What Are Magic Mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms are mushrooms capable of producing hallucinogenic effects in people who consume them. They grow wild in many parts of the world, including Britain, and can be consumed either directly or after some form of preparation, such as cooking or brewing into a tea.

As with other hallucinogenic drugs, magic mushrooms can produce dramatic changes in consciousness, changes in sensory perceptions, sometimes great feelings of serenity or empathy for others. Some people have extremely unpleasant experiences while taking magic mushrooms, and find that the drug induces a sense of paranoia in them. Magic mushrooms can also produce physical effects such as an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.

In Britain, magic mushrooms, whether in a raw or prepared state, are classified as Class A drugs. It is therefore illegal to own them, produce them or sell them.

Magic mushrooms are not addictive. The active ingredient in magic mushrooms is called psilocybin.