What Are the Side Effects of Various Psychedelic Mushroom Strains?

For thousands of years, psychedelic mushrooms or psilocybin mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes. According to an article in the journal Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, there are at least 300 species of psychedelic mushrooms. While some psychedelic mushroom strains are being used and explored to treat a variety of mental health issues, the dangers of taking psychedelic mushrooms include heart and neuromuscular problems, if not used under the guidance of a mental health professional.

 

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Table of contents

» How Do Psychedelic Mushrooms Work?

» What Are the Most Common Psychedelic Mushroom Strains?

» Are There Any Long-Term Side Effects of Using Psychedelic Mushrooms?

» What Are the Risks of Combining Psychedelic Mushrooms With Other Substances?

» Key Takeaways on Psychedelic Mushroom Strains

» Resources

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How Do Psychedelic Mushrooms Work?

Psychedelic mushrooms—sometimes also called shrooms or magic mushrooms—are a strain of fungi that contain a chemical called psilocybin. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, psilocybin is a psychedelic or hallucinogenic drug that can alter a person’s sense of what is real and what is not.

Once consumed, psilocybin turns into the chemical psilocin, which then binds to the serotonin receptors in your brain. The serotonin receptors play a significant role in determining your mood. This can lead to a sense of euphoria, as well as the potential for hallucinations. How long and how intense the effects of an ingested psychedelic mushroom last depend on the type of mushroom, a person’s metabolism rate, and how much was taken.

Common Side Effects of Psilocybin Mushrooms

Psychedelic mushrooms have both mental and physical side effects.

Mental side effects include:

• Altered state of consciousness
• Confusion
• Difficulties concentrating
• Hallucinations
• Happiness and euphoria
• Paranoia
• Peacefulness
• Visual distortions such as very bright colors or light halos

Physical side effects of psychedelic mushroom strains include:

• Dilated pupils
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Increased blood pressure or heart rate
• Elevated body temperature
• Loss of coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness in parts of the body

How Are Psychedelic Mushrooms Used Medically?

Psychedelic mushrooms and psilocybin have been used for hundreds of years for both medicinal and religious purposes. An article in the journal Fungal Biology reports that the oldest evidence of psilocybin mushroom use is from a manuscript called the Codex Yuta Tnoho, which dates back to the early 1500s and is from the Mixtec civilization, an Indigenous group in Mexico.

Because of its brain-altering capabilities, researchers are examining how psilocybin may be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), psilocybin is a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, which means it has a high potential for abuse and can only be used for research in clinical trials.

However, a study in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted “breakthrough therapy status” for psilocybin as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression in 2018 and major depressive disorder in 2019.

Psilocybin should only be used under the direct supervision of a mental health care professional, who can fully prepare them for the experience and provide the treatment in a fully-controlled setting, for the addiction rehab treatment of:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Anxiety disorder
• Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Tobacco addiction
• Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD)

Studies are also looking at psilocybin as a treatment for other mental health and neurological conditions, such as:

• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Bipolar disorder
• Cancer-related depression
• Chronic pain
• Eating disorders
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Migraine and other headache disorders
• Parkinson’s disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

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What Are the Most Common Psychedelic Mushroom Strains?

As mentioned previously, there are more than 300 different types of psychedelic mushrooms that can be found all over the world.

The most common strains of these types of mushrooms come from the Psilocybe genus and the species Psilocybe cubensis:

• Albino A+: This plant has a very distinctive pale color. It is known for its medium to high potency and is used for enhancing mood and introspection.
• B+: This mushroom has very large caps and thick stems—potency considered to be mild to medium and known for providing euphoria, clarity, and relaxation.
• Blue Meanie (Panaeolus cyanescens): Named after its blue-tinted caps, it is considered very potent.
• Ecuadorian: Originally from Ecuador, with a distinctive bell-shaped cap. Used for meditation and sensory stimulation.
• Golden Teacher: Probably the most well-known type of psychedelic mushroom. Named for its golden-colored caps and moderate potency.
• Mazatapec: Originating in Mexico, this mushroom strain is mainly used in spiritual ceremonies due to its mild meditative effects.
• Penis Envy: Named for and known by its unique shape and considered to be very powerful for intense hallucinations.

Some other commonly used psychedelic mushroom strains derive from other species, such as:

• Conical caps: The species Psilocybe mexicana has a bell-shaped cap and slender stem. It has a mild to medium potency and is mainly used in spiritual rituals.
• Flying Saucer Mushrooms: From the species Psilocybe azurescens, mainly found in Oregon and Washington, and are known by their brown, broad, and flat-shaped caps. Considered to be highly potent.
• Liberty Caps: From the species Psilocybe semilanceata, they feature a conical-shaped cap and are thought to be moderately to extremely potent.
• Wavy Caps: From the species Psilocybe cyanescens, have a unique “wavy” cap and contain high levels of psilocybin.

 

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Are There Any Long-Term Side Effects of Using Psychedelic Mushrooms?

Psychedelic mushrooms have a wide range of side effects depending on their potency, how much is used, and a person’s metabolism and overall health. While many side effects only last for a certain amount of time, there is also the potential for developing long-term side effects when using psilocybin mushrooms, mainly when used in an uncontrolled environment with no medical supervision.

Potential long-term effects include:

• Addiction
• Brain chemistry alterations
• Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)
• Flashback hallucinations
• Increased risk of developing psychosis or other mental health issues
• Permanent mood or personality changes
• Recurring psychological symptoms

It’s also important to note that psilocybin is not right for everyone. People who should not take psilocybin include those who:

• Are under the age of 25
• Have schizophrenia or a family history of a psychotic disorder
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have a severe heart condition, such as heart failure or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Are struggling with suicidal ideation or self-harming thoughts
• Taking certain medications, including antidepressants, stimulants, and antipsychotics

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What Are the Risks of Combining Psychedelic Mushrooms With Other Substances?

Mixing psilocybin with other substances, such as illegal drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications, can cause unpredictable and potentially severe side effects such as:

• Coma
• Confusion
• Heart attack
• Impaired judgment
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Nausea
• Panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Overdose potential
• Respiratory issues
• Seizure
• Vomiting

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Key Takeaways on Psychedelic Mushroom Strains

• Psychedelic mushrooms contain a chemical called psilocybin that is being used and explored to treat a variety of mental health issues.
• Psilocybin affects the serotonin receptors in the brain, causing mood changes, a sense of euphoria, and possible hallucinations.
• Psilocybin should only be used under the direct supervision of a mental health care professional for the treatment of specific mental health conditions.
• The most common psychedelic mushroom strains come from the species Psilocybe cubensis.
• Psychedelic mushrooms have the potential for long-term health effects, and should not be taken with other substances such as illegal drugs or alcohol.

If you or a loved one in Florida is looking for addiction treatment options or needs support groups for families of addicts, WhiteSands Treatment can help. We offer inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs with various treatment options, including medical detox, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy, and more. Our staff also specializes in treating both your addiction and any mental health issues you may be struggling with.

For more information on psilocybin and other treatment options for addiction and mental health issues, call WhiteSands Treatment today at 877-855-3470.

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Resources

• Frontiers in Forests and Global Change — An Overview on the Taxonomy, Phylogenetics and Ecology of the Psychedelic Genera Psilocybe, Panaeolus, Pluteus and Gymnopilus
• National Institute on Drug Abuse — Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)
• Fungal Biology — Diversity, biology, and history of psilocybin-containing fungi: Suggestions for research and technological development
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) — Psilocybin Drug Fact Sheet
• Frontiers in Psychiatry — Therapeutic use of psilocybin: Practical considerations for dosing and administration

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.