    Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain psilocybin. Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug with effects similar to those of LSD. These types of mushrooms are either eaten raw, mixed with food, or brewed into a tea. They can also be dried for later use (see a large photo), powdered, or packed in capsules. The amount of psilocybin in each mushroom cannot be determined; it depends on the size, age and type of mushroom used. The effects of the drug are similar to LSD, but milder and of shorter duration. At low doses, magic mushrooms produce feelings of relaxation, similar to those of cannabis. At higher doses, mushrooms, like LSD, alter the way the brain perceives reality; it is common for the user to experience hallucinations and a feeling of euphoria along with a perception that objects, colours and sounds are distorting. Physical effects include an increase in heart rate, blood pressure and pupil size, dizziness, lightheadedness, stomach cramps, nausea, anxiety and shivering, and can last up to four hours. Magic Mushrooms, like most drugs, will impair the user's judgment; driving while under their influence is dangerous. As with LSD, once the drug has been ingested there is no way to escape its effects; a bad experience can result in the user having feelings of confusion, anxiety, panic, paranoia and being out of control, along with having severe stomach pains and diarrhoea. The biggest danger associated with magic mushrooms is misidentification; some mushrooms are poisonous and can cause vomiting, diarrhea and death. Users do not become physically addicted to magic mushrooms, and there are no withdrawal symptoms. But magic mushrooms, like all hallucinogens, can trigger underlying mental disorders and cause schizophrenic-like symptoms in some users. Their use also can result in flashbacks (again, like LSD), causing episodes of anxiety and panic days, weeks or even months after a bad 'trip'. Magic mushrooms are illegal. They are usually distributed among friends or by street dealers. They are sold in plastic bags containing either whole dried fungi, or crushed or powdered fungi. Often the drug has had PCP or LSD added to it to make it more potent, without the user's knowledge. |