What is it? There are a variety of mushrooms that grow in the UK which have hallucinogenic effects. The main Magic Mushroom referred to is the LIBERTY CAP (Psilocybe Semilanceata - named after the hats worn during the French Revolution) but FLY AGARIC (Amanita muscaria) is sometimes used as well but fly agaric often causes nausea and vomiting.

Liberty Cap Mushrooms

The Liberty Cap is a small brown/grey bell shaped mushroom with a thin stem and found growing wild during the Autumn.

The main 'Magic Mushroom' can be eaten raw or be dried and stored for later use, some people make them into a drink also. It is the chemical content (psilocybin and psilocin) released following preparation that becomes a Class A Drug offence. Note however, that the Drugs Bill 2005 has amended this to make it illegal to possess FRESH Mushrooms containing Psilocybin or Psilocin. For further information about the changes see FAQ on the UK Government site.

Magic Mushrooms can be either eaten raw (fresh or dried), mixed with food or brewed into a tea.

Where do they come from?

These mushrooms grow on the Island, can be imported to the UK from Holland and they are also cultivated in the UK.

However, sales of these mushrooms are unregulated - there are no quality controls, 'use by' dates, you have to trust the person who picked it, no dosage regulation and no requirement for health and safety regulations.

What does it do? The effect is similar to a mild LSD experience and as discussed with LSD, the effects will greatly depend on your state of mind, mood, surroundings and your expectations. Some users report feeling relaxed, giggly and detached from their surroundings. However, feeling sick or vomiting and stomach ache are common.

As a mild hallucinogen, visual effects may include distorted shapes and sizes, things looking more colourful and sound may also be distorted. Time can feel speeded up or slowed down. You will never know what the effect will be - each occasion of use will differ from the last so you must always bear in mind the person's mind set, who they are with and where they are - it's a gamble.

In high doses visual disturbance and vivid hallucinations occur. Bad ‘trips’ can happen to inexperienced, unhappy or anxious users.

A 'trip' tends to last between 4 and 5 hours - so if it's a bad trip, waiting it out can be distressing.

'Beware of picking the wrong mushroom'

What are the Risks? The biggest risk is PICKING THE WRONG MUSHROOM. Some mushrooms are highly poisonous and can result in stomach pains, vomiting and death. Distinguishing between them requires knowledge of mushroom classification.

Magic Mushrooms can impair your judgement and therefore driving under the influence is dangerous as too is operating machinery. Also the risk of accidents increases due to the effect on the body's co-ordination.

Fatal overdoses are linked with Fly Agaric mushrooms and would take a large amount of Liberty Caps to be fatal - but we'd rather you didn't test that theory out!

Like LSD, TOLERANCE to Magic Mushrooms builds up very quickly so it will take more to achieve the 'desired' effect. Some people can become psychologically dependent on them and feel the need to use on a regular basis.

As with other hallucinogenic drugs it can trigger underlying mental health problems.

Physical dependence is not likely although it is possible to become psychologically dependent on Magic Mushrooms.

BAD TRIPS

Users sometimes experience bad 'trips' and can include confusion, anxiety and panic. In rare instances, users can experience recurring 'flashbacks' which are episodes of anxiety and panic. This can occur days, weeks or months after the initial trip.

High repeated doses or bad trips can result in psychotic problems. Again, as with LSD, if the user becomes hysterical, try to talk them down and reassure them. If that fails, call the doctor.

If you would like a leaflet about Magic Mushrooms, please email or call.

If you think you have eaten the wrong type of mushroom –

don't delay -get medical help straight away.