It is hard to tell what exactly happens when you smoke mushrooms. Not many researches have been carried out on the subject and most of the reports available are from people who have shared their experiences on forums like Reddit.
According to the smokers, a handful of mushrooms give a mild high, but it is nothing close to the one you get from consuming a bunch of caps. Some people have also reported it to be a total waste of time with no visible effects, apart from mild nausea.
However, a study has shown that magic mushrooms may be a potential treatment for drug addiction due to the active hallucinogenic agent present in them. However, nothing can be said on this with surety until further research is carried out.
Are magic mushrooms dangerous?
There are several risks you need to consider before smoking magic mushrooms. These risks include:
Mold spores
Smoking magic mushrooms carries a risk for your lungs due to their mold spores. Inhaling certain molds can increase your risk of lung infections and inflammation. If you have a pre-existing lung condition, a weak immune system, or a mold allergy, inhaling certain types of mold can seriously affect your health.
Bad trips
If you experience any psychoactive effect of psilocybin after smoking mushrooms, remember that bad trips are possible when you do mushrooms. A bad trip may include panic, disturbing or even frightening hallucinations, and difficulty distinguishing between reality and fantasy.
Physical side effects
Magic mushrooms can cause some unpleasant physical side effects as well, which include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle weakness
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate
- Abdominal cramps and diarrhea
- Increased body temperature
- Psychological side effects
When you smoke mushrooms in high doses, the hallucinogens change your perception of reality, which in turn may lead you to do things that you normally don’t do. While you are unlikely to experience much of a trip after smoking mushrooms, it is still a possibility you should be prepared for.
Safety Tips for Smoking Magic Mushrooms
If you are planning to take mushrooms, consider these safety tips:
Choose a different method. Smoking is not the best way to go when it comes to taking mushrooms. You will probably not feel anything and may end up inhaling harmful mold spores.
Start with the lowest dose. You should keep your doses low and gradually work your way up. Higher doses in the beginning can increase the chances of a bad trip and adversely affect your health.
If you decide to smoke them, don’t hold your inhale. When you hold your inhale, it exposes your lungs to harmful toxins for longer periods. So, if you are going to smoke mushrooms, exhale right away.
The Bottom Line
You can smoke mushrooms, but if you are looking to trip, then there are other, better ways to take your mushrooms. Moreover, there is no scientific evidence to prove that smoking mushrooms produces psychoactive effects linked with psilocybin.
Lastly, keep in mind that, while hallucinogens aren’t usually considered to be as addictive as other popular substances, using them regularly can cause problems in your everyday life.
