Paranoid. Anxious. Giggly. Terrified. Excited. Those are the roller coaster of emotions people experience during a shroom trip. The high from shrooms is typically called “tripping” or a “trip” because of the drug’s hallucinogenic effects.
Some will have a “good trip” where they feel they have a mystical or spiritual out-of-body experience. On the other hand, a bad trip is quite different.
A bad trip can feel like time has stopped moving, the belief of touches and sounds that aren’t there, and feelings of extreme paranoia, to name a few.
There are dangers and consequences regarding whether or not you decide to smoke magic mushrooms. Knowing the risks involved can prevent overdose and the development of a substance use disorder (SUD).
In the last decade, a renewed interest in shroom drug use and micro-dosing has become the topic of medical journals. “Can you smoke shrooms?” is a question in scientific and social settings.
While the short answer is yes, there’s more to the story. You’re here because you’ve got questions. Our team of expert addiction treatment specialists has answers.
What Makes a Shroom a Shroom?
Shroom is a shorthand way of saying mushroom. A mushroom is a fungus belonging to the macrofungi group. The mushroom grows like a fruit and has a cap, or dome-shaped, top and a stalk, which is the stem. These two characteristics are the easiest way to identify a mushroom.
In densely wooded or damp environments, shrooms multiply. The pores on the underside of mushrooms contain spores. Wind, water, and movement spread the spores around. More mushrooms crop up as a result.
Just because you see a mushroom doesn’t make it a psychoactive psilocybin mushroom. It would be best to avoid ingesting mushrooms in the wild, as they can be highly toxic. Ingesting these can lead to gastrointestinal issues, organ failure, and death.
What are Psilocybins?
Psilocybin is a compound found in hallucinogenic mushrooms. It continues to receive attention and is studied for its therapeutic benefits in treating treatment-resistant mental health disorders. Psilocybin contributes to emotional processing, reducing fear responses and facilitating looking within oneself.
If you are considering psilocybin as a treatment option, it is vital to do so at an accredited clinic. Not doing so can lead to experiences out of control and not provide the therapeutic or medically controlled atmosphere you need.
Magic mushrooms are a type of psilocybin. When magic mushrooms are consumed, the psilocybin interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical compound that helps to regulate emotions. When the psilocybin meets the serotonin, perception, thinking, and mood are modified.
It is essential to understand that not all psychedelic experiences are created equal. While some individuals explain a heightened sense of creativity, spiritual connections, and an improved sense of well-being, that’s not a guarantee you will have the same.
You are gambling on the chance of developing a mental health condition. The possibility of developing one increases if you are predisposed to one. You also risk other adverse side effects.
What are Street Names for Shrooms?
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) provides regulations for controlled substances. The DEA updates the slang references to keep illicit drugs off the streets.
Shrooms are mushrooms known by various street names. They are often called magic mushrooms because of their psychedelic effects and are part of a specific mushroom species. Some common street names for magic mushrooms include:
- Boomers
- Caps
- God’s Flesh
- Liberty Caps
- Little Smoke
- Magic
- Magic Shrooms
- Mushies
- Shrooms
- Silly Putty
- Zoomers
What is the Legal Status of Shrooms in the U.S.?
Like other illicit drugs, the legal status of shrooms varies between states. In some states, it is legal to have the spores from shrooms since the psychedelic properties don’t develop until they are fully grown. Other states have made both the pores and shrooms illegal.
In Georgia, there are laws against both. Individuals cannot legally possess, sell, or buy shrooms or spores. Shrooms are a Schedule I substance. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DAE) provides 5 classes of drugs. Schedule I substances have no medical uses and are highly addictive.
Oregon has enacted the Oregon Psilocybin Services Act. This act makes medical use of psilocybin legal. Oregon was the first state to pass this law.
Cities including Denver, Oakland, and Santa Cruz have decriminalized the possession and use of shrooms. These cities have made shroom offenses to be low-level and of insignificant priority. Instead, efforts are turning to the therapeutic effects of the plant.
Even in places that allow the possession of shrooms, there are strict guidelines. The legality around shrooms in the U.S. continues to evolve.
How do People Use Shrooms?
Dosage, duration, mental health, and the environment determine a person’s experience using shrooms. Moreover, a person’s size, weight, tolerance, and existing health conditions impact a shroom trip. You must also consider prescriptions and other drugs you take while using shrooms.
Oral ingestion
The most common way people use shrooms is orally. One method is to grind the dried shrooms into a powder and encapsulate them into a pill for easy consumption.
- Tea
Shrooms can also be steeped in hot water to make mushroom tea. This creates a warm tea. Some individuals find this method decreases the chances of nausea, which is a common side effect of shrooms. - Lemon Tek
This technique uses dried mushrooms soaked in lemon juice or another acidic juice. Some people believe the juice’s acidic nature increases the rate of conversion of psilocybin into psilocin in the body. They feel a more intense effect from the drug. - Alcohol
As with many drugs, people often drink alcohol while taking shrooms. Since both substances alter your perception and cognition, the effects of the combination cannot be determined beforehand. Mixing the two can lead to engaging in risky behaviors, stomach pain, and overall increased strain on the body. - Combining them may amplify the effects and lead to unpredictable reactions, potentially increasing the risk of anxiety, paranoia, confusion, and panic attacks.
Microdosing
Microdosing is consuming a small dose of shrooms regularly. With each continued dose, the amount of the drug is ever so slightly increased. People microdose for the less severe effects of focus and mood. Microdosing usually doesn’t lead to a trip when done in minimal amounts.
Edibles
Edibles are just as they sound. Individuals eat the dried mushrooms as they are or mix them with other foods and beverages.
- Powdered Form
Individuals will take the dried shrooms and grind them into a powder. The powder is infused into oil or better. The resulting fat is typically used to make brownies, cookies, and other desserts. - Chocolate Bars
Using the powdered form of shrooms, some people mix it into chocolate and allow it to harden. The result is chocolate bars or chocolate candies. - Honey and Syrup
Using the powder, it can be infused into honey and syrup to use as a sweetener. The active compounds of the shrooms infuse through the sweetener over time. - Smoking
Smoking magic mushrooms is not a suggested approach to consumption. Once the shrooms are heated, the psychedelic properties are not as effective. The weakened trip or no trip can lead to people abusing the drug. When people smoke shrooms, they usually crush them into a pipe. Others roll into a joint with cannabis or marijuana. The smoke produced from smoking mushrooms can be too harsh for some people. It can cause lung irritation and give off a thick, dark cloud.
What are the Risks of Smoking Shrooms?
The side effects of smoking shrooms can adversely affect your body. The following are the most common risks:
- Smoking shrooms can irritate the lungs and cause other respiratory issues.
- Smoking shrooms lowers the psychedelic properties of the drug. This can cause people to overconsume the drug. An overdose is possible.
- Knowing the exact psychoactive compounds in each dose is challenging without conducting an in-depth scientific analysis. The consequences of not knowing can make individual effects unpredictable.
- Smoking shrooms can increase the chances of developing a mental health disorder or experiencing the symptoms of one. Some individuals experience anxiety, paranoia, confusion, and panic attacks during a bad trip.
- Smoking shrooms can lower the immune system. A weakened immune system can make the body susceptible to infections. Respiratory infections are the most common.
- Smoking shrooms can have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system. Increased heart rate, blood pressure changes, and blood vessel damage could occur.
While there is extensive research on other forms of ingesting shrooms, ongoing medical research is being done, and anecdotal evidence is collected to understand better the effects of smoking shrooms on the body.
What Does a Shroom High Feel Like?
The experience of a shroom high, or the psychedelic effects of magic mushrooms, isn’t the same for each person. However, there are some common elements often reported after a shroom trip:
- Altered perception: Sensory reactions are heightened by a shroom trip. The look of colors is more vibrant. Textures become more defined. Sounds can be felt and not just heard.
- Hallucinations: People tend to experience fixed objects appearing to move, breathe, or have other humanistic characteristics. Things also seem to break down into smaller pieces and components.
- Heightened emotions: Feelings of excitement, euphoria, and self-reflection are common. However, negative feelings of anxiety, depression, and anxiousness can be magnified.
- Altered sense of time: During a shroom trip, people lose their sense of time. Some people report a feeling as though times stand still during a trip. Coming back to the present or reality can feel overwhelming and an adjustment.
How Do I Know What a Shroom Overdoes Looks Like?
A shroom overdose can occur with excessive doses. Excessive amounts are easily consumed during smoking. A bad trip can result in an overwhelming experience for many. Some potential signs of a shroom overdose can include:
- Intense and prolonged hallucinations
- Extreme anxiety and fear
- Loss of self-identity and ego dissolution
- Time dilation and distorted perception
- Physical discomfort and nausea
What do you do if Someone is Experiencing an Overdose?
If someone you know might be experiencing an overdose, you must respond with urgency. Remain calm and consider the following steps:
- Time is of the essence when it comes to an overdose. Life-saving measures must be taken, so it’s crucial to call 911 immediately.
- Stay with the individual until help arrives. If the individual is responsive, keep them awake and speaking while monitoring their breathing.
- If you are trained to perform CPR, do so immediately. Alternatively, a 911 operator can talk you through the steps.
- Even if you aren’t sure if an individual has overdosed, the best course of action is to seek immediate medical help.
- If you have it, administer naloxone. In most states, individuals can purchase naloxone from many pharmacies without a prescription. Local health departments and community-based organizations have naloxone at little or no cost. Naloxone rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and restores normal breathing.
Immediate and proper care is the only way to save lives. Calling emergency services for help is the most critical step to take in the possible event of an overdose.
Who do I know if I Have a Shroom Addiction?
A shroom addiction has symptoms to be aware of. The following shows why smoking shrooms is a bad idea.
- Taking shrooms in large amounts over long periods
- Difficulty cutting down or controlling shroom use
- Spending a lot of time obtaining shrooms, using them, or recovering
- Craving shrooms or experiencing intense urges to use them
- Continuing to abuse shrooms in the face of negative consequences, such as problems with work, school, or relationships
- Developing a high tolerance to shrooms
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when shrooms are not used
What are the Symptoms of Shroom Withdrawal?
Shroom withdrawal is the physical and psychological symptoms that begin when a person stops using the drug. Shroom withdrawal can be difficult and uncomfortable. However, it is the first step toward recovery and riding the body of the effects of shrooms.
Here are some of the symptoms and duration of shroom withdrawal:
- Symptoms can include anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, muscle aches, sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, and intense cravings for the drug. These symptoms are mild to severe, depending on the individual’s dependence level.
- The timeline for shroom withdrawal can vary depending on the individual and the specific drugs used. Symptoms usually start within 12 hours of the last use. Symptoms can last up to a week or more.
- Shroom withdrawal can be managed with medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This treatment uses medications to help manage symptoms and reduce cravings. Behavioral therapy approaches can also help address the underlying psychological factors contributing to addiction.
- Risks are real. Shroom withdrawal should be conducted with medical supervision. The process can be dangerous and cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and other medical complications that require monitoring.
What is the Timeline for Shroom Withdrawal?
It is to understand the withdrawal process for shrooms. Knowing the process makes going through it easier to continue. Continuing reduces the risk of relapse or ongoing drug abuse.
The first stage is acute, followed by less severe, and post-acute withdrawal is last. Post-acute withdrawal can last longer and be more challenging to manage. They all have adverse side effects. Below are some of the common shroom withdrawal symptoms and duration.
Acute withdrawal starts with a crash 1-2 days after the amphetamines usage ceases. From there, acute withdrawal symptoms begin and can last 5-14 days, on average. Acute withdrawal symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Bodily twitches
- Slowed reaction and response time
- Muscle aches and pains
- Irritability
- Vivid dreams and nightmares
- Depression
Severe withdrawal picks up where acute withdrawal leaves off. This stage typically happens 1-2 weeks after the last dose. Some severe withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Intense cravings
- Anxiety
- Irritability and agitation
- Increased depression
- Hallucinations or psychosis
- Seizures or delirium tremens (DTs)
Post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) occur when withdrawal effects last longer than 2 weeks. Some individuals have reported experiencing PAWS years into recovery. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms:
- Short-term memory issues
- Inability to focus, concentrate, or maintain attention
- Lack of self-control
- Depression
- Suicidal ideation
- Inability to experience pleasure
- Substance cravings
- Fatigue
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Physical pain without a medical origin
Medical professionals may prescribe medications to help manage these symptoms, enhancing a person’s ability to remain sober and healthy.
Why Choose Southeast Addiction Center Georgia?
Southeast Addiction Center Georgia understands the struggles of addiction. Our multi-disciplined team’s expertise provides various treatment approaches and program options.
Our facility has Joint Commission accreditation, current licensing, and qualified staff. We understand your needs and provide the care you need. Our wide range of services provides the resources you need to overcome alcohol symptoms and withdrawal.
While our clients receive treatment, our clinicians ensure they are comfortable and in a calming environment. We support each person’s physical, emotional, and mental recovery. Therefore, we want our clients to know they are well cared for. Our amenities promote relaxation and privacy as needed.
Southeast Addiction Center Georgia’s Addiction Treatment Approaches and Programs
Addiction is when the brain and body have developed a substance dependence. One minute, life is good, and being under the influence is the best way to feel. While specific life stressors might feel more manageable, the body is busy creating new challenges from the impact of addiction.
Addiction treatment means working towards recovery and developing new coping skills and habits. At Southeast Addiction Center Georgia, our approaches to addiction introduce clients to positive coping mechanisms. This makes it easier to reduce cravings. Below are some of the modalities we use for shroom addiction treatment.
Addiction Treatment Approaches:
- Detox
- Medically-Assisted Detox (MAT)
- Relapse Prevention
- Holistic Treatment
- Family Program
- Alumni Program
- EMDR Therapy
Addiction Treatment Programs:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Outpatient Treatment Program (OP)
Seeking Treatment for Shroom Addiction
We specialize in assisting individuals who are struggling with shroom addiction. Southeast Addiction Center Georgia offers therapies that help clients develop new ways to cope with substance abuse. A supportive environment makes it easier for clients to focus on their recovery and regain control over their lives.
If you or a loved one needs support combatting this addiction, we encourage you to contact us at 888-981-8263 or by email at info@southeastaddiction.com.
