What to Expect after Taking Shrooms
Key Takeaways
- Shrooms are not classified as addictive, but misuse can occur - Jump to Section
- Overdoses on shrooms are rare but can provoke anxiety and paranoia - Jump to Section
- Overdose signs include confusion, anxiety, and hallucinations - Jump to Section
- Treatment includes medical support and therapy for adverse effects - Jump to Section
Shrooms are a type of mushroom that contains the psychoactive ingredient psilocybin. Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic substance that the body converts to psilocin, which affects the central nervous system.
In this article, we’ll talk about what you can expect after taking shrooms, including long-term side effects and the possibility of addiction and overdose. We’ll also talk about treatment options for addiction.
What to Expect After Taking Shrooms?
The effects of shrooms can differ based on several factors, such as the type, age, and dosage. External factors like the user’s environment, mindset, prior drug experiences, and personality also significantly determine their effects.
You can expect to feel different effects on your physical and mental health, these include:
| Physical | Mental |
| Relaxation | Relaxation |
| Nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea | Auditory, visual, and tactile hallucinations |
| Muscle weakness and twitchiness | Heightened and distorted senses |
| Lack of coordination | Synesthesia |
| Pupil dilation and facial flushing | Out-of-body experiences |
| Increased heart rate and blood pressure | Altered perception of space and time |
| Increased temperature, sweating, or Chills | Spontaneous recollection of past events |
| Drowsiness and dizziness | Feeling one with your surroundings |
| Numbness in the face and extremities | Difficulties with concentration and focus |
| Feeling heavy, light, or floaty | Impaired judgment |
| Tension, anxiety, and restlessness |
However, occasionally using psychedelic drugs doesn’t appear to have significant long-term adverse effects on mental health.
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What are the Side Effects of A Bad Trip?
While the effects of shrooms can be enjoyable and beneficial, they can also cause some unpleasant side effects. Some users may be susceptible to having a “bad trip” and experience highly adverse reactions, including:
- Frightening hallucinations
- Intense confusion
- Severe disorientation
- Paranoia
- Frantic agitation
- Extreme sadness
- Panic or terror
- Psychosis
Research suggests that fatigue and delayed headache due to nitric oxide release are common adverse short-term effects of psilocybin-containing mushroom usage.
Long-Term Side Effects
The most significant reported long-term effect of shroom usage is the occurrence of “flashbacks.” The DSM-V classifies these as Hallucinogen-persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD).
A “flashback” is a spontaneous recurrence of psychedelic mental effects, such as:
- “Halo” vision
- Trails attached to moving objects
- Flickering or intensifying lights and colors
- False motion in peripherals
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Are Shrooms Addictive?
There are no studies classifying shrooms as addictive substances. However, people can develop a pattern of consistent use that resembles addiction. This is classified as Hallucinogen Use Disorder.
Repeatedly using shrooms can cause a person to build up tolerance quickly, which may lead to cross-tolerance for other drugs like LSD and mescaline. A higher drug tolerance means the user will need a higher amount of shrooms to experience its desired side effects.
This can lead to regular, repeated use. However, after a period of abstinence, tolerance levels will decrease.
Can You Overdose on Shrooms?
Psilocybin mushrooms are generally considered safe, with the short duration of their effects. However, there have been occasional cases of adverse reactions that required emergency medical treatment.
Of 9,233 people who used shrooms in 2021, only 19 (0.2%) reported seeking emergency medical treatment. This translates to a risk estimate of 0.06% per incident.
Being young was the main factor associated with a higher risk of seeking medical treatment. The most common symptoms users experienced were anxiety/panic and paranoia/suspiciousness.
The main reasons for these incidents were being in a hostile environment and combining substances. In the report, 99% of the users returned to normal within 24 hours.
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What are the Signs of Shrooms Overdose?
There are no definitive physical signs of an overdose of shrooms. However, a person exhibiting the following behaviors may be at risk:
- Inability to communicate in a clear and coherent manner
- Disorientation or confusion
- Extreme anxiety, paranoia, or fear
- Hallucinations lasting for extended periods
People with mental health issues, especially a history of psychosis, are at greater risk when consuming shrooms. It’s essential to seek medical attention if any of these signs occur.
If you or someone has taken too much and is experiencing an intense “trip” or feeling overwhelmed, stay with them. Remove potential hazards from the environment to prevent accidental injuries. Lastly, call for medical assistance immediately if symptoms don’t improve.
How Do You Treat Shrooms Addiction?
While hallucinogenic mushrooms aren’t considered addictive, users may need treatment for adverse responses to the drug. For example, “bad trips” may require hospitalization, where trained medical staff can help you calm down in a safe and secure room.
They may administer a low to medium dose of benzodiazepine. Other treatment options include:
- Anti-seizure medication: There’s no known treatment for HPPD, but medications like lamotrigine and clonazepam may provide lasting relief.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: Can help you gain insight on your drug use and provide coping strategies for HPPD.
- Counseling and psychotherapy: Can help you develop strategies for dealing with “flashbacks” and other related psychological issues.
Support groups: Provide an opportunity for members to receive education and resources on addiction recovery.
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- U.S. Department of Justice. “Drugs of Abuse.” Drug Enforcement Administration, 2017.
- Johnson et al. “Psilocybin Dose-Dependently Causes Delayed, Transient Headaches in Healthy Volunteers.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2012.
- Studerus et al. “Acute, Subacute and Long-Term Subjective Effects of Psilocybin in Healthy Humans: A Pooled Analysis of Experimental Studies.” Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2011.
- Krebs, T.S., and Johansen, P. “Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study.” PLOS One, 2013.
- “Use of psilocybin (“mushrooms”) among US adults: 2015–2018.” Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 2021.
- Anderson et al. “Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook.” Harm Reduction Journal, 2019.
- Kopra et al. “Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of magic mushrooms.” Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2022.
