Magic Mushrooms

The term ‘Magic mushrooms’ refers to several types of mushrooms that contain a chemical called psilocybin. Psilocybin is a hallucinogen.

Magic mushrooms are also known as Shrooms, mushies, magics, golden tops, blue meanies or liberty caps.

Mushrooms can be picked fresh, come as dried mushrooms or even a powdered material. Magic mushrooms are eaten fresh, cooked or brewed as tea, or even smoked with tobacco or cannabis. 

The effects of ‘magic mushrooms’ include: distortion of colours, sounds, objects and time. The experience can be fun or nice or sometimes it can be quite frightening. Mushrooms can bring on dreaming sensations, make you feel tired and can cause stomach pains and diarrhoea. The effects usually last between two and six hours.

Using the wrong mushrooms can cause death. Symptoms of poisoning include stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unconsciousness. Call an ambulance if any of these symptoms occur.

If you use magic mushrooms it is important to know how to be as safe as possible:

  • Start with a small dose to minimise the chance of poisoning and wait at least 30 minutes before ‘topping up’

  • Where possible, get mushrooms from a reliable source to avoid poisoning

  • Use in a safe, comfortable place in case of a bad trip

  • Plan time to recover post-trip

  • Avoid driving

  • Call an ambulance if poisoning is suspected

  • It is really important to know your mushrooms - Do your research!

See the Australian Drug Foundation for more drug facts

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