Psilocybin

A psychedelic compound found in Psilocybe mushrooms that can cause hallucinations, euphoria, mystical experiences, and a variety of other effects.

Psilocybin

Also called:

Mushrooms

Magic mushrooms

Shrooms

Mushies

Boomers

Caps

Cubes (short for Psilocybe cubensis

the Latin name of a common psychedelic mushroom species)

Pizza toppings

What you need to know

Your individual experience may vary based on your medical history, genetics, environment, habits, and other factors.

You may experience

Euphoria, energy, giggling, sense of peace, feeling happy, relaxation, introspectiveness, anxiousness, paranoia, panic

Possible effects

Visual and auditory distortions, hallucinations, altered sense of time, dilated pupils, possible nausea (usually brief)

How long it takes to feel effects

Typically 10-40 minutes; up to 90 minutes, especially if you’ve recently eaten a big meal

How long do effects last?

4-6 hours, or longer with a large dose.

Risks

A “bad trip,” which may include anxiety, stress, panic, and paranoia. There’s also a risk of eating poisonous mushrooms, mistaking them for psilocybin mushrooms. Be wary of picking mushrooms yourself unless you know what you’re doing.

Frequently asked questions

Here are a few frequently asked questions about psilocybin

What Are Psilocybin Mushrooms?status

Psilocybin mushrooms (also called “magic mushrooms” or just “shrooms”) are a class of mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a potent psychedelic compound. Psilocybin mushrooms are a popular recreational drug and are also being studied for their therapeutic effects on depression, anxiety, addiction, and more.

How Much Is a Microdose of Psilocybin?status

A standard psilocybin microdose is about 0.35 to 0.70 grams of dried psilocybin mushroom, which is 10-20% of a full dose. A microdose should be low enough that you don’t feel any strong hallucinogenic effects and can go about your day normally.

What Type of Drug Is Psilocybin?status

Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug, also called a hallucinogen. It can cause visual and auditory distortions, hallucinations, a warped perception of time, euphoria, ego death (a loss of your sense of self, paired with a feeling of connection to the world around you), mystical experiences, anxiety, and paranoia.

How Long Do Magic Mushrooms Stay in Your System?status

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, stays in your system for up to 10 days after you take it. Research shows that it’s detectable in urine for a minimum of 7 days. However, most standard drug tests don’t test for psilocybin or other psychedelics.

Learn more about

emergency

In Case of Emergency

For immediate medical attention, call 9-1-1 in the US. If you live outside the US, call your emergency line.

If you or someone you know are struggling with substance use or addiction, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information about support and treatment facilities in your area.

The journey to a better mind starts here

Sign up for the Mind Notes newsletter and be the first to know about psychedelic news, research, trends, and more.

mindbetter
InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedin
disclaimer

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or medical advice. All information, content, and materials available on this site are for general educational and informational purposes only. See Terms & Conditions.