The Risks of Mushroom Use in Adolescents

The Risks of Mushroom Use in Adolescents

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as’shrooms,’ are hallucinogenic mushrooms that, when consumed, change a young person’s awareness and state of mind. The active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms is psilocybin. They are derived from a type of fungus found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the United States, South America, and Mexico. Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I substance by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, which means it has no currently recognised medicinal use. According to the International Encyclopedia of Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions, the average half-life of psilocin is 50 minutes, which is the amount of time the substance will be in one’s system until the concentration in one’s blood has been reduced by half. There are numerous strains of psilocybin mushrooms, each with a varied level of power. Psilocybe cubensis is the most prevalent form of shroom and is also highly strong. A normal dose of dried psilocybe cubensis mushrooms is about 3.5 grams, or 1/8th of an ounce. According to research, hallucinogens (e.g., shrooms) work by temporarily interrupting communication between neurotransmitters that regulate basic functions (e.g., body temperature, muscle control, sensory perception) as well as mood, sexual behavior, hunger, and sleep. Ingesting mushrooms effectively interferes with how a young person’s brain functions normally. As a result, shroom usage in teenagers can result in a host of undesired physiological repercussions, including irreparable harm.

Effects of Mushrooms

As with any substance usage, a young person may face a variety of negative consequences. According to Medical News Today, some of the potential side effects of psilocybin mushroom misuse include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Impaired motor skills
• Hypothermia
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach pain
• Increased blood pressure
• Nausea
• Dilated pupils
• Flashbacks
• Vomiting
• Pleasant emotions
• Severe depression
• Increased heart rate
• Panic attacks
• Schizophrenia
• Unpleasant emotions
• Rapid breathing
• Psychosis
• Short-term memory loss
• Emotional swings
• Paranoid delusions

Psilocybin mushroom abuse can have serious health consequences. Some of these negative effects can linger throughout the duration of a mushroom trip. It is crucial to remember that some of the more severe adverse effects might last for weeks or even years after the mushroom user has stopped using the medication.