Psilocybin Mushrooms

4-Phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine

Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Mushies, Psychedelic Mushrooms, Boomers

Psilocybin mushrooms are a family of psychoactive fungi containing the tryptamine prodrug psilocybin, which is converted into its active metabolite psilocin after ingestion.¹ Over 200 species have been identified across every continent, with evidence of human use predating recorded history. Their effects are often characterized as "earthy" and "dream-like" compared to other psychedelics. Wild specimens are easily mistaken for poisonous look-alikes, making proper identification essential for safety.²

Psilocybin Mushrooms

4-Phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine

Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Mushies, Psychedelic Mushrooms, Boomers

Psychoactive Class

Psychedelic Hallucinogen

Chemical Class

Tryptamine

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Threshold~0.25 g

Light0.25-1 g

Moderate1-2.5 g

Strong2.5-5 g

Heavy5+ g

As psilocybin mushrooms are organic fungi of multiple species, potency varies greatly between samples. It is best to start low to not take more than one can handle.

Duration

Onset20-60 minutes

Come Up60-120 minutes

Peak2-3 hours

Offset1-3 hours

After Effects6-12 hours

Total4-7 hours

Subjective Effects

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

The physical effects of psilocin can be broken down into two components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

Cognitive

The head space of psilocin is described by many as extremely relaxing, profound and stoning in its style when compared to other commonly used psychedelics such as LSD or 2C-B which tend to be energetic and stimulating. It contains a large number of psychedelic typical and unique cognitive effects.

Enhancement of current mind state Connectivity of thought Feelings of fascination, importance and awe Time distortion Outrospection Deja-Vu Removal of cultural filter Feelings of predeterminism Conceptual thinking Direct communication with the subconscious Ego suppression, loss and death Feelings of interdependent opposites Delusions States of unity and interconnectedness

Visual

Distortions

Tracers After images Texture repetition Colour shifting Scenery slicing

Enhancements

Psilocin presents a full and complete array of possible visual enhancements.

Increased visual acuity Enhancement of colours Enhanced pattern recognition

Geometry

The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of 4-AcO-DMT, ayahuasca and 2C-E than LSD. It can be comprehensively described as structured in its organization, organic in geometric style, intricate in complexity, large in size, fast and smooth in motion, colourful in scheme, glossy in colour, blurred in its edges and rounded in its corners. They have a very 'natural' feel to them and at higher dosages are significantly more likely to result in states of Level 7B visual geometry over Level 7A.

Hallucinatory States

Psilocin and its various other forms produce a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is more consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics.

External hallucinations

Auditory

The auditory effects of psilocin are common in their occurrence and exhibit a full range of effects.

Enhancements Distortions Hallucinations

Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation

by Josie KinsOctober 2012.

Reagent Testing

Loading reagent data

Expected colorimetric results are being prepared.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Psilocybin mushrooms contain several psychoactive tryptamine alkaloids, primarily psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin. Psilocybin is a prodrug for psilocin, the principal pharmacologically active compound.³ Psilocin acts as a partial agonist at several serotonin receptors, with high affinity for 5-HT2A.³ Its activity is believed to arise primarily from agonism at 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT1A receptors, with 5-HT2A agonism considered necessary for hallucinogenic activity.⁴ Psilocin does not significantly affect dopamine receptors and only influences the noradrenergic system at very high dosages.

Pharmacokinetics

Psilocybin is dephosphorylated to its active metabolite psilocin in the intestinal mucosa by alkaline phosphatase and nonspecific esterase³, with additional conversion reported in the liver.

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.

Lithium

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

Tramadol

Caution

Use caution

These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.

AmphetaminesCannabisCocaineDiphenhydramine

TripSit

Tolerance

Full Tolerance

Psilocybin tolerance begins building very soon after ingestion. Because of this rapid tolerance, full effects are generally not repeatable more often than every 4-7 days unless the dose is increased substantially.

Baseline Reset

Approximately 7 days to return to baseline tolerance levels. Some sources suggest spacing use 5-7 or more days apart to avoid diminished effects.

Half Tolerance

Approximately 3 days for tolerance to reduce to half in the absence of further consumption.

Cross Tolerance

All serotonergic psychedelics

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Extremely Low

Psilocybin mushrooms have virtually no psychological addiction potential.⁵⁶ The desire to use them often decreases after use, and they are considered self-regulating.⁵ There is strong evidence of little to no potential for psychological dependence.⁵

Physical

Extremely Low

Physical addiction to psilocybin mushrooms has never been documented.⁵ They are not physiologically addictive and produce no physical withdrawal symptoms.⁵

Psychosis Risk

Adverse psychological reactions including anxiety, paranoia, delusions, and psychosis are possible, particularly among individuals predisposed to mental disorders.⁵⁷ Psilocybin can precipitate or exacerbate latent mental illness, and risk is higher for people whose family history includes schizophrenia or early-onset mental illness.⁸ Lasting psychological problems are rare when experiences are properly managed.⁷

Seizure Risk

Seizures are a rare effect, primarily occurring in individuals predisposed to them, particularly when in physically taxing conditions such as dehydration, malnourishment, overheating, or fatigue.

History & Culture

Ancient Use and Archaeological Evidence

Archaeological and artistic evidence suggests that psychoactive mushrooms have been used by humans in ceremonial contexts for thousands of years. Murals discovered in the Sahara desert of southeastern Algeria, dated to approximately 9000-7000 BCE, depict horned figures in dancer's garb holding…

Trip Reports

Legality

International

UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 (Schedule I - psilocybin and psilocin only; the fungi themselves are typically not specifically listed)

By Country

United StatesIllegal

Psilocybin and psilocin are Schedule I controlled substances under the federal Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I includes any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing either substance; unauthorized manufacture, possession, and distribution are prohibited under federal law.

AustriaRestricted

Psilocin and psilocybin are Suchtgifte listed in Anhang V.1 of the Suchtgiftverordnung. Since 1 January 2008, § 27 Abs. 1 Z 3 of the Suchtmittelgesetz makes it an offence to offer, transfer, procure, or cultivate psilocin-, psilotin-, or psilocybin-containing mushrooms for drug misuse; the basic penalty is up to one year’s imprisonment or a fine of up to 360 daily rates. Austria’s Supreme Court holds that, for the mushrooms themselves, the criminal drug regime covers only those acts, rather than acquisition, possession, production, transport, import, or export under the general Suchtgift offences.

BelgiumIllegal

Belgium lists all parts of fungi naturally containing psilocin or psilocybin, including mushrooms and truffles, in Annex IVB. The Royal Decree of 24 April 2024 introduced this broader wording, effective 1 June 2024, and subsequent 2025 and 2026 amendments leave this listing in place. Consumption, possession, sale, and cultivation of controlled drugs are prohibited, and infringements of the decree are punishable under the 1921 drugs law.

British Virgin IslandsPartially legal

Sale of psilocybin mushrooms is prohibited, but personal possession and consumption remain legal.

CanadaSchedule III (CDSA)

Psilocybin and psilocin are controlled under Schedule III of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.¹⁸ Possession, production, and distribution without prescription or license is illegal.¹⁸ Spores and growing kits are legal to possess as they contain no scheduled compounds.

Czech RepublicIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are prohibited. Government Regulation No. 463/2013 Coll., as amended, lists psilocybin and psilocin in Seznam č. 4, and Government Regulation No. 455/2009 Coll. identifies mushrooms containing them for Criminal Code purposes. Unauthorized manufacture, supply, sale, or handling for another person is criminal; personal possession above a small amount carries up to two years’ imprisonment, while personal cultivation, harvesting, collection, processing, or possession of substance obtained from such mushrooms above a small amount carries up to one year. The separate regime effective 1 January 2026 applies only to manufacturer-designated psilocybin for therapeutic use under supervised medical conditions, not mushrooms.

FinlandIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal to cultivate, possess, or sell under Finnish narcotics legislation.

GermanyAnlage I BtMG

Psilocybin is listed in Anlage I of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act), making production, possession, and sale illegal.²⁰ Consumption itself is not criminalized. Mushrooms and spores become controlled only when containing psilocybin or psilocin, meaning ungerminated spores occupy a legal grey area.²⁰

Hong KongSchedule I

Psilocybin is controlled, and the Narcotics Bureau considers mushrooms containing psilocybin to fall within Schedule I, Part I of the Dangerous Drug Ordinance.

IndiaIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are prohibited under Indian narcotics legislation. However, enforcement reportedly varies significantly, with police in some undeveloped areas being unaware of the prohibition.

IrelandIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are listed in Schedule 1 as fungi containing psilocin or an ester of psilocin. Manufacture, production, preparation, sale, supply, distribution, and possession are unlawful except for the purposes specified in Schedule 2. This control has applied since 31 January 2006 and is continued in the current 2022 designation order. A fungus is exempt from the possession prohibition only while it is growing uncultivated.

ItalySchedule I (Tabella 1)

Psilocybin is listed in Tabella 1, the most restrictive schedule under Italian drug control legislation.

LatviaIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are listed as “halucinogēnās sēnes” (hallucinogenic mushrooms) in Latvia’s List I, the schedule of prohibited especially dangerous narcotic substances, equivalent psychotropic substances and plants. The statutory Annex 2 version took effect on 1 June 2021 and remains current after amendments through 1 December 2025; dried and undried mushrooms are separately specified. List I prohibits cultivation, manufacture, import and export, distribution, transport, possession, acquisition, use, and transit; the State Agency of Medicines may authorize List I cultivation or circulation only for specified scientific research, testing, or training.

MexicoIllegal

Article 245 of the Ley General de Salud places hallucinogenic mushrooms of any botanical variety, including Psilocybe mexicana, Stropharia cubensis, and Conocybe, and their active principles in Group I psychotropic substances. The same group includes psilocin and psilocybin.

New ZealandClass A

Psilocybin is classified as a Class A controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, carrying the most severe penalties for possession, supply, and manufacture.²¹

PolandSchedule I (I-P group)

Psilocybin is classified in the I-P group of Schedule I controlled substances under Polish narcotics law.

SingaporeIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are prohibited under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973: direct Class A listings of psilocybin and psilocin, rather than an analogue or blanket NPS provision, capture anything containing those controlled drugs. Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau identifies Conocybe, Panaeolus and Psilocybe fungi containing psilocybin as illegal under the Act. Trafficking, manufacture, import or export, possession, and consumption of controlled drugs are offences. Psilocybin and psilocin appear in the First Schedule in the revised edition published on 30 May 1997.

SwedenIllegal

Psilocybin is listed in Förteckning I of the Medical Products Agency’s narcotics schedules. Since 1 August 1999, the Control of Narcotics Ordinance has also treated Psilocybe semilanceata, Psilocybe cubensis, and other psilocybin- or psilocin-containing mushrooms as narcotics when cultivated, dried, or otherwise prepared. Unauthorized possession, manufacture, transfer, and use are offences under the Narcotic Drugs Punishments Act.

ThailandIllegal

Thailand’s 2022 notification lists Psilocybe cubensis and other Psilocybe species that produce psilocybin or psilocin as Category 5 narcotics; it has applied since 9 June 2022. The Narcotics Code prohibits producing, importing, exporting, selling, possessing, or consuming a Category 5 narcotic without the applicable authorization. Limited government and medical or scientific research permissions remain available, but psilocybin mushrooms are not licensable for medical benefit during the 2025–2030 transitional period. Psilocybin and psilocin themselves are separately controlled as Category 1 psychotropic substances.

United Arab EmiratesIllegal

Schedule 4 lists Magic mushrooms, identified as psilocybin mushrooms, among natural narcotics. The same schedule's list of plants prohibited to be cultivated or possessed includes Psilocybe species as magic mushrooms. Psilocybin and psilocin are also listed among controlled tryptamines in Schedule 5.

AustraliaIllegal

Psilocybin and psilocin are Commonwealth controlled drugs under Schedule 1 of the Criminal Code Regulations 2019. Psilocybin is otherwise a Schedule 9 prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard, while specified human therapeutic preparations have a limited Schedule 8 pathway for treatment-resistant depression. The Commonwealth instruments list fungi containing psilocybin or psilocin for import and export control.

BahamasIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are prohibited under the Dangerous Drugs Act (Application) Order, 1994, in force since 14 November 1994: Schedule I lists psilocybin and psilocin and applies Part IV of the Dangerous Drugs Act. The Act defines a preparation as a mixture in any physical state containing a psychotropic substance, and a psychotropic substance includes natural material; psilocybin-containing fungi are therefore controlled as preparations. Unauthorised import or export is an offence, and supplying or offering to supply a dangerous drug is prohibited except as authorised by the Act.

BrazilPartially controlled

Psilocybin and psilocin are controlled substances, making possession, transport, and sale of derived psychoactive preparations illegal. However, cultivation of Psilocybe mushrooms for botanical purposes exists in a legal gap as the organisms themselves are not explicitly scheduled. Religious use is constitutionally protected under precedents similar to ayahuasca.

BulgariaIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are prohibited in Bulgaria because psilocybin and psilocin are listed in List I of Annex No. 1, covering high-risk plants and substances prohibited for human and veterinary use. The Act on Control of Narcotic Substances and Precursors defines a preparation as any material containing a narcotic substance and prohibits the production, processing, trade, storage, import, export, transport, offering, acquisition, use, and possession of List I substances and their preparations, except for limited authorized quantities for medical, scientific, laboratory, or educational purposes. The classification has applied since 10 November 2011; Decree No. 49 of 2025 added other List I substances and left psilocybin and psilocin listed.

CyprusIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are prohibited in Cyprus because the 2025 Controlled Drugs Amending Decree places psilocin and psilocybin in Part I—Class A Drugs, and includes any preparation or other product containing a listed Class A substance. Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, unauthorized production, preparation, extraction, supply, sale, delivery, purchase, and possession of a controlled drug are unlawful criminal offences; the decree was published on 5 December 2025.

DenmarkIllegal

The Danish Ministry of Health declared psilocybin mushrooms illegal to possess, buy, and sell effective July 1, 2001.¹⁹ Cultivation and consumption are also prohibited.¹⁹

FranceIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal to cultivate, possess, or sell. They are controlled as substances classified as narcotics.

GreeceIllegal

Possession, cultivation, sale, and consumption of psilocybin mushrooms are all prohibited.

IcelandIllegal

Psilocin and psilocybin are listed in P I of Regulation No. 233/2001 on narcotic and addictive drugs and other controlled substances. They are subject to Iceland’s controlled-substances regime rather than a personal-possession exemption.

IndonesiaIllegal

Since 12 October 2009, Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2009 places psilocybin and psilocin in Narkotika Golongan I. Group I narcotics are prohibited for health-service use and may be produced or used only in tightly authorised scientific contexts; unauthorised possession, cultivation, production, and distribution are narcotics offences. The fungi themselves are separately declared hazardous materials by Peraturan Menteri Kesehatan Nomor 342/Menkes/Per/IX/1983, distinguishing the mushroom material from its controlled active compounds.

IsraelIllegal

Psilocybin and psilocin have been listed since 1971 in Part A, Sign B of the First Schedule to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Unauthorized cultivation, production, preparation, extraction, possession, use, import, export, supply, and dealing in a dangerous drug are prohibited. The schedule names psilocybin and psilocin rather than fungi by genus; preparations containing listed substances are also covered.

JapanIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms were specifically outlawed in June 2002. Possession, cultivation, sale, and consumption are prohibited.

LuxembourgIllegal

Psilocin and psilocybin are listed as items 7 and 8 of the Annex to the regulation. Article 1 subjects Annex-listed substances to Article 7 of the Law of 19 February 1973; amendments effective 21 October 2004 and 5 May 2009 extend that control to naturally occurring mushrooms and to organisms, their parts, and reproductive or cultivation biological material. Cultivation, possession, consumption, and trade in mushrooms containing psilocybin or psilocin are prohibited in Luxembourg.

NetherlandsIllegal

Naturally psilocybin- or psilocin-containing mushrooms are in List II, and Article 3 prohibits their possession, cultivation, manufacture, sale, supply, transport, and import or export. The Public Prosecution Service treats 0.5 g dried or 5 g fresh mushrooms as a small personal-use quantity for which there is in principle no targeted investigation. Psychedelic sclerotia do not fall under the Opium Act and may be cultivated and traded; spores and grow kits are outside the mushroom definition until mushrooms form.

NorwaySchedule I

Dried mushrooms or those otherwise processed and containing psilocybin are Schedule I controlled substances. Pure psilocybin is also Schedule I. Notably, spores are also illegal despite not containing psilocybin.

RussiaIllegal

Government Resolution No. 681 places psilocybin, psilocin, and the fruiting body or any part of any mushroom species containing either substance in Список I. Список I is the list whose circulation is prohibited in the Russian Federation. Control also applies to preparations containing listed substances regardless of quantity.

South KoreaIllegal

The Enforcement Decree in force since 1 February 2026 assigns Article 2(3)(a) psychotropic drugs to Annex 3, which expressly lists psilocybin and psilocin. The Narcotics Control Act prohibits unauthorised possession, use, management, import, export, manufacture, sale, transfer, and provision of these substances. It separately prohibits extracting constituents from source plants or fungi, and prohibits their import, export, sale, transfer, smoking, ingestion, and possession for smoking or ingestion.

SwitzerlandControlled (Verzeichnis D)

Mushrooms of the genera Conocybe, Panaeolus, Psilocybe, and Stropharia are controlled under Verzeichnis D of Swiss narcotics regulations.

TurkeyIllegal

Psilocybin mushrooms are prohibited because Cabinet Decision No. 8/5190 places psilocybin and psilocin in Cetvel I under Law No. 2313, effective on publication on 5 September 1982. The Convention text incorporated by the decision defines a preparation as a solution or mixture containing a psychotropic substance, so mushrooms containing psilocybin or psilocin are covered. Cetvel I use is limited to government-controlled or specifically approved scientific and very limited medical activity; the current Penal Code criminalizes unlicensed manufacture, import, export, sale, supply, transport, storage, and possession, and separately criminalizes personal-use acquisition, possession, or use.

United KingdomClass A

Both fresh and dried psilocybin mushrooms are Class A under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as amended by the Drugs Act 2005.²² Fresh mushrooms were added to prohibition on July 18, 2005, after previously being sold openly.²² Penalties for possession and distribution are equivalent to other Class A substances such as heroin and cocaine.²²

References

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Psilocybin Mushrooms

Contents

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Duration

Subjective Effects

Physical

Cognitive

Visual

Distortions

Enhancements

Geometry

Hallucinatory States

Auditory

Reagent Testing

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

Interactions

Dangerous

Unsafe

Caution

Tolerance

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Physical

Psychosis Risk

Seizure Risk

History & Culture

Ancient Use and Archaeological Evidence

Trip Reports

Legality

International

By Country

References

Source Pages

Citations

Further Reading

Suggest an edit

Psilocybin Mushrooms

Contents

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Duration

Subjective Effects

Physical

Cognitive

Visual

Distortions

Enhancements

Geometry

Hallucinatory States

Auditory

Reagent Testing

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

Interactions

Dangerous

Unsafe

Caution

Tolerance

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Physical

Psychosis Risk

Seizure Risk

History & Culture

Ancient Use and Archaeological Evidence

Trip Reports

Trip Reports

Legality

International

By Country

References

Source Pages

Citations

Further Reading