What are magic mushrooms?

Psilocybin or magic mushrooms propeare naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects.

They belong to a group of drugs known as psychedelics, because of the changes experienced to perception, mood and thought.

The key ingredient found in magic mushrooms is psilocybin.

When psilocybin is taken, it is converted in the body to psilocin, which is the chemical with the psychoactive properties.

What do they look like?

Magic mushrooms look much like ordinary mushrooms.

There are many different types of magic mushrooms.

The most common ones in Australia are called golden tops, blue meanies and liberty caps.

They can also come as dried material in capsules.

Synthetic psilocybin appears as a white crystalline powder that can be processed into tablets or capsules, or dissolved in water.

How are they used?

Magic mushrooms are eaten fresh, cooked or brewed into a tea.

The dried version is sometimes smoked, mixed with cannabis

Also known as shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps.

Effects of magic mushrooms

There is no safe level of drug use.

Use of any drug always carries some risk. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Magic mushrooms can affect everyone differently, based on:

Size, weight and health

Whether the person is used to taking it

Whether other drugs are taken around the same time

The amount taken

The strength of the mushroom (varies depending on the type of mushroom)

The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin in 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes.

when taken as a soup or tea, and can last for approximately 4–6 hours.