People have been using psilocybin mushrooms since ancient times, but one of the central questions they have in their mind is whether are mushrooms addictive. Also known as ‘magic mushrooms’ or ‘shrooms,’ people use these psilocybin mushrooms for religious rituals and recreational purposes. Several scientists have conducted research that shows the truth behind these magic mushrooms.
In this blog, we have compiled easy-to-understand information related to psilocybin mushrooms. We have tried to include information that educates you about the impact of magic mushrooms, especially on the younger population, and the effect of these substances, along with the answer to the question: ‘Are mushrooms addictive?’
What Are Psilocybin Mushrooms?
Before finding an answer to the question: ‘Are mushrooms addictive?’, we must first try to understand what psilocybin mushrooms are.
Psilocybin mushrooms are also called shrooms or magic mushrooms. Like any other type of mushroom, these substances are also fungi. The only difference between different varieties of edible harmless mushrooms and ‘magic’ mushrooms is that magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, which is a psychoactive compound.
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen. Hallucinogens are chemical compounds that cause alterations in one’s mind, including changes in perception, thoughts, and mood. Scientists have detected psilocybin in a variety of fungi species.
Like any other drug and hallucinogen, psilocybin can also cause a variety of effects depending on the quantity and dosage of magic mushrooms. In ancient times, magic mushrooms were used in certain religious rituals by some cultures.
However, these substances pose a lot of dangers. Therefore, psilocybin mushrooms fall under the category of Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act in the United States. In the next section of this blog, we will discuss an answer to the question: ‘Are mushrooms addictive?’
Are mushrooms addictive?
The short answer to the question, ‘Are mushrooms addictive?’ is yes. Magic mushrooms are highly addictive substances because they possess mind-altering effects. People who consume magic mushrooms can feel mild to severe psychological effects, depending on the dosage of magic mushrooms.
People refer to the euphoric effects of magic mushrooms as a ‘trip.’ This word is also used for other hallucinogens. The most mind-boggling thing about magic mushrooms is that different people can experience different types of ‘trips.’ The differences in the euphoric effects of magic mushrooms are due to the various varieties of mushrooms ingested. Therefore, it is pretty tricky to predict the kind of euphoric effects an individual will have after consuming magic mushrooms.
For example, one person might start hallucinating after consuming magic mushrooms, while the other person might feel drowsy and end up sleeping for 16-18 hours straight. Similarly, one person might fall sick after consuming mushrooms and end up in the emergency room of a hospital due to nausea and vomiting. At the same time, the other might feel numbness all over their body.
Coming back to the question: ‘Are mushrooms addictive?’ as mentioned previously, yes, magic mushrooms are addictive. But one might wonder why are mushrooms addictive. The answer lies in the euphoric effects of magic mushrooms. People experiencing stress daily may crave a ‘trip’ after a hectic day or week. This is potentially dangerous as one can never be sure about how long the effects of magic mushrooms will last. Also, the same variety of magic mushrooms can produce different results, and users might want to keep consuming mushrooms till they feel the same effect.
In the next section of this blog, we will address the question: ‘Are mushrooms addictive for the younger population?’
Are mushrooms addictive for the younger population?
As per the data from the National Institute of Health of the United States, there are over 30 million users of magic mushrooms in the United States alone. The number will be more alarming if one looks at the statistics from the entire world. Out of these, the younger population is widely experimenting with magic mushrooms.
Psilocybin mushrooms are readily available in the United States. Various sources teach the uninitiated how to grow their magic mushrooms. This has led to the younger population experimenting with growing and using magic mushrooms. Therefore, the younger population is more vulnerable to other substance abuse disorders.
However, parents and well-wishers can address and combat this problem by educating the younger population about psilocybin mushrooms. If someone is experiencing stress and is overwhelmed, it is better to intervene in the earlier stages and seek therapy to learn healthy ways to cope with stress.
What are the effects of using magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms work by manipulating the neurotransmitters of the brain. This means that these substances can produce unnatural levels of hormones like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain. The primary danger of using psilocybin mushrooms is that a person might get addicted to these substances because their brain will start craving the effects that magic mushrooms produce.
Several factors can impact the effects of magic mushrooms:
- The potency of the substance, i.e., psilocybin mushrooms
- User’s history of using or abusing magic mushrooms
- The user’s personality and the state of mental health at the time of using mushrooms
As a result, the effects of magic mushrooms can vary, depending upon the factors mentioned above. Therefore, using magic mushrooms is quite dangerous because one can never predict the exact outcomes of this substance.
What are the dangers of using magic mushrooms?
Many people are under the misconception that magic mushrooms are safe because they are ‘natural’ substances. However, this is not true. It is crucial to understand that just because a substance grows from the earth and is not synthesized in a lab, it does not make it fit for consumption.
Some varieties of mushrooms can be dangerous as they might contain high toxicity levels. Therefore, it is challenging to differentiate between the mushrooms that will produce euphoric effects and those that might be poisonous.
Since the effects of magic mushrooms are different for everyone, some people might develop an allergic reaction after consuming mushrooms. It is no secret that some allergic reactions might prove to be fatal.
Additionally, some varieties of magic mushrooms can trigger aggression in some people. There have been various reports wherein people have attacked those around them under the influence of psilocybin mushrooms.
Lastly, magic mushrooms can have severe repercussions on an individual’s mental health. Prolonged use of magic mushrooms can lead to episodes of depressive disorder, panic disorder, and anxiety attacks. This can impact an individual’s health, professional performance, interpersonal relationships, and overall quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are mushrooms addictive?
The one-word answer to this question is yes. Mushrooms are highly addictive because they can produce euphoric effects after consumption, and individuals might want to chase these effects.
2. Why are mushrooms addictive for the younger population?
Magic mushrooms are more addictive for the younger population because these are readily available throughout the United States. As the younger population is more open to experimenting with different types of edibles, they are more prone to growing their magic mushrooms and consuming them.
3. What are the side effects of using magic mushrooms?
The side effects of magic mushrooms include euphoria, hallucinations, dilated pupils, headaches, nausea, vomiting, etc.
Conclusion
The mushrooms hold immense potential as a natural treatment option for substance abuse and mental health patients. We at Relevance Recovery help our patients with mushroom therapy treatments to cure mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
However, psilocybin mushrooms are a dangerous substance, and one should spread awareness and educate the users about these substances. Everything that Mother Nature provides is not safe for consumption, and magic mushrooms are no exception. The parents and the loved ones of young adults must be aware of the dangers of psychedelic substances as the younger population is more prone to falling into the trap of these addictions. Once addicted, an individual can undergo therapies and interventions to combat their addictions.
