Magic mushrooms
- In short
Magic mushrooms or ‘shrooms’, in English, and ‘paddos,’ in Dutch, is the collective term for mushrooms which influence the mind. Magic mushrooms can thus cause hallucinations: The user sees and experiences things which are not there. Magic mushrooms are therefore counted among the hallucinogens. Other hallucinogens also occur in nature, including certain types of cactuses and herbs. Taken together, these substances are called ‘ecodrugs.’
Magic mushrooms and parts of them can be eaten either fresh or dried. They can also be used to make tea. And sometimes they are incorporated into food dishes.
- Addictive? Psychologically, but not physically.
- Increasingly more needed for the same effect? Yes, in the short-term; when the substance is again used within a few days, the effects are virtually unnoticeable. No, after a longer intervening period.
- Short-term effects: Magnification of current emotions, visual hallucinations, distortion and sometimes complete alteration of perceptions of time and space.
- Long-term effects: Development of mental disorders among those susceptible to such (anxiety, psychosis).
- Important: Danger of misjudging the environment. Panic can arise as a consequence of the strong ‘trip.’ User can ‘freak out.’
- What are they?
“Magic mushrooms” is the popular collective name for different types of mushrooms which affect the mind. Magic mushrooms can thus cause hallucinations: The user experiences and sees things which are not there. Magic mushrooms are therefore counted among the hallucinogens.
Other hallucinogens also occur in nature, including certain types of cactuses and herbs.
- Where do they come from?
- Magic mushrooms come from the natural environment. The indigenous pointed bald cap grows in moderate regions and thus in Bulgaria as well. Magic mushrooms are among the oldest hallucinogens. In South and Central America, they have been used for thousands of years. This is usually during religious ceremonies as the magical effects of the mushrooms are supposed to facilitate contact with the gods. There is currently a stable trade in mushrooms which are specially cultivated and sold in so-called ‘smart shops.’
- What are the active compounds?
The active compounds in mushrooms which can cause the hallucinogenic effects are psilocybine and psilocin. There are many different types of mushrooms with psilocybine or psilocin in them. In Bulgaria can be found only Psilocybe semilanceata, which is growing in the region of Rila Mountain. There is some information about the existence of another type of shrooms in Bulgaria, but there aren’t any proofs about that.
The amount of the active compounds is different for every mushroom. Whether one is speaking of a fresh or dried mushroom also makes a difference. Dried mushrooms are concentrated. One gram of dried mushrooms can thus be much stronger than one gram of the same type of mushroom but fresh.
- What do they do?
- Magic mushrooms intensify emotions and change the manner in which the environment and one’s own personality are perceived and experienced. This can be good or bad. The effects depend upon different factors, including the type of mushroom, the amount consumed, body weight and stomach content. With a light body weight and when taken on an empty stomach, the effects of the same dosage can be much greater. Women generally experience a stronger effect.
- How are they used?
- Magic mushrooms are taken orally. The hallucinogenic effect occurs with the use of 4 to 12 milligrams of the active compound by adults. Depending on the person and the situation, the hallucinogenic effect can already become quite intense with the use of 8 milligrams. The effect remains perceptible for 3 to 7 hours with the peak usually occurring during the first 2 hours. Once the mushrooms have been consumed, their effects — whether desired or undesired — cannot be counteracted.
- Who uses them?
- Mushrooms are used by many different groups of people. This includes young people who may be experimenting with all kinds of things in life. The revived interest in the 1960s certainly plays a role in this today as the use of magic mushrooms in the western world stems from this time. People using in other age groups are primarily interested in the mind-altering and relaxing effects of the mushrooms. Use is typically limited to few occasions. For most people, a nasty experience due to an overly strong effect is usually reason not to use anymore. The really nasty taste of the mushrooms and light nausea which they can cause certainly do not encourage use.
- Can you become addicted to them?
A distinction can be made between physical and psychological dependence.
We speak of physical dependence when the body protests after stopping the use of a substance (withdrawal symptoms). This does not occur with magic mushrooms. It is also the case that taking mushrooms again after few days has absolutely no effect; that is, the repeated use of mushrooms within a brief period of time is absolutely futile.
Psychological dependence means that the user increasingly craves the substance and really does not feel good without it. This is rarely the case for mushroom use. Once again, the futility of using repeatedly within a brief period of time plays a role here. When someone has difficulties going without, this is probably related to a characteristic of the person such as craving for relaxation or excitement which a’ trip’ can bring with it.
- What are the risks?
- When picking the mushrooms oneself, there is always the risk of confusion with a poisonous type.
- When consumed in high dosages, the stomach, liver and kidneys can have trouble with the digestion of the mushrooms. One cannot see or measure the concentration of the active compound in a mushroom. The accompanying written information can provide an indication of the concentration but not ensure safety.
- Given that the strength of the mushrooms can vary, the risk of an overly high dosage and thus an extremely potent effect always exists. For food or beverages with mushrooms, it is extremely difficult to know the dosage.
- The combination of mushrooms with other drugs or alcohol produces unpredictable effects which can sometimes be dreadful.
- The use of mushrooms by young people is strongly discouraged. Mushrooms can create a ‘bad trip’ which is usually accompanied by major anxiety and confusion. For young people who have limited self-knowledge to start with, such a bad trip can be very threatening.
- Those with a history of psychiatric or severe mental problems should not use mushrooms. Individuals who suffer from psychosis or depression run a higher risk of experiencing a bad trip.
- Those who are generally in poor shape, have asthma, have heart, liver or kidney complaints or take medication should stay away from mushrooms.
- It is strongly advised that mushrooms not be used during pregnancy.
- People can behave recklessly when under the influence. Even when the mushrooms appear to have worn off, the user can still remain drowsy and unconcentrated for as much as 5 to 6 hours thereafter. Driving and traffic should thus be avoided for at least this long.
- Handling of users
Mushrooms are not the type of drug which people escape into and never return from. When someone is suspected of using, the best approach is thus a candid talk in which one tries to find out why. There is reason to worry when a feeling of uneasiness is the reason for use. An attempt to deal with the underlying problems is then best. Panic and threats often only backfire and thus produce what is not desired, namely continued use.
For the rest, one should know the risks. When a ‘trip’ goes bad, reassure the person and do not — whatever you do — leave him or her alone. Do not panic, keep talking to the person and look for a quiet place. Explain that the bad trip is not his or her fault but due to the substance and will certainly come to an end. Try to distract the person. Eating something sweet or taking vitamin C can, according to some people, help slow things down. When a dangerous situation appears to be evolving or anxiety persists on the part of the user for hours on end, a doctor should be contacted.
