Addiction to the Drug Mushrooms Psilocybin

The drug mushrooms (psilocybin) have a long history due to their psychedelic properties. These have been used in ceremonial and religious rites before and these have been ingested in altering reality and perceptions. These have been a part of the culture of drugs and these have been called “magic mushrooms”.

What are Mushrooms (Psilocybin)?

Psilocybin mushrooms are also called as psychedelic mushrooms containing the compounds of psilocin and psilocybin. The usual colloquial terms consist of shrooms and magic mushrooms. These are utilized mainly as a recreational drug and entheogen with effects that include changed thinking processes, euphoria, open and closed-eye visuals, spiritual experiences and synesthesia. In regard with biological genera, it contains psilocybin mushrooms such as Galerina, Copelandia, Mycena, Gymnopilus, Pholiotina, Inocybe, Pluteus, Panaeolus and Psilocybe. Almost one-hundred species have been classified as Psilocybe.

In addition to that, especially during the prehistoric times, psilocybin mushrooms have been utilized. These have been depicted as well during the rock art of Stone Age in Africa and Europe. These also boast for a long history of use in Meso-America. There are lots of cultures these days that continue to use these mushrooms in religious ceremonies and rites.

Symptoms

It has been commonly observed that psilocybin mushrooms are found naturally. These can be eaten whole or can be brewed in tea. These have an instant effect in the body giving a hallucinogenic or out of the body experience. The “trip” or “high” from mushrooms would usually last for 4 to 5 hours including all other side effects. As per the symptoms or the effects brought by taking psilocybin mushrooms, these will depend on the type and the size of the mushrooms. This will also vary in how mushrooms are being ingested.

According to the studies of Brown University, a user will experience the following symptoms:

• Dry mouth
• Sweating, Shivering and chills
• Dilated Pupils
• Convulsions
• Loss of bladder control or urinary control
• Paranoia
• Inability to distinguish reality and fantasy
• Poor Coordination
• Vomiting or Nausea
• Changes in the Perception
• Appears to be very paranoid, nervous and anxious often accompanied with terrified feelings

Effects

In addition to the symptoms felt, the use of psilocybin mushrooms can really be long-lasting. The effects are most certainly fatal as well. Even based on the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people who often engage in drug abuse suffer from mental illness. The co-occurring disorders may have existed regarding the abuse and the exposure to these drugs. If users already have mental illnesses, they may still exacerbate with the consistent use of the drug.

With the published study of Brown University, psilocybin mushrooms often abused in two categories; for mania and depression and mental illnesses like schizophrenia. Often, the symptoms will be the same with chronic mental illnesses that can delay effective and proper treatment.

Over time, this condition may get worse and especially with the case of schizophrenia, the lack of treatment proved to be dangerous. The welfare and the safety of an individual will be at stake especially with friends and families.

Nevertheless, fatal side effects due to overdose or overuse of psilocybin mushroom are rare. This is just the same as hallucinogenic drugs such as mescaline and marijuana.

Physical and Psychological Effects Include:

• Derealization
• Muscle Weakness
• Depersonalization
• Panic Reactions
• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Hallucination

Prior to these side effects, these have been continuously addressed by addiction treatment centers. Appropriate therapies and programs are usually carried out to reduce and prevent the occurrence of these effects in the near future.

Acute negative experiences and negative effects usually occur. As mentioned, these are usually called as “bad trips” by almost all mushroom users. First-time users of mushrooms usually experience these trips. This is also especially if they take a large dose of psilocybin mushroom in such an inappropriate setting or environment. The unpleasant and disconcerting experience is amplified by the existing psychological disorder like anxiety disorder or depression. One may be disturbed by hallucinations, nightmares or fear after the potency of the drug has subsided.

Over a long-time period of abuse of psilocybin mushrooms, it may lead to the development of illnesses or disorders like HPPD or “hallucinogen persisting perception disorder”. This is usually known as “flashback” while a user tends to experience hallucinations right after the mushroom ingestion.

Other users of LSD, have also been discovered to develop HPPD. This is actually common among psilocybin users and this is linked with polydrug abuse. Even hunters of psilocybin mushrooms have exposed themselves to mushroom poisoning. With lots of mushroom species that continue to grow around, misidentification often could lead to hunting toxic mushrooms. Some people are not yet experienced in hunting mushrooms and they do not further realize toxic mushrooms. These toxic species exist and they resemble psilocybin mushrooms.

With all the side effects mentioned above, some of these may be serious and some may continue years or weeks after one has finally quit using it. The effects will also be reduced right after the drug has run of its course.

In addition to that, one must consider the different outcomes that mushrooms will bring in other areas of life. There will be a potential loss in the family, in financial stability, and in career. The use of these mushrooms could also lead one to spend more time in prison.

There is not yet any documented evidence considering the withdrawal symptoms felt in the abuse of mushrooms.

What Treatments for Mushrooms (Psilocybin) Addiction?

Those people who are addicted to the use of mushrooms will be treated differently. The habit of abusing the drug is more common these days. Rehabilitation is also the main treatment in regard with psychological dependency. There is no pure and magic antidote to put a stop to mushroom trips. A person still continues through it all until then that the drug has no effect.

Lots of multiple approaches and rehabilitations have been offered as well these days. Broadway treatment center will basically implement several methods in creating a unique personal program around the abuse of mushrooms and other disorders.

The treatment should also address psychological issues. Nevertheless, the success of treatment will depend on the rehabilitation center, family and friends, psychotherapist treatment and more. It will also entirely depend on acknowledging the problem of a user and asking assistance from professionals and loved ones.

 

Rehabilitation and Detox

Psilocybin mushroom is just like any psychedelic drug forms. This does not induce physical dependence or addiction. For those abusers of drug over a long-term period, they may develop mild or moderate tolerance to it. This one can prompt a user of increasing her or his daily dosage of mushroom. This will therefore generate the defined effects of the drug.

Moderate to mild psychological dependence will also be possible. This is particularly true if a person takes it for therapeutic-related purposes. Recreational abusers of mushroom will use it to experience more good trips. They may continue abusing and using psilocybin in maintaining the euphoria that is experienced.

Considering the fact that psilocybin mushrooms do not have fatal withdrawal symptoms, the detox will also not need drug replacement therapy. Nevertheless, while chemicals will be stored in all fatty tissues, discontinuation from the use of it will cause moderate to mild withdrawal symptoms.

The slow reduction of dosage is usually suggested. The main purpose is to avoid unfavorable withdrawal side effects. In order to effectively reduce HPPD symptoms, sensory stimulation will also need to be performed.

In addition to that, benzodiazepines will also be administered throughout the detoxification process that helps control or prevent agitation and seizures. Nevertheless, detoxification will never be enough in the treatment of addiction. Broadway Treatment Centers would often suggest a person to enter a rehab facility for continued recovery and rehabilitation.

In drug rehabilitation, an abuser will receive a behavioral-based therapy like the cognitive behavioral therapy. After the rehabilitation, a patient will choose to continue and will receive outpatient programs and therapies. These therapies would include motivational incentives, multidimensional family therapy and motivational interviewing.

History of Ceremonial and Religious Use of Psilocybin Mushrooms

There were already one-hundred psilocybin mushroom species that can be seen all over the United States, particularly in the Deep South and Pacific Northwest. Just the same with other psychedelic drugs, these have been utilized by most ancient people for hundreds to thousands of years.

Evidences have been seen in mushroom cults to have existed for 7,000 years in Algeria, Chad and Libya. The Aztecs also have once called psilocybin mushrooms as “flesh of the gods” or “teonanacati”. These have also been utilized in most beverages as a sacred ritual drink.

Mushroom cults and cultural traits moved from the Asian to Western countries with Mexican and American migrants. Nevertheless, during the times of the European conquest, clergies attempted to put a stop to the use of psilocybin mushrooms in religious practices and ceremonial rites. This was their way to convert users to Christianity.

Even those people who resisted that said conquest were pushed underground. They still continued the use and the practice of mushroom rites and ceremonies. Psilocybin mushrooms are still being held in respect by the Native Mexicans. They are still those people who made use of mushrooms in the holy ceremonies.

Legality

Psilocybin mushrooms have been made to be illegal. These are illegal when sold and when used in countries such as the United Kingdom, United States, Finland, the Netherlands and Belgium. These have also been classified as the Schedule I Drugs. This only means to say that it is potentially known to be abused.

In addition to that, these have not been regulated by the FDA or Food and Drug Administration or UN Treaties. Despite the new interest in the medical and psychological benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, they are still not used medically. They lack the accepted safety regulations and usage.

Usage and Availability

Psilocybin mushrooms have once been mentioned to grow wild in the different parts of the U.S. Lots of mushrooms contained the ingredient called psilocybin, often found in the Pacific Northwest. Lots of species have also been known to grow through the use of simple and inexpensive techniques.

Mexico and United States have been the main sources of magic and psilocybin mushrooms. The addiction treatment is focused on controlling the mushroom addiction cases. In addition to that, psilocybin is an active ingredient found in magic mushrooms.

In addition to the information mentioned about psilocybin mushrooms, there are one-hundred ninety species of psilocybin mushrooms. Each of these mushrooms is known to contain various potencies of psilocybin. It will still therefore depend on the species that dried mushroom doses will usually range from 1 to 5 grams.

Moreover, psilocybin mushrooms have been regarded as the most expensive hallucinogenic drug forms. This will also depend on the demand and the supply. Dried mushrooms will usually start at the cost of 100 dollars to 300 dollars every ounce.

A lot of mushroom abusers usually encounter financial issues prior to the intake of mushrooms. Throughout the treatment, professional therapists and professional counselors will help users in resolving their financial problems related to drug addiction.

Common Street Names of Psilocybin Mushrooms

Other street names that psilocybin mushrooms are known for include little smoke, boomers, sacred mushroom, Mexican mushrooms, simple Simon, sacred mushroom, God’s flesh, hombrecitos and silly putty.

When these have been used with ecstasy or MDMA, it will now be called as hippieflip or flower flipping. The treatment facilities would usually familiarize all their patients about the street names of psilocybin mushrooms. They may give their suggestions regarding the ways to avoid all these drugs.

If your family is an abuser of psilocybin mushroom, seek immediate help from an addiction treatment center. Call them on their helpline in order to provide you immediate advice and help. This way, your loved one will get the assistance prior to mushroom treatment, recovery and addiction.

Call Broadway Treatment Center now for addiction treatment and recovery! We are available 24/7 at 714-398-8218.