Magic mushrooms
The lowdown on Magic mushroom risks, effects and law.
Street name: Mushies, shrooms.
Drug effect: Hallucinogenic Drug
What is it?
Magic mushrooms are wild hallucinogenic mushrooms that grow every October and November. They can be eaten raw, dried, cooked or made into a tea.
Effects
• Magic mushrooms produce similar effects to a mild L.S.D. experience in that they change the way the mind perceives things.
• The trip tends to be shorter or milder.
• Depending on the amount of mushrooms taken, the effects are felt approximately half an hour after taking them and peak after about three hours. Once a trip has started, it is not possible to stop it or control it.
• Experiences are variable and dependent on the user's mood, environment and intentions.
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• If the user is unstable, anxious, depressed or unused to taking magic mushrooms, then he or she may experience more extreme levels of emotions. They may also experience dizziness, disorientation and sometimes a short- lived psychotic experience including paranoia and hallucinations.
• Magic mushrooms produce feelings of hilarity, euphoria, excitement, relaxation, dilated pupils, increased pulse rate and high blood pressure.
Risks
• Taking Magic mushrooms can cause stomach pains, nausea and vomiting. Bad trips can occur and there is no going back until the effects have worn off.
• As with L.S.D. the user can experience "flashbacks" (briefly reliving part of a trip some time after the events). Even if the "Trip" was not unpleasant the first time round, the flashback can be.
• Like any hallucinogen, it can complicate existing mental problems. Bad "trips" are more likely to occur with users who are depressed or have mental problems.
• Serious health risk and even death may result due to eating the wrong kinds of mushrooms. It is difficult to distinguish hallucinogenic mushrooms from other poisonous and sometimes deadly types of mushrooms.
Law
• Magic mushrooms are controlled by the Misuse of Drugs Act. It is therefore illegal to possess, produce or supply them.
First-aid response
What to do if the user feels tense and anxious
• Don't panic.
• Remove user to a quiet non-stimulating environment.
• Reassure them everything is alright.
• Encourage them to breathe slowly and deeply to prevent hyperventilation.
• Remove to hospital if worried or unsure.
• Give full explanation to hospital staff.
Content thanks to YouthHealthNE authors.
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