What are magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms or shrooms, are a fungus that, contain psychoactive including psilocybin and psilocin.
The mushrooms that contain psilocybin are usually members of the Psilocybe genus, but also Panaeolus and Copelandia genus.
When consumed, “magic mushrooms” produce an effect similar to that of an LSD trip.
Where do magic mushrooms grow naturally?
Psilocybin mushrooms occur naturally around the world, including many areas in the United States. Some of the most commonly found types of magic mushrooms in North America include Liberty Caps, Wavy Caps, and Amanitas.
Mushrooms thrive in humid conditions. They are often found in forests or areas that receive a good deal of rain.
Some magic mushrooms are also relatively easy to grow in a home setting.
What do magic mushrooms look like?
Most varieties are usually small or medium-sized and have a light brown coloring. The stems are generally long and pale, and the caps can be bell-shaped or more disc-like in appearance, depending on the variety.
One key-identifier of Psycilocybe mushrooms is that they contain some amount of blue coloring.
When sold for consumption, they are most often found dried or dehydrated.
Dried magic mushrooms look like this:
What are magic mushroom’s effects on humans?
The effect magic mushrooms have can vary from person to person. However, each trip usually includes visual distortions and mood changes. People may feel energized or mentally stimulated.
At higher doses, many users also experience a strong sense of connection to the universe.
Are magic mushrooms safe?
It is believed that the risk of addiction is very low. However, this doesn’t mean magic mushrooms are risk-free.
They can be toxic in high doses and may cause vomiting. Users experiencing a bad trip may feel extreme anxiety or paranoia.
What is a typical “dosage”?
How much psilocybin to take depends on whether the mushroom is fresh or dried and what variety it is.
As a general rule, users will need to take between 1 to 5 grams of fresh mushrooms or between .5 and 2 grams of dried mushrooms to experience effects.
Researching the particular mushroom variety can give users a better idea of the mushroom’s potency.
Dosage Tips: Start small. Half-a-gram is a good starting dosage for the majority of first timers. If that isn’t enough, next time try 1 gram, then 1.5, etc. to find the “right” dosage.
How long does a typical “trip” last?
A magic mushroom trip can last for between four and six hours, although this can vary depending on the person, the dosage, and the type of mushroom.
Psilocybin can take between 30 minutes and two hours to take effect, although 30 minutes to an hour is more common. This is followed by the trip itself, which usually lasts for between four and six hours.
How long do magic mushrooms stay in your system?
Magic mushrooms will usually leave your system within 24 hours. Because they’re ingested, the body typically digests and metabolizes them as quickly as any other food.
Do magic mushrooms show up in drug tests?
Magic mushrooms can show up in drug tests, but it’s relatively uncommon. Generally, the mushrooms will have metabolized quickly enough that they are not detectable unless the test is performed within 24 hours of eating them. However, some people may find that mushrooms take up to a week to metabolize and will still be present in a urine test during this time frame.
A hair follicle test can detect mushrooms for up to three months after ingesting them.
Magic mushrooms as medicine?
Magic mushrooms may also have medicinal effects. Researchers in Canada, USA and Europe have trialed mushrooms and their chemical components to treat mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. People treated with magic mushrooms often felt more hopeful and spiritually connected. These effects can actually last for many years after the psilocybin is administered.
It’s thought that psilocybin could also aid in treating alcoholics, suicidal patients, and those coping with shame or hopelessness due to debilitating diseases.
Magic mushrooms have been used in traditional folk medicine for centuries, but it’s only recently that modern medical science has looked into the uses of psilocybin. Several medical studies have been done on these mushrooms, and one of the largest and most well-known was performed at Johns Hopkins University.
The Johns Hopkins study treated patients with severe depression with psilocybin alongside psychotherapy. The results of the study showed that there were drastic reductions in symptoms and that most people had gone from experiencing severe depression to mild depression. Some people no longer showed any depressive symptoms at all.
What is the legal status of magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms can’t legally be consumed in any state in the United States except for Oregon, which legalized mushrooms used for medicinal purposes. Some states, however, have decriminalized them.
Outside of the United States, magic mushrooms are entirely legal in the Netherlands, Nepal, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bulgaria, Brazil, and Samoa.
In other parts of the world, magic mushrooms have been decriminalized or are accepted as medicinal. Still other countries have laws that make magic mushrooms illegal only in their dried form, which is more potent. In these countries, the mushrooms can be legally grown and consumed as long as they’re eaten while fresh.
Can you buy shrooms online?
This depends on your location. See above notes on legality.
I’m sure there are plenty of places online that will take your money no matter where you are from. 😉 Here’s a quick guide, that I will try to flesh out over time.
If you are in Canada, you actually have lots of options for magic mushrooms. These are often done through interact e-transfer.