Can You Get Addicted to Magic Mushroom Gummies?
Over the last few years, mushroom edibles—such as magic mushroom gummies—have become increasingly popular as a way to self-medicate for anxiety and depression, or just to experience what are considered pleasurable effects. Some are made with what are called “functional mushrooms,” which are designed to enhance the function of specific brain areas. However, others may contain psilocybin or other hallucinogenic mushrooms that can be psychologically addictive when taken too much, and can cause other serious health issues.
Table of contents
» How Do Magic Mushroom Gummies Work in the Brain?
» Are Magic Mushroom Gummies Physically Addictive?
» Can You Develop a Tolerance to Psilocybin?
» What Should You Do If You Think You’re Misusing Magic Mushrooms?
» Key Takeaways on Magic Mushroom Gummies
» Resources
How Do Magic Mushroom Gummies Work in the Brain?
Magic mushroom gummies are types of nootropics or “smart drugs,” which, according to the American Medical Association, are designed to improve certain brain functions, such as memory, learning, and executive function.
Also called hallucinogenic mushroom gummies or psychedelic mushroom gummies, these gummies are a type of mushroom edible which are used as a way to microdose hallucinogenic substances. In addition to gummies, there are psychedelic mushrooms in chocolate and other treats.
Most psychedelic mushroom gummies contain psilocybin mushrooms. Also known as shrooms and magic mushrooms, these mushrooms are considered a psychedelic drug and, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, are considered a Schedule I controlled substance and are illegal in the majority of U.S. states.
When psilocybin is consumed in a gummy or other type of edible, it turns into a substance called psilocin. Psilocin has a similar composition to serotonin, a hormone that plays a significant role in mood regulation, sleep, learning, and memory. As a result, psilocin can bind to the brain’s serotonin receptors, leading to alterations in brain function.
These brain changes caused by psilocin are how you experience the drug’s effects, such as:
- Distorted sense of reality
- Euphoria
- Flashbacks
- Hallucinations
- Mood changes
What Mushrooms Are Used in Gummies?
In addition to psilocybin mushrooms, several other different types of mushrooms are used in hallucinogenic mushroom gummies, including:
- Amanita muscaria mushrooms: A red and white mushroom that has been used for thousands of years for religious ceremonies and medicinal purposes for their psychoactive effects.
- Reishi mushrooms: Grown in Asia, Reishi mushrooms are known for their potential medicinal benefits, including improving heart health and helping with depression.
- Lion’s mane mushrooms: This white, shaggy-looking mushroom is used medicinally in Asian countries and is believed to have health benefits, including reducing inflammation and providing anxiety relief.
- Cordyceps mushrooms: A traditional Chinese medicine used to alleviate fatigue and boost energy.
Are Magic Mushroom Gummies Physically Addictive?
While psilocybin is generally not considered to be physically addictive, it can be psychologically addictive. In other words, a person who frequently uses magic mushroom gummies containing psilocybin may start to rely on the drug as their only way to feel good or deal with their feelings.
As a Schedule 1 class drug, psilocybin is considered to be at a high risk for abuse, and there are dangers of taking chocolate mushrooms.
Warning signs of psychological dependence on psilocybin include:
- Constant headaches
- Memory problems
- Mood changes such as depression or irritability
- Problems concentrating
- Sleeping issues
- Social isolation
- Tiredness
And psilocybin generally carries the risk for many adverse health effects, including:
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Continuous flashbacks
- Dizziness
- Facial numbness
- Fatigue
- Hallucinations that are disturbing or frightening
- Headache
- High blood pressure
- Inability to concentrate
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Nausea and vomiting
- Paranoia
Psilocybin is not right for everyone and can potentially worsen certain health conditions. This is why psychedelics like psilocybin should only be used under the direct supervision of a mental health professional.
People should not take psilocybin if they have:
- Bipolar disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Schizophrenia
- Taking certain medications such as stimulants
Additionally, taking a drug like psilocybin can lead to the use of other substances that may not interact well together. For example, sometimes people using psilocybin also use weed or marijuana to either intensify or lower some of psilocybin’s effects. However, combining these two drugs can lead to a “bad trip” and raise a person’s risk for substance use disorder.
Other Dangers of Hallucinogenic Mushroom Gummies
In addition to becoming psychologically addicted to psilocybin, these types of gummies carry additional health risks.
As there is currently no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation of these gummy products, inconsistent labeling can make it challenging to determine what type of mushroom is included. Additionally, there are no regulations governing the production of these gummies, which could potentially lead to health issues.
For instance, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that between September 2023 and June 2024, five people were hospitalized after taking mushroom gummies that, while labeled to contain mushrooms such as Amanita muscaria, lion’s mane, and reishi, also contained unidentified ingredients, including psilocybin and psilocin.
Additionally, some of the other types of mushrooms found in magic mushroom gummies also carry their own potential health risks.
For example, Amanita muscaria mushrooms are considered harmful by the FDA. In an update issued in December 2024, the FDA stated Amanita muscaria and its extracts are “not authorized for use as ingredients in conventional food” and that “their use as food ingredients may be harmful.”
Amanita muscaria has a risk for many health issues, such as:
- Anxiety
- Bad hallucinations
- Central nervous system problems
- Confusion
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Kidney issues
- Headache
- Nausea
- Rapid heartbeat
Can You Develop a Tolerance to Psilocybin?
Yes, it is possible to develop a tolerance to psilocybin, which means you require more and more of the substance to feel its effects.
When psilocybin interacts with the brain’s serotonin receptors, it can cause them to become desensitized over time. That means that each time you take it, you may need a larger dose to get the same results. This is one of the reasons why psilocybin is categorized as a Schedule 1 drug, as it has a high probability for abuse and misuse.
Needing to increase psilocybin dosages continually heightens your risk for its known health issues.
And using psilocybin in extremely high dosages can lead to Hallucinogen-Induced Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)—a condition where a person has constant hallucinations when not actively using the drug.
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What Should You Do If You Think You’re Misusing Magic Mushrooms?
Magic mushroom gummies carry a large number of potential risks that can lead to misuse. If you or a loved one is abusing these gummies or other types of mushroom edibles, it’s essential to seek assistance from a mental health professional before the situation worsens.
A drug and alcohol addiction treatment center can help treat psilocybin abuse through a variety of methods:
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Individual counseling
- Inpatient rehab
- Medical detox
- Outpatient rehab
- Support groups
Key Takeaways on Magic Mushroom Gummies
- Magic mushroom gummies are a type of “smart drug” that is believed to enhance brain function.
- Most psychedelic mushroom gummies contain psilocybin mushrooms, which are categorized as a Schedule 1 drug because it has a high risk for abuse.
- Hallucinogenic mushroom gummies have a high risk for psychological dependence.
- Psilocybin and other types of mushrooms used in these gummies all hold risk for many health problems.
- It is possible to develop a tolerance to psilocybin, causing you to need larger dosages every time you use it.
If you or a family member is dealing with psychological addiction to psilocybin, WhiteSands Treatment can help. Our professional and fully-licensed mental health staff can help you break your dependence on psilocybin through medical detox, and learn how to move on without its effects through inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation. And as many people use psilocybin to self-medicate for a mental health issue like anxiety or depression, our dual diagnosis treatment allows our staff to not only treat your dependence, but also treat the root cause of your psilocybin abuse.
Contact WhiteSands Treatment in Florida today at 877-855-3470 to learn more about how we can assist you.
Resources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health — Psilocybin for Mental Health and Addiction: What You Need To Know
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Notes from the Field: Schedule I Substances Identified in Nootropic Gummies Containing Amanita muscaria or Other Mushrooms — Charlottesville, Virginia, 2023–2024
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — FDA Alerts Industry and Consumers about the Use of Amanita Muscaria or its Constituents in Food
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.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
