2/5/2020 The Ultimate Guide to Psilocybin Mushrooms - Experience, Benefits, & Side Effects

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

PSILOCYBIN MUSHROOMS
(Magic mushrooms, Shrooms, psilocybin)

Psilocybin: [3-(2-Dimethylaminoethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl] dihydrogen

phosphate

C12H17N2O4P

TABLE OF CONTENTS
01. Overview | 02. Effects | 03. Personal Growth | 04. Therapeutic Use |
05. Legality | 06. Pharmacology | 07. History & Stats | 08. Myths | 09. FAQ |
10. Footnotes

Disclaimer: Psilocybin is a potentially illegal substance, and we do not encourage or condone the
use of this substance where it is against the law. However, we accept that illegal drug use occurs,
and believe that offering responsible harm reduction information is imperative to keeping people
safe. For that reason, this guide is designed to ensure the safety of those who decide to use the
substance.

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OVERVIEW
Psilocybin mushrooms (aka “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms”) are fungi that contain
psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. More than 180 species of
mushrooms contain psilocybin or its derivative psilocin. Psilocybin mushrooms have a long
history of use in Mesoamerican spiritual and religious rituals, and are one of the most
popular recreational psychedelics in the U.S. and Europe.

Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in therapeutic settings to treat a variety of ailments
and disorders including cluster headaches, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anxiety,
depression, and addiction.

While psilocybin mushrooms have been decriminalized in two North American cities (see
“Legality” for details) they are currently illegal and categorized as a Schedule I controlled
substance in the U.S. Recently, however, the FDA and DEA have allowed a number of small,
highly controlled human studies on their potential for use in medical and psychiatric
settings.

Interested in microdosing psilocybin mushrooms? Join our microdosing course to optimize your
experience

EFFECTS
Psilocybin mushrooms can be ingested in their whole form. They’re typically dried and most
everyone agrees they don’t taste good. An alternative method is to brew psilocybin
mushroom tea. Some people like to put the mushrooms in peanut butter or Nutella to mask
the taste.

What to expect
A typical trip on a moderate dose of psilocybin mushrooms (1-2.5g) includes increased
intensity of emotional experiences, increased introspection, and altered psychological
functioning in the form of “hypnagogic experiences” — a transitory state between
wakefulness and sleep. Brain imaging studies show that a psilocybin trip is neurologically
similar to dreaming.

Perceptual changes such as illusions, synesthesia,  emotional shifts, and a distorted sense of
time are all characteristic of a psilocybin trip as well. These effects are typically felt an hour
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or so after orally ingesting a dose.[9]

You will begin to notice changes in your visual perception, such as halos around lights and
objects, and geometric patterns when your eyes are closed.

Your thoughts and emotions will also begin to change. It’s not uncommon to have a sense of
openness to thoughts and feelings that you tend to avoid in your everyday life. A sense of
wonder and delight with the world around you, the people in your life, and your thoughts is
also quite common, along with a sense of peace and connection with the world.

You may experience strong emotions, both good and bad. Try not to resist these feelings,
but rather let them run their course. Many who do report strong negative emotions also
report a simultaneous sense of calm acceptance and detachment, especially if they remind
themselves that the emotions are temporary.

Physical side effects can vary from individual to individual and include changes in heart rate
(up or down), changes in blood pressure (up or down), nausea, increased tendon re exes,
tremors, dilated pupils, restlessness or arousal, and troubles with coordinated movement.

One study also found that psilocybin can cause headaches that can last for up to a day in
healthy individuals.[10] None of the subjects reported severe headaches, however, and
psilocybin is actually used to treat a clinical condition called cluster headaches (see
therapeutic uses section).

Phases of a Psychedelic Mushroom Trip

The four basic phases of a mushroom trip are ingestion, onset, the trip (peak), and the
comedown. Each phase comes with its own set of perceptions and observations, with the
peak  — typically a couple hours after ingestion — resulting in the most intense sensory and
psychological shifts. No matter the phase, it’s important to relax, and remember that what
you’re experiencing is temporary, and there is nothing to fear. Check out this guide for more
information on what to expect during a psilocybin mushroom trip.

Bad trips
Anyone curious about trying psilocybin mushrooms for the rst time will inevitably worry
at some point about having a “bad trip.” Dysphoric hallucinations, uncontrollable paranoia,
and reckless behaviors are among the most common worries. Bad trips are possible, but the
risks can be minimized by adhering to the 6S’s of the psychedelic experience. Being
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prepared and knowing your motivations before undertaking a psychedelic experience can
help manage the risks.

Interactions with Other Drugs

Coffee: Fun fact! This may be a match made in the cosmic stratosphere. Not only are
there no known negative side effects of mixing the two; there is even a coffee producer in
Denver who’s doing it intentionally.
Marijuana: No known dangers, but also has the potential to enhance the psychedelic
nature of the mushrooms.
Adderall, Xanax, Zoloft: These are powerful psychoactive drugs, the side effects of which
are largely subjective. If regularly taking any of these substances, psychedelic use should
be approached with extreme caution.

EFFECTS BY DOSE
NOTE: Effects listed below aren’t meant to be comprehensive, particularly at the lower dose
ranges. They may be subject to change as more reliable, more widely representative data become
available.

These dose ranges are for Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms. They may apply to other psilocybin-
containing species, but some (e.g. P. semilanceata) are  more potent on average.

Microdose (0.05-0.25 g)
Mood enhancement
Decreased stress
Emotional stability
Mindfulness, presence, and peace
Openness and self-forgiveness
Increased empathy and sociability
Conversational uidity
Alleviation of persistent conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, PTSD
Increased motivation (e.g. to make positive lifestyle changes)
Increased focus/productivity
Increased ow states
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Clearer, more connected thinking

Improved memory
Enhanced senses
Enhanced appreciation for music, art, etc.
Increased creativity
Spontaneity
Easier meditation
Increased enjoyment of physical activity and everyday tasks
Relaxation and increased awareness of body
Enhanced athletic endurance
Increased energy overall (without anxiety or a subsequent crash)

Ampli cation of mood, positive or negative

Slight sedative effect

Possible manic states

Potentially increased neuroticism

Mini-dose (0.25-0.75 g)
Mood enhancement, mild euphoria or excitement
Mindfulness, presence, and peace
Openness and self-forgiveness
Introspective insights
Alleviation of persistent conditions such as depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, PTSD
Increased motivation (e.g. to make positive lifestyle changes)
Increased ow states
Clearer, more connected thinking
Enhanced senses
Enhanced appreciation for music, art, etc.
Increased creativity
Spontaneity

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Easier meditation
Increased enjoyment of physical activity and everyday tasks
Relaxation and increased awareness of body
Increased energy in waves
Mild body high

Ampli cation of mood, positive or negative

Preference for introspection over socializing
Increased sensitivity to light
Very mild visuals, if any

Possible manic states

Potentially increased neuroticism
Dif culty focusing or thought loops
Dif culty with some cognitive tasks
Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
Dif culty or discomfort socializing
Frustration at dosage (too high to be comfortable, too low to be “recreational”)

Museum dose (0.5-1.5 g)

Mood enhancement, euphoria or excitement
Mild to moderate visuals (e.g. “breathing” environments)
Increased empathy
Conversational uidity
Introspection
Increased ow states
Enhanced senses
Enhanced appreciation for music, art, etc.
Increased creativity
Spontaneity
Increased enjoyment of physical activity and everyday tasks

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Finding otherwise mundane things funny or interesting

Enhanced athletic endurance
Moderate body high

Clear come-up, peak, and come-down

Ampli cation of mood, positive or negative
Altered perception of sound
Time dilation or contraction (time passing more slowly or quickly)
Increased sensitivity to light
Pupil dilation

Dif culty focusing or thought loops

Dif culty with some tasks
Dif culty or discomfort socializing
Frustration at dosage (at lower end)

Moderate dose (2-3.5 g)

Strong euphoria or excitement
Sense of peace
Mystical experience and feelings of wonder
Life-changing introspective or philosophical insights
Increased ow of ideas
Increased creativity
Enhanced senses
Enhanced appreciation for music, art, etc.
Finding otherwise mundane things funny or interesting
Strong body high

Clear come-up, peak, and come-down

Ampli cation of emotions, whether good or bad
Open- and closed-eye visuals (e.g. patterns, auras)

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Synesthesia
Time dilation or contraction (time passing more slowly or quickly)
Sedation
Unusual physical sensations
Sensitivity to light
Wide pupil dilation
Compulsive yawning

Confusion
Disorientation
Fear and anxiety (“bad trip” experiences)
Dif culty with cognitive tasks
Dizziness
Nausea

Mega dose (5+ g)

Strong euphoria or excitement
Mystical experience and intense feelings of wonder
Life-changing introspective or philosophical insights
Ego death
Increased ow of ideas
Increased creativity
Enhanced senses
Finding otherwise mundane things funny or interesting
Very strong body high

Clear come-up, peak, and come-down

Ampli cation of emotions, whether good or bad
Very strong open- and closed-eye visions (e.g. memories coming to life)
Visual, auditory, tactile hallucinations
Synesthesia

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Time becoming meaningless

Thought loops
Sedation
Unusual physical sensations and altered perception of physical form
Sensitivity to light
Very wide pupil dilation
Compulsive yawning

Confusion
Disorientation
Compromised motor functions (sitter recommended!)
Strong fear and anxiety (extreme “bad trip” experiences)
Extreme dif culty with cognitive tasks
Dizziness
Nausea
Light-headedness
Headaches

POTENTIAL BENEFITS
Psychedelic mushrooms have a longstanding, profound, and storied background among the
many cultures that have historically used them. Today, the bene ts of these powerful little
fungi are being recognized in a big way. Currently, studies into the vast and multifarious use
of psychoactive mushrooms are being conducted across the United States and abroad. One
such study, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, found that, “a single dose of
psilocybin produced substantial and enduring decreases in depressed mood and anxiety
along with increases in quality of life […]. Additionally, the mystical and profound
experiences that so many have experienced since psilocybin entered the American
psychedelic lexicon in the 1960s, are now beginning to be tested and explored in
mainstream medical science. The results are promising and compelling, and paint a
substantiated, positive, symbiotic picture of mushrooms as a powerful healer.

Speci cally, clinical trials have been, and are currently, being conducted in the United States
and abroad which involve patients dealing with life-threatening cancer. These trials mainly
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seek to understand the ef cacy of high dose psilocybin, administered in therapeutic

environments, as a tool for reducing the psychological stress and anxiety that often
accompanies a life-threatening diagnosis. The results so far have been promising. Under
double-blind conditions, not only has a single, high-dose of psilocybin been shown to reduce
symptoms of psychological distress among the terminal patient groups; the effects have
been substantial and enduring.

Additionally, there is a growing body of research which suggests that part of why psilocybin
is so effective is that it impacts neuroplasticity. That is, the brain’s ability to learn and grow
and change.

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PERSONAL GROWTH
In early trials where psychedelics were given to healthy adults under supportive conditions,
many participants reported lasting bene cial changes in their personality, their behavior,
and their values and attitudes.[25], [26] Anecdotal reports in lieu of systematic studies have
since corroborated these initial ndings as people often report a greater appreciation of
music, art, and nature along with more tolerance for others and increased creativity and
imagination after a psilocybin mushroom trip.

More recent studies have also mirrored these early ndings. About 40% of participants in
laboratory studies of psilocybin reported positive, long-term changes in aesthetic
experience and their relationship with nature.[27]

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Research in 2011 found that more than a year after a single experience with psilocybin
mushrooms, personality measures of openness remained signi cantly elevated in study
participants. The researchers speculate that  a mushroom trip’s mystical experience is likely
the key to such enduring changes.

They de ne a mystical experience as “feelings of unity and interconnectedness with all

people and things, a sense of sacredness, feelings of peace and joy, a sense of transcending
normal time and space, ineffability, and an intuitive belief that the experience is a source of
objective truth about the nature of reality.”

Interestingly, the more intense the mystical experiences a person reports on a psilocybin
trip, the greater the positive, long-term changes they see.[28]

These subjective effects — such as feelings of interconnectedness — of psilocybin

mushrooms are likely a result of their ability to decrease the interconnectivity of
integration hubs in the brain.[29] That is, psilocybin allows for more “cross talk” between
brain regions that are typically kept separate. Researchers speculate that this enables a
state of “unconstrained cognition.” Many of the same brain activity patterns are also
observed during various states of meditation as well. For more, see our post on
psychedelics and meditation.

Recent research has shown that psilocybin can be used to enhance spiritual practice. The
large study recruited 75 participants, and engaged them on a six-month spiritual course
involving meditation, awareness, and self-re ection. During the course, participants were
given either a low or high dose of psilocybin. At the end of the six months, the participants
given the high dose of psilocybin showed signi cantly greater improvements in measures of
spirituality such as interpersonal closeness, life meaning, death transcendence, and
forgiveness.[34]

THERAPEUTIC USE
Several preclinical trials in the 1960s and 70s suggested a promising role for psilocybin and
other psychedelics in treating issues including cluster headaches, mood disorders, and
addiction.[18]

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After the federal government reclassi ed psilocybin as a Schedule I drug in the 1970s,
research on its therapeutic effects became virtually non-existent, up until recently.
Anecdotal accounts of psilocybin’s therapeutic effects have nally caught the attention of
medical professionals and regulators. Today, research is being funded and conducted by
organizations such as MAPS, The Beckley Foundation, and The Johns Hopkins Center for
Psychedelic & Consciousness Research.

Psilocybin in the Treatment of Cluster headaches

More intense but shorter in duration than migraines, cluster headaches are often described
as the most painful and disruptive type of headache. Attacks at night may be more painful
than those that occur in the daytime, but both interfere signi cantly in a person’s life.

To date, no systematic studies have been published that describe psilocybin’s potential to
treat cluster headaches, but myriad anecdotal reports have caught the attention of the
medical community. In the mid-2000s, medical professionals began taking notice of
psilocybin and LSD as possible treatments for cluster headaches after some of their
patients reported remission of their condition following recreational psychedelic use (and
subsequent self-medication).[19]

One recent survey reported that psilocybin could be a more effective treatment of cluster
headaches than currently available medications, with nearly 50% of sufferers reporting
psilocybin as a completely effective treatment. [20]

Psilocybin in the Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Anecdotal evidence has pointed toward psilocybin (and other psychedelics) as a treatment
for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Psychologist and psychedelic
researcher Dr. James Fadiman has been collecting anecdotes for several years, the
overwhelming majority of which are positive.

The federal government has allowed some small, highly controlled studies to be conducted
on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin on mood disorders. In 2011, a pilot was
conducted to test the effects of psilocybin on depression and end-of-life anxiety in terminal
cancer patients.[21] Patients in this study had advanced-stage cancer and a clinical diagnosis
of stress or anxiety related to their disease. The researchers observed signi cant
improvements after psilocybin treatment on measures of depression and anxiety up to six
months after the trial. This study was eventually granted Phase II status by the FDA.
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Recently, a prestigious research group in London carried out a study that suggests
psilocybin could be used to treat major depression.[31]  Twelve patients were given two
doses of psilocybin (one low, and one high), combined with psychological support. One
week after the second dose, depression scores were signi cantly reduced in nearly all
patients, with eight of the 12 showing no symptoms of depression. Three months later, ve
patients were still depression-free, and four of the remaining seven had a reduction in the
rating of their depression from “Severe” to “Mild or Moderate.”

Psilocybin treatment has also been shown to successfully reduce symptoms of obsessive
compulsive disorder (OCD) in a small study of patients who didn’t respond to conventional
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) drug therapy.[22] In this study, all patients showed a
reduction in OCD symptoms ranging from 23% to 100%.

Psilocybin in the Treatment of Addiction

The “classic psychedelics” were used in preclinical trials to treat addiction in the 1950s and
60s with promising results, but again, once many of these psychedelics were made illegal in
the U.S. and most of Europe, research into the using them in a therapeutic context came  to
a virtual halt. But recent years have seen a resurgence in using psilocybin and other
psychedelics as therapeutic tools to treat addiction.

In a 2015 study, psilocybin, as part of an assisted treatment plan, showed promise in

treating alcoholism.[23] Signi cant reductions in drinking and abstinence from drinking
were reported after psilocybin administration as part of a treatment program.

Psilocybin also appears to be a potential tool in helping people quit smoking tobacco. In a
recent trial, two to three treatment sessions with psilocybin as part of a larger cognitive-
behavioral therapy program for smoking cessation had an 80% success rate with smoking
cessation in study participants (12 out of 15 subjects).[24] By comparison, conventional
smoking cessation method success rates — gum, patches, cold turkey, etc. — have about a
35% success rate.

Does Psilocybin Re-wire the Brain?

Some researchers are beginning to theorize that many of psilocybin’s bene cial effects on
mental health conditions may be due to its ability to “reset” a control system in the brain.
The Default Mode Network (DMN) has been linked to depression and other mood

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disorders when overactive. Psilocybin has been shown to dramatically reduce the activity
of the DMN,[32] which has recently been linked to its anti-depressant effects.[33]

Read more about the relationship between psychedelics and the DMN here.

LEGALITY
Psilocybin is illegal in most countries, but its legal status is open in some places. In the
Netherlands, due to a legal loophole, it’s possible to purchase “magic truf es” that contain
psilocybin without breaking the law. Psilocybin is legal at least in some form in Brazil, the
British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and the Netherlands.

In the U.S., while illegal at the federal level, psilocybin mushrooms were deemed legal to
grow and possess (as long as they’re not dried) in New Mexico in 2005. In 1978, the Florida
supreme court ruled that harvesting wild psilocybin mushrooms was effectively legal until
the state legislature says otherwise. No Florida laws have been passed since regulating the
harvest of wild-picked mushrooms containing psilocybin.

On May 7, 2019, citizens of Denver, Colorado voted to decriminalize psilocybin

mushrooms.[35] This means it’s no longer a punishable offense for adults aged 21 and older
to possess them for personal use. It doesn’t make them legal, though. If you’re caught selling
or otherwise distributing psilocybin mushrooms, and possibly even growing them, you
could still face criminal charges. The law remains unchanged for the rest of Colorado—at
least for the time being.

In June the same year, Oakland, California followed suit with an amendment of its own:
Council members voted unanimously to decriminalize not just psilocybin mushrooms but all
“entheogenic plants” containing indoleamines, tryptamines, and phenethylamines. As in
Denver, this only applies to adults aged 21 years and older. And it doesn’t include synthetic
substances derived from plants or fungi, such as LSD. However, unlike in Denver, it also
decriminalizes (or rather deprioritizes for law enforcement) the cultivation and distribution
of the speci ed psychedelics—which include psilocybin mushrooms.[36][37]

With the exception of three states, psilocybin mushrooms spores are perfectly legal to
possess in the U.S. as the spores do not contain psilocybin or psilocin, the chemicals that are

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speci cally regulated by federal law. However, although the spores are legal, growing
mushrooms from the spores is still considered illicit activity.

Read our article on the legality of psilocybin mushrooms.

For other legal mushroom products that can boost your health (without the
psychoactivity!), check out Four Sigmatic.

Optimize your microdosing efforts

Do you worry about taking too much, not measuring correctly, or losing control of
your experience?

Enroll in our online microdosing course to have a safe, effective, and valuable
microdosing experience.

LEARN HOW TO MICRODOSE

PHARMACOLOGY
Psilocybin is the active psychedelic ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms. The threshold
dose for feeling the effects from dried mushrooms is typically in the 0.2-0.5g range, though
it varies across individuals. A moderate dose in the 1-2.5g range, taken orally, typically
produces effects that last from three to six hours.

Psilocybin is metabolized into psilocin, both of which appear to be equally active in

producing psychedelic effects. Psilocybin is about 100 times less potent than LSD and 10
times less potent than mescaline.

Psilocybin and its metabolite psilocin primarily interact with serotonin receptors in the
brain. It has an especially high af nity for the 5-HT (serotonin) 2A subtype receptors. In
rodents, psilocybin shows strong interaction with receptors in hub regions of the brain that
integrate sensory experiences. This could, therefore, explain effects such as

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synesthesia (mixing sensory modalities; e.g., hearing colors, tasting sounds) and altered
sensory experiences during mushroom trips.

Toxicology
Psilocybin is well-tolerated among healthy individuals. Hormone levels, liver function and
toxicity, and blood sugar all appear to be unaffected by its use. Complications that have
been reported appear to arise in vulnerable individuals under uncontrolled conditions and
at high doses. Adverse effects, like “bad trips,” can almost always be managed with
interpersonal support and without pharmaceutical intervention.[7]

Interactions
Not much data exists concerning adverse drug-drug interactions with psilocybin. Anecdotal
reports from emergency rooms suggest abstention from alcohol while tripping. In fact, it’s
best to abstain from alcohol while using any psychedelic.[8]

Since psilocybin is a potent serotonin agonist, it’s best to avoid using it while on any
medications that alter the serotonin system, such as Prozac and other SSRI
antidepressants.

HISTORY & STATS

Brief history
Archaeological evidence from the Sahara desert suggests that humans have been using
psychedelic mushrooms for 7,000 years or more.[1] Mushrooms are represented in
prehistoric art across many different geographic regions. In most cases, they’re thought to
be religiously symbolic, often in the context of rights of passage ceremonies. If our
ancestors did use mushrooms, such a powerful experience almost certainly would have
in uenced prehistoric culture, from art to religion to social values that regulated everyday
life.

Some have gone even further. Terence McKenna’s “Stoned Ape Hypothesis” suggests that
early humans or pre-human hominids ingested mushrooms, leading to evolutionary
bene ts including advancements in intelligence. It should be noted that the scienti c
community regards this hypothesis with skepticism because some of its assumptions lack
convincing evidence.

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Extensive accounts of psilocybin use in pre-Columbian history comes from the Mayan and
Aztec cultures of Mesoamerica, namely in Mexico and Guatemala. After conquering these
areas in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Spanish forbade psychedelic mushroom use by
indigenous peoples, regarding it as a savage and uncivilized cultural practice. Despite this,
the indigenous shamans ignored Spanish law in secret for over 400 years to preserve their
shared cultural heritage with these mushrooms.

The rst reliable account in the West of “intoxication” with psilocybin mushrooms came in
1799 when four children were accidentally fed Psilocybe semilanceata, a species of
psychedelic mushroom.

The famous Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann (who synthesised LSD) rst isolated psilocybin
in the lab in 1957 from Psilocybe mexicana, a species of mushroom found primarily in
Central America. A year later, it was produced synthetically for the rst time.[2]

Gordon Wasson, former vice president of J.P. Morgan & Company, apparently had a
fascination with psilocybin mushrooms that became an obsession. In 1955 he traveled to
Oaxaca, Mexico, to meet mushroom shaman Maria Sabina, a member of the indigenous
Mazatec Indian tribe, who introduced him to psilocybin mushrooms. On his rst mushroom
trip, he reported feeling as if his soul had been scooped out of his body. [3]

Wasson effectively kickstarted the psychedelic mushroom movement in the West when, in
1957, Time Magazine published his photo essay, “Seeking the Magic Mushroom,” in which he
detailed his experiences.

After reading of Wasson’s experiences and then traveling to Oaxaca to experience

psilocybin mushrooms for themselves, Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert, researchers at
Harvard University, founded the Harvard Psilocybin Project which, of course, got them
red shortly thereafter. So they did what any jobless, charismatic academics would have
done in 1962: they started a psychedelic movement. Psilocybin mushrooms were quickly
adopted into the 1960s counterculture.

In 1971, psilocybin was listed in the UN’s Convention on Psychotropic Substances [4] as a
Schedule I drug in the U.S., making it illegal for all purposes. However, psilocybin mushrooms
were not part of the UN convention, which, to this day, allows countries who have signed
the convention (essentially a treaty) to regulate mushrooms that naturally contain
psilocybin as they see t.
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Today, psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in most countries, although there are exceptions.

Over the past few years, regulatory bodies such as the DEA and FDA have loosened rules
about using psilocybin – more so than any other psychedelic – in controlled research trials.
Exciting new ndings on psilocybin as a therapeutic tool and for personal/spiritual
development are emerging.

Current usage
Psilocybin mushrooms are the most commonly used psychedelics among people ages 34
and younger.[5]
A 2012 study of 409 university students in the northeast U.S. found that nearly 30% had
tried psilocybin mushrooms at least once.[6]
A report from data collected in the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and
Health (NSDUH) shows that, compared to other drugs, psychedelics— which, according
the NSDUH, includes LSD, PCP, peyote, mescaline, psilocybin mushrooms, and MDMA —
were used by about 1.2% of the population of people 12 years of age and older within the
past month. Interestingly, “psychotherapeutics” (such as prescription antidepressants
and antipsychotics) are reportedly used illegally at a rate nearly six times that of
psychedelics.
Surveys in 12 EU member states found that people aged 15–24 years old use of
psilocybin mushrooms ranges from less than 1% to 8%.
In the UK, almost 340,000 people aged 16–59 had used psilocybin mushrooms in the last
year as of 2004/2005, right before they were made completely illegal in the UK.

Types of Mushrooms
Of the 180+ known types of psychedelic mushrooms, the most widely known and
consumed species are:

Psilocybe cubensis: The most well-known and widely cultivated of psilocybin mushrooms.
Psilocybe cyanescens: Less well-known compared to psilocybe cubensis, but no less
cultivated, smaller, and slightly more psychoactive.
Psilocybe azurescens: Discovered by world renowned mycologist Paul Stamets in the mid-
90s, it is likely the most potent psilocybin mushroom in the world.
Amanita Muscaria (Fly Agaric): A red and white mushroom containing the psychoactive
elements ibotenic acid and muscimol — was regularly used in shamanic tradition by
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indigenous Siberian and Baltic cultures.

How to Identify a Psychedelic Mushroom

Of course, when beginning, heed caution. There are many types of similar-looking
mushrooms with varying levels of toxicity. If you know what to look for, choosing a deadly
mushroom is unlikely, but it’s important to be aware of what you’re doing. Psilocybe
cubensis grows in abundance in tropical zones throughout the world. They are classic
stubby-stemmed parasol-shaped mushrooms with predominantly light-to-golden-brownish
caps that are bulbous before fruiting, and at and wide in diameter when fully mature.
Psilocybe azurescens on the other hand, are endemic to the West Coast of the United
States, appear slimmer and more convex. Read more about how to identify psychedelic
mushrooms.

MYTHS
“Psilocybin mushrooms cause brain bleeding, stomach bleeding,
and/or kidney failure”
A “bleeding brain” would be diagnosed as a stroke, hemorrhage, or aneurysm. There is no
evidence of this ever happening after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms, nor is there any
evidence to suggest that these mushrooms cause stomach bleeding. A 1981 report found
that the two most common complications with mushroom use were dilated pupils and
overly sensitive re exes.[11] Other literature reviews have found no complications of
mushroom use in healthy individuals.[12][13]

As for kidney problems, the issue is actually a mushroom identi cation problem. The
psychedelic mushroom species Psilocybe semilanceata does not cause kidney issues, but
mushrooms in the family Cortinarius are often mistaken for P. semilanceata, and are harmful
to the kidneys.

“Shrooms make you go insane”

Researchers have drawn similarities between psilocybin mushroom trips and psychotic
episodes like those found in schizophrenia, but in almost all cases, this is temporary (hence,
the term “trip”).[14] Even people who are admitted to the emergency room after taking
psilocybin mushrooms return to their normal physical and mental state within a matter of
hours.[15] In fact, a recent large, population-wide study found a reduced likelihood of
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psychological distress and suicidality among those who use classic psychedelics such as
psilocybin mushrooms and LSD.[16]

While there is no conclusive evidence suggesting that latent mental health problems can be
exacerbated by psychedelic use, many scientists believe this is the case. [17] As such, if you
have a history of mental illness (especially schizophrenia), you may want to avoid
psychedelic drugs.

“Magic mushrooms are poisonous”

This depends on your de nition of “poisonous.” If you categorize a chemical substance that
induces an intoxicated state, alters your consciousness, and causes some physiological
changes as poisonous, then sure, psilocybin mushrooms are poisonous. But if that’s the
case, then all drugs are poisonous, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and caffeine. A
narrower de nition of a poisonous substance, however, would not categorize psilocybin as
such.

While mushroom poisoning from non-psychedelic species can cause serious physical illness
and in rare cases death, psilocybin mushrooms are not toxic. Proper identi cation of
mushroom species, therefore, is obviously critical.

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FAQ
Can psilocybin be detected in a drug test?

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Psilocybin mushrooms and their metabolites are not included in most standard drug
screens; however they are sometimes included in extended drug screens.[30]

Can psilocybin cause psychological trauma?

If you follow the 6S’s of psychedelic use, and avoid taking psychedelics if you have a family
history of mental health issues, psilocybin will not cause psychological trauma.

Psilocybin can cause you to feel crazy for a short time (acute psychosis), known colloquially
as a “bad trip,” if you don’t follow the 6S’s. Although there is no concrete evidence, some
scientists suspect that psilocybin can cause latent mental health issues to surface.

How do I know if I have psilocybin mushrooms?

Many species of mushrooms contain psilocybin, and some look similar to poisonous
mushrooms, so it’s important to identify your mushrooms correctly. Many species of
psilocybin mushrooms are recognisable by their long thin stems and short cone-like caps.

Is it legal to grow psilocybin mushrooms?

In most countries, it is illegal to possess, buy, or grow psilocybin mushrooms. However, the
spores are legal to buy in many places, as long as you don’t use them to grow mushrooms.
Read our full article on the legality of psilocybin mushrooms.

How do I take psilocybin mushrooms?

Psilocybin mushrooms can be eaten whole, brewed in a tea, or cooked into food. A
moderate dose is 1-2.5g, which can be weighed on a scale.

How do I microdose with psilocybin mushrooms?

Psilocybin mushrooms can be microdosed by ingesting around 0.2-0.5g, but everyone’s
tolerance is different.

How does psilocybin tolerance work?

Taking a moderate dose of psilocybin will produce an immediate tolerance. If you take the
drug again soon, it will have a weaker effect. You should wait at least three days between
psilocybin doses.

Can I mix psilocybin with other drugs?

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Psilocybin should not be mixed with Tramadol, as it can lead to serotonin syndrome. Be
cautious if mixing psilocybin with cannabis, amphetamines, or cocaine. Click here for a
detailed chart of safe drug combinations.

FOOTNOTES
[1] Samorini, G. (2009). The oldest representations of hallucinogenic mushrooms in the world.

[2] Passie, T., Seifert, J., Schneider, U., & Emrich, H. M. (2002). The pharmacology of psilocybin. Addiction
Biology, 7(4), 357–364.

[3] Teresi, D. (2007, June 3). Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom – Andy Letcher –
Books – Review. The New York Times. Retrieved from

[4] Psychotropic Substances.

[5] Krebs, T. S., & Johansen, P.-Ø. (2013). Over 30 million psychedelic users in the United States.
F1000Research.

[6] Hallock, R. M., Dean, A., Knecht, Z. A., Spencer, J., & Taverna, E. C. (2013). A survey of hallucinogenic
mushroom use, factors related to usage, and perceptions of use among college students. Drug & Alcohol
Dependence, 130(1), 245–248.

[7] Studerus, E., Kometer, M., Hasler, F., & Vollenweider, F. X. (2011). Acute, subacute and long-term
subjective effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a pooled analysis of experimental studies. Journal of
Psychopharmacology, 25(11), 1434–1452.

[8] van Amsterdam, J., Opperhuizen, A., & van den Brink, W. (2011). Harm potential of magic mushroom
use: a review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 59(3), 423–429.

[9] Passie, T., Seifert, J., Schneider, U., & Emrich, H. M. (2002). The pharmacology of psilocybin.
Addiction Biology, 7(4), 357–364.

[10] Johnson, M. W., Sewell, R. A., & Grif ths, R. R. (2012). Psilocybin dose-dependently causes delayed,
transient headaches in healthy volunteers. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 123(1), 132–140.

[11] Peden, N. R., Macaulay, K. E. C., Bissett, A. F., Crooks, J., & Pelosi, A. J. (1981). Clinical toxicology of
“magic mushroom” ingestion. Postgraduate Medical Journal, 57(671), 543–545.

[12] Passie, T., Seifert, J., Schneider, U., & Emrich, H. M. (2002). The pharmacology of psilocybin.
Addiction Biology, 7(4), 357–364.

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2/5/2020 The Ultimate Guide to Psilocybin Mushrooms - Experience, Benefits, & Side Effects

[13] van Amsterdam, J., Opperhuizen, A., & van den Brink, W. (2011). Harm potential of magic
mushroom use: a review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 59(3), 423–429.

[14] Vollenweider, F. X., Vollenweider-Scherpenhuyzen, M. F., Bäbler, A., Vogel, H., & Hell, D. (1998).
Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action.
Neuroreport, 9(17), 3897–3902.

[15] L, S., H, G., & K, C. (2004). Poisonings resulting from the ingestion of magic mushrooms in Krakow.
Przeglad Lekarski, 62(6), 394–396.

[16] Hendricks, P. S., Thorne, C. B., Clark, C. B., Coombs, D. W., & Johnson, M. W. (2015). Classic
psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States
adult population. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 29(3), 280–288.

[17] Nichols D.E. (2004) Hallucinogens. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 101, 131-181

[18] Vollenweider, F. X., & Kometer, M. (2010). The neurobiology of psychedelic drugs: implications for
the treatment of mood disorders. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 11(9), 642–651.

[19] Sewell, R. A., Halpern, J. H., & Pope, H. G. (2006). Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and
LSD. Neurology, 66(12), 1920–1922.

[20] Schindler et al (2015). Indoleamine hallucinogens in cluster headache: results of the

Clusterbusters medication use survey. J Psychoactive Drugs, 47(5), 372-381.

[21] Grob, C. S., Danforth, A. L., Chopra, G. S., Hagerty, M., McKay, C. R., Halberstadt, A. L., & Greer, G. R.
(2011). Pilot study of psilocybin treatment for anxiety in patients with advanced-stage cancer. Archives
of General Psychiatry, 68(1), 71–78.

[22] Moreno, F. A., Wiegand, C. B., Taitano, E. K., & Delgado, P. L. (2006). Safety, tolerability, and ef cacy
of psilocybin in 9 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67(11),
1735–1740.

[23] Bogenschutz, M. P., Forcehimes, A. A., Pommy, J. A., Wilcox, C. E., Barbosa, P. C. R., & Strassman, R.
J. (2015). Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study. Journal of
Psychopharmacology, 29(3), 289–299.

[24] Johnson, M. W., Garcia-Romeu, A., Cosimano, M. P., & Grif ths, R. R. (2014). Pilot study of the 5-
HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction. Journal of Psychopharmacology.

[25] Leary, T., Litwin, G. H., & Metzner, R. (1963). Reactions to psilocybin administered in a supportive
environment. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 137(6), 561–573.

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2/5/2020 The Ultimate Guide to Psilocybin Mushrooms - Experience, Benefits, & Side Effects

[26] Alpert, R., Leary, T., & Metzner, R. (1971). The psychedelic experience.

[27]Studerus, E., Gamma, A., & Vollenweider, F. X. (2010). Psychometric Evaluation of the Altered
States of Consciousness Rating Scale (OAV). PLOS ONE, 5(8), e12412.

[28] Grif ths, R. R., Richards, W. A., Johnson, M. W., McCann, U. D., & Jesse, R. (2008). Mystical-type
experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual
signi cance 14 months later. Journal of Psychopharmacology.

[29] Carhart-Harris, R. L., Erritzoe, D., Williams, T., Stone, J. M., Reed, L. J., Colasanti, A., … others.
(2012). Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(6), 2138–2143.

[30] Erowid Psilocybin Mushroom Vault : Drug Testing

[31] Carhart-Harris et al. (2016). Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant
depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry

[32] Carhart-Harris et al. (2012). Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI
studies with psilocybin. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 109(6):2138-43

[33] Carhart-Harris et al. (2017). Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain
mechanisms. Scienti c reports, 7:13187

[34] Grif ths et al. (2017). Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with
meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological
functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors. J Psychopharm

[35] Denver Psilocybin Mushroom Decriminalization Initiative. Ballot Title and Text. Retrieved from
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bb4f9c27046803ce123a760/t/5c6360158165f54e1f1b090
a/1550016533926/DPMDI.pdf.

[36] AP. (2019, Jun 5). The Latest: Oakland 2nd US city to legalize magic mushrooms. Retrieved from
https://www.apnews.com/ff023dfbf4534eba8622f504d272ff00.

[37] Decriminalize Nature Oakland. Resolution. Retrieved from

https://www.decriminalizenature.org/dno-resolution.

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