Magic mushrooms
Slang
Liberties, magics, mushies, liberty cap, psilcybe semilanceata, psilcybin, shrooms, Amani agaric, Fly Agaric.
Description
They are hallucinogenic mushrooms which grow wild in many localities in Autumn. The main type is Liberty Cap (Psilocybe) but Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria) is also sometimes used. Eaten raw or after being dried out. Also they are sometimes cooked with and then eaten or made into a tea/infusion and drunk. There is a lot of experimenting and use in Autumn. More Liberty caps are used than Fly Agaric. Nationally, a 2002 survey found that 2% of 11-15 year olds had taken magic mushrooms in the last year.
After picking, they're both either eaten raw or dried out and stored. Most people take between 1-5 grams.
Cost
Free if you know where to find them or up to £5 for a handful.
Paraphernalia / what to look out for
- Folder wraps of paper oblong in shape and a bit bigger than a postage stamp, possibly with amphetamine residue (usually white powder) on it.
- Tablets, powders, needles and syringes.
- Tablets, powders, needles and syringes.
Possible short-term indicators
- The effects can take between 30 minutes to two hours to happen. The strongest part of the trip takes 4-10 hours and the after-effects usually last a further 2-6 hours. The more you take, the longer your trip could last.
- Mushrooms can distort colour, sound and objects.
- Mushrooms can speed up and slow down time and movement.
- Both mushrooms can make you feel more emotionally sensitive. Some people feel more creative and enlightened.
- Bad trips are seriously frightening and unsettling.
- Mushrooms can make you feel sick, tired and disoriented.
Harm reduction
- Limit daily intake to 4 units for adult men and 3 units for adult women.
- Don't use alcohol and other drugs together.
- Don't drink excessively at any one time.
- Know your limit and stick to it.
- Don't drink and drive, or use machinery whilst under the influence.
Legal status
The new Drugs Act 2005 has changed the law so that now both fresh and prepared (e.g. dried or stewed) magic mushrooms are classified as Class A drugs. Possession can get you up to seven years in jail and an unlimited fine. Supplying someone else with magic mushrooms can get you life and an unlimited fine.