Psychedelic mushrooms are a powerful substance that can go either way. On a good trip, the user may experience profound healing effects that last for years or a lifetime. Yet it’s also possible to have a negative trip, with equally lasting effects.
In this article, we’ll help you understand how to properly dose mushrooms – as well as how to control other variables – to give you the best experience possible.
We’ll also help you to understand what to do if you do take too many shrooms. Can taking too many mushrooms put you in real physical danger? And what should you do if it’s already too late?
Can you overdose on mushrooms?
First of all, there are so many types of mushrooms that we’ll need to be a little bit more specific. Chances are if you’re asking this question, you’re not concerned that you ate too many portobellos.
When it comes to mushrooms with psychoactive or psychotropic effects, there’s still a lot to choose from. Here are a few:
Magic mushrooms: “Magic mushrooms” refers specifically to mushrooms that contain the psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. Other names for magic mushrooms are: psilocybin mushrooms, psychedelic mushrooms, or simply “shrooms.”
Psilocybin interacts with serotonin receptors in your brain to produce powerful psychedelic effects, including mood changes, perception shifts, and cognitive impairment. The biochemistry and effects of psilocybin are comparable to other psychedelic drugs, including LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) and DMT (N, N-Dimethyltryptamine). Both of these drugs interact with the serotonergic system to produce similar effects to psilocybin mushrooms.
There are over 150 species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin, all with different concentrations and matrices. The most common psilocybin-containing shroom is called psilocybe cubensis, which is more easily cultivated compared to other options.
Psilocybin is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. However, the spores are legal for sale as they do not (yet) contain any psilocybin. They are often sold along with mushroom grow kits for “microscopy only.” Once the spores progress to mycelium and fruiting bodies, they will have accumulated psilocybin and are technically illegal.
Amanita muscaria: The amanita muscaria mushroom is the famous red and white speckled mushroom we recognize from children’s illustrations and Mario Kart. Unlike psilocybin mushrooms, the amanita muscaria is not a psychedelic susbtance. It is, however, a mushroom with powerful hallucinogenic properties. It is also perfectly legal under federal law. These are easily purchased in gummy form or as chocolates.
The amanita muscaria contains the biologically active compounds ibotenic acid and muscimol. These compounds do not interact with serotonin receptors, which is why the amanita muscaria does not have psychedelic effects like psilocybin or LSD. Instead, muscimol interacts with GABA receptors. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Therefore, triggering those receptors leads to a sedative effect.
Ibotenic acid ultimately gets converted into muscimol, much as psilocybin gets converted into psilocin, once in the body. However, before this conversion occurs, ibotenic acid has an excitatory effect. That is why amanita muscaria users often report alternating periods of agitation and stupor.
Medicinal mushrooms: Medicinal mushrooms include things like chaga, Lion’s mane, and Reishi. These are much more benign compared to psilocybin or amanita muscaria. They are often sold in coffee mixes or as infused chocolates for daily, long-term health support. Many of these mushrooms are classified as “adaptogens,” meaning that they theoretically help your body adapt to any kind of stress (be it emotional or physical), without any adverse side effects.
Can you overdose on psychedelic mushrooms?
Now we’re ready to answer the original question: can you overdose on shrooms? Specifically, can you overdose on psilocybin shrooms?
The fact is, you can probably overdose on anything. Even portobello – if you try really hard.
In terms of psychedelic mushrooms, you are probably much more at risk psychologically as opposed to physically. Psychedelic mushrooms can alter your perception, mood, and cognition. If taken responsibly, this drug can actually have profound healing effects that lead to permanent perceptual shifts. For example, psychedelic mushrooms are a drug therapy for people suffering from depression or PTSD.
That said, in order to exert a positive effect, mushrooms must be taken in the correct set and setting. Set and setting are probably the most critical variables when it comes to the effect of shrooms. This means that you are safe and comfortable when you take them, and you have a positive mindset going in.
Even with a positive psychological experience, you may experience negative physical symptoms. Psilocybin users often consider this a worthwhile trade off for the profound emotional and spiritual effects of the shrooms. Negative physical effects may include:
- Nausea/vomiting
- Extreme fatigue
- Cognitive impairment
- Shivering
- Abdominal pain
- Increased breathing rate
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
That said, psilocybin is relatively safe from a physiological perspective. That is, it is unlikely to cause addiction or any type of organ damage. Psychological effects are the more serious risk in this case. That is why it is rare for psilocybin overdose cases to present to the ER. There is little you can do besides wait for the drug to leave your system – which it will in the course of 4 to 6 hours. Ideally, you’ll remain in or move to a safe environment, under the watch of someone you trust. Negative physical effects such as nausea and fatigue may persist for several more hours or days.
If psychedelic mushrooms are not consumed in a safe environment, you can have what’s called a “bad trip.” Just as a good trip can have profound and lasting healing effects, a bad trip can have profound and lasting detrimental effects. Psilocybin is a powerful drug and can have powerful results either way.
Can you eat too many mushrooms?
Technically, yes, but it won’t be easy. Exactly how many shrooms is too much?
The estimated lethal dose of psilocybin is about 6g (the weight of about six paperclips). These may not seem like much – until we calculate just how many mushrooms you’d have to eat to get 6g of psilocybin. You’d need about 10kg, or 22 pounds, of mushrooms to reach this lethal dose of psilocybin. You’d almost certainly throw up first.
How to take shrooms
A normal dose of shrooms should be about 3-30 mg of psilocybin, or up to about 2.5g of mushrooms. Smaller doses will result in more subtle effects. Doses larger than 0.8g of mushrooms will result in a full, hallucinogenic trip. Periodic microdosing may have long-term benefits, though you will probably not experience any symptoms.
Beyond the dosing itself, the most critical thing you can do to ensure a positive experience is to pay attention to set and setting.
Always be sure to source your mushrooms – or any psychoactive drug – from a reputable source.
If you have additional questions about mushrooms or any of our products, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.
