What It Is: There are dozens of species of psilocybin or ‘magic mushrooms’ belonging primarily to the genius’s psilocybe, panaeolus, and copelandia. The effects of this drug resemble an LSD trip, producing significant physical, visual, and perceptual changes. Nearly all of the psilocybin containing mushrooms are small brown or tan mushrooms easily mistakable for any number of non-psychoactive, inedible, or poisonous mushrooms in the wild. This makes them difficult and hazardous to identify. Slang/street names include shrooms, magic mushrooms, mushies, psilocybes, cubes, liberty caps, etc…
Type of Drug: Hallucinogenic Drug
Method of Use: Taken orally, sometimes mixed in food
What It Does: Depending on how much and how recently one has eaten, mushrooms generally takes 30-60 minutes (though sometimes as long as 2 hrs) to take effect, lasting for 4-6 hours. They are likely to cause a sort of indefinable feeling similar to anticipation or anxiety. There may be a feeling of energy in the body, and the sense that things are different than usual. As the effects intensify, a wide variety of perceptual changes may occur. These include visuals, mental stimulation, new perspectives, feeling of insight, quickly changing emotions, possible paranoia (a mental disorder characterized by delusions causing a person to feel like someone is out to get them or talking about them) and confusion.
Health Risks: Many people experience nausea and/or vomiting during mushroom experiences, especially with higher doses. Other possible negative effects include anxiety and unwanted or frightening thoughts and visions. Mushrooms, like LSD, can precipitate strong, temporary, changes in an individual’s experience of life and reality. (WARNING: Individuals with a family history of schizophrenia or early onset mental illness should be extremely careful because mushrooms have been known to trigger latent psychological and mental problems).
Legal Status: Illegal in the United States
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