For millennia, indigenous communities globally have worked with psychoactive mushrooms and there is a rich history of both medicinal and spiritual purposes. Here you will find a brief overview of psilocybin mushrooms, however, the monumental work that these little ‘fun-guys’ are doing for humanity may never be fully expressed, simply in words. It is in the mushroom experience, that we grasp their immense purpose.
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms,” contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. This natural psychedelic substance can induce strong hallucinations and mystical experiences, among other effects. There are over 180 species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin or its derivative psilocin, and they have a rich history of use in spiritual and religious ceremonies in Mesoamerica. Today, they are widely popular and widely used in the US and Europe.
Beyond their recreational use, psilocybin mushrooms have been used in therapeutic settings to treat various health issues and disorders, including cluster headaches, OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction. Recent studies into their therapeutic properties are showing positive results, making psilocybin a promising substance for medical treatment.
Currently, psilocybin is illegal in South Africa, but several countries such as Austria, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, the Netherlands and some US states have legalized it due to the increasing evidence of its medicinal benefits. The research on psilocybin has shown that it can be used to treat depression and addiction to habit-forming drugs such as cocaine and nicotine. As a result of these findings, the FDA has designated psilocybin as a “breakthrough therapy” for depression, which may speed up the process of psilocybin drug development and review.
We are all different and our experiences are therefore different too. Some of the factors that contribute to the psilocybin experience include dose, mindset (commonly referred to as set), setting, species and strains, preparation method, and the individual’s personal body chemistry. With that in mind, it’s important to understand that each individual journey will be unique to the person, time, and place, and there’s no way to foresee exactly what will happen. But understanding the typical experiences and outcomes of common psilocybin strains will help you prepare for your journey.
The psilocybin experience can vary greatly, due to factors such as the dose taken, a person’s mindset (commonly referred to as set), environment (setting), the type of mushroom, how it was prepared, and individual bodily chemistry. Therefore, each person’s experience will be unique and cannot be predicted. However, understanding the typical effects and experiences of various psilocybin strains can help prepare for the journey.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN CONSUMING PSILOCYBIN MUSHROOMS?
Psilocybin mushrooms are usually consumed as dried whole mushrooms and have an unpleasant taste, so people often use various methods to mask the flavour. This can include brewing them into tea, mixing them with food such as Nutella or peanut butter, blending them with juice or a smoothie, squeezing citrus juice over them (known as Lemon Tekking), or putting them into capsules. Each method can produce slightly different effects, for example, drinking a mushroom tea will bring on the effects quicker compared to eating them, while swallowing capsules will take a little longer for the effects to kick in.
A typical experience on a moderate dose of psilocybin mushrooms (1-2.5g) includes heightened emotional experiences, heightened introspection, and altered psychological functioning in the form of hypnagogic experiences, which is the state between wakefulness and sleep. Brain imaging studies suggest that a psilocybin trip is similar to dreaming neurologically.
During a psilocybin experience, one may experience changes in perception, synesthesia, shifts in emotions, and a distorted sense of time. This can involve visual changes such as halos around lights and objects, vivid colors, and a sense of the world breathing. Thoughts and emotions may also change, leading to a sense of openness to feelings and thoughts that are normally avoided, as well as a sense of wonder and connection with the world and others.
Strong emotions, both positive and negative, are common during a psilocybin experience. It is recommended to allow these emotions to run their course instead of resisting them to avoid a “bad trip”. Physical side effects may include changes in heart rate and blood pressure, nausea, increased reflexes, tremors, dilated pupils, restlessness, and difficulty with coordinated movement. Some individuals may feel deeply relaxed and calm.
One study also found that psilocybin can cause headaches that last up to a day in healthy people, although the subjects reported mild headaches. Psilocybin is actually used to treat cluster headaches.
The 4 Basic Phases
There are four basic phases of a mushroom journey and each phase comes with its own set of observations and perceptions:
Irrespective of which phase you are in, it is important to stay calm, surrender and remember that there is nothing to fear because what you’re experiencing is temporary.
Bad Trips
We’ve all heard about bad trips. The ‘Just Say No’ campaign made sure of it. This indoctrination generally causes first-time seekers to fear a “bad trip”, and yes it can happen. However, this is why we strongly adhere to the guidelines of harm reduction by placing an immense amount of focus on “set and setting” which include – set (your mindset), setting (the external environment), substance (quality & dose), sitter (experienced facilitator), integration (consolidating the experience with the real world) and aftercare (integration after the day of journey). Knowing your intention or motivation for undertaking a psychedelic experience can help manage the risks.
It is best not to rely on or even completely ignore the portrayals of bad trips in mass media and popular culture. They rarely capture the experience accurately. They allude to bad trips being more common and out of control than they actually are. Most bad or uncomfortable experiences can be managed with interpersonal support and without pharmaceutical intervention.
Effects by Dose
NOTE: The following listed effects may not be complete, especially in regard to lower doses, and they may be updated as more reliable and extensive data is obtained.
A microdose (0.1-0.15 g) involves taking a very small, unnoticeable amount of a substance, often as part of a regular routine. This is done with the intention of improving creativity, energy, focus and reducing stress, anxiety, and mood swings. Common effects include:
While a microdose of psilocybin should not produce noticeable effects, a mini-dose (0.35-0.75 g) will bring you slightly above the threshold of perception, resulting in a feeling of expanded being and freedom without losing touch with reality. Common effects include:
The effects of taking psilocybin are more noticeable when taking a museum dose (0.75-0.85 g), however, it still will not provide a full-blown psychedelic experience. The term “museum dose” was created by Dr. Alexander Shulgin and implies that at this level of dose, an individual can still take part in public activities, such as visiting a museum, without drawing attention to themselves. Common effects include:
At the Moderate dose (1.8-2.5 g), the full impact of psilocybin is evident. It may cause visual hallucinations such as patterns and fractals and a distorted perception of time and depth. Although the environment is greatly changed, one is still able to understand their surroundings. Common effects include:
A Megadose or Breakthrough dose (3.5 – 5 g and over) of psilocybin results in a complete disconnection from reality. This level of dose results in intense hallucinations, a sense of loss of self, mystical and spiritual experiences, and intense self-reflection. Common effects include:
Interactions With Other Drugs
Information about the interaction of psilocybin with other drugs is limited. It is always advisable to be cautious when mixing two substances together.
Positive Interactions
Neutral Interactions
Negative Interactions
Potential Benefits
New studies are proving what the natural world and ancient cultures have known for aeons. Psychedelic mushrooms have a rich history and reputation among various cultures as a means of healing and transformation. The Aztecs of Mexico referred to the mushroom as teonanácatl, or “God’s flesh”, in homage to its believed sacred power. Today, the benefits of these fungi are receiving increasing recognition, as numerous studies on their use are being conducted in the US and other countries. The results indicate that these mushrooms can play a significant role in promoting personal growth. A recent study in the Journal of Psychopharmacology showed that taking a single dose of psilocybin can lead to substantial and long-lasting decreases in depression and anxiety, as well as improvements in quality of life.
The mystical experiences associated with psilocybin, which became part of the American psychedelic lexicon in the 1960s, are now being examined by mainstream medical science, with promising results that suggest its potential as a powerful healing agent. Clinical trials are underway to assess the efficacy of high-dose psilocybin experiences in a therapeutic setting, as a means of reducing the psychological stress and anxiety often experienced by cancer patients facing a life-threatening diagnosis. These trials have shown that, under double-blind and placebo-controlled conditions, a single high dose of psilocybin can effectively reduce symptoms of psychological distress among terminal cancer patients, with the effects being both substantial and lasting.
Furthermore, research is growing to suggest that psilocybin’s effectiveness is partially due to its impact on neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to learn, grow, and change.
Risks
Psilocybin is generally regarded as a safe psychoactive substance to take, with the 2017 Global Drug Survey finding it to be the safest of all recreational drugs, with only 0.2% of users needing emergency medical treatment in 2016, which is five times less than the rate for MDMA, LSD, and cocaine. Psilocybin is non-addictive and there is no known lethal dose.
However, like any drug, it can come with some risks. Physical side effects such as nausea, sweating, numbness, and tremors can occur during a trip, as well as psychological effects like anxiety, panic, paranoia, and mood swings. A study in Substance Abuse and Misuse found that up to 33% of those surveyed who had taken mushrooms experienced paranoia or anxiety at some point during their trip. Long-term effects are rare and typically due to pre-existing psychological issues, not the mushrooms themselves.
There is a condition called Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), also known as “flashbacks,” which can occur after using psilocybin or other psychedelics and involves perceptual changes, but it is considered a rare disorder and not linked to any physical changes or neurological damage.
Research on the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin dates back to the 1960s and 1970s and suggests that it may have a role in treating a variety of conditions, including cluster headaches, mood disorders, and addiction. However, when psilocybin was classified as a Schedule I drug by the federal government in the 1970s, research on its therapeutic benefits virtually stopped. With increased interest and recognition of anecdotal reports of psilocybin’s therapeutic effects, research has resumed and is now being funded and conducted by organizations like MAPS, The Beckley Foundation, and The Johns Hopkins Centre for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research. This new wave of research is consistent with earlier studies and shows that psilocybin may have powerful therapeutic effects.
Psilocybin in the Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders
For many years, anecdotal evidence has indicated that psilocybin (and other psychedelics) can be a successful treatment for mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. In the current third wave of psychedelics research, the study of psilocybin’s potential for treating mood disorders is a major area of focus, leading to government approval for limited, tightly controlled studies to be conducted. One such example is a 2011 pilot study on the effects of psilocybin on depression and anxiety related to end-of-life in patients with terminal cancer. Participants in the study had advanced-stage cancer and a clinical diagnosis of stress or anxiety related to their illness. After receiving psilocybin treatment, the researchers observed significant improvements in measures of depression and anxiety up to six months later. This study was later granted Phase II status by the FDA, allowing for a larger study to be conducted.
A study conducted by a well-regarded research group in London suggests that psilocybin may be a potential treatment for major depression. In the study, 12 patients received two doses of psilocybin (one low and one high) along with psychological support. A week after the second dose, depression scores were significantly decreased in almost all patients, with 8 out of 12 having no symptoms of depression. After three months, 5 patients remained depression-free and 4 of the remaining 7 showed a reduction in their depression from “Severe” to “Mild or Moderate.”
A small study has demonstrated that psilocybin treatment can effectively reduce the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in individuals who did not respond to conventional serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) drug therapy. The study showed that all patients had a reduction in OCD symptoms ranging from 23% to 100%.
Psilocybin has the potential to encourage personal growth and improvement, as seen in early trials with healthy adults where they reported lasting positive changes in their personality, behaviour, values, and attitudes. Recent studies have supported these findings, with approximately 40% of participants in laboratory studies involving psilocybin reporting a positive, long-term impact on their relationship with nature and their appreciation for music, art, and creativity. Anecdotal evidence also supports these findings, with people frequently reporting increased tolerance for others, enhanced creativity, and imagination, as well as a heightened appreciation for nature, music, and art after a psilocybin experience.
A study conducted in 2011 showed that even over a year after participating in a psilocybin session, people continued to have increased levels of openness. This change is attributed to the mystical experience that often occurs during a psilocybin trip, characterized by feelings of unity and interconnectedness, a sense of sacredness, peace, joy, and a belief in the experience as a source of truth. These mystical experiences can be reported by people with a variety of religious beliefs, and even by those who identify as atheists, and the study showed that the more intense the mystical experience, the greater the long-term positive changes a person experiences.
The subjective effects of psilocybin, such as feelings of unity and interconnectedness, are thought to be due to its ability to decrease the connection of integration centers in the brain. This allows for more communication between regions of the brain that are typically separate. This leads to a state of “unrestricted cognition,” where the normal ways of organizing and differentiating conscious experiences are disrupted, and thinking becomes more adaptable. This is similar to the brain activity patterns seen during various states of meditation.
A recent study showed that psilocybin can enhance one’s spiritual practice. In the study, 75 participants took a six-month spiritual course that included meditation, self-awareness, and self-reflection. They were given either a low or high dose of psilocybin during the course. At the end of the six months, participants who received the high dose of psilocybin demonstrated significantly greater improvement in spirituality measures, such as interpersonal closeness, life meaning, death transcendence, and forgiveness. This highlights the belief among many people that psilocybin and other psychedelics can be crucial in self-improvement and personal optimization. By providing a connection to the universe and allowing for self-reflection, psilocybin is thought to help individuals strive to become the best version of themselves.