Table of Content (Jump to a Section): What are Magic Mushrooms, What are the effects of magic mushrooms, Mixing magic mushrooms and alcohol
Psilocybin mushrooms are naturally occurring fungi that have been used for centuries by cultures all around the world. They contain psilocybin, which produces hallucinogenic effects when taken. Alcohol is also a drug with psychoactive properties that can be found in beer, wine, liquor, etc. When shrooms and alcohol are combined they create an altered state of consciousness called a synergistic effect. This synergistic effect can have both positive and negative consequences depending on various factors such as dosage levels of shrooms or alcohol consumed. In this article, we will explore what happens when you take shrooms and alcohol together.
What are magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms, also called shrooms or psilocybin mushrooms, are an extremely psychoactive type of fungi. They contain the chemical psilocybin, which causes hallucinations and euphoria when ingested. Many people find magic shrooms to be pleasurable to consume, but there can also be very serious side effects if they are consumed in large quantities or with certain other drugs mixed into their system.
As noted above, magic mushrooms cause hallucinations by releasing a chemical called psilocybin. The effects vary from person to person and setting to setting, but taking magic shrooms can be an intense experience that is also known as “tripping” or having a “trip”. To increase your chances of a good trip, make sure you are in a positive mindset and in a comfortable setting around people you trust.
What are the effects of magic mushrooms?
The effects of magic shrooms are usually felt within 20-40 minutes after ingestion, and the full effect lasts for about four to six hours on average. The user will experience some or all of the following:
- visual hallucinations
- mood changes
- increased heart rate
- nausea or vomiting in some cases
- ego dissolution or the feeling as if you have become part of another object or that you have lost your identity
- altered sense of time
- sweating
- increased body temperature
- pupil dilation
There are also some negative psychological side effects too. The common negative side effects from psychedelic mushrooms are:
- paranoia
- fear
- confusion
- anxiety
- delusions
- depression
These are the most common but not all the side effects. Psilocybin mushrooms affect different people and different ways so please use caution when dosing. It is important for people who are feeling depressed or anxious about something in their lives not to take shrooms on their own. If you do not have a positive mindset about shrooms and the trip, it can turn into something that is very unpleasant and even scary for some people. It has been shown to worsen existing psychological problems in some cases. It is not possible to overdose on magic mushrooms although people have died due to human error while on shrooms.
What are the effects of drinking alcohol?
Alcohol is one of the most common recreational drugs and has been around for thousands of years. Drinking alcohol can make a person feel relaxed and less inhibited in social situations. It is also capable of producing euphoria, boosting self-confidence, reducing stress, stimulating appetite, and improving sleep. The short term effects of alcohol include:
- slurred speech
- poor balance
- impaired memory
- reduced inhibition
- impaired judgment
- distorted vision/hearing
- aggressive behavior
In the long term, alcohol can cause:
- damage to the liver
- heart disease
- kidney failure and diseases of those organs
- increased risk of cancer, especially cancers that affect the mouth, throat, and breast
- alcohol poisoning
- death in extreme cases when a person drinks too much alcohol over the course of their lives.
Alcohol is also one of the most addictive drugs which can lead to dependency issues. Please seek help from your medical provider if you believe you have these issues.
What are the effects when you mix magic mushrooms and alcohol?
When taken with psilocybin mushrooms, alcohol can amplify or increase certain side effects such as nausea or vomiting. Other common effects when using both drugs include:
- increased heart rate
- faintness
- auditory and visual hallucinations
- panic attacks
- anxiety
- increased body temperatures
- seizures
- death
Alcohol mixed with shrooms also increases your risk of experiencing a “bad trip” due to the negative psychological effects of shrooms. Taking magic shrooms and alcohol together can put your life in danger too because you could have a very serious overdose on either or both drugs if they are not properly dosed. In fact, there is no safe way to mix shrooms with other substances including alcohol for this reason.
Is it safe to mix magic mushrooms and alcohol?
Drinking alcohol while under the influence of magic shrooms is not recommended because it increases neurotoxicity and cognitive function problems, as well as nausea, vomiting, and physical balance issues. It’s also important to note that mixing certain drugs, such as shrooms and alcohol, can have a dangerous effect on your body.
The main takeaway here is that shrooms and alcohol should not be mixed together under any circumstances. If shrooms are mixed with other drugs, such as alcohol or MDMA (ecstasy), the effects can be unpredictable and dangerous. Even though they are both drugs, psilocybin mushrooms have much stronger effects than alcohol does on its own. Combining shrooms with another drug can result in an overdose or serious medical problems including seizures, respiratory failure, heart attack, coma, or death. If you are going to take shrooms, please do so in a safe and positive environment with people you trust. Do not mix shrooms or any other drug with alcohol.
Additional Facts and Stats on Alcohol and Shrooms
- According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), there were close to 140 million alcohol drinkers in the United States in 2018. (addictionresource.com)
- Of these, 48 percent were binge drinkers while 1 in 8 users were heavy drinkers. (addictionresource.com)
- In general, 2 percent of the population of the United States in 2018 used hallucinogens like LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, salvia, ketamine and DMT (ayahuasca). (addictionresource.com)
- This percentage was higher than that in 2015 and 2016 but similar to the figures for 2017. (addictionresource.com)
Summary
Magic mushrooms are a classic psychedelic hallucinogen whose effects have been known for hundreds of years. The main psychoactive ingredient in mushrooms is psilocybin, which is what causes the effects you will feel when taking them. Typically when taking mushrooms you will feel euphoria, a distorted sense of time, visual and auditory hallucinations, amongst other effects. You may experience physical effects as well, such as nausea, pupil dilation, and an increased heart rate. There can be negative side effects too, including paranoia, delusion, and depression. Alcohol is another drug that has been consumed by humans for thousands of years. When drinking alcohol you may experience extra confidence, euphoria, and improved sleep. There are negative consequences too, such as slurred speech, loss of balance, and vomiting. The long-term effects have been documented and can include liver disease, increased risk of cancer, and death. It is not recommended when taking psychedelics to use alcohol too as it can increase your risk for a bad trip and also increase your chances of having negative side effects. If you think you have taken too much of both, please seek medical attention immediately.
References, Research and Sources
- Hallucinogens DrugFacts | National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Why Do People Take Hallucinogenic or Dissociative Drugs? | National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin in Alcohol Dependence – Full Text View – ClinicalTrials.gov
- A Double-Blind Trial of Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment of Alcohol Dependence – Full Text View – ClinicalTrials.gov
Fact Checked and Editorial Process
The Magical Mushroom is devoted to producing expert and accurate articles and information for our readers by tapping into psychedelic users, experts, journalists, and growing community. We encourage you to read more about our content, editing, and fact checking methods here. This was fact checked by Chris Riley.
Owner, entrepreneur, enthusiast of natural medicine