A common misconception among individuals is that drugs like mushrooms are not addictive, leading them to believe that there is no reason to be concerned about using them. However, it is important to recognize that these substances are far more addictive than commonly believed.
Individuals often seek out hallucinogenic drugs like mushrooms in search of what they perceive as a positive experience. Yet, they fail to realize that despite being natural, these drugs can still pose significant dangers.
Our addiction treatment programs in California include mushroom addiction treatment and provide the tools and resources to help effectively break the cycle of psychological addiction.
Psychedelic mushrooms, often referred to as “magic mushrooms” or simply “shrooms,” are fungi that contain the naturally occurring compounds psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds have hallucinogenic properties, meaning they can alter perception, mood, and cognition when ingested. Psilocybin is converted to psilocin in the body, which then interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to a variety of psychedelic effects.
There are over 180 species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin. Some of the most common include:
The active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, psilocybin, is a prodrug, meaning it is converted into psilocin after ingestion. Psilocin interacts primarily with the brain’s serotonin receptors, leading to changes in perception, thought processes, and consciousness. Depending on the dosage, species, and individual factors, the effects can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours.
If you or a loved one is struggling with psilocybin addiction or dependency, seek help from our addiction treatment in California. We can help you build healthy coping habits and achieve long-term recovery.
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, or “shrooms,” are believed to disrupt communication between the brain’s chemical systems and the rest of the body. This is thought to affect the neurotransmitter serotonin, which regulates various bodily functions such as mood, sensory perception, appetite, body temperature, sleep, intestinal muscle control, and sexual behavior.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms can lead to:
Mushroom use can also result in hallucinations, an altered sense of reality, and changes in perception, thoughts, moods, and emotions. In high doses, these mushrooms can induce psychosis and panic reactions, and they have the potential to cause life-threatening overdoses.
The likelihood of experiencing problematic drug use and addiction can be heightened by various factors such as
Our dual diagnosis treatment center in California addresses mushroom addiction along with any co-occurring mental health condition. It is crucial to treat these behavioral health symptoms simultaneously.
Magic mushrooms, when used regularly, could lead to addiction and negative psychological side effects. Mushrooms are particularly dangerous because it is easy to develop tolerance for mushrooms which also builds tolerance for other psychedelics such as LSD, DMT, and mescaline.
Taking magic mushrooms results in what is commonly known as a trip, lasting from two to six hours and characterized by unpredictability. Each trip is unique, making it impossible to foresee its contents. Intoxication from magic or abusing psilocybin mushrooms can lead to a “bad trip,” causing paranoia and psychosis. Psilocybin mushrooms are often combined with other substances, such as drugs or alcohol, amplifying the side effects of each.
Classified as illegal in the United States due to their unpredictability, magic mushrooms pose dangers during a trip, which cannot be controlled or anticipated. A bad trip can induce stress, fear, extreme anxiety, severe paranoia, and psychosis, leading to injuries, aggression, risky behaviors, mental health disorders, and alterations in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
Medical emergencies and toxic overdose are also possible, especially when combined with other substances.
Some short-term effects of a bad magic mushroom trip include:
Once a mushroom addiction is developed, individuals could face the following side effects:
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a rare condition in which individuals who have used hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), or MDMA, continue to experience visual disturbances long after the effects of the drug have worn off. These disturbances are often referred to as “flashbacks” and can include a range of perceptual changes that are usually mild but persistent.
The symptoms of HPPD are primarily visual and can occur without any current drug use. Common symptoms include:
Learn how our medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help you safely withdraw from hallucinogenic drugs such as mushrooms. Seeking professional help is the first step in long-term recovery.
When taking mushrooms, the user develops a tolerance against other psychedelic substances and if they are combining mushrooms with other physically harmful drugs then they could experience physical withdrawal symptoms along with psychological symptoms.
Some of the most common withdrawal effects associated with mushrooms are psychological effects such as despair, depression, and anxiety. Since, the hallucinogen creates a false sense of well-being, when quitting mushrooms the false sense of well-being also gradually fades which causes extreme mental illness and psychological distress.
Magic mushrooms are not known to cause lasting chemical changes in the brain, which means that physical dependence and typical withdrawal symptoms are uncommon. However, it is important to note that psychological dependence can still occur, leading to withdrawal symptoms.
If you have been using psilocybin magic mushrooms regularly and in high doses for an extended period, you may experience negative side effects when coming down from a trip. Learn how our addiction therapy services in California can help you cope with the side effects and symptoms of magic mushroom abuse.
Taking an excessively high dose of mushrooms at once can lead to an overdose. While overdosing on magic mushrooms alone is typically not life-threatening, the risks of experiencing adverse reactions and significant complications increase if combined with other drugs or alcohol.
Symptoms of a mushroom overdose may manifest as
Mushrooms are generally taken with other substances, therefore, for a full recovery from mushroom abuse, it is necessary to have proper physical and mental health services administration and psychological supervision.
Although physical withdrawal from mushrooms is not typical, our medical detox center in Encinitas, California helps stabilize individuals and prepare them for therapy by managing emotional and psychological symptoms.
Therapy will play a crucial role in addressing the underlying causes of substance abuse. Our addiction treatment program will typically involve a combination of behavioral therapies, including:
Many individuals who misuse psychedelics do so to self-medicate for mental health conditions. Dual diagnosis treatment addresses both the substance use and underlying mental health issues to promote holistic recovery.
Post-treatment support is crucial for maintaining long-term sobriety. Our aftercare program in California provides ongoing counseling, sober living options, and peer support programs to help individuals transition back into daily life.
The approach to treating mushroom addiction will vary depending on individual circumstances. Factors such as duration and quantity of mushroom use, concurrent use of other substances, presence of other mental health issues or medical conditions, and personal environmental and biological influences will all be taken into account.
Recovery from mushroom abuse could cause extreme psychological distress, and physical addiction, which makes it difficult for users to re-integrate back into society. Therefore, it is essential to have a support system during the recovery process, so that the person does not develop a habit of drug abuse again.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mushroom misuse or addiction, help is available. Contact us today to start your journey toward long-term recovery and a healthier, more fulfilling life.
