‘Magic mushrooms’ or ‘hallucinogenic mushrooms’ are the names commonly given to mushrooms containing the psychedelic psychoactive compound psilocybin or psilocin.

After ingestion, psilocybin is converted into the active form psilocin in the body.

There are many different types of magic mushrooms, some of which grow in the wild in Ireland usually in Autumn time.

Picking wild mushrooms comes with risks and there have been situations of poisonings following people ingesting wild toxic mushrooms that were incorrectly identified or confused with edible species in Ireland.

There are many species of mushroom in Ireland and many psilocybin containing mushrooms are small brown or tan mushrooms which could be mistaken for a number of non-psychoactive, inedible, or poisonous mushrooms in the wild. Some toxic varieties can cause irreversible damage.

Potency

Mushroom potency can depend on a number of factors such as the species or variety used, their origin, growing conditions and age. Drying magic mushrooms reduces the weight but not necessarily the potency (strength).

Appearance 

When sold, mushrooms are often sold raw or dried. They may also come in capsules or as a liquid in vials (small bottles).  It’s made by extracting psilocybin, the naturally occurring psychedelic drug found in mushrooms like liberty caps, and is a clearish pale brown colour

How they are used

They can be eaten raw, dried, cooked, stewed, brewed in tea taking as a capsule or as a liquid.People don’t tend to eat fly agaric mushrooms raw as they can make you feel very sick.

Effects

Drugs can effect each person differently. The effects will depend on personal factors such as your physical and mental health as well as the dose and potency of a substance. With mushrooms, your existing mood, mental health and setting will impact the effects.