Psychedelic mushrooms Psilocybin and psilocin (Magic mushrooms)

• Posted by Scott Adams November 30, 2022 Filed in Health #Psychedelic mushrooms Psilocybin and psilocin (Magic mushrooms)  189 views
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  Psychedelic mushrooms Psilocybin and psilocin (Magic mushrooms) Types of Psychedelic Mushrooms

  Psychedelic mushrooms Psilocybin and psilocin (Magic mushrooms), You might be interested in learning more about the world of psychedelic mushrooms and everything they have to offer if you appreciate cannabis and the THC high. There are numerous varieties of psychedelic mushrooms to discover, just as there are numerous cannabis strains.

  What are psychedelic mushrooms?

  These mushrooms are not the typical ones you cook with. Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms," are fungi that are part of the plant's polyphyletic group. Due to the presence of the naturally occurring hallucinogenic substances psilocybin, psilocin, baeocystin, and/or norbaeocystin, this subset of mushrooms has psychoactive effects when consumed.

  What is psilocybin?

  Psilocybin is a naturally occurring substance that can be found in both wild and farmed mushrooms. Psilocybin (aka 4-phosphoryloxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine) is a naturally occurring psychedelic and hallucinogenic substance, much like the naturally occurring psychoactive terpenes and chemicals found in cannabis plants.

  The Psilocybin mushrooms are classified by the DEA as a Schedule I narcotic in the United States and are classified as a psychedelic drug (a term used to describe substances that cause changes in mind, perception, and mood) (Drug Enforcement Administration). Schedule I drugs (a group that also includes heroin and LSD) are prohibited from being used for recreational, therapeutic, or medicinal purposes because they are thought to carry a significant risk of abuse or harm.

  Are there different kinds of magic mushrooms?

  Magic mushrooms come in over 200 different varieties, with numerous subspecies of each species proliferating all over the world. Although they can also be found in Canada and the United States, as well as in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, psychedelic mushrooms are most common in Mexico.

   

  Each variety of mushrooms has its own distinctive form, flavor, and high, but what really sets them apart from one another is how much of the psychoactive and hallucinogenic component of psilocybin is in each one. Growing psilocybin mushrooms at home have led to the emergence of new strains through the selective breeding of desirable features, much like growing cannabis at home.

  About magic mushrooms

  Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years. There are over 200 species of magic mushrooms. Since many species look alike, it can be hard to tell the different species of mushrooms apart. It is possible for people to consume poisonous mushrooms, mistaking them for magic mushrooms.

  Short-term effects of magic mushrooms

  Using magic mushrooms can lead to short-term mental and physical effects.

  Mental effects

  Magic mushrooms may cause heightened emotions and senses and people may feel happy and creative. They may laugh or giggle a lot and experience a sense of mental and emotional clarity.

  Magic mushrooms can also cause hallucinations and affect people by:

  • distorting their sense of reality (they see and hear things that are not there)
  • mixing up their senses (they believe they can see music or hear colors)
  • altering their sense of time

  Some of the negative mental effects of taking magic mushrooms include:

  • changes in mood
  • light-headedness
  • anxiety and panic attacks
  • confusion and disorientation
  • fear or paranoia

  Physical effects

  Taking magic mushrooms can produce:

  • numbness, particularly in the face
  • increased heart rate and blood pressure
  • dry mouth, sometimes leading to nausea and vomiting
  • muscle weakness and twitching, or convulsions
  • exaggerated reflexes
  • sweating and high body temperature, often followed by chills and shivering
  • loss of urinary control

  Long-term effects of magic mushrooms

  Currently, no studies have evaluated the long-term effects of the repetitive use of magic mushrooms.

  Risks related to the use of magic mushrooms

  • What is commonly known as a "bad trip" may occur, particularly at high doses. These experiences may be frightening and may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgment during these "bad trips" may lead to risk-taking behavior, which may then lead to traumatic injuries or even death.
  • In certain cases, users may experience frequent or overly intense psychedelic events that may induce abrupt "flashbacks", i.e., reliving the previous experience.
  • Using magic mushrooms with substances such as cannabis, amphetamines, alcohol, etc., elevates the risks of serious side effects and adverse events.
  • For individuals predisposed to or with existing psychiatric conditions, there may be an elevated risk of side effects. This association is still being evaluated.
  • For individuals with cardiac diseases, short-term effects such as increased blood pressure and heart rate could potentially be harmful.

  Potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin

  At this time, there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin in Canada or elsewhere. This means that the safety, efficacy, and quality of products containing psilocybin have not been assessed by Health Canada, and they have not undergone the rigorous scientific review process required to be authorized for sale in Canada or elsewhere. There is ongoing research looking at the potential of psilocybin to treat various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use. While some initial clinical trials have shown promising results, the evidence is currently limited. Clinical trials are the most appropriate and effective way to advance research with unapproved drugs such as psilocybin while protecting the health and safety of patients.

  Health Canada encourages Canadians seeking support for these disorders to talk with their healthcare provider about the options available to them. Free virtual resources and services for mental health and substance use issues are also available 24/7 through Wellness Together Canada.