Magic mushrooms

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Magic mushrooms

Magic mushrooms

Synonyms	The most common synonyms are: Mushrooms, Fungus, Fungus delight, Mush, Mushies, Psilocin, Psilocybin, Shrooms, Shrum, Shrums
Classification	Hallucinogen: Causes users to see, hear or feel things that do not exist.
Visual description	The most common psilocybin mushroom is psilocybe. They are small, have a conical-shaped cap and are yellowish-brown to dark brown.
Mechanism of action	Sympathomimetic action on the central nervous system. Agonist for several serotonergic receptors.
Routes of administration	Ingested (fresh, dried, powder or capsules), occasionally snorted or smoked.

Effects sought out by the user

Altered colour perceptions
Euphoria
Feeling of heaviness or lightness
Feeling of relaxation or fatigue
Hallucinations
Inappropriate laughing
Loss of touch with reality

Common toxic effects

Agitation
Dilated pupils
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Loss of coordination
Muscle weakness and involuntary contractions
Nausea and vomiting
Numbness, particularly facial numbness
Sweating and increased body temperature accompanied by chills and shivering
Urinary incontinence

Overdose effects

Overdose is common and can lead to serious consequences. Some of them are not caused by physical symptoms due to magic mushrooms, but rather by the psychosis.

Abdominal discomfort
Anxiety
Convulsions (particularly in children)
Death
Dizziness
Flushing, sweating
Nausea, vomiting
Paranoia
Unpleasant perceptual distortions

Effects associated with chronic use

Anxiety
Confusion
Dilated pupils
Disorientation
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder
Hyperflexion
Increased blood pressure
Loss of muscle control
Nausea and vomiting
Psychosis (similar to paranoid schizophrenia)
Skin redness
Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
Tremor
Uneasiness

Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)

Strong and quick.

Addiction

No, psilocybin does not cause physical dependance. However, as with any hallucinogen, excessive and/or frequent use can lead to psychological dependence.

Onset and duration of action

Route of administration	Onset of action	Peak	Duration of action
Oral (empty stomach)	About 30 minutes	2 hours	4 to 6 hours
Sublingual (dried mushrooms that are chewed and left under the tongue)	15 to 150 minutes	2 hours	4 to 6 hours

Screening

Hair: Can be detected between 3 to 5 months after use.
Urine and blood: Psilocybin can be detected in subjects up to 7 days after use.

Intoxication management

No antidote available.
Treatment is mainly symptomatic.

Other useful information

The term "magic mushrooms" is used to describe several species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin and psilocin, the two substances primarily responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of mushrooms.

Many different street drugs are sold under the same name. Furthermore, nothing guarantees the quantity, purity or even the content of a street drug in spite of the fact that it may, in some cases, look like medication.

If you need help or want to learn more:

Partnership for a Drug-Free Canada.

www.canadadrugfree.org

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The patient information leaflets are provided by Vigilance Santé Inc. This content is for information purposes only and does not in any manner whatsoever replace the opinion or advice of your health care professional. Always consult a health care professional before making a decision about your medication or treatment.