Hallucinogenic Mushrooms

Abstract

Ingestion of mushrooms containing psilocybin produces hallucinogenic effects and has become a popular form of substance abuse among some adolescents and young adults. We have reviewed the medical literature on psilocybin mushrooms and describe current patterns of use, provide background material on the botony and pharmacology of these crude drugs, and report results of a small study on usage patterns among identified adolescent drug abusers. Among 174 adolescents already identified as substance abusers, 45 (26%) reported having used hallucinogenic mushrooms, frequently in conjunction with alcohol or other drugs. An average intake of 2-4 mushrooms was obtained for about $8, and led to intoxication for 5-6 hours. Mixing of intoxicants such as alcohol, marijuana, and psilocybin mushrooms was the rule. The acute adverse reactions may have been the result of drug synergy. Pediatricians should become aware of the specific patterns of the use of hallucinogenic drugs by adolescents and consider the possiblity of such use when evaluating a delerious or psychotic adolescent.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Hanrahan JP , Gordon MD Mushroom poisoning: case reports and a review of therapy. JAMA 1984;251:1057-61.

Siegel RK New trends in drug use among young in California. Bull Narc 1985;37:7-17.

Hyde C. , Glancy G. , Omerod P. , et al. Abuse of indigenous psilocybin mushrooms: A new fashion and some psychiatric complications. Br J Psychiatry 1978;132:602-4.

Mills PR , Lesinskas D. , Watkinson G. The danger of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Scott Med J 1979;24:316-17.

Young RE , Milroy R. , Hutchinson S. , et al. The rising price of mushrooms. Lancet 1982;1:213-5.

Benjamin C. Persistent psychiatric symptoms after eating psilocybin mushrooms. Br Med J 1979;1:1319-20.

Thompson JP , Anglin MD , Emboden W. , et al. Mushroom use by college students. J Drug Educ 1985;15:111-24.

A statewide survey of Drug and Alcohol use among California students in grades 7, 9, and 11. Winter 1985-1986. Office of the Attorney General Office Prevention Center, Sacramento, CA, 1986;25.

Wasson RG The divine mushroom of immortality. In: Furst P , ed. Flesh of the Gods. New York: Praeger, 1972 ;185-200.

10.

Ott J. A brief history of hallucinogenic mushrooms. In: Ott J , Bigwood J , eds. Teononacatl: Hallucinogenic Mushrooms of North America. Seattle: Madrona Press, 1978; 5-22.

11.

Bigwood J. Psilocybin mushroom cultivation. In: Ott J , Bigwood J , eds. (op cit) Seattle, WA: Madrona Press, 1978 ;115-47.

12.

Beck JE , Gordon DV Psilocybin mushrooms. Pharm Chem Newsletter. Menlo Park, CA: Pharm Chem Laboratories, 1982 ;11:1-4.

13.

Benedict RG , Tyler VE , Watling R. Blueing in Conocybe, Psilocybe and Strophoria species and the detection of psilocybin. Lloydia 1967;30:150-2.

14.

Drugs and Drug Abuse : A Reference Text . In: T Cox , M Jacobs , A Leblanc , J Marshman , eds. Toronto, Canada: Addiction Research Foundation. 1983;426-31.

15.

Preden NR , Bissett AF , Macaulay Kec , et al. Clinical toxicology of "magic mushroom" ingestion. Postgrad Med J 1981;57:543-5.

16.

McCrawley EL , Brummett RE , Dana GW Convulsions from psilocybe mushroom poisoning . Proc West Pharmacol Soc 1962;5:27-33.

17.

Renfroe C. , Messinger TA Street drug analysis: An eleven-year perspective on illicit drug alteration . Sem Adol Med 1985;1:247-58.