Magic Mushroom Use: A Qualitative Interview Study of Post-Trip Impacts and Strategies for Optimizing Experiences
Lindsay Shaw, Kerri Rea, Nathan J. Lachowsky, Eric Abella Roth
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 22, 2022 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2022.2054746 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractYoung adults in Victoria, Canada who had used magic mushrooms within the past three months described lasting impacts including transformation and learning. They used strategies such as researching magic mushrooms and relying on peer support to optimize their experiences. Aspects previously considered harmful were instead associated with learning and few harms. The perceived positive outcomes and low risk profile suggest the need for further research to help users maximize benefits and minimize harms.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Young adults in Victoria, Canada who had used magic mushrooms within the past three months |
| Intervention | Magic mushrooms |
| Keywords | Magic telescope Mushroom Qualitative research Magic bullet Social psychology |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key finding | Participants associated magic mushroom use with lasting transformation and learning, described strategies to optimize experiences, and viewed aspects previously considered harmful as learning experiences with few harms. |
Abstract
The field of psychedelic research is undergoing a revival, yet research focused on non-clinical psychedelic use remains relatively limited. The current qualitative study sheds light on how people use magic mushrooms, what they perceive the effects of such use to be, and the meanings that users attach to their magic mushroom experiences. To be eligible to participate in the study, participants were required to be young adults who had used magic mushrooms within the past three months and residents of Victoria, Canada. Semi-structured, one-on-one in-person interviews regarding magic mushroom use habits, culture, knowledge and other factors were conducted with each participant and subsequently analyzed thematically. Participants associated magic mushroom use with lasting impacts on their lives including transformation and learning experiences. Additionally, participants described strategies to optimize their magic mushroom experiences, including engaging in research regarding magic mushrooms as well as making use of peer supports. Furthermore, aspects of magic mushroom experiences conceptualized as harmful in previous studies were described by participants as associated with learning experiences and few harms. Participants' perceived positive outcomes and relatively low risk profile warrants further research to inform how magic mushroom users can maximize potential positive outcomes and also minimize harms.