Legality and related research
Magic mushrooms are considered a Schedule I drug in the United States, meaning they are not recognized for medical purposes. Despite this classification, cannabis is also in the same category, despite promising research, so it’s important to not dismiss potential benefits automatically.
Furthermore, Schedule I drugs are prohibited by federal law. While they may be legal in certain regions and countries, it is important to note that they may not be legal in your specific location.
Moreover, due to their illegal status in many regions, there has been limited research conducted on magic mushrooms. Obtaining approval for studies involving Schedule I substances, including cannabis, is difficult, which hinders research progress. Consequently, the understanding of how shrooms impact the body and brain is still in its preliminary phases.
A brief overview of hallucinogenic mushrooms
Magic mushrooms belong to the Psilocybe genus and induce hallucinations and other impacts because of containing psilocybin and psilocin, which are psychotropic tryptamines. A single mushroom can contain anywhere from 0.1 to 1.3 percent psilocybin.
Enlarge your eyes
When you consume magic mushrooms, you may notice dilated pupils due to the rise in serotonin levels in your body.
Improve your mood
When you ingest magic mushrooms, you may experience a similar sense of calmness often linked to using marijuana in small amounts. This relaxation is believed to be a result of how shrooms impact the prefrontal cortex and its influence on perception and mood.
Cause hallucinations
It is a frequent occurrence to experience hallucinations while using shrooms, as many individuals have described hearing colors and seeing sounds. This is probably because of the impact of psilocybin on the brain networks’ communication.
Cause time distortion
Those who consume magic mushrooms often experience time distortions in addition to hallucinations. This typically involves feeling like time is passing at a slower rate.
Bring out-of-body experience
The hallucinations may also lead to experiences where one feels detached from their body. These typically occur between 20 to 90 minutes after consuming the mushrooms and can persist for up to 12 hours. Various factors such as surroundings, mood, and personality can influence the occurrence and length of these out-of-body experiences.
Enhance imagination and openness
Ingesting psilocybin or magic mushrooms can lead to positive changes in your thinking. After experiencing out-of-body sensations often associated with consuming these mushrooms, it is common to feel more creative, receptive, and able to recognize beauty. Surprisingly, these effects can have lasting impacts. Researchers at John Hopkins University used psilocybin to trigger out-of-body experiences in volunteers. Subsequently, they observed enhancements in creativity, openness, and aesthetic appreciation. A year later, approximately half of the participants still exhibited higher levels of openness on a personality test compared to before the experience.
Helps relieve depression
Although still in its early stages, researchers believe that magic mushrooms may have the potential to alleviate depression symptoms, supported by anecdotal evidence. Neuroscientist David Nutt from Imperial College London conducted a study in 2012 on psilocybin, noting changes in brain activity among users. The study found that certain brain regions were less active, including a region associated with self-awareness, which Nutt suggests may be overly connected in individuals with depression. Psilocybin consumption could potentially weaken these connections and facilitate the formation of new ones. A recent study published in The Lancet also suggested that high doses of shrooms could help reduce depression symptoms in treatment-resistant patients, and may have therapeutic effects on conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder, addiction, and anxiety due to its mood-enhancing properties, although further research is required in these areas.
