SCIENTIFIC TERM:
Psilocybe Semilanceata (Liberty Cap),little brown/grey common type mushrooms - common,m Amanita muscaria (Fly agaric) - toadstool like Amanita muscaria.
STREET NAMES:
Magic mushrooms, Mushies
EFFECTS:
The effects usually begin after 20-40 minutes and last between 4 and 9 hours. The effects are similar to a mild LSD experience and are dependent on the user's mood and expectations. Again once it starts it can't be stopped.
DRUG FORM & METHOD OF USE:
The Liberty Cap is a light brown mushroom about 6-8cms high and contains the hallucinogenic Psilocybin . This is the most common type of mushroom used. The Fly agaric is a red mushroom about 10-12cms high with white spots. Magic mushrooms are usually cooked and eaten or boiled in water to make a ‘tea'. Liberty Caps can be eaten raw. Mushrooms can also be dried for storage.All Magic Mushrooms used to be legal to eat raw, once processed (dried, put into a tea, on a pizza) they were counted as Class A. However, as of July 2005, ALL Liberty Cap MAGIC MUSHROOMS (those containing psilocin or psilocin like esters), RAW OR PROCESSED ARE COUNTED AS CLASS A DRUGS. Fly Agaric (Amanita's) mushrooms have NOT been reclassified at this point and as such are still legal to possess in raw form.
HEALTH RISKS:
The biggest risk is poisoning due to picking the wrong kind of mushrooms. Liberty Caps are not very toxic so the overdose risk is low and no adverse long- term effects have been reported, however at high does severe nausea and vomiting are common. Little is known about the long- term use of Fly agaric, however they are very toxic. Two types of Amanita mushrooms cause death by poisoning and are invariably fatal. Heart failure is another common cause of death. Paranoia is a common effect of mushrooms and people on them often need reassurance.
TOLERANCE:
There is no evidence of dependency with both types of mushroom. There are withdrawal symptoms with the use of Fly agaric including sweating, nausea, reduced heart rate and hallucinations. Aggressive mood changes have also been reported.
LAW:
Magic mushrooms are a class A drug. Class A drugs carry the most serious charges. Maximum penalties you can face are: Seven years imprisonment plus an unlimited fine for possession; life imprisonment plus an unlimited fine for supplying or dealing; life imprisonment plus an unlimited fine for possession with intent to supply.
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