Psilocybin mushrooms, which are also called magic mushrooms or shrooms, are fungi that contain the active ingredient psilocybin. Psilocybin amounts can vary significantly from mushroom to mushroom, which means that the potency of the drug can vary considerably. This, in turn, can lead to some individuals misusing the drug, which is why overdose is a possibility.
Can an Individual Really Overdose on Magic Mushrooms?
How Does the Overdose Occur?
To understand how an individual can overdose on magic mushrooms, it is necessary to understand exactly how the drug works. Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, which affects the serotonin system of the body.
Psilocybin also affects other neurotransmitters, including dopamine, glutamate, and norepinephrine. The drug affects these neurotransmitters to create a sense of euphoria and dissociation. In addition, mushrooms can have some adverse symptoms, including nausea and vomiting.
To overdose, it is necessary to consume a large amount of psilocybin. However, the drug can be highly toxic and negatively affect the body when consumed at high doses. The manner in which the body processes psilocybin can also mean that an individual can ingest really high doses of psilocybin. This could lead to an overdose.
How Much Magic Shrooms Cause an Overdose?
The amount of psilocybin that individuals need to consume to overdose is unknown. Quite obviously, individuals will have different sizes and weights and, therefore, different levels of tolerance to the drug.
Further, the amount of psilocybin in a particular dose of magic mushrooms will vary from batch to batch. As a result, the psilocybin content of one mushroom, or even an entire batch of magic mushrooms, could differ significantly. So, even if a particular individual has consumed a high amount of psilocybin before, they may still be at risk of experiencing an overdose.
What Are the Symptoms of a Magic Shroom Overdose?
An individual experiencing an overdose on magic mushrooms will likely experience symptoms similar to those that they experience when they are coming down from a high. However, the individual will experience these negative symptoms at a greater intensity than they have previously.
The individual may experience severe hallucinatory symptoms, including:
- Auditory hallucinations
- Visual hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Impaired speech
- Tremors
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
Hallucinations are particularly problematic as they can lead to individuals harming themselves or others. Further, individuals experiencing adverse symptoms of a magic mushroom overdose may experience:
- Dilated pupils
- Sweating
- Dehydration
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Seizures
How Does Someone Cope With a Magic Shroom Overdose?
The most effective way for an individual to cope with a magic mushroom overdose is to prevent their body from absorbing the psilocybin. The individual should avoid taking any of the magic mushrooms they have ingested. They should also drink lots of water and avoid alcohol. As the liver processes psilocybin, the individual should take some acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce the drug’s effect on the liver.
How to Help Someone Who Has Taken a Magic Mushroom Overdose
As an individual who has taken a magic mushroom overdose may be experiencing effects similar to a bad trip, it is recommended that they get something to eat and drink when they start to feel better. The individual should stay hydrated, as psilocybin is processed in the kidneys and can lead to dehydration.
Further, the individual should avoid taking any more magic mushrooms. This is especially true if it is a particularly potent batch of mushrooms. In that case, an individual may have taken more psilocybin than they can handle. The individual may require hospitalization to control their symptoms. This can help them cope with their symptoms and prevent them from needing to go to the emergency room.
What Are the Dangers of Taking Magic Mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms can be dangerous as they have the potential to harm the individual’s mental health. They also have the potential to negatively affect an individual’s heart, lungs, and kidneys as they can lead to adverse symptoms such as:
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Increased risk of heart attacks and strokes
- Immune system damage
In some individuals, magic mushrooms have been associated with the onset of mental health issues. In particular, an individual may experience:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Schizophrenia
- Psychosis
- Bipolar disorder
To prevent these symptoms, it is vital that individuals practice moderation and not take the drug if they are going through the withdrawal process. While the signs they experience while coming down from a magic mushroom high will not be as bad as those of an actual mushroom, they can be enough to cause an individual to relapse.
What Are Withdrawal Symptoms From Magic Shrooms?
If an individual has gone through the withdrawal process from magic mushrooms, then they will have experienced some symptoms similar to those of an actual mushroom. In particular, the individual will have experienced:
- Intense cravings for magic mushrooms
- Sense of detachment
- Hallucinations
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Tremors
The individual may experience these symptoms for a few days or a few weeks.
It can be difficult for the individual to manage them as they will likely have strong cravings for magic mushrooms. This prospect can be challenging for an individual to cope with.
So, if an individual is going through the withdrawal process from magic mushrooms, it may be worth considering getting some addiction treatment to help them manage the symptoms. Further, they should consider the reasons that they started using magic mushrooms in the first place.
Without a clear understanding of their motivations and triggers, an individual is likely to relapse at some point in the future. If a magic mushroom abuser is going through withdrawal, it is important not to judge them but to ensure that they get the help they need.
How Long Does It Take for Someone to Detoxify From Magic Mushrooms?
The time for detoxification for both magic mushrooms and magic mushrooms will vary from person to person. Individuals may need to detox from an addiction to the drug for a few weeks or several months. This is especially true if an individual is addicted to a high dose of magic mushrooms.
Further, the individual may have developed a tolerance to the drug. In this case, their bodies may need to detox for longer than average. However, it is possible to speed up the detox process. The individual may reduce their detox period to several weeks if they attend an addiction treatment program.
While individuals addicted to magic mushrooms or magic mushrooms will not experience physical withdrawal symptoms, they can experience cravings. The sooner that a person can begin to detox from the drug, the sooner they can recover from the effects of their addiction.
Further, the sooner that they can begin to heal the damage that they have caused to their body as a result of their addiction. The individual should also follow the advice of their doctor to help them to achieve a successful detox. The doctor will likely recommend that they alleviate their cravings by engaging in activities they enjoy. This can help them distract themselves from their cravings and help them feel more positive during and after their detox.
Conclusion
Magic mushrooms can be dangerous as they do not only have the potential to cause physical harm, but they can affect an individual’s mental health. An individual may experience confusion, anxiety, depression, and paranoia due to their use of magic mushrooms. This is because their use of magic mushrooms can lead to a psychological addiction to the drug.
As a result of this, an individual may need to detox from magic mushrooms as a means of dealing with the symptoms that they experience when they are coming off of the drug. It can be difficult for an individual to detox from magic mushrooms, as they may experience cravings for the drug. However, if they get help from a doctor and an addiction treatment center, they can learn the skills they need to deal with those cravings in a healthy way.