Magic Mushrooms
Liberty caps, shrooms, liberties, mushies, magics. Street names for drugs can vary around the country.
What does Magic Mushrooms look like?
Small white mushrooms in their natural state, brown when dried, with a distinctive nipple on the cap. Active ingredients: Psilocybin & Psilocin.
Scientific Names
Psilocybe Semilanceata
Generic Name
Liberty Cap
Effects Of Magic Mushrooms
Desired Effects:
Similar to LSD i.e. hallucinations and hilarity - but shorter-acting, 3-7 hours depending on how many are taken.
Side-Effects:
Confusion, disorientation, loss of coordination, nausea, distortions in time and space, dizziness. Hallucinogens unpredictable and subjective in their nature and symptoms can vary.
Risks
Short-term:
Accidents whilst under the influence, anxiety, emotional distress (i.e. bad-Trip). Poisoning, by accidentally picking a more toxic variety of mushroom.
Long-term:
As with other Hallucinogenic substances there may be some risk of triggering underlying psychological problems. Not physically addictive although they can create short term increases in Tolerance.
Reducing Harm
Please view our Reducing Harm page for more information.
How do Magic Mushrooms work?
Legal status of Magic Mushrooms
Class A, both fresh and prepared (e.g. dried or stewed) under the Misuse of Drugs Act, since the Drugs Act 2005 changed the law on mushrooms containing Psilocin or psilocybin.
How Are Magic Mushrooms Taken?
Eaten or brewed into a tea.
Paraphernalia
None.
Medical uses of Magic Mushrooms
None.
Where do they come from?
Psilocybin mushrooms grow in all parts of Britain during the autumn. Users may go on a picking spree during this time, dry the mushrooms and store for later use. Some are sold on the illicit market when out of season.
Helping services
Most areas of the UK have 'street agencies' or projects (sometimes called community drug services or community drug teams) which offer a range of services including information and advice, counselling, and sometimes support groups and complementary therapies such as acupuncture. Some services have extended working hours and may offer weekend support. If use of this substance becomes a problem you can seek help, advice and counselling from a service in your area. GPs can make referrals to specialist drug services.
Parents & other relatives
Many drug agencies also provide lots of advice and support to parents, family members and partners of people using drugs. They may provide relative support groups or advice, guidance and counselling on a one to one basis.
You can view a list of National Drug Agencies.
If you would like to talk about Magic Mushrooms problems then please call the DAN 24/7 Helpline on:
