OK, so magic mushroom season is upon us and folks are gonna be out in pastures green, plucking mushrooms out of cow turds; boiling, chewing, smoking and baking them , tripping out and feeling at one with the world....
Unless of course, you pick the wrong mushroom and end up vomiting your insides out on the way to the hospital. Mushrooms need to be treated with respect and although only a few are dangerously poisonous-even to the point of being fatal, there are others that can make you grossly ill.

MUSHROOMING TIPS TO REMEMBER

THE LAW (The Law has changed - in the UK psilocybin mushrooms are now ILLEGAL. However, other mushrooms such as The Fly Agaric are still legal - await a BP update from Issue 11 on Fly Agarics) As it stands, the possession of mushrooms and the consumption are illegal, registered as a class A, Schedule 1 drug (1971 Misuse of Drugs Act.)

 

EATING THEM

• It's always best to try a very small amount first, even half a mushroom, just to be sure it's not poisonous. Advice on the amount to eat is extremely hard to give because the drug content in each mushroom can vary considerably according to the age of the mushroom, its location and the soil and weather conditions. So be careful
  
• DOSEAGE: We have looked everywhere and there seems to be a debate as to whether mushrooms are stronger dried or fresh.  While so much can depend on their growing circumstances, fresh is probably best if only for more accurate identification - but look into it,  or let us know. A  typical dose of dried mushrooms is around 2 grams.  A typical portion of fresh mushrooms is around 10 to 20 grams. But dried or fresh, start with a small amount, two or so mushys should be fine. Give it forty minutes, see how you feel, and go from there.
• Dosage levels are different for different people, and the strength of different ‘shroom batches and strains can vary. Always start with a small amount, and be patient.  A  trip usually comes on between 30 and 60 minutes ( longer if you've just eaten). Chewing the mushrooms well before swallowing can improve the effect, and save your stomach from having to digest large pieces, which can lead to trapped wind or nausea. Watch your dosages when drinking shroom tea. Keep a good buddy with you and go slow.

 

• STRENGTH : Like the distribution of THC within cannabis plants there is wide variation in the distribution of active compounds within the mushroom with proportionately more active drug found in the head than the stalk. The drug content in ‘shrooms can vary according to age, location, soil and weather conditions.
• Tolerance: As with other hallucinogens such as LSD, rapid tolerance develops after repeated use and, from personal experience we’ve found toxins do build up in the body after too many days tripping and you can feel pretty shite. If you feel something is wrong and you want to go to hospital, be sure and take a sample of the mushroom with you. Even if the only sample is the persons vomit or shit (no really!) it’ll help them at A&E.

THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT

• As any experienced tripper will know, the environment you choose to trip in can have a real impact on the nature and 'feel' of your trip. Outdoors in the country or in a big lush park can create the sensation of being at one with nature whilst a trip taken indoors can be more soul searching and reflective. NOTE; Try not to trip if you are too stressed out - it could easily put a downer on your trip.
• SET & SETTING As most trippers will know, SET and SETTING are very important things to consider when deciding to trip. Expect an intensification of existing feelings and tuning in to things you normally may take for granted. ‘Communing with nature’ is an excellent way to spend your time when mushroom tripping, taking time out to appreciate nature’s little intricacies and your close friends. You may experience deep feelings of insight - changes in your perception of space and time - maybe even vivid visual hallucinations, depending on the type of mushroom chosen and amount.
• The effects will peak after about two and a half to three and a half hours.  After about four, they will begin to decline. After six hours the effects should be markedly less.  After eight hours, the trip should have ended. Set and setting - are the key to a comfortable trip, no doubt about it.

 

Going Mushy Gathering...

 

• GET A GUIDE: Although there are about 3000 species of fungi in Britain, the fact that some are poisonous means you need to be extremely sure of what you're eating. The best idea by far, is to take an experienced mushroom identifier with you. Once you've seen one for yourself, it'll be much easier to identify it correctly next time. Get yourself a good mushroom guide, there's an oldie but goodie by Hassle Free Press called "A Guide to British Psyocibin Mushrooms", available from Hassle Free, BCM Box 311 LONDON WC1, or you can write to us here and we'll send you out some information. There are some truely excellent websites available on mushrooms - we've gotta recommend www.erowid.org as your first port of call...
• IDENTIFICATION: Psilocybe mushrooms can sometimes be differentiated from their poisonous cousins by their response to room air; when cut psilocybe mushrooms oxidise and turn blue within 30-60 minutes (Karch, 2003).  If you choose too, you can grow your own mushrooms with mushroom growing kits but always try to buy you mushrooms (& kits) from a recommended source.  Never go mushroom picking without an experienced person or a colour guide. NOTE: Poisonous mushys often grow  near psylocibe shrooms, so careful.

DON'T GO ALONE: Having someone with you is important for a few reasons;

• In case you become ill from picking the wrong mushroom.
  
• So someone can 'bring you down' if you're having a bad trip (soothing voices, calm environment, getting rid of any aggravation or stress factors can help).
  
• It makes for a much better trip if you're surrounded by good friends who you can trust.
• POISONING: Symptoms of mushroom poisoning may become apparent anywhere from 20 min, to 40 hours after consumption. The later the effects come on, the more serious it can be. Remember -since mushrooms are legal, there's no problem calling a doctor but try to take a sample of the mushroom, or the ill persons vomit or shit - despite being gross it will help doctors identify on. Thanks to RELEASE and HASSLE FREE for literature
  

Warnings:

• Feeling Dodgy? Above all, don't do it unless you feel like it and don’t eat more than your fairly sure of. Don't trip in the throes of, or too soon after, a period of emotional upheaval, this goes for any trips - make sure you’re feeling good, you’re in great company, you’ve got access to food and water (to help you come down if you need to).
• Bad trips can involve a very disparate range of emotions. You could experience feelings of panic, confusion, paranoia, disturbing thoughts and hallucinations.  If this happens;  get some fresh air, steady yourself down with slow, gentle breathing; have something sweet (works well to bring you down), like chocolate or fruit-juice or oranges/juice. Sit somewhere quiet, & think chilled thoughts.
• Often, the fear of a bad trip can just make some people panic as soon as any anxiety pops up, so it’s crucial to remember SET & SETTING and staying calm - and the tips mentioned above..Always try and buy them from a recommended source - or know what your picking (get a colour guide).
• If you’ve picked the wrong mushroom, you might know very quickly, but it could take 24 hours to set in - always keep a sample mushroom if you're not sure what your taking - better still, don't take 'em if you ain't sure innit!

 

Issue 1 written 2000 combined with another shroom article from issue 8.