What is psilocybin? Who abuses psilocybin? In addition to the risks associated with ingestion of psilocybin, individuals Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic sub- Psilocybin mushrooms are popular at who seek to abuse psilocybin mush- stance obtained from certain types of raves, clubs and, increasingly, on rooms also risk poisoning if one of the mushrooms that are indigenous to college campuses and generally are many varieties of poisonous mush- tropical and subtropical regions of abused by teenagers and young adults. rooms is incorrectly identified as a South America, Mexico, and the It is difficult to gauge the extent of psilocybin mushroom. United States. These mushrooms psilocybin use in the United States typically contain 0.2 to 0.4 percent because most data sources that quan- What is psilocybin called? psilocybin and a trace amount of tify drug use exclude psilocybin. The psilocyn, another hallucinogenic sub- Monitoring the Future Survey, con- The most common names for stance. Both psilocybin and psilocyn ducted by the University of Michigan, psilocybin are magic mushroom, can be produced synthetically, but law does reveal that 9.2 percent of high mushroom, and shrooms. (Please enforcement reporting currently does school seniors in the United States see the Street Terms text box for not indicate that this is occurring. used hallucinogens other than LSD—a additional names.) category that includes psilocybin—at What does psilocybin look like? least once in their lifetime. Two percent of high school seniors used hallucino- Mushrooms containing psilocybin gens other than LSD in the past month. are available fresh or dried and have Street Terms for Psilocybin long, slender stems topped by caps Whatare therisks? with dark gills on the underside. Boomers Fresh mushrooms have white or Use of psilocybin is associated with Flower flipping whitish-gray stems; the caps are dark negative physical and psychological (MDMA used with psilocybin) brown around the edges and light consequences. The physical effects, God’s flesh brown or white in the center. Dried which appear within 20 minutes of mushrooms are generally rusty brown ingestion and last approximately 6 Hippieflip with isolated areas of off-white. hours, include nausea, vomiting, mus- (MDMA used with psilocybin) cle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of Hombrecitos How is it abused? coordination. While there is no evidence Las mujercitas that users may become physically Little smoke Psilocybin mushrooms are ingested dependent on psilocybin, tolerance for Mexican mushrooms orally. They may be brewed as a tea or the drug does develop when it is added to other foods to mask their Musk ingested continuously over a short Sacred mushroom bitter flavor. Some users coat the period of time. mushrooms with chocolate—this both Silly putty masks the flavor and disguises the The psychological consequences of Simple simon mushrooms as candy. Once the mush- psilocybin use include hallucinations rooms are ingested, the body breaks and an inability to discern fantasy from down the psilocybin to produce reality. Panic reactions and psychosis psilocyn. also may occur, particularly if a user ingests a large dose. Other productsof interest: , Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants , Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth , Drugs,Youth, and the Internet Psilocybin tate Patrol Fast Facts Nebraska S Is psilocybin Illegal?illegal? Yes, psilocybin is illegal. Psilocybin is a Schedule I sub- stance under the Controlled For more information on illicit drugs Substances Act. Schedule I drugs, which include heroin and LSD, check out our web site at: have a high potential for abuse and serve no legitimate medical pur- www.usdoj.gov/ndic pose in the United States. National Drug Intelligence Center 319 Washington Street, 5th Floor Johnstown, PA 15901-1622 Telephone: 814-532-4601 Check outFast Factson: FAX: 814-532-4690 NDIC Washington Liaison Office + , , Crack cocaine , MDMA 8201 Greensboro Drive, Suite 1001 Crystal Methadone McLean, VA 22102-3840 methamphetamine , Methamphetamine Telephone: 703-556-8970 , , FAX: 703-556-7807 , Drug paraphernalia , OxyContin , DXM , PCP NDIC publications are available on the following web sites: , Foxy , Powdered cocaine ADNET http://ndicosa QuestionsQuestions , Fry , Prescription drugs LEO home.leo.gov/lesig/ndic GHB and analogs , Ritalin RISS ndic.riss.net , Heroin Rohypnol INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic andand , Inhalants , Salvia divinorum , , Call 814-532-4541 Jimsonweed Steroids AnswersAnswers , Ketamine , Teens and drugs to requestNDIC products , , National Drug Intelligence Center Khat Triple C a component of the , LSD , Yaba , NDIC Product No. 2003-L0559-018 U.S. Department of Justice Marijuana Cover photo © Porrata Consulting 082203.