Historically used in Indigenous ceremonies, psilocybin (magic mushrooms) has gained attention in recent years for its potential role in mental health treatment and personal growth.
It is not possible to overdose on psilocybin in the traditional sense; it does not depress breathing or heart function the way opioids or alcohol can. However, taking high doses can cause intense psychological distress, panic, confusion, paranoia, or dangerous behavior, especially in unsupervised or unsafe environments [1].
Risks increase for individuals with certain mental health conditions, such as psychotic disorders, and when psilocybin is combined with other substances. While psilocybin has a relatively low toxicity profile, it is not risk-free, and setting, dose, and mental health history play an important role.
What Is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, often called “magic mushrooms.” Chemically, psilocybin is a prodrug, meaning it converts in the body to psilocin, the substance responsible for its psychoactive effects.
Psilocin interacts primarily with serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, altering perception, mood, and cognition. These changes can include intensified sensory experiences, shifts in time perception, emotional openness, and profound changes in thought patterns or sense of self. In high doses, users report vivid hallucinations and dissolution of self (ego death) [1].
Research shows psilocybin reduces activity in the brain’s default mode network, a system linked to rigid thought loops. This disruption may explain why some people experience lasting changes in perspective, creativity, or emotional processing after a single guided experience [2].
Unlike many recreational substances, psilocybin is not physically addictive and does not stimulate the brain’s reward system in the same way as drugs like opioids or stimulants, though its psychological effects can be powerful.
What Are The Effects of Taking Psilocybin?
Psilocybin is best known for its effects on perception, emotion, and thought, including intense colors, heightened sensory awareness, visual patterns, and shifts in the sense of time and self.
After ingestion, effects typically begin within 20 to 40 minutes, peak around 2 to 4 hours, and gradually taper off over about 4 to 6 hours, though higher doses can last longer.
| Physical /Sensory | Emotional | Behavioral |
| Dilated pupils | Joy, gratitude, sense of connection | More talkative or social |
| Increased heart rate and blood pressure | Anxiety, fear, or panic at higher doses | Emotionally expressive |
| High body temperature, sweating | Heightened emotional sensitivity | May struggle to communicate or complete tasks normally |
| Nausea or vomiting | Mood swings, irritability, or aggression at higher doses | Social withdrawal, isolation, inability to move or speak |
The History and Culture of Psilocybin: Why Do People Trip On Shrooms?
Psychonauts and Exploring Consciousness
For psychonauts (a subgroup on Reddit who use psychedelics to explore their consciousness), psilocybin is a tool for mapping the mind. This group views mushrooms as a way to explore perception, ego dissolution, and altered states.
Unlike recreational use, psychonaut culture encourages intention, journaling, and inner discovery, often influenced by figures like Terence McKenna.
Indigenous Culture and Ancestral Mushroom Traditions
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in Indigenous ceremonial and healing practices, particularly among Mazatec communities in Mexico. These traditions frame mushrooms as sacred teachers rather than drugs. Colonial suppression of these practices reflects the history of religious and cultural erasure tied to Western drug prohibition [3].
Modern Spiritual Seekers and Mysticism
Many people use psilocybin for spiritual or existential reasons, reporting feelings of unity, meaning, and transcendence. In the 1960s and 70s, mushrooms became associated with countercultural movements that challenged organized religion and authority. Today, interest has resurfaced in similar communities.
Mycologists and Nature Enthusiasts
Some are drawn to psilocybin through a broader interest in fungi. Mycology highlights mushrooms as ecologically vital organisms with complex intelligence and communication networks [4]. Psilocybin mushrooms, in this context, are part of a deeper relationship with nature rather than a party substance.
Is Psilocybin Legal?
Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act, meaning the U.S. government currently considers it to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
Despite federal law, several states and cities have pushed towards decriminalization and legalization efforts for regulated therapeutic use. These include [5]:
- Oregon legalized psilocybin for therapeutic use in licensed treatment centers.
- Colorado has passed laws allowing regulated psilocybin-assisted therapy.
- New Mexico allows medical psilocybin under supervision for serious mental health conditions.
- Several cities, including Washington D.C. and Oakland, California, have decriminalized possession of mushrooms.
What Are The Risks of Taking Magic Mushrooms?
Although taking psilocybin does not cause overdose or death, there are several risks associated with its use [6].
Psychological Distress
Psilocybin can cause anxiety, panic, paranoia, or hallucinations, especially at high doses or in unfamiliar environments. Individuals with a personal or family history of psychosis are at higher risk of triggering lasting mental health issues.
Impaired Judgement and Safety
During a psilocybin experience, perception and decision-making are altered. This can lead to risky behaviors, accidents, or injuries if users engage in activities such as driving, hiking, or operating machinery.
Physical Effects
Common physical effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and changes in blood pressure. While rarely life-threatening, these effects can be uncomfortable and increase risk if combined with other substances or preexisting health conditions.
Risk of HPDD
In rare cases, users may experience long-term visual disturbances or mood changes called hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD). This is uncommon, but highlights the need for careful dosing and supervision.
Psychedelic Abuse Treatment in Utah
At Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness, our compassionate team of clinical psychiatrists and experienced therapists is committed to providing supervised medication management and behavioral interventions to help adults recover from substance use disorders, including club drugs and psychedelics such as LSD, ecstasy, and GHB.
Through a holistic, blended approach, we address each aspect of your health to support long-term recovery and deep, whole-person healing. Contact our admissions team for trusted support today.
Sources
[1] Dodd, S. et al. 2022. Psilocybin in neuropsychiatry: a review of its pharmacology, safety, and efficacy. Cambridge.
[2] National Institute of Health. 2024. How psychedelic drugs alter the brain.
[3] Loewen, L. 2025. Before the Microscope: The Sacred History of Psilocybin Mushrooms. Medium.
[4] Sheldrake, M. 2020. Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures.
[5] Carr, N. et al. 2025. Psilocybin Mushrooms and U.S. Legal Regulations 2025. Recovered.
[6] Kirschner, M. et al. (2025). Reconsidering evidence for psychedelic-induced psychosis: an overview of reviews, a systematic review, and meta-analysis of human studies. Molecular psychiatry, 30(3), 1223–1255.
