Are Magic Mushrooms Addictive?

Magic mushrooms are a slang term for fungi known as psilocybin mushrooms. They are psychoactive and hallucinogenic, which means consuming them will cause you to experience a psychedelic high. The side effects of psilocybin mushrooms might include changes in sensory perception, heightened emotions, and visual or auditory hallucinations.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 7.4 million people in the United States reported abusing hallucinogens like shrooms in 2021.[1]

Magic mushrooms or shrooms can lead to a wide variety of physical and mental health risks when abused long-term. But can you get addicted to them?

Most experts do not believe that psilocybin mushrooms are addictive in the traditional sense. You will not experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop abusing them. That said, they are classified as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substance Act because of their high potential for abuse.[2]

Even though shrooms are not traditionally addictive, you can become psychologically dependent on them. You might think that you need them for some spiritual or psychological purpose, causing you to continue using them despite the risks of long-term abuse. If this sounds familiar, you should seek help from a drug rehab program.

In this article, you will learn:

• What are magic mushrooms?
• Can you get addicted to shrooms?
• What are the risks of abusing mushrooms?
• What are the signs of magic mushroom abuse?

What are Psilocybin Mushrooms?

Psilocybin mushrooms are a type of mushroom that causes hallucinations when consumed. People have been abusing them for years to have a psychedelic or spiritual experience. Some individuals believe that small doses of psilocybin can benefit mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[3]

While some people have a good experience when taking shrooms, it is also possible to have a “bad trip.” Bad trips are characterized by fear, anxiety, paranoia, delusions, scary hallucinations, and an overall distressing experience. If you are not in a positive state of mind before consuming shrooms, you will likely experience a bad trip.

Effects of psilocybin mushrooms include:[4]

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dilated pupils
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Heightened body temperature and sweating
• Coordination issues
• Euphoria and increased laughter
• Distortions in sensory perception
• Auditory and visual hallucinations
• Inability to distinguish fantasy from reality
• Feelings of spirituality or connection to the universe and other people
• Anxiety, panic, and paranoia
• Symptoms of psychosis

You can eat psilocybin mushrooms fresh or dried. Abusing psilocybin puts you at risk of long-term mental health effects, like hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). If you are struggling with substance abuse, contact a drug rehab program like the Mandala Healing Center.

Can You Get Addicted to Mushrooms?

Experts do not believe that you can become physically addicted to psilocybin mushrooms. If you abuse them long-term and suddenly stop, you will not experience withdrawal symptoms.

That said, you can become psychologically dependent on them. You might begin to believe that you cannot experience spirituality without taking mushrooms. It is also possible that you will feel like psilocybin is why you can experience feelings like empathy or closeness with others.

If you begin to think you need to consume shrooms, you might need help from an addiction treatment center. Abusing magic mushrooms can lead to an increased risk of severe mental health effects. These drugs can also make it difficult to keep up with your responsibilities at home, school, or work.

Risks of Abusing Shrooms

One of the risks associated with abusing magic mushrooms is taking the wrong strain. Especially if you pick them yourself, you could accidentally ingest the wrong mushroom and experience life-threatening effects.

Even if you are taking the right type of mushroom, there are long-term risks of continuous abuse. You could worsen the symptoms of a mental health condition like anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. It is also possible to develop a condition known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD).[5]

HPPD causes you to continue experiencing hallucinations even when you are not under the influence of psilocybin. This can be distressing and cause difficulties in your ability to function. If shrooms are negatively impacting your mental health, the Mandala Healing Center can help you regain control over your life.

Signs You Need Help for Magic Mushroom Abuse

Since long-term mushroom abuse does not lead to a classic substance use disorder, it’s important to know the signs that indicate you need help.

You should seek help from a drug rehab program if:

• You have a hard time controlling how much or how often you abuse shrooms
• You use magic mushrooms in high doses
• You cannot meet responsibilities at home, school, or work because of shroom abuse
• You continue to use magic mushrooms even though they are causing interpersonal relationship issues
• You cannot stop using shrooms even though they are causing adverse physical or mental health effects
• You get into risky situations when you abuse shrooms, such as driving while under the influence
• You start mixing shrooms with other drugs to increase your high
• You want to quit magic mushrooms but have a hard time letting them go
• Your friends and loved ones have expressed concern about your substance abuse

If you identify with these symptoms, you might need professional substance abuse treatment. The Mandala Healing Center will offer evidence-based therapies to help you overcome the root causes of your mushroom abuse.

Find Help for Psilocybin Misuse

If you or a loved one regularly abuses shrooms, it might be time to seek professional help. The Mandala Healing Center can help you stop using magic mushrooms while regaining control over your life and emotions.

Contact us today for more information on our mushroom abuse program and how to get started.

References:

1. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs
2. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Psilocybin
3. The American Society for Microbiology: Psilocybin and Mental Health: The Magic in the Mushrooms
4. Sage Journals: The effects of psilocybin on cognitive and emotional functions in healthy participants
5. Frontiers in Neuroscience: On Perception and Consciousness in HPPD: A Systematic Review