The 2016 Global Drug Survey has painted psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, in an extraordinarily safe light compared to other recreational drugs. The comprehensive survey, which included responses from over 12,000 individuals, found that a mere 0.2% of those who took magic mushrooms sought emergency medical treatment, a rate at least five times lower than that for MDMA, LSD and cocaine.
Magic mushrooms have a long history of being associated with spiritual and therapeutic uses. They are often sought after for their ability to induce a “moderate psychedelic experience” and to enhance the environment and social interactions, with 81.7% of the survey’s respondents expressing this intent. Despite their benefits, they are not without risks. Adam Winstock, founder of the Global Drug Survey, emphasizes the importance of using them responsibly, stating, “Combined use with alcohol and use within risky or unfamiliar settings increase the risks of harm most commonly accidental injury, panic and short lived confusion, disorientation and fears of losing one’s mind.”
Data from a separate study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology corroborates these findings, reporting that out of 9,233 past-year magic mushroom users, only 19 (0.2%) sought emergency medical treatment. Interestingly, younger age emerged as the only predictor associated with a higher risk of emergency medical presentations. The majority of adverse symptoms reported were psychological, such as anxiety/panic and paranoia/suspiciousness, with all but one individual returning to normality within 24 hours.
The safety profile of magic mushrooms has sparked interest not only among recreational users but also within the scientific community. Preliminary clinical trials have indicated their potential in treating severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health disorders, often with a single dose and in cases where other treatments have failed.
However, there are calls for caution, especially from Brad Burge of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, who warns against the sole reliance on self-reported data. Burge points out that emergency medical treatment for psychedelic drugs like LSD or mushrooms is quite different from that of opioids. There is no toxicity, and the effects wear off after a few hours. “There is no known lethal dose for LSD or pure psilocybin,” he mentioned.
The Global Drug Survey findings also shed light on the risk associated with synthetic cannabinoids like “spice” and “black mamba,” which have led to a significantly higher rate of emergency medical treatment among users. In the shadow of such drugs, the relative safety of magic mushrooms becomes even more prominent.
Relevant articles:
– Study finds mushrooms are the safest recreational drug, May 26, 2017
– Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of magic mushrooms, april 7, 2022