Psilocybin mushrooms are similar to marijuana as they are naturally produced in the environment. The general effect of this drug is to disrupt the normal function of the brain causing hallucinations and expansion of awareness.
The two active ingredients of this drug are Psilocin and Psilocybin. Both of these chemicals produce psychoactive effects for the user. Once taken orally, manifestations observed are parallel to LSD. These effects are alterations of the person’s perception of color, mood, thinking, hearing, and vision. Likewise, there is a constant shift in mood and behavior.
This drug is also known by other names which can vary depending on culture and location. These street names are made up to hide the real identity of the drug whenever illegal transactions happen. Some of its street names are Boomers, Cubes, Caps, Little smoke, mushroom, Liberty caps, Sherm, Silly cybin, Shrooms, Magic mushrooms, simple Simon, silly putty, and more. Likewise, its two common names are Fungus Delight and Flower Flipping or Hippie Flip.
In terms of physical appearance, this plant has an array of color such as gray, brown, white or tan. Its overall looks are slightly comparable to that of poisonous mushrooms. This plant has a cap with some dark colored gills underneath. Then, its stem is long and slender.
This fungus is part of the Copelandia and Panaeolus genuses. When taking a closer observation, each mushroom has its specific and unique trait compared to other species. For instance, a mushroom with a pliable texture and earth-like taste is a Liberty cap mushroom. However, to tell if a certain mushroom has the psilocybe chemical, it must turn green or blue after cutting one part.
In the market, this drug can take several forms such as white powder or as dried mushroom. The content of its active chemical is greater in the cap than in its stem. However, to prevent any overdose, both cap and stem parts are mixed and homogenized.
Meanwhile, there are also synthetic psilocybin substances in the market and they appear in fine white powder form. Oftentimes, these are transformed into tablet or capsule forms. Moreover, some of them are dissolved and mixed with other liquid solutions.
Psilocybin Mushrooms, How They Work
This drug upon oral ingestion is dissolved in the bloodstream and targets the brain. Once bound to the receptor sites, it causes alterations in the normal thinking and perception of the individual. Approximately, one mushroom has a 0.2 to 0.4 percent of its active ingredient Psilocybin.
The most common ways of consuming this mushroom are mixing with teas, oral ingestion, and mixing with other drugs like marijuana.
After eating or oral ingestion, it travels down the stomach where the Psilocybin active ingredient is transformed to psilocin in around 20 to 40 minutes. The psychedelic effects can be felt around 30 minutes after ingestion and reaches a maximum level after one and a half hours.
In some cases, this substance has shown medicinal benefits in small and controlled dosages. A prescribed minimal dose of this drug has the potency to decrease stress and suicidal behavior among adults. The relaxing and euphoric sensation from the drug has shown potency in relieving depression, anxiety, suicidal behavior, nicotine addiction, alcoholism, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Currently, there are numerous ongoing studies testing the potency of this substance in treating certain psychological disorders.
Addiction and Dangers
Despite the seen potential of being a medicine, still, the substance has been commonly abused for recreational purposes. The relaxing and euphoric sensation from using this drug has shown high addictive potential which leads to serious health consequences in the long run.
Aside from that, it poses dangerous side effects when mixed with other drugs such as sedatives, antidepressants, stimulants and illicit substances. It magnifies the alteration capabilities of this substance which can be irreversible if taken for a longer time.
The common dose for recreational activity is one to five grams of this substance. Uncontrolled intake of this mushroom can also lead to severe psychological disorders such as psychosis.
Once the person starts using this substance, certain side effects can be felt and the magnitude increases as dosage and duration increases. Short-term side effects can be felt 20 to 90 minutes after ingesting the substance.
The common short-term side effects of this mushroom include intense mood swings, hallucinations, alterations in perceptions, difficulty sleeping, bleary vision, and distorted image of reality.
Meanwhile, the usual long-term side effects from taking this substance are cravings, emotional instability, intense sensory perceptions, inability to comprehend, and overreaction to stimuli.
If one plans to undergo a drug test, the knowledge of how long it stays in the body must be known. This gives the person enough time to prepare before undergoing any screening process. Typically, this substance stays in the body for around four to six hours before it is fully metabolized or flushed out.
In the blood and urine, residues of this substance can still be detected 13 hours and 1 to 3 days, respectively, after the last period of usage.
In the hair follicles, it can still be detected up to 90 days after the last session of usage.
Furthermore, other factors influencing how long this substance stays in the body include age, weight, health condition, immune system, and lifestyle.
Medications and Treatments
The first step in any treatment program is detoxification and abstinence from the drug. These two processes are a huge help in removing large residues of harmful toxins coming from such addiction. However, along the way, withdrawal symptoms can be felt which include unstable body temperature, dryness of the mouth, vomiting, elevated pulse rate, reduced appetite, and widening of the pupils.
Benzodiazepines are given to people having an addiction with psilocybin mushrooms. A small and controlled dosage must be given to alleviate patients experiencing tremors or nervousness due to addiction.
Aside from these medications, behavioral therapies are incorporated into any treatment program to correct unhealthy behaviors and hasten the recovery process. The three common therapies used for treating this condition include Reward System, Cognitive behavioral therapy, and Group Counseling.
