The Problem of Psilocybin Mushroom Abuse
Human Toxicology – October 01, 1982
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Despite distressing symptoms, the hallucinogen psilocybin's effects are typically short-lived. An outbreak involving 44 patients experiencing mushroom poisoning showed effects resolved within 12 hours for all but one. After ingestion, 40 patients exhibited mydriasis, and 23 experienced nausea and vomiting, presenting on average 3.8 hours later. Tachycardia was less common. Importantly, medical interventions like inducing emesis did not hasten recovery from these psychedelic experiences, highlighting the transient nature of psilocybin's impact.
Abstract
1 We have reviewed the clinical features and management of 44 consecutive patients presenting to hospital over a 5 week period during an outbreak of ingestion of psilocybin containing mushrooms. 2 Patients presented to hospital usually because of dysphoric effects an average of 3.8 h after ingesting the mushrooms. 3 Mydriasis was present in 40 patients but fewer than half showed other sympathomimetic features - tachycardia, hypertension or hyperreflexia. 4 Twenty-three patients experienced nausea and vomiting. 5 Distortions of perception chiefly visual were frequent as were paraesthesiae and feelings of depersonalization. 6 The effects of the mushrooms were short-lived and had worn off within 12 h in all but one patient. 7 Inducing emesis did not appear to hasten recovery from the effects of the mushrooms.