Other Health Concerns

One of the biggest risks of magic mushrooms is eating the wrong kind of mushroom. Toxic mushroom species are said to outnumber those that contain psilocybin by 10 to 1. Some of the poisonous mushrooms may resemble psilocybin mushrooms and may produce similar hallucinogenic effects.^6,7

The symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary by species but can include:⁸

• Abdominal pain.
• Muscle pain.
• Mucus in the lungs.
• Slow heart rate.
• Excessive sweating.
• Muscle spasms.
• Low blood sugar.
• Kidney failure.

Mushrooms that cause symptoms within 2 hours are often less dangerous than mushrooms that cause symptoms after 6 hours. The most dangerous species tend to be Amanita, Gyromitra, and Cortinarius.⁸

Another risk is taking a drug that is not psilocybin. Reports have found that drugs that are sold as mushrooms turn out to be store-bought mushrooms laced with LSD, PCP, or other substances. An 11-year study looked at 886 samples that were supposedly psilocybin. Only 28% of the samples were Psilocybins. Thirty-five percent were other drugs, mostly LSD or PCP, and 37% did not contain any psilocybin.⁹

Though uncommon, the use of psilocybin and other hallucinogens is linked to psychosis that persists after stopping use of the drug. Symptoms include visual distortions, disorganized thinking, paranoia, and mood changes.¹⁰

In rare cases, regular hallucinogen users may experience symptoms of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, a condition in which an individual continues to have sensory disturbances after the drug has worn off. Symptoms include trails of moving objects, intensified colors, halos around objects, and afterimages. The condition can last for weeks, months, or years, but only about 4% of users develop it.¹¹

Why Do People Use Shrooms?

In the past, hallucinogens were used for religious rituals to put people into a state of alternate reality, achieve visions, or make contact with spirits or a higher power. Most people today use them in social or recreational settings for fun, to relax, or to achieve a higher state of thinking or being.¹³

Psilocybin is found in mushrooms that are native to the tropical and subtropical areas of South America, Mexico, and the United States. Mushrooms containing these hallucinogens are consumed raw or dried or brewed into a tea.¹⁰

Many people who use shrooms abuse other drugs and alcohol. If you or someone you know needs help for a drug or alcohol problem, there are many treatment options available—both inpatient and outpatient. Desert Hope Treatment Centers offers a wide range of programs from medical detox to outpatient therapy.

It is never too late to get help for addiction. Call us today at 702-848-6223 where an admissions navigator will hear your story and help you determine the best treatment for you or your loved one. Desert Hope Treatment Center, American Addiction Centers’ inpatient drug rehab in Las Vegas, offers a comprehensive addiction treatment program. Call us today to find out more.