Side Effects Of Psilocybin

Psilocybin is a psychoactive substance found in some fungi around the world. Along with psilocin, another psychoactive chemical, this illegal substance contributes to consciousness alteration for a few hours. While not addictive, psilocybin can have many unpleasant physical side effects. Users who are not mentally stable or who take the drug in an unsafe environment may experience severe, but temporary, psychological stress.

Physical

The effects of psilocybin usually begin 30 minutes after ingestion. Many of these first effects are negative including restlessness, nausea, chills, weakness in the legs and general malaise. The National Institute of Drug Abuse also lists pupil dilation, vomiting and excessive drowsiness as symptoms. Some users may feel dizzy and clumsy. These side effects generally disappear within an hour of ingestion, and are replaced with more positive feelings of well-being, according to Paul Gahlinger, M.D., in his book "Illegal Drugs."

Emotional

While it has only one-hundredth of the potency of LSD, psilocybin has similar effects on consciousness. Alterations in perception, emotional sensitivity and difficulty focusing can have a disturbing effect for users who are not prepared. Anxiety, paranoia and panic are possible, but these feelings can usually be quelled by a supportive friend. Large doses of psilocybin, however, may instigate serious mental instability in those who have a history of psychiatric conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Ordinarily, the emotional aspects of the "trip" are more powerful than the changes of perception that occur, such as light and halo effects. In some cases, memories of trauma can spontaneously emerge. It is precisely this tendency that has led psychiatrists to research psilocybin and psilocin as a treatment in psychotherapy, according to the book "Sacred Mushrooms of Vision." Without a "safe container," however, these deep psychological effects may do more harm than good.

Psycho-Spiritual

Psilocybin has a known effect to induce mystical experiences, according to a researchers from John Hopkins Medical Center. Without community support, however, these experiences could be traumatic. Known as "spiritual emergency," this condition can be brought on by psychedelic drugs or other life events that disturb the sufferer's sense of meaning in the world, according to psychiatrist David Lukoff. Many who take hallucinogenic mushrooms in a social setting or party scene are not prepared for these possibilities, and they may have difficulty finding the social support they need to make it through the period of inebriation.