Magic Mushroom Abuse Side Effects, Symptoms, and Addiction Treatment
What Is Psilocybin/Magic Mushrooms?
Psilocybin is a psychoactive substance contained in over 100 species of mushrooms. A number of these mushroom species produce other psychoactive substances, which act as hallucinogens in a similar manner to psilocybin.
“Magic mushrooms” that contain psilocybin are typically eaten or brewed in tea.1
Psilocybin Mushroom Drug Classification
Psilocybin is a substance that belongs to a class of drugs known as psychedelic drugs or hallucinogens. These drugs are typically used for the vivid perceptual effects they produce, such as hallucinations, changes to a person’s perception of time, and other sensory and perceptual effects.1
Psilocybin use dates back many centuries. The drug is considered to be a Schedule I controlled substance without any indications for medical use by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration.2 However, there is some research to suggest that it may have potential therapeutic utility, such as for mood enhancement in patients suffering from depression.3 More research is necessary to investigate these suggested medicinal uses of psilocybin.
Short-Term Effects of Magic Mushrooms
The short-term effects of psilocybin mushrooms usually appear within 20 to 90 minutes of ingestion and may include:1,4
- Visual or auditory hallucinations.
- Mixed-sensory experiences such as hearing colors or seeing sounds.
- Changes to a person’s perception of time.
- Spiritual experiences.
- Detachment from reality or self.
- Intense emotions.
- Increased respiration, temperature, and blood pressure.
- Heart palpitations.
- Increased perspiration.
- Tremors.
- Loss of appetite.
- Dry mouth.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Nausea.
- Blurred vision.
- Dilated pupils.
- Loss of coordination.
- Paranoia.
- Psychosis.
Psilocybin Statistics
Solid and reliable statistics regarding the use of magic mushrooms are not readily available. Typically, government sources report statistics on hallucinogenic drugs as a group. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports the following statistics:6
- In 2014, approximately 1.2 million people over the age of 12 reported being current users of hallucinogenic drugs.
- Over 500,000 adults between the ages of 18 and 25 abused hallucinogens in 2014.
- About 535,000 adults aged 26 and older were current hallucinogen users that same year.
Teen Psilocybin Abuse
Again, reliable statistics specifically relating to mushroom use are not generally recorded. The following are statistics related to teen hallucinogen use in general:6
- In 2014, approximately 136,000 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 (.5% of this population) reported being current users of hallucinogens.
- Young people with co-occurring major depressive disorder were more likely to use hallucinogenic drugs than young people without major depression.
As mentioned above, individuals who use magic mushrooms typically eat them or brew them in tea, and they may often use them in conjunction with other drugs of abuse. In order to prevent younger individuals from experimenting with psychedelic drugs like magic mushrooms, a program of education regarding their use and risks can help.
Find Magic Mushroom Addiction Treatment Programs
If you or a loved one is struggling with problematic psilocybin mushroom use, help is available and recovery is possible. Professional treatment can start anyone battling addiction on the path to a healthier and happier life. Rehab programs are located throughout the U.S., and a variety of treatment types is available. You can use SAMHSA’s Find Treatment tool to search for facilities that treat hallucinogen abuse. Many state government websites will also provide local drug and alcohol resources to those in need. To find your state government’s website, do a web search for your state name and ‘.gov.’
American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading treatment provider and has trusted rehab programs across the country. If you or someone you love needs help, please don’t hesitate to call us free at . We can help you find addiction treatment and start over today.
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