Psilocybin And Magic Mushrooms: Effects And Risks

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Medical News TodaySubscribePsilocybin (magic mushrooms): What it is, effects and risks

Medically reviewed by Alex Nguyen, PharmD, RPh, CPh — Written by Kathleen Davis, FNP — Updated on March 25, 2025

What is psilocybin?
Effects
Risks
Abuse potential
FAQ
Summary

Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical in certain mushrooms known as magic mushrooms. Eating mushrooms that contain psilocybin can have a variety of effects, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations.

Some people use psilocybin as a recreational drug. It can provide feelings of euphoria and sensory distortion that are common to hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD.

Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose.

Although current research does not consider psilocybin addictive, users may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic after taking the drug.

What is psilocybin?

Psilocybin mushrooms growing in a cluster.-1 — Psilocybin mushrooms stand ready for harvest in a humidified ‘fruiting chamber’ in the basement of a private home on July 28, 2023 in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Image credit: John Moore/Getty Images

Psilocybin is a hallucinogen that people can ingest through certain types of mushrooms.

How it works

Psilocybin works by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in parts of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala.

These parts of the brain affect mood, cognition, and perception. Hallucinogens also work in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses.

Psilocybin may cause visual or auditory hallucinations. It may also distort how some people who use the drug perceive objects and people in their environment.

The quantity of the drug a person consumes, their past experiences, and their expectations of how the experience will take shape may all affect their reaction to psilocybin.

According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), the hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes after a person ingests it and last between four and six hours.

In some people, changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can last longer.

Potency

The potency of a magic mushroom may depend on:

species
origin
growing conditions
harvest period
whether a person eats them fresh or dried

Consumption

Mushrooms containing psilocybin are small and usually brown or tan. In the wild, people may mistake mushrooms containing psilocybin for other mushrooms that are poisonous.

People may consume psilocybin as a brewed tea or prepare it with a food item to mask its bitter taste. Manufacturers can also crush dried mushrooms into a powder and prepare them in capsule form.

Some people who consume these mushrooms fresh cover them with chocolate.

Extent of use

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 8.8 million Americans ages 12 and older used hallucinogens, including psilocybin, in 2023. Of this number, adults ages 18 to 25 were the most frequent users.

Psilocybin use occurs in various cultures and locations across the world, potentially as far back as 8,000 years ago, according to a 2022 review.

In modern times, psilocybin use may be recreational at dance clubs or by people seeking a transcendent spiritual experience.

In medical settings, psilocybin may show promise in helping to treat or manage the following conditions:

addiction
depression
end stage cancer mood disorders

However, the review authors highlight that research is ongoing.

Street names for magic mushrooms

People may also refer to magic mushrooms as:

shrooms
boomers
zoomers
mushies
simple Simon
little smoke
sacred mushrooms
purple passion
mushroom soup
cubes

Psilocybin effects

The effects of psilocybin are generally similar to those of LSD. They include an altered perception of time and space and intense changes in mood and feeling.

Other possible effects of psilocybin include:

euphoria
peacefulness
spiritual awakening
derealization, or the feeling that surroundings are not real
depersonalization, or a dream-like sense of being disengaged from surroundings
distorted thinking
visual alteration and distortion, such as seeing halos of light and vivid colors
dilated pupils
dizziness
drowsiness and yawning
impaired concentration
muscle weakness
lack of coordination
unusual body sensations
nausea and vomiting
paranoia
confusion
frightening hallucinations

What impacts effects?

The effects of psilocybin vary between people. Factors such as the user’s mental state, personality, and immediate environment may affect their response.

A 2020 analysis suggests that higher doses of psilocybin may increase the risk of negative experiences. A pre-existing mental health condition may also increase the risk.

Psychological distress is a potential adverse event after recreational use of psilocybin. This distress can take the form of extreme anxiety or short-term psychosis.

Psilocybin as a treatment for depression

According to a 2022 review, psilocybin may have therapeutic potential for treating depression. The researchers suggest it may help to regulate the brain’s reward system in people with depression or suicidal ideation.

Research in the review also suggests psilocybin may help to treat depression and anxiety due to end stage cancer.

A 2023 study measured the effects of a single 25 milligram (mg) dose of psilocybin with psychological support on depressive symptom scores in 104 adults over six weeks.

Adults who took psilocybin experienced a clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared with adults who took a placebo.

Another 2024 review suggests that psilocybin may have short-term and long-term antidepressant effects. However, more research is necessary to understand its full potential as a treatment option.

Depression resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and in-depth resources on depression.

Risks of psilocybin

Some people who take psilocybin may experience persistent, distressing alterations to how they see the world. These may take the form of a visual flashback, a traumatic recall of an intensely upsetting experience.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people can continue to experience flashbacks anywhere from weeks to years after using the hallucinogen. This is a condition called hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder and is rare.

Some people who use psilocybin may also experience:

fear
agitation
confusion
delirium
psychosis
syndromes that resemble schizophrenia

Risk of poisoning

Some psilocybin users risk accidental poisoning from eating a poisonous mushroom by mistake.

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may include muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium. People should visit an emergency room immediately if these symptoms occur after eating mushrooms.

Because hallucinogenic and other poisonous mushrooms can grow in living environments, people should regularly remove all mushrooms from areas where children are routinely present to prevent accidental consumption.

Most accidental mushroom ingestion results in minor gastrointestinal illness, with only the most severe instances requiring medical attention.

Abuse potential of psilocybin

Current research suggests psilocybin is not addictive, and no physical symptoms occur after stopping use. However, further research is necessary.

After several days of psilocybin use, people might experience psychological withdrawal and have difficulty adjusting to reality.

Regular use may also cause people to become tolerant to the effects of psilocybin, and cross-tolerance occurs with other drugs, including LSD and mescaline.

Frequently asked questions

How likely is a bad trip after taking magic mushrooms?

The risk of a bad trip may increase if a person takes higher doses of psilocybin or has feelings of anxiety before taking it. However, more research is necessary to understand all factors that influence this risk.The only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not taking magic mushrooms.

The only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is by not taking magic mushrooms.

Are magic mushrooms bad for people?

The effects of psilocybin vary widely. Adverse side effects are often mild or moderate and may resolve with time, but some people may require medical treatment.Hallucinogenic drugs may cause unpredictable, potentially dangerous behavior, which can lead to injuries. Dried hallucinogenics may also contain other substances, which may affect their safety profile.Magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, but research is ongoing, and people may risk poisoning from picking the wrong types of mushrooms.

The effects of psilocybin vary widely. Adverse side effects are often mild or moderate and may resolve with time, but some people may require medical treatment.

Hallucinogenic drugs may cause unpredictable, potentially dangerous behavior, which can lead to injuries. Dried hallucinogenics may also contain other substances, which may affect their safety profile.

Magic mushrooms have a low risk of addiction, but research is ongoing, and people may risk poisoning from picking the wrong types of mushrooms.

Can someone stop a mushroom trip after ingestion?

Taking certain additional psychoactive drugs may reduce or end the effects of hallucinogens by counteracting their effects on the brain. However, this practice may pose additional risks. More research is necessary to understand the potential risks and benefits.

Summary

Psilocybin is a chemical that occurs in certain mushroom varieties. Consumption can lead to symptoms such as euphoria, hallucinations, and sensory distortion.

Although current research suggests psilocybin is not addictive, some people may have bad experiences, including feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis.

Factors such as mental health, setting, quantity, and expectations may affect the experience someone has after using psilocybin.

Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Psychology / Psychiatry

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bienemann B, et al. (2020). Self-reported negative outcomes of psilocybin users: A quantitative textual analysis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7034876/
Evans J, et al. (2023). Extended difficulties following the use of psychedelic drugs: A mixed methods study.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10597511/
Fang S, et al. (2024). Efficacy and acceptability of psilocybin for primary or secondary depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10902050/
Goel DB, et al. (2022). Potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin: A systematic review.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9650681/
Hallucinogenic mushrooms drug profile. (n.d.).https://www.euda.europa.eu/publications/drug-profiles/hallucinogenic-mushrooms_en
Irizarry R, et al. (2022). Psilocybin as a treatment for psychiatric illness: A meta-analysis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9779908/
Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. (2024).https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt47095/National%20Report/National%20Report/2023-nsduh-annual-national.pdf
Lowe H, et al. (2021). The therapeutic potential of psilocybin.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8156539/
Psilocybin. (2020).https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Psilocybin-2020.pdf
Psychedelic and dissociative drugs. (2023).https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psychedelic-dissociative-drugs
Raison CL, et al. (2023). Single-dose psilocybin treatment for major depressive disorder.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10472268/
Yates G, et al. (2023). Trip-killers: A concerning practice associated with psychedelic drug use.https://emj.bmj.com/content/41/2/112.long
Ziff S, et al. (2022). Analysis of psilocybin-assisted therapy in medicine: A narrative review.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8901083/

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Medically reviewed by Alex Nguyen, PharmD, RPh, CPh — Written by Kathleen Davis, FNP — Updated on March 25, 2025

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