Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms

Liberties
Liberty Caps
Magic mushrooms
Mushies
Shrooms
Psilocybe Semilanceata

Scientific Names: Psilocybe Semilanceata

Generic Names: Psychedelic mushroom

An example of what Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms looks like

You cannot always be sure that what you buy is what you get, but if you want to send any substance off for testing, you can send it to WEDINOS

What does it look like?

There are hundreds of species of mushrooms that have a psychoactive effect. The two main ones native to the UK are Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) and the much more common Liberty Cap (Psilocybe Semilanceata). Liberty Cap are small beige/brown mushrooms with a distinctive nipple on the cap in their natural state, they go a darker brown when dried. Active ingredients: Psilocybin (converted by the body to Psilocin when taken).

Effects of Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms

Desired Effects:

Similar to LSD i.e. distortions in perceptions of reality, hallucinations.

Side Effects:

Confusion
Disorientation
Loss of coordination
Nausea and vomiting
Distortions in time and space
Dizziness.
Hallucinogens are unpredictable and subjective in their nature and symptoms can vary.

Harm Reduction

If you are picking your own, make sure you study pictures first to avoid picking a poisonous one by mistake.
If it is your first time, be prepared for the experience by reading everything you can beforehand.
The main effects of Psilocybin mushrooms last 4 to 6 hours, so make sure you don’t have to be anywhere important while still tripping.
Find somewhere to use where you feel safe and secure to reduce any risk of anxiety, paranoia or panic or turning the experience into a bad trip.
It is always better to have a sitter (ground controller) with you during the experience. I.e., someone who has experience of using the drug who stays straight and can calm and reassure you if the trip turns bad.
Agree some rules before you take a trip about looking after each other or if there is a serious problem about getting help.

Short term risks

Accidents whilst under the influence, anxiety, emotional distress, Poisoning.

Desired risks

Hallucinations and hilarity - but shorter-acting, 3-7 hours depending on how many are taken.

Long term risks

Risk of triggering underlying psychological problems. Can create short term increases in tolerance.

Risks

Long term risks:

As with other hallucinogenic substances there may be some risk of triggering underlying psychological problems and are risky for people with pre-existing mental health conditions.

Short term risks:

Accidents whilst under the influence
Anxiety, emotional distress (i.e. bad-trip)
Poisoning, by accidentally picking a more toxic variety of mushroom.

How does Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms work?

Psilocin has a similar structure to the key neurotransmitter serotonin, so activates the same receptors in the brain that serotonin activates.

Legal status of Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms

Class A, both fresh and prepared (e.g. dried or stewed) under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

How is Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms taken?

Eaten fresh or dried or brewed into a tea.

Paraphernalia

None.

Medical uses of Psilocybin Magic Mushrooms

None (at present).

Where Does it 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. Mushroom oil containing psilocin is also available, but like many street drugs this is often mis-sold and may contain a different synthetic psychedelic drug.

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.