Magic Mushrooms
(shrooms, mushies, liberty caps)
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain Psilocybin, the substance that causes a psychedelic effect. There are over 180 known species of magic mushrooms found all across the globe. The type that grows in the UK is called Liberty Cap (Psilocybe Semilanceata), but if you’re buying, it’s more likely that they will be Cubensis (Psilocybe Cubensis).
Effects | Dosage | Advice | Support
Effects
The effects of magic mushrooms should take 10-60 minutes to kick in and last around 4-6 hours. The experience will be affected by the environment you take them in.
- Visual hallucinations
- Auditory hallucinations
- Distortions of time
- Spiritual connection to the earth and other people
- Giggles
- Anxiety/paranoia
- Confusion
- Nausea/vomiting
Dosage
Shrooms can come in lots of forms; dried, fresh, in food, and in drops. The dose will depend on the type you’re using, the batch, the species, and how hard you want to trip. As a general guide, 1-2g of dried shrooms is a common dose, the strength of food and drops will vary. We recommend doing a test dose with every batch, and always Start Low, Take It Slow.
Harm Reduction Advice
- Shrooms can take a while to kick in, anywhere between 10 minutes to 2 hours, so avoid re-dosing within this time, even if the effects aren’t as strong as you’d expected.
- Think about your set and setting. If you’re not in the right headspace, or not feeling comfortable in your environment, save your trip for another day.
- Sometimes shrooms can be overwhelming, or you can experience a ‘bad trip’. It can be helpful to have a ‘trip sitter’, someone who remains sober, who can provide support and reassurance, and get help if necessary.
- Use with people you know and trust in a calm, safe environment, especially if you’re new to psychedelic drugs.
- You’re likely to feel depleted after using drugs. Hydrate, eat something nutritious and rest. Click here for more information on taking care of yourself after a session.
- Mixing drugs, including alcohol, can be risky. Mixing shrooms with other drugs with psychedelic properties (e.g. ket, 2C-B, acid, cannabis) can lead to an overwhelming experience. Click here for more information on drug combinations.
- Be incredibly careful if you go mushroom picking. Misidentified mushrooms are much more likely to put you in hospital than magic mushrooms themselves.
- If you’re out and about, make sure you and your mates have a safe way to get home, definitely don’t drive.
Access Support
The Drop is BDP’s one stop shop for support, advice and resources around party drugs.
