Psychedelic · tryptamine
Psilocybin mushrooms
aka Mushrooms · Shrooms · Magic mushrooms · Boomers · Psilocybes
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Psilocybin is the principal psychoactive alkaloid in over 200 species of "magic" mushrooms. In the body it is rapidly converted to psilocin, a 5-HT2A agonist with effects qualitatively similar to LSD but typically warmer, more emotional and more body-loaded. The experience lasts 4–6 hours rather than LSD's 8–12.
Dosing by dried mushroom weight is inherently imprecise because alkaloid concentration varies meaningfully between species, between flushes, and between cap and stem. The ranges above assume Psilocybe cubensis (the most common cultivated species); other species may be 2–5× more potent.
Harm reduction
- Identify the species. If you didn't grow it or buy it from someone who did, identification is the most important step. Several poisonous look-alikes exist, and a small mistake here is the rare way mushrooms become dangerous.
- Weigh, then commit. Use a 0.01 g scale. Decide your dose, eat it, then put the rest away in another room. Re-dosing after 30 minutes because "nothing is happening" is a common mistake — onset can take up to 40 minutes on a full stomach.
- Set and setting. Comfortable familiar environment, ideally with one calm sober person available. First-time users in particular benefit from having a sitter.
- Eat lightly beforehand to reduce nausea, or fast for 4 hours for a faster, sharper come-up (and worse nausea).
- Avoid lithium: well-documented risk of seizures with all serotonergic psychedelics.
- Tolerance builds rapidly and resets fully in 7–14 days. Cross-tolerance with LSD is substantial.
- A difficult mushroom trip responds to the same approach as a difficult LSD trip — see Responding to a difficult psychedelic experience.
Dosage.
Oral
- Threshold
- 0.25 g
- Light
- 0.5–1 g
- Common
- 1–2.5 g
- Strong
- 2.5–5 g
- Heavy
- 5 g
| Route | Threshold | Light | Common | Strong | Heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral | 0.25 g | 0.5–1 g | 1–2.5 g | 2.5–5 g | 5 g |
Start at the bottom. Body chemistry, tolerance, and combinations all matter.
Duration.
Oral
total ~ 730 min- Onset
- 10–40 min
- Peak
- 60–150 min
- Offset
- 60–180 min
- After
- 2–6h
Effects.
Positive
- Open- and closed-eye visuals (often warmer and more "organic" than LSD)
- Euphoria and giddiness
- Emotional intensity, often spiritual
- Insight and conceptual thinking
- Body buzz, somatic warmth
Neutral
- Pupil dilation
- Nausea during come-up (common)
- Yawning
- Mild stimulation, then sedation as the trip wears off
Negative
- Anxiety, paranoia or panic (especially with poor set/setting or high doses)
- Confusion and difficulty with practical tasks
- Strong nausea, occasionally vomiting
- Persistent visual disturbances (rare; usually mild)
Interactions.
Heads up
Many drug combinations are unsafe even at low doses. When in doubt, take less or abstain. Always cross-check with the interaction checker tool.
Dangerous
Combination may cause serious harm. Avoid.
- tramadol
- lithium
Unsafe
Substantial risk. Combination not recommended.
- dxm
- deliriants
Caution
Mild interaction. Use with reduced doses.
- mdma
- alcohol
- cannabis
- stimulants
- ssris
Testing.
- ReagentEhrlichExpected reactionPurple (confirms indole; cannot quantify psilocybin)
- ReagentMarquisExpected reactionOrange-yellow (weak / variable)
- ReagentMeckeExpected reactionYellow-green
| Reagent | Expected reaction |
|---|---|
| Ehrlich | Purple (confirms indole; cannot quantify psilocybin) |
| Marquis | Orange-yellow (weak / variable) |
| Mecke | Yellow-green |
Cross-check with a secondary reagent. Tests tell you what something isn't, not always what it is.
Legal status.
- DEGermanyIllegal
- ATAustriaIllegal
- CHSwitzerlandIllegal
- NLNetherlandsIllegal but tolerated
- BEBelgiumIllegal
- LULuxembourgIllegal
- FRFranceIllegal
- ESSpainIllegal
- PTPortugalDecriminalised
- ITItalyIllegal
- PLPolandIllegal
- CZCzechiaIllegal but tolerated
- SESwedenIllegal
- DKDenmarkIllegal
- NONorwayIllegal
- FIFinlandIllegal
- IEIrelandClass A
- UKUnited KingdomClass A
- USUnited StatesSchedule I
- CACanadaSchedule III
- AUAustraliaSchedule 8
- TRTurkeyIllegal
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| DEGermany | Illegal |
| ATAustria | Illegal |
| CHSwitzerland | Illegal |
| NLNetherlands | Illegal but tolerated |
| BEBelgium | Illegal |
| LULuxembourg | Illegal |
| FRFrance | Illegal |
| ESSpain | Illegal |
| PTPortugal | Decriminalised |
| ITItaly | Illegal |
| PLPoland | Illegal |
| CZCzechia | Illegal but tolerated |
| SESweden | Illegal |
| DKDenmark | Illegal |
| NONorway | Illegal |
| FIFinland | Illegal |
| IEIreland | Class A |
| UKUnited Kingdom | Class A |
| USUnited States | Schedule I |
| CACanada | Schedule III |
| AUAustralia | Schedule 8 |
| TRTurkey | Illegal |
Information, not legal advice. Status varies by region and changes over time.
FAQ.
How long does Psilocybin mushrooms last?
A typical oral Psilocybin mushrooms experience peaks around 60–150 minutes and then tails off, with after-effects that can run several hours. The exact window depends on dose, body weight and what else you've eaten or taken.
Can you overdose on Psilocybin mushrooms?
Yes. Higher doses sharply raise the risk of acute harm (cardiovascular strain, hyperthermia, serotonin issues for serotonergic drugs, respiratory depression for downers). Stick to the lowest dose that gives you the effect you're after, never re-dose blindly, and use our [dose calculator](/tools/dosage-calculator) before you weigh anything out.
Is Psilocybin mushrooms addictive?
Psilocybin mushrooms can produce psychological dependence with frequent use, especially in unstable settings or when used to self-medicate. Physical dependence varies by substance class; the safest pattern is occasional use with long breaks (often 4–6 weeks minimum) and an honest read on why you're reaching for it.
What does Psilocybin mushrooms feel like?
Common subjective effects include the ones listed in the Effects section above. Set and setting massively shape the experience: a calm space, trusted people, food eaten, sleep the night before, and your own current mood all matter more than most people expect.
Can you mix Psilocybin mushrooms with alcohol?
Mixing with alcohol is rarely a good idea. it dulls your judgement of how much you've taken, dehydrates you, and stacks cardiovascular load. If alcohol is on the table, drink less than normal, alternate with water, and run the combination through our [interaction checker](/tools/interaction-checker) first.
How do I test Psilocybin mushrooms at home?
A basic reagent kit (Marquis + Mandelin + Mecke for most stimulants/entactogens; Ehrlich for tryptamines) gives you a fast presence check. It does NOT measure dose or purity, but it does rule out the most dangerous misrepresentations. See the [reagent guide](/tools/reagent-guide) for expected colors per reagent.
How much Psilocybin mushrooms is too much?
There's no single number that applies to everyone. As a rule, anything above the 'strong' dose range (2.5-5 g for the primary route) carries sharply higher risk of acute harm. Start low, don't redose blindly, and remember that purity varies batch to batch.
How long until Psilocybin mushrooms kicks in?
Onset is typically 10-40 minutes via the primary route. Don't redose because you 'don't feel anything yet.' Many people have overdone it by stacking doses during the come-up window.
Can you build tolerance to Psilocybin mushrooms?
Yes. Regular use builds tolerance, meaning you need more for the same effect. This escalation increases both health risk and dependence potential. The best counter is long breaks between sessions (2-4 weeks minimum for most substances, 3 months for MDMA-class drugs).
Is Psilocybin mushrooms tested for in standard drug screens?
Standard 5-panel workplace tests (SAMHSA-5) do not specifically screen for Psilocybin mushrooms. Extended panels (10-12 panel) or specialized tests may detect it. If testing is a concern, research the specific panel being used.