Psilocybin mushrooms, more commonly known as “shrooms” have garnered a loyal following in the spiritual and holistic health community as tools for spiritual insight and to aid in personal healing. While these miraculous fungi have been used for decades in a multitude of ways and cultures around the globe, before indulging it is vital to recognize the potential dangers that can come with their consumption. This article aims to explore what the plant is, the potential risks, and how to indulge in mushrooms safely.
What are Shrooms?
Psychedelic mushrooms are a type of fungi that contains hallucinogenic compounds that when consumed alter the user’s sensory experience and serotonin receptors.. Unlike other substances like marijuana, the changes in consciousness that shrooms induce are more extreme resulting in vivid auditory and visual hallucinations. In religious and spiritual settings magic mushrooms were used during ceremonies to have individuals go on a “trip” or become more connected with divine energies and gain spiritual insight from them more directly. Shrooms also open the mind in a way that allows individuals to access trauma that has been conditioned or unknowingly locked away more easily, making them popular for therapeutic use for those suffering from depression, PTSD, and addiction. Additionally in terms of recreational use due to the vivid hallucinations, motivation, and euphoria the fungi provided, psychedelic mushrooms are popular in art communities, with writers, musicians, and painters using its gifts to enhance creative breakthroughs.
How Long Does it Take for Shrooms to Kick In?
Just like other substances the dosage, method of injection, type of mushroom, and what the user ate before is what factors into how long it takes for shrooms to kick in. Different species of magic mushrooms contain different amounts of psychoactive compounds which means different dosages are recommended. The method of ingestion rather than eating them directly, mixing them in food, or brewing them into a tea also changes how the properties enter the body. Lastly, if an individual has a full or empty stomach, is hydrated, and has a slow or fast metabolism also factors into how fast the effects are noticed.
The Potential Risks of Psilocybin Mushrooms
While shrooms are known for the benefits users experience even after an initial trip, understanding the potential dangers of their consumption is vital for indulging responsibly. Magic mushrooms are most popular for their psychological effects however for those who are mentally vulnerable with conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder the impact of shrooms can exacerbate existing issues and have lasting effects even once sober. Along with this those who are mentally vulnerable are more susceptible to having a “bad trip” which induces more feelings of paranoia, anxiety, and frightening hallucinations that can lead to PTSD. Another danger to be aware of is how shrooms interact with other medications. Most antidepressants and anxiety medicines affect how long does it take for shrooms to kick in resulting in uneducated individuals consuming more mushrooms than they are supposed to leading to a bad trip sneaking up on them later on. Physical dangers of large doses can include nausea, vomiting, hangovers, and worse seizures. Lastly, just like any other psychedelic drug, there is the risk of addiction for those who use it to escape reality or cope with emotional issues.
Understanding Shrooms in Summary
With an understanding of what the magic mushrooms are, how long does it take for shrooms to kick in, and how to avoid the risks of shrooms, those who wish to use them for their many benefits can utilize this information to practice responsibility and minimize risk. By prioritizing research and education when dealing with any body-altering substance individuals can further begin to explore the many benefits of this fungi and the effects it has on human spirituality, healing, and creativity.