Mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, caps and shrooms, are taken for the purpose of getting high and are classifieds as hallucinogens. Individuals consume them in hopes of having an incredible sensory experience. While they don’t “work” for everyone, the goal is to induce hallucinations and distorts ones reality. They have been used historically in religious ceremonies in Mexico and in some parts of Central America for many years.

Psilocybin and psilocin mushrooms are grown mostly in Central America and Mexico, though they can be grown in other places and even cultivated. In this part of the world they have historically been utilized in native rituals and as part of spiritual experiences. Psilocybin mushrooms affect the serotonin in the brain, disrupting normal function.

‘Shrooms’ can be consumed a number of ways. They can be eaten, brewed and added to food or drinks.

There are a number of potential short term side effects that mushrooms users may experience. They include nausea, altered perceptions and feelings. A person’s sense of taste, sight, sound and touch may be affected and distorted. Not every one of the effects associated with mushroom use is desired. Some people will become paranoid, anxious and frightened. They may feel like they are going insane o r are going to die.

A user’s experience will be affected based on how much of the substance they have used and also their surroundings. It is important to note the mushrooms are pretty unreliable. A person may experience some of the aforementioned effects after using mushrooms one time and then feel nothing the next.  

There are long term effects associated with mushroom use. Individuals may suddenly experience flashbacks of previous trips. Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) may also develop. A person that suffers from this disorder may experience hallucinations long after they have stopped taking the drug. HPPD may develop after only one use.

Magic mushrooms are illegal in the United States. They are classified as a Schedule 1 drug. Drugs of this type have no medical uses and pose a high potential for abuse. They typically result in the harshest penalties.