Psilocybin is a chemical compound found in various kinds of hallucinogenic mushrooms. These mushrooms are commonly found in the United States, Mexico, Europe, and South America. Psilocybin has a typical structure to diethylamide, and it is typically used due to its hallucinogenic as well as euphoric impact (Anderson, 2014). The drug is commonly known in the streets as magic mushrooms, little smoke, shrooms, mushrooms and purple passion. Moreover, magic mushrooms have long, slim, grey or white stems and have caps with dark gills on their lower part.
According to the Drug Policy Alliance (n.d.), psilocybin is not regarded as addictive or contributing to compulsive consumption. This is because the intense feeling, which can either be physically or emotionally challenging and may cause individuals abusing psilocybin to reduce their usage frequency. Another reason why the drug cannot be additive is that the body typically develops tolerance to the drug, which makes individuals use high doses after a few days of repeated use. This makes it challenging to cause any impact after more than four days of its repeated use (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d.).
Moreover, it is said to have low toxicity levels and is associated with low cases of fatalities (Drug Policy Alliance, n.d.). The current outcomes from epidemiological research have indicated lower rates of mental health illnesses and suicide among individuals who have abused psychedelics such as psilocybin. Mushrooms are either consumed orally or can be used in tea or mixed with other types of food. They can be used when dry or fresh. According to Drugs.com, psilocybin is typically bitter and has an unpalatable taste. Dose, as well as effects, depending on the type of mushroom, tolerance of the user and the methods of preparation. Psilocybin had been used earlier by pre-Columbian Mesoamerican communities and is still used up to date (Davis, 2021). Besides, psilocybin is mainly used for recreational purposes in dance clubs or by individuals looking for transcendent spiritual expertise. Within the medical industry, psilocybin has been found beneficial in treating cluster headaches and different forms of anxiety (Davis, 2021).
A National Survey on Drug Use and Health conducted in 2015 indicate that 8.5% of individuals in the United States have at some point in their lives used psilocybin (Davis, 2021). In addition, in a recent study done in 2020 by the Monitoring the Future (MTF) panel, about 9% of college students use hallucinogens like psilocybin mushrooms and other psychedelic substances (Gilman, 2021).
Continued use of psilocybin can have both short-term and long-term effects on users. Some short-term effects include but are not limited to sensory enhancement, personal insight and reflection, unusual speech and thoughts and change in mood. Long-term effects include flashbacks that happen after the drug has left the system of the user. They can happen long after the last use of psilocybin (Vertava Health MS, 2021, May 6). Another long-term effect is a change in personality. Besides, long-term side effects of psilocybin may not be similar among users. People using psilocybin can be identified since they may exhibit behaviours like isolating themselves from other individuals to use the magic mushrooms. They may develop a tolerance to psilocybin and use larger amounts in order to feel the effects. People who need withdrawal from psilocybin may require detox programs, depending on their addiction severity. Besides, individuals who combine psilocybin with other drugs may need a detox program since polydrug abuse is associated with unexpected withdrawal signs.
References
Anderson, L. (2014, July). Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms). Drugs.com; Drugs.com. https://www.drugs.com/illicit/psilocybin.html
Davis, K. (2021, October 3). What are magic mushrooms and psilocybin? Retrieved 13 August 2022 from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308850#:~:text=Psilocybin%20is%20often%20used%20recreationally
Drug Policy Alliance (n.d.). How risky are psilocybin mushrooms compared to other drugs? Retrieved 08 August 2022 from https://drugpolicy.org/drug-facts/how-risky-are-psilocybin-mushrooms
Drugs.com. (n.d.). Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) Uses, Effects & Hazards. Retrieved August 13, 2022, from https://www.drugs.com/illicit/psilocybin.html#:~:text=Methods%20of%20Psilocybin%20Use&text=Mushrooms%20are%20ingested%20orally%20and
Gilman, G. (2021, September 14). College Students Drank Less, Used More Psychedelics During Covid-19. Psychedelic Spotlight. https://psychedelicspotlight.com/psychedelic-drug-use-college-students-increased-during-covid-19-pandemic/#:~:text=According%20to%20recent%20survey%20results
Vestavia Health MS. (2021, May 6). The Long-Term Effects of Shrooms & Psilocybin. Retrieved 13 August 2022 from https://vertavahealthmississippi.com/blog/long-term-effects-shrooms/
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