Legality
Psilocybin mushrooms are still legal in their fresh form in some countries such as Spain and Austria. The two psychoactive chemicals in mushrooms psilocybin and psilocin are both deemed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 1971.
In the UK psilocybin mushrooms were banned in July 18th 2005 under the Misuse of Drugs Act and were classed a Class A drug. Being caught in possession can earn you up to 7 years in jail and/or an unlimited fine. If charged with possession with intent to supply however you can face life imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
The United States of America banned psilocybin mushrooms under the Psychotropic Substances Act.
What are Psilocybin Mushrooms
There are estimated to be 190 specific species of psilocybin mushroom the majority of which can fall under the psilocybe category. Psilocybin Mushrooms are not considered to be addicted to recreational users. However a key problem is that of recognizing the mushrooms for what they are. People often pick the wrong species which can be poisonous resulting in possible death.
The mushrooms themselves contain two key psychoactive compounds which make the mushroom a drug for recreational use:
Psilocybin is a psychedelic similar to that of LSD or mescaline. It has a chemical formula as shown below:
C12H17N2O4P
The other chemical component is called psilocin. Psilocin is an aromatic compound with the chemical formula shown below:
C12H16N2O
The Effects
Psilocybin mushrooms cause changes to the user’s audio, visual and tactile senses. Effects can often include feelings of relaxation, euphoria, laughter and a lost sense of time.
It can also create hallucinations which as with any other psychedelic drug can either be good or bad. The ‘trip’ usually depends on the environment in which the user is in and who the user is with.
They normally take 30 minutes to take effect and can last between 4 to 5 hours. Timing depends on the person’s individual tolerance, an empty or full stomach and other factors.
When on mushrooms pupils may dilate, the user may feel cold and tired until the full effect hits. The after effect will tend to be soreness and exhaustion.
Mushrooms create impaired judgment, loss of appetite and nausea.
The mushrooms may also trigger underlying mental disorders such as depression. Mushrooms can also cause schizophrenia type symptoms such as paranoia.
