Psilocybin is a hallucinogen, meaning it can cause someone to see, hear, and feel sensations that aren’t actually real. The effects however vary between types of mushrooms, and can also be impacted by environmental factors.
Throughout history, its use has been associated with spiritual experiences, and it often formed part of religious rituals in many South American cultures as a means to communicate with the gods.
While magic mushrooms grow wild here in New Zealand, it is a Class A drug. That means possession carries a maximum penalty of 6 months in prison, and/or a $1,000 fine.
The possible effects include:
- Feelings of euphoria
- Hallucinations (visual or auditory)
- Distorted sense of time, place, and reality
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature
- Drowsiness
- Muscle weakness
- Nervousness
- Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort
- Headache
- Sense of panic
- Paranoia
- Psychosis
The effects can be influenced by a number of things, including how much is taken, environmental facts, and someone’s age, weight, and their emotional and mental state.
It’s often thought that magic mushrooms are “safer” or produce a “milder” experience than other hallucinogens like LSD, but it’s important to remember the only safe drug use is not to use drugs at all.Is it dangerous?
Magic mushrooms are just as unpredictable as other drugs. The amount of psilocybin a mushroom contains can vary a lot, so it’s hard to anticipate the intensity of the effects or how long it will last. In rare cases, use can lead to seizures or heart problems.
Another big risk is that magic mushrooms look very similar to other poisonous mushrooms, and making that mistake can lead to severe illness, organ damage, and even death.
The National Poisons Centre has some helpful resources for dealing with mushrooms. If someone has eaten an unknown mushroom, immediately call them on 0800 POISON / 0800 764 766 for specific advice on what to do. Don’t wait for symptoms to start!
Another thing to be aware of is wood lovers paralysis, a phenomenon where muscle weakness or a complete loss of co-ordination and motor function occurs a few hours after taking magic mushrooms. Very little is known about this condition, but a particular species of mushrooms that grows on wood is thought to be responsible for it.
While no drug use is safe, there are some steps that can help reduce the risks:
- Lower dosages usually pose less risk
- Avoid repeated dosing.
- Avoid mixing drugs as the combined effects can be unpredictable and increase risk.
- Try to stay in a safe and calm environment.
- As with all drugs, it’s better to have people around that you trust and have knowledge of first aid.
If you think someone is suffering a medical event, call 111 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
If you’re worried about your own drinking or drug taking, you can reach out to the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797, or text 8681. You'll be able to speak with a trained counsellor who can provide you with helpful information, insight and support. They’re available 24/7, all calls are free and confidential. You can also chat to the Alcohol Drug Helpline team online through the website.
Magic mushrooms are eaten fresh, cooked or brewed into a tea. The dried version is sometimes smoked, mixed with cannabis or tobacco.
Effects of magic mushrooms
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Magic mushrooms can affect everyone differently, based on:
- size, weight and health
- whether the person is used to taking it
- whether other drugs are taken around the same time
- the amount taken
- the strength of the mushroom (varies depending on the type of mushroom)
- the environment (where the drug is taken)
The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin in 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea and can last approximately four to six hours.3
During this time, the person may experience:
- euphoria and wellbeing
- change in consciousness, mood, thought and perception (commonly called a trip)
- dilation of pupils
- perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, or are distorted)
- stomach discomfort and nausea
- headaches
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- increased body temperature
- breathing quickly
- vomiting
- facial flushes, sweating and chills.1,3
Overdose
The use of magic mushrooms rarely results in any life-threatening symptoms. If a large amount or a strong batch of mushrooms is consumed, the person may experience:
- agitation
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- muscle weakness
- panic or paranoia
- psychosis
- seizures
- coma. 4,5
Bad trips
Sometimes a person may experience the negative effects of magic mushrooms and have a ‘bad trip’.
A bad trip might include:
- unpleasant or intense hallucinations
- anxiety
- paranoia
- panic or fear.5,4
Coming down
After taking magic mushrooms, delayed headaches can happen. These usually don’t last longer than a day.5
A person who has taken mushrooms may experience feelings of:
- exhaustion
- depression
- anxiety. 3
Some people who regularly use magic mushrooms may experience flashbacks involving a previous magic mushroom experience. They are usually visual distortions that involve changes in your emotions or perception.
Flashbacks can happen weeks, months or even years after the drug was last taken. This can be disturbing, especially if a frightening experience or hallucination is recalled. Flashbacks can be brought on by using other drugs, stress, tiredness or exercise and usually last a minute or two.3,4
Impact of mood and environment
Drugs that affect a person’s mental state (psychoactive drugs) can also have different effects depending on a person’s mood (often called the ‘set’) or the environment they are in (the ‘setting’).
Set is a person’s state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations of what’s going to happen. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before using magic mushrooms may result in a bad trip.6
Setting is the environment in which someone takes a psychedelic drug – whether it’s known and familiar, who they’re with, if they’re indoors or outdoors, the type of music and light. For example, using magic mushrooms in a calm, quiet and relaxed environment can lead to, or contribute to, a pleasant experience but being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience.6
Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends and a safe environment before taking magic mushrooms reduces the risk of having a bad trip.
Using magic mushrooms with other drugs
The effects of taking magic mushrooms with other drugs − including over-the-counter or prescribed medications − can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Magic mushrooms + ice, speed or ecstasy: Can increase the chances of a bad trip and lead to panic.7
Magic mushrooms + some psychiatric medications: Mushrooms should not be taken by people on psychiatric medications as a relapse or worsening of the condition could occur.
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2C-B is usually taken via the mouth (orally). 2C-B can be snorted, but anecdotal reports suggest this method of use can be very painful.4
Effects of 2C-B
There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
Psychedelics affect everyone differently, based on:
- size, weight and health
- whether the person is used to taking it
- whether other drugs are taken around the same time
- the amount taken
- the strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)
- environment (where the drug is taken).
2C-B affects everyone differently, but effects may include:
- dry mouth
- increased blood pressure and heart rate
- nausea and vomiting
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- confidence
- euphoria
- feelings of well-being
- anxiety and panic
- change in perception
- hearing sounds
- confusion
- sexual arousal
- hallucinations
- insomnia.2, 4
The effects of 2C-B typically last from four to eight hours. There have been anecdotal reports it can last for up to 12 hours.3
Impact of mood and environment
Drugs that affect a person’s mental state (psychoactive drugs) can also have varied effects depending on a person’s mood (often called the ‘set’) or the environment they’re in (the ‘setting’).
Set is a person’s state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations of what’s going to happen. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before using 2C-B may result in an unpleasant experience (bad trip).5
Setting is the environment in which someone consumes 2C-B – whether it’s known and familiar, who they’re with, if they’re indoors or outdoors, the type of music and light. For example, using 2C-B in a calm, quiet and relaxed environment could lead or contribute to a pleasant experience but being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience.5
Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends and a safe environment before taking 2C-B reduces the risk of having a ‘bad’ trip.
Overdose
There have been no reported deaths from 2C-B, but deaths have occurred from the use of other 2C drugs.2
Coming down
According to anecdotal user reports, the after-effects or comedown of taking 2C-B can last for around 2-4 hours.3
Long-term effects
To our best knowledge, there have been no scientific studies into the long-term effects of 2C-B use.
2C-B and mental health
People with a family history of mental illness are more likely to experience anxiety or paranoia after using 2C-B. This is consistent with what the evidence tells us about people with mental illness and psychedelic use.6
Bad trips
Some people may have negative experiences taking psychedelics, or experiences they find challenging. This can include experiencing:
- frightening or confronting hallucinations
- intense anxiety and confusion
- fear and paranoia.5, 7
Tolerance and dependence
Similar to other psychedelics, 2C-B does not produce dependence. Some people that use 2C-B report a tolerance to it after regular use (more than once every five to seven days).3
Mixing 2C-B with other drugs
The effects of taking 2C-B with other drugs − including over-the-counter or prescribed medications − can be unpredictable and dangerous.
2C-B + cannabis = a more intense psychedelic experience which could result in anxiety and increase the chances of having a ‘bad trip’.8
2C-B + tramadol = a lowering of the seizure threshold. May cause seizures in predisposed individuals.9, 10