Side Effects of Psilocybin Mushrooms Abuse
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as “magic mushrooms” or “Shrooms,” are hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin, a hallucinogenic chemical found naturally in some mushrooms that grow in Europe, South America, and the United States. Since psilocybin mushrooms are found naturally in the wild, some people believe they are safe to use and don’t have any risks. That is not the case.
Consuming large amounts of shrooms can cause:
- Panic attacks
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Psychosis
- Overdose
- Death
There is also the potential for addiction with the use of psilocybin. In this post, we’ll go over the side effects of psilocybin mushrooms, the dangers, and how to seek help if you or a loved one are suffering from a psilocybin mushroom addiction.
Do you want to break free from a mushroom addiction? Zinnia Health is here to help. Give us a call today at (855) 430-9439 to speak with one of our intake specialists about our drug treatment programs, therapy, and detox options. Help is standing by 24/7.
What Are Psilocybin Mushrooms?
Psilocybin mushrooms are known for their psychedelic and mind-altering effects. The feelings of euphoria they produce are similar to LSD. These mushrooms are traditionally used in indigenous communities and rose to popularity in the mainstream market through the hippie movement in the 1960s.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies psilocybin as a Schedule I substance, meaning the agency believes it has a high potential for abuse while serving no legitimate medical purpose.
What Are Common Side Effects Of Psilocybin Mushrooms?
The most common side effects of psilocybin mushrooms, like all hallucinogenic drugs, revolve around their psychedelic effects, such as:
- Auditory hallucinations
- Visual hallucinations
- Sensory enhancement
- Mood swings
- Distorted perception of time
- Lack of coordination
- Dizziness
- Euphoria
What Are the Short-term Side Effects of Psilocybin Mushrooms?
The short-term side effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms include:
- Inability to focus or pay attention
- Confusion and irrational thinking
- Feeling like you’re floating
- Enhanced perception of reality
- Impaired judgment
- Headache
- Tension
- Anxiety
- Sense of inflated well-being
- Increased heart rate
- Synesthesia (mixing up senses)
- Restlessness
- Dry mouth
- Excessive sweating
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
- Elevated blood pressure
- Lowered inhibitions
Some users may experience a “bad trip,” in which highly adverse reactions manifest, such as:
- Intense confusion
- Frightening hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Frantic agitation
- Severe disorientation
- Panic or terror
- Psychosis
When to Call for Help
You should call for emergency help or contact a healthcare professional when someone who has ingested psychedelic mushrooms starts to:
- Vomit continually
- Has a high fever
- Can’t stay awake/conscious
- Displays risky behavior that poses a threat to themselves or others
What Are the Long-Term Side Effects of Psilocybin Mushrooms?
The long-term effects of mushrooms include:
- Flashback hallucinations
- Changes in personality
- Unstable mood
- Tolerance
- Psychological dependence
- Physical dependence
The most significant reported long-term effect of psilocybin mushroom abuse is the occurrence of flashback hallucinations, which are spontaneous recurrences of psychedelic mental effects. The DSM-V classifies these flashbacks as Hallucinogen-persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD).
Examples of these flashbacks include:
- Halo vision
- Trails attached to moving objects
- Flickering or intensification of lights and colors
- False motion in peripherals
- Intimate objects appearing alive
- Objects appearing larger than they are (macropsia)
- Objects appearing smaller than they are (micropsia)
These flashbacks can often occur years after the user’s last trip.
If you’re experiencing any of the long or short-term effects of psychedelic drug use, help is available. Learn about the substance use treatment process at Zinnia Health here.
Do Psilocybin Mushrooms Affect Your Personality?
Personality changes are a common long-term effect of psilocybin. In fact, research from Johns Hopkins found that even a single dose of hallucinogenic mushrooms can create lasting personality changes. The study found that a single high dose of psilocybin was enough to foster measurable personality changes lasting at least one year in about 60% of study participants.
The personality changes attributed to hallucinogenic mushroom use include:
- Openness
- Imagination
- Aesthetics
- Feelings
- Abstract ideas
- General open-mindedness
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Psilocybin Mushrooms?
Mixing substances is never a good idea. This is especially true with a drug like magic mushrooms because no standard dose or regulations surrounding the manufacturing of the drug. The following substances have been shown to have negative interactions with magic mushroom ingestion:
1. Antidepressants
Psilocybin may increase serotonin in the brain in the same way that antidepressants like Zoloft, Prozac, and Lexapro do. When this happens, serotonin can be increased too much, resulting in Serotonin Syndrome. This can cause serious side effects such as heart problems, seizures, and vomiting.
2. Stimulants
Stimulants, like amphetamines and cocaine, speed up the body’s nervous system. This can result in increased blood pressure and heart rate. Psilocybin works the same way, and combining these two substances can therefore result in serious health problems, like increased heart rate and blood pressure.
3. Alcohol
Although little research has been done on the effects of mixing magic mushrooms and alcohol, some reports have found that ingesting psilocybin while drinking may cause a person to not feel the effects of alcohol as much, leading them to drink more. This can lead to alcohol poisoning and dangerous situations. Another report found that consuming alcohol increases the likelihood of a bad trip.
4. Marijuana
Hallucinogenic mushrooms and marijuana are commonly used together. One study found that nearly 60% of university students consumed magic mushrooms and cannabis at the same time. Combining these two substances can intensify the effects of the shrooms, particularly auditory and visual hallucinations, to the point of overwhelm and terror.
Zinnia Health Can Help
If you’re struggling with mushroom abuse, help is available. At Zinnia Health, we offer a wide range of comprehensive addiction treatment options, including inpatient and outpatient therapy, medication-assisted therapy and detox, family and group therapy, and much more. Our goal is to create individualized treatment options for each client to increase their likelihood of recovery.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatment center and get started on your path to healing.
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