A. Are ‘shrooms’ legal? No ‘shrooms’ or psilocybin mushrooms are not legal in the United States. They are classified as a Schedule 1 drug. Drugs in this category are believed to have a high potential for abuse and have no medical uses. Individuals caught with them tend to be given the harshest legal penalties. It is somewhat surprising that the government has come down so hard on mushrooms, though they don’t have a recognized medical use, they aren’t considered addicting nor physically dangerous. However, because this is the classification they have received, individuals who choose to use them must be willing to face whatever penalties are handed down if busted.

B. Are mushrooms addicting? No, mushrooms are not considered addicting. Though people may enjoy them and use them relatively frequently, persons will not experience physical withdrawals and there typically is no strong psychological or physical compulsion to use them. The undependable nature of mushrooms also makes it difficult to develop an addiction to them. Sometimes a person will experience those effects commonly associated with mushroom use. Others times they won’t. Also after consecutive uses, an individual may no longer be able to get high off of mushrooms. In order to feel their effects again they have to lay off them for a while and then resume use. This again, makes it difficult for an addiction to develop.

C. What are the short and long term effects of mushroom use? The effects of mushrooms will differ from use to use. Sometimes individuals will have a strong experience. Other times they will not. When they do, they may have open and closed eye visuals and experience hallucinations. Things may also sound and look differently than they normally do. Individuals may become paranoid, nervous and feel like they are about to die.

Physically, a person may become nauseous, experience an increased heart rate and limb weakness. This generally is the case shortly after consuming mushrooms.

Over the long term, an individual may suffer from flashbacks and HPPD (Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder). When a person has developed HPPD, they may have hallucinations even when not taking mushrooms. 

D. What is HPPD? HPPD is an acronym for Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder. Individuals that suffer from it will experience flashbacks even when not taking mushrooms. This disorder can develop extremely quickly and doesn’t require chronic use. In fact, a person may begin to experience HPPD after only taking the drug one time.

E. Where are magic mushrooms grown? Magic mushrooms are mostly grown in Mexico and Central America. However, they can be grown in most places and can even be cultivated.