Can Shrooms (Psilocybin) Cause Addiction?

Magic mushrooms is the umbrella term for hallucinogenic mushroom species indigenous to tropical regions of central and South America.

The psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin. When ingested, people may have a powerful psychedelic experience that includes hallucinations and changes in perception.

While shrooms are not addictive, there are risks involved with hallucinogenic drug abuse.

How Do People Use Psilocybin Mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms are typically used by eating the stems and caps of the dried mushroom. This can be done by eating the mushrooms by themselves or mixing the shrooms into other foods.

Some people prefer to steep the dried shrooms in hot water and drink the mixture in tea.

What It Feels Like To Use Psilocybin Mushrooms

The chemical name for psilocybin is 4-phosphoryloxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine. The substance is considered a sacred ceremonial drug used by people in Mexico and Central America.

The effects of the shrooms will begin approximately an hour after ingesting the substance and may last up to six hours, depending on dosage and other factors.

Physical Effects

The physical effects of shrooms commonly include blood pressure changes, high heart rate, poor motor coordination, shakiness or tremors, and pupil dilation.

People often report nausea, vomiting, headaches, sweating, and fever before the onset of the hallucinations and perceptual changes.

Psychological Effects

Once psilocybin is in full effect, people may feel the euphoria that includes vivid hallucinations, changes in the perception of time and place, and significantly slowed thinking processes.

Shrooms may also cause dramatic mood swings, memory loss, anxiety, depression, and delusions.

Risks Of Magic Mushroom Abuse

Shrooms are not known to have a high potential for abuse or addiction, despite their status as a Schedule I drug, meaning there’s no known medical use of the drug.

There are, however, a number of risks associated with magic mushroom use.

Psilocybin Mushroom Tolerance

Using mushrooms on a regular basis can quickly lead to psilocybin tolerance. This means that people will need to take more mushrooms to get the desired hallucinogenic effect.

Learn more about psilocybin mushroom tolerance.

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)

HPPD is characterized by the random recurrence of perceptual and visual disturbances such as flashbacks similar to those experienced while high on shrooms.

While rare, HPPD is known to occur more often in people who use hallucinogens such as psilocybin regularly and in high doses. Effects of HPPD are potentially permanent.

Psychotic Reactions

Some people who use psilocybin experience psychosis and schizophrenia-like symptoms. These effects are more common in people with pre-existing mental health disorders.

When a psychotic episode happens while using shrooms, people are typically taken to the emergency room and treated with medications such as benzodiazepines.

Accidental Poisoning

Due to the unregulated nature of psychedelic mushrooms, there is a small risk of accidentally eating a poisonous mushroom.

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning usually include confusion, delirium, muscle spasms, and seizures.

Having A Bad Trip

A “bad trip” can result from psilocybin drug use and may include symptoms such as extreme paranoia, nightmarish hallucinations, and more.

It’s impossible to know what may trigger a bad trip, but mixing shrooms with other substances such as peyote, DMT, or alcohol may contribute to the possibility of an adverse reaction.

What Are The Street Names For Psilocybin?

When sold on the street, psilocybin mushrooms may be referred to by a number of names.

Street names for magic mushrooms include:

• purple passion
• boomers
• buttons
• magic
• blue meanies
• caps
• alice
• hongos
• mushies
• tweezers
• pizza toppings

Read about street names for psilocybin mushrooms.

How Much Do Magic Mushrooms Cost On The Street?

The cost of a single dose of mushrooms is around $30 per eighth of an ounce. A microdose of psilocybin will cost a few dollars.

Factors that influence the price of shrooms include where it was grown, local laws, current availability, type of mushroom, and potency.

Learn more about the street cost of magic mushrooms.

Treatment Programs For Substance Use Disorders

Magic mushroom addiction is unheard of, but other psychedelic drugs such as ecstasy, LSD, or stimulants can cause serious health problems and physical dependence.

If you or a loved one is battling substance abuse, a drug rehab center can provide the evidence-based and holistic treatment services necessary to recover.

Addiction treatment options may include:

• medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• group therapy for people with opioid drug addiction
• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• medical detox
• support groups
• short-term or long-term inpatient treatment
• outpatient treatment
• aftercare services
• relapse prevention
• dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders

Find A Substance Use Treatment Center Today

Call our helpline for more information on magic mushroom abuse. Our team can answer your questions about substance use disorders and help you get on track to sobriety.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff