Can You Overdose on Psychedelic Mushrooms?
Psychedelic mushrooms have gained popularity in the mental health and wellness spaces in recent years for their therapeutic benefits. However, when used recreationally in an unregulated manner, problems can arise. While not as addictive as other substances, misuse of mushrooms does occur and can cause adverse effects. You may be wondering, “Can you overdose on shrooms?”
With psychedelic mushrooms, also known as shrooms or magic mushrooms among other street names, an overdose can be described as a “bad trip” or sometimes a terrifying experience that can evoke intense emotions in certain people. The symptoms of the bad trip are primarily psychological.
The truth is, no dose is considered “safe” with the current research, particularly when considering the recreational consumption of mushrooms. Taking shrooms on your own can lead to harmful health effects or negative psychological experiences and potentially becoming dependent on them.
What Happens When You Take Psychedelic Mushrooms?
Shrooms are typically eaten raw, dried, brewed into tea, or mixed with food. When consumed, the psilocybin in the mushrooms is converted to psilocin, the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects. Your pupils may dilate. Some users experience fluctuations in heart rate. Appetite is typically suppressed for a few hours.
The effects occur in phases and begin within 30 to 60 minutes after the shrooms are ingested. Initial physical effects may include nausea, yawning, and body temperature fluctuations.
After about an hour, sensory perceptions can be altered, including visual and auditory hallucinations. Colors may seem more vivid, and shapes may appear distorted. Emotions can become intensified, leading to feelings of euphoria, wonder, or anxiety. Senses are heightened or overlap (e.g., seeing sounds or hearing colors).
The mushroom experience peaks two to four hours after ingestion. Hallucinations intensify, and users may have profound spiritual or philosophical insights. After the four-hour mark, the intensity of the shroom effects begins to decrease.
Can You Overdose on Shrooms?
It is possible to overdose on psychedelic mushrooms. However, the nature of an overdose is different from that of many other substances, such as opioids or alcohol.
While psilocybin itself is not known to be toxic in the same way as many other drugs, the physical risks associated with a psilocybin overdose are generally secondary. The behavioral effects of shrooms can be extreme, causing the user to act differently and have impaired thought processes.
As a result of an overdose, the following adverse experiences are possible:
- Accidents or injuries due to impaired judgment and coordination
- Self-harm incidents resulting from severe psychological distress or delusional beliefs (e.g., jumping from a building and falling)
- Harm to others with unintentional aggression or unpredictable behavior
Signs of Psychedelic Mushroom Overdose
A psilocybin overdose, or a “bad trip,” can result in intense and overwhelming psychological effects. These can include:
- Severe anxiety or panic attacks with extreme fear or paranoia
- Psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, and a loss of connection with reality
- Restlessness and an inability to calm down
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Abdominal pain
- Confusion and disorientation
- Impaired motor skills and physical coordination
- Dangerous behavior due to impaired judgment and altered perception
Self-Assessment: Am I Addicted?
Health Effects of Mushrooms
Psilocybin is still a Schedule I substance in many countries, meaning it is illegal and classified as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. While ongoing research challenges these classifications based on potential health benefits, risks are associated with ongoing mushroom consumption.
Emerging research suggests that psilocybin may be an effective treatment for mental health, with promising results in trauma treatment specifically. Conversely, the use of psilocybin carries psychological risks and challenges.
Common physical side effects include nausea and vomiting, especially during the onset of the experience. Psilocybin can cause transient increases in heart rate and blood pressure, which may be risky for individuals with cardiovascular issues and require emergency medical attention.
There’s also a risk of taking a poisonous mushroom instead of psilocybin. While the poison will likely cause psychoactive effects, it can also lead to serious health complications.
Why People Use Mushrooms
The motivations behind the use of mushrooms are diverse but have a predominantly self-exploration focus. Many people take shrooms to explore their emotions and develop insight that cannot be achieved in unaltered states of consciousness. Some people seek profound spiritual experiences to find purpose or facilitate spiritual healing.
People use psychedelic mushrooms recreationally, which gets into tricky territory as this type of use is unregulated. Users seek euphoric sensations that come with psilocybin use and the accompanying enhanced appreciation for sensory experiences and creativity.
Psychedelic Mushroom Abuse Treatment
Many people who misuse psychedelic mushrooms experience distressing effects and tend to abuse other harmful substances. You may be in a place where mushroom use has become chronic and disruptive to your life. If that describes you, Vogue Recovery Centers can help.
If you or a loved one is struggling with the misuse of psilocybin with or without the abuse of other substances, contact Vogue Recovery Centers today. With welcoming facilities in Las Vegas and Phoenix, you can find peace while working toward recovery. Overdosing on mushrooms is not to be taken lightly, and we can help you get back on your feet.
References
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/06/psychedelics-as-medicine
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psilocybin-magic-mushrooms#effects-psilocybin
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9353971/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537111/
- https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Psilocybin-2020.pdf
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/2024/06/psychedelics-as-medicine
- https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psilocybin-magic-mushrooms
Medically Reviewed by Kelsey Jones, MS, LPC
