The Problem of Psilocybin Mushroom Abuse
Human Toxicology October 1, 1982 Norman R. Peden, Stuart D. Pringle, James Crooks 45 citations
During a five-week outbreak of psilocybin-containing mushroom ingestion, 44 consecutive patients were reviewed. Patients arrived at the hospital on average 3.8 hours after ingestion, usually due to dysphoric effects. Mydriasis occurred in 40 patients, but fewer than half showed other sympathomimetic features like tachycardia, hypertension, or hyperreflexia. Twenty-three patients experienced nausea and vomiting. Visual perceptual distortions, paraesthesiae, and feelings of depersonalization were frequent. The mushrooms' effects were short-lived, wearing off within 12 hours for all but one patient. Inducing emesis did not appear to hasten recovery.