Magic Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms are an illegal hallucinogen that cause people to see, feel and hear things that are not really there. The drug present in the mushrooms is psilocybin, which grows naturally in certain types of mushrooms. (Health Canada). When taken, the drug alters a person’s state of mind, causing them to act and feel differently.
Slang
magic, magic mushrooms, mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, fungus, fungus delight
Short term effects
- Light-headedness
- Dilated pupils (causes blurred vision)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Numbness, particularly facial numbness (paresthesia)
- Exaggerated reflexes
- Seating and increased body temperature followed by chills and shivering
- Muscle weakness and twitching
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Confusion and disorientation
- Severe agitation
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of urinary control
- Convulsions
When the effect of the drug in a person wears off, they may feel tired, weak and depressed for some days after.
Long term effects
A serious long term effect that has occurred in some individuals after prolonged use of magic mushrooms is psychosis. This condition is similar to schizophrenia in that the person is detached from reality and no longer has competent judgment or realistic thought patterns. However, there has not been a great deal of research done on the long term effects of using magic mushrooms.
Facts
- Magic mushrooms appear (and are sold) as an actual mushroom, or as a brown powder. Sometimes it is sold on the street as white powder, tablets or capsules.
- The mushrooms themselves can be eaten raw or cooked. Or they can be mixed in with water or other drinks to produce various beverages (Health Canada).
- The effect of the drug on a person depends on many factors such as age, weight, mood, expectations, environment, the type of food a person has eaten, medical conditions, the amount of drug taken and the use and frequency of use of the drug or other drugs (Health Canada).
- Magic mushrooms are not addictive, nor do they cause dependence; however, the user may become tolerant of its effects and therefore not notice them after continuous usage (Health Canada).
- In a 2003 survey of 1,253 Canadian youth, 11% of youth aged 12 to 19 reported having taken magic mushrooms more than once in their lifetime ( Addiction Prevention Centre).
Laws
Psilocybin is listed in Schedule III of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Possession, trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, production, importing, and exporting of psilocybin, and possession for exporting are against Canadian law.
Where to go for help
If you think you may have a problem with magic mushrooms and want help, talk to a trusted parent/guardian, teacher, friend, guidance counselor or health care professional.
Links
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Magic mushrooms are an illegal hallucinogen that cause people to see, feel and hear things that are not really there. The drug present in the mushrooms is psilocybin, which grows naturally in certain types of mushrooms. (Health Canada). When taken, the drug alters a person’s state of mind, causing them to act and feel differently.
SLANG
magic, magic mushrooms, mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, fungus, fungus delight
SHORT TERM EFFECTS
- Light-headedness
- Dilated pupils (causes blurred vision)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Numbness, particularly facial numbness (paresthesia)
- Exaggerated reflexes
- Seating and increased body temperature followed by chills and shivering
- Muscle weakness and twitching
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Confusion and disorientation
- Severe agitation
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of urinary control
- Convulsions
When the effect of the drug in a person wears off, they may feel tired, weak and depressed for some days after.
LONG TERM EFFECTS
A serious long term effect that has occurred in some individuals after prolonged use of magic mushrooms is psychosis. This condition is similar to schizophrenia in that the person is detached from reality and no longer has competent judgment or realistic thought patterns. However, there has not been a great deal of research done on the long term effects of using magic mushrooms.
FACTS
- Magic mushrooms appear (and are sold) as an actual mushroom, or as a brown powder. Sometimes it is sold on the street as white powder, tablets or capsules.
- The mushrooms themselves can be eaten raw or cooked. Or they can be mixed in with water or other drinks to produce various beverages (Health Canada).
- The effect of the drug on a person depends on many factors such as age, weight, mood, expectations, environment, the type of food a person has eaten, medical conditions, the amount of drug taken and the use and frequency of use of the drug or other drugs (Health Canada).
- Magic mushrooms are not addictive, nor do they cause dependence; however, the user may become tolerant of its effects and therefore not notice them after continuous usage (Health Canada).
- The drug in magic mushrooms has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans in Central and South America (Drug Information Resource).
- Psilocybin is found in about 40 species of mushrooms (Drug Information Resource).
- In a 2003 survey of 1,253 Canadian youth, 11% of youth aged 12 to 19 reported having taken magic mushrooms more than once in their lifetime (Addiction Prevention Centre).
LAWS
Psilocybin is listed in Schedule III of the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Possession, trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking, production, importing, and exporting of psilocybin, and possession for exporting are against Canadian law unless otherwise authorized.
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
If you think you may have a problem with magic mushrooms and want help, talk to a trusted parent/guardian, teacher, friend, guidance counselor or health care professional.
LINKS
Health Canada
Drug Information Resource
Justice Canada
Addiction Prevention Centre
