Magic mushrooms: Just the Facts

Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, contain a psychedelic drug called psilocybin – this means people who take it will have a distorted view of reality, time and objects around them. 

The strength of magic mushrooms varies depending on their freshness, the season and where they grow. It’s very difficult to predict the strength of magic mushrooms or how long they’ll take to kick in. Never take an additional dose of a drug if you’re still waiting for it to take effect. 

They look and taste very different to the mushrooms you might find in a supermarket, so some people might take them as a ‘mushroom tea’ to hide the taste and texture. 

Psilocybin can also be taken as a liquid which is extracted from the mushrooms. 

Many mushrooms that grow in the UK are poisonous and can often be mistaken for magic mushrooms. Seek immediate medical help by calling 999 if you think you’ve eaten a poisonous mushroom as this can be fatal or cause serious illness. Keep an example of the mushroom you’ve taken so that doctors can identify it. 

How can magic mushrooms make someone feel?

Being high on psychedelic drugs like magic mushrooms is referred to as ‘tripping’. 

Taking mushrooms can make someone feel: 

• very giggly 
• euphoric 
• amazed by people and objects around them 
• energised 
• excited 

It can also make someone feel: 

• paranoid (being constantly and overly anxious about something) 
• anxious 
• panicked 
• overwhelmed 
• dizzy 
• sick, nauseous or like vomiting 

Some people may also feel mild visual hallucinations such as seeing intense colours and can even experience short-term ‘flashbacks’ months or years after the mushrooms have worn off. 

How someone feels depends on many unpredictable factors. But if they’re in a bad mood, feeling worried/anxious or low, magic mushrooms are likely to make those feelings worse. 

Psychedelics such as magic mushrooms can have serious long-term effects on mental wellbeing, read more here.

The law

Psilocybin is a Class A drug. This means it’s illegal to have for yourself, give away or sell. 

Possession can get you up to 7 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. 

Supplying someone else, even your friends, can get you life in prison, an unlimited fine or both. 

Like drink driving, driving whilst high is dangerous and illegal. Being caught driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can result in a large fine, driving ban and/or prison sentence.  

Some drugs can stay at detectable levels in your system for days or weeks after you’ve taken them. 

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

• w: Talk to Frank - Magic mushrooms
  
• w: Health for Teens - The effect of psychedelic drugs on mental health