Are Mushrooms Addictive?

People have been taking psilocybin mushrooms since the 1950s to have a psychedelic experience. These fungi are psychoactive, which means consuming them can cause effects like hallucinations, euphoria, and even uncontrollable laughter. The slang term for being high on mushrooms is experiencing a “trip.”

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), 7.4 million people used hallucinogens like magic mushrooms in 2021.

Some people believe that it is safe to use psilocybin mushrooms because they are grown naturally. Unfortunately, abusing mushrooms can lead to a long list of adverse effects. Even though most people do not consider shrooms addictive in the traditional sense, people can become psychologically dependent on them.

It is important to note that mushrooms are considered a controlled substance with a high potential for abuse. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified them as a Schedule I drug.

Understanding the risks of mushroom abuse and their addiction potential can motivate you to seek professional substance abuse treatment.

What are Psilocybin Mushrooms?

Psilocybin mushrooms are a type of fungi that people eat to experience hallucinations. Individuals might eat them fresh or dried and they can also be brewed into a tea. People might refer to them as “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms.”

There are different types of mushrooms out there, with each strain having a different level of potency. You might hear people talking about “golden teachers” or “penis envy mushrooms,” which are just slang terms for different strains of psilocybin mushrooms.

While people abuse shrooms to experience a trip, there is no way to tell whether the effects will be pleasurable. Some individuals have a desirable experience, while others deal with adverse psychological effects like panic attacks and even psychosis. People who experience adverse effects describe it as having a “bad trip.”

The possible effects of magic mushrooms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Large, dilated pupils
• Lack of coordination
• Euphoria and uncontrollable laughter
• Distorted sensory perception
• Auditory and visual hallucinations
• Inability to determine fantasy from reality
• Feelings of spirituality or connection to the universe
• Anxiety, panic, and paranoia
• Symptoms of psychosis

Risks of Abusing Psilocybin

The main risk of abusing magic mushrooms is accidentally ingesting the wrong strain. Identifying different strains of mushrooms can be difficult and some of them can be fatal to ingest. If you pick the wrong mushrooms, you could experience life-threatening side effects.

Even if you consume the right kind of mushrooms, there are risks involved. For starters, people with mental health disorders should never misuse shrooms. They can lead to increased symptoms of your mental illness and put you at risk of developing psychosis.

Another risk of abusing psilocybin mushrooms is developing hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD). This condition causes you to experience sudden flashbacks that can occur at any time and without warning. These “flashbacks” are usually hallucinations you experienced during the previous trip and can remain long-term.

Are Magic Mushrooms Addictive?

Magic mushrooms are not considered addictive in the traditional sense. To explain, experts do not believe that you can develop a physical dependency on shrooms. In other words, they will not cause physical withdrawal symptoms when you stop using them.

However, people may become psychologically dependent on magic mushrooms. Some individuals might believe abusing shrooms is the only way they can experience spirituality. For example, some people believe they “see god” when they abuse mushrooms.

Others might think they need it to self-medicate the mental health symptoms they are experiencing. Unfortunately, shrooms will only make your mental illness worse over time. This is especially true for individuals with conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

If you feel like you cannot stop using mushrooms, it might be time for addiction treatment. Addiction counselors can help you understand your treatment options and connect you with a reputable treatment program.

Signs You Need Help for Mushroom Abuse

Since mushroom abuse does not lead to a classic substance use disorder, it can be helpful to be aware of the signs that indicate you need treatment. If you are having a hard time stopping the use of shrooms, it is safe to say that drug rehab is vital.

The signs you need help for magic mushroom abuse include:

• Having a hard time controlling how often you use shrooms
• Using magic mushrooms in very large doses
• Failing to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work because of mushroom abuse
• Continuing to use mushrooms despite facing social or relationship issues
• Continuing to use shrooms even though they are causing adverse physical or mental health effects
• Getting into risky situations when you abuse mushrooms, such as driving while under the influence
• Combining mushrooms with other substances to experience a more potent effect
• Wanting to quit using shrooms but being unsuccessful

If you experience the above-mentioned symptoms, it’s time to seek drug rehab. Archstone Behavioral Health is here to help you overcome mushroom abuse. We can also treat any co-occurring mental health conditions you might be suffering from.

Get Connected to a Magic Mushroom Abuse Treatment Center

If you or a loved one regularly abuses shrooms, it might be time for professional treatment. At Archtone Behavioral Health, we believe in combining compassionate care with evidence-based treatments.

Contact us today to learn more about your treatment options.