Psilocybin is a chemical obtained from certain types of fresh or dried mushrooms.

What is its Origin?

Psilocybin mushrooms are found in Mexico, Central America, and the United States.

Common Street Names

Common street names include:

• Magic Mushrooms
• Mushrooms
• Shrooms

Appearance

Mushrooms containing psilocybin are available fresh or dried and have long, slender stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside.

• Fresh: White or whitish-gray stems; caps are dark brown around the edges and light brown or white in the center.
• Dried: Usually rusty brown with isolated areas of off-white.

Methods of Abuse

Psilocybin mushrooms are ingested orally. They may also be brewed as a tea or added to other foods to mask their bitter flavor.

Effects of Use

Effect on the Mind

The psychological consequences of psilocybin use include:

• Hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality.
• Panic reactions and psychotic-like episodes, particularly if a user ingests a high dose.

Effect on the Body

The physical effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Muscle weakness and lack of coordination.

Overdose Effects

Effects of overdose include:

• Longer, more intense “trip” episodes.
• Psychosis.
• Possible death.

Note on Poisoning: Abuse of psilocybin mushrooms could also lead to poisoning if one of the many varieties of poisonous mushrooms is incorrectly identified as a psilocybin mushroom.

Similar Substances

Psilocybin effects are similar to those of other hallucinogens, such as mescaline and peyote.

Legal Status in the United States

Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act. This means that it has:

• A high potential for abuse.
• No currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States.
• A lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.