Magic mushrooms (Psilocybe semilanceata)
What are magic mushrooms?
The most common form: 'liberty cap' (Psilocybe semilanceata). Contains psilocybin with effects similar to LSD. A less common species is the amanita muscaria or ‘fly agaric’.
- Eaten raw, dried, cooked in food or stewed in tea
- Street names include: magic mushrooms, liberties, magics, mushies, liberty cap, shrooms, agaric and amani.
The law
- Psilocybin-containing mushrooms' if dried or prepared are Class A drugs with same maximum penalties as LSD.
History
- Historically used to gain access to the spirit world
- Use increased in the UK in the 1970s
Effects
- Similar to LSD, but milder
- Sense of time may speed up/slow down. Objects/colour/sound may become distorted and users may feel they are in a dream.
- Can take up to two hours to take effect.
- Trips last 4-10 hours depending on the dose
- Can include euphoria, hilarity, and increased heart rate and blood pressure
Risks
- Often cause stomach pains, sickness and diarrhoea
- Some similar species are poisonous. if users feel sick they should go straight to hospital with a sample of the mushroom, eating the wrong kind of mushroom may kill
- Trips can be frightening and can exacerbate mental problems.
- Users quickly build up tolerance