Magic Mushrooms: What You Need to Know

If you are new to magic mushrooms aka psilocybin mushrooms, we encourage you to read below.

Magic Mushroom

Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, contain the psychedelic substance psilocybin. Psilocybin is a tryptamine that is structurally similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin. The biological effects of psilocybin are highly variable and depend on the individual, the environment in which the drug is taken, the dosage, and the method of ingestion.

It contains several other psychoactive compounds, including psilocin, baeocystin, and norbaeocystin. These compounds are metabolized to psilocin, which is responsible for most of the subjective effects of psilocybin mushrooms.

Tips on Using a Magic Mushroom

Ensure You are in a Calm Environment

The most important tip when ingesting psilocybin is to ensure you are in a good frame of mind and somewhere safe. Upon using, your high will feed off of whatever is around you, positive or negative and could result in a good or bad trip, respectively.

Use a Mushroom Trip Sitter

When you first ingest a magic mushroom, you don’t know how you’ll react. That’s why it’s good to have a “mushroom trip sitter” with you. This is someone sober who will ensure your safety.

We will also discuss the stages of the mushroom trip.

4 Stages of Mushroom Trip

1st Stage – Tripping Begins

This is when the effects of your magic mushroom have begun to set in, but you are still in control. At this point you may feel a little giggly with colours looking more vibrant and a warm sensation enveloping your body.

2nd Stage – The Coming-on

This is when the gears in your head have started to turn, but you are still in control. This stage can be described similar to the feeling of going upwards on a rollercoaster, knowing that a thrill is awaiting you when you drop on the other side.

3rd Stage – Fully Tripping

You have become absorbed in the magic mushroom experience and are in tune with your environment- if outdoors, you will be able to feel the breath and pulse of inanimate objects like trees with the ability to see colours and shapes in a fifth dimension.

4th Stage – Peaking & Come Down

Peaking entails a climax of stage 3. A zone where whatever effects you have felt so far feel even more enhanced and heightened. This stage is generally following by a deceleration process by which you gradually come down and, “normalize”.

Types of Hallucinogenic Drugs

Psilocybin Mushrooms

Mushrooms containing psilocybin are the most common hallucinogenic mushrooms. It can take 30 mins to 1 hr to take effect and have a dose-response curve that is more pronounced than LSD. For example, a large number of mushrooms will have a much stronger impact than a small amount.

Mescaline

Mescaline can take up to 3 hours to kick in but it is much more potent than psilocybin. It has been known to have a duration of up to 10 hours or longer in some cases.

Peyote

Also known as mescaline cactus, peyote is a type of peyote cactus containing mescaline and other psychoactive ingredients that can be taken in several ways. Many cultures have used peyote throughout world history.

Ayahuasca

This is probably the most well-known hallucinogenic drug. Ayahuasca is a brew made by combining two plants, the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis Caapi) and the leaf of a shrub called chacruna (Psychotria Viridis). The hallucinogenic compound in the chacruna leaf causes the psychedelic effects of this brew.

What Are Hallucinogenic Mushrooms?

Hallucinogenic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain certain substances that can influence or alter the state of mind. There are various mushrooms, and every kind of mushroom has a different amount of psychoactive ingredients. These substances may be active or inactive, depending on the mushroom consumed.

FAQs

What are the side effects of eating mushrooms?

It is tough to overdose on magic mushrooms even if you eat many of them. You may experience a bad trip if you take too much, but it is not (necessarily) dangerous. You may feel nauseous and have stomach aches known as gut-rot.

How does psilocybin work in the brain?

Psilocybin is considered a psychedelic drug which affects the brain by binding to the serotonin receptors. The psychedelic effects are caused by the stimulation of the receptors, which causes temporary changes in perception and thought. The results of psilocybin last for about 6 to 8 hours, and one can experience both mental and physical changes during that time.

How can psilocybin help with addiction and depression?

Depression, addiction, and anxiety can cause mental and behavioural stagnation. Less social connection results from more negative thinking, leading to a greater concentration on the addictive substance. It appears that psychedelic experiences impact this “stuckness.” When paired with therapy and life skills, psilocybin enhances mental flexibility, helping individuals break unhealthy habits and create healthier ones.

What mushroom causes you to hallucinate?

However, muscimol and ibotenic acid are the principal active chemicals that generate delirium symptoms and hallucinations associated with the Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) type of mushroom.

How likely will I have an unpleasant experience consuming magic mushrooms?

Despair, perplexity, paranoia, anxiety, and panic are “bad trip” symptoms. These sensations may last days. You won’t have a negative trip if you don’t take the mushrooms. You may have side effects if the mushrooms are more potent than expected.