Psilocybin
Psilocybin? More Like Psilo-DIE-bin
Psylocybin (Mushrooms)
Dylan Munar
Health
Ms. Pamela Tart
March 1, 2015
Just because psilocybin is natural doesn’t necessarily make it safe. Its full chemical name is phosphorylated 4-hydroxy-dimethyltryptamine (FOSS-FOR-ih-lay-tid 4-high-DROK-see-dy-meth-uhl-TRIP-tuh-meen). It is a natural hallucinogenic toxin that can be found in approximately 190 species of edible mushrooms. Mushrooms containing psilocybin are available fresh or dried and have long, slender stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside. They can be ingested fresh or dried. They are also known as various names, including shrooms, magic mushrooms, caps, boomers, mushies, etc. In the United States, psilocybin mushrooms do not have any legal or medical purpose, so they are illegal.
Mushrooms are usually ingested orally, with no extra paraphernalia needed; they can also be brewed as tea or added to foods to mask the bitter flavor that they have. Psilocybin effects are similar to those of other hallucinogens, such as mescaline and peyote. “Psilocybin mushrooms are popular at raves, clubs and, increasingly, on college campuses and generally are abused by teenagers and young adults.” (Psilocybin Fast Facts) Because it’s a hallucinogen, they make you hallucinate, and gives you the inability to discern fantasy from reality. It can also cause a sense of euphoria, and a bit of a physical tingling sensation. These effects appear within 20 minutes of ingestions and the trip may last approximately 6 hours.
When taking this drug, the user may experience short-term effects such as nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. Long-term effects include flashbacks; the brain replays the sensations and effects of drug. Long-term use can eventually cause psychiatric illnesses and impaired memory. Psilocybin itself is not addictive, but people can still abuse it. Psilocybinis a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act
Psylocybin (Mushrooms)
Dylan Munar
Health
Ms. Pamela Tart
March 1, 2015
Just because psilocybin is natural doesn’t necessarily make it safe. Its full chemical name is phosphorylated 4-hydroxy-dimethyltryptamine (FOSS-FOR-ih-lay-tid 4-high-DROK-see-dy-meth-uhl-TRIP-tuh-meen). It is a natural hallucinogenic toxin that can be found in approximately 190 species of edible mushrooms. Mushrooms containing psilocybin are available fresh or dried and have long, slender stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside. They can be ingested fresh or dried. They are also known as various names, including shrooms, magic mushrooms, caps, boomers, mushies, etc. In the United States, psilocybin mushrooms do not have any legal or medical purpose, so they are illegal.
Mushrooms are usually ingested orally, with no extra paraphernalia needed; they can also be brewed as tea or added to foods to mask the bitter flavor that they have. Psilocybin effects are similar to those of other hallucinogens, such as mescaline and peyote. “Psilocybin mushrooms are popular at raves, clubs and, increasingly, on college campuses and generally are abused by teenagers and young adults.” (Psilocybin Fast Facts) Because it’s a hallucinogen, they make you hallucinate, and gives you the inability to discern fantasy from reality. It can also cause a sense of euphoria, and a bit of a physical tingling sensation. These effects appear within 20 minutes of ingestions and the trip may last approximately 6 hours.
When taking this drug, the user may experience short-term effects such as nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. Long-term effects include flashbacks; the brain replays the sensations and effects of drug. Long-term use can eventually cause psychiatric illnesses and impaired memory. Psilocybin itself is not addictive, but people can still abuse it. Psilocybinis a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act
Bibliography: "Psilocybin." UXL Encyclopedia of Drugs and Addictive Substances. Ed. Barbara C. Bigelow. Vol. 5. Detroit: UXL, 2006. 791-806. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 1 Mar. 2015. "PsilocybinFast Facts." Psilocybin Fast Facts. Web. 2 Mar. 2015. <http://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs6/6038/>. "Mushrooms - Above the Influence." Above the Influence. 13 Feb. 2014. Web. 2 Mar. 2015. <http://abovetheinfluence.com/drugs/mushrooms/#facts>.