The legal status of psychedelic mushrooms
The crusade to decriminalize psychedelics like psilocybin has been active since the late 2010s. So far, the cities that have succeeded in decriminalizing entheogens include Denver, Oakland, Santa Cruz, and Somerville.
Towards the end of the year 2020, Oregon passed ballot measure 109 that saw it become the pioneer state to decriminalize psilocybin. The state also permits the use of the entheogenic as a therapeutic compound.
Psilocybin mushrooms, aka ‘magic mushrooms’, naturally produce psilocybin. Consumption, possession, and sale of this substance are deemed illegal under federal law since it is classified as a schedule 1 drug.
However, there is hope! Owing to its numerous therapeutic benefits, it is likely to get the same attention as medical marijuana. Recently, the House of Representatives passed the More Act, a bill that seeks to decriminalize weed and remove it from the list of schedule 1 drugs.
Before embarking on your trip, here is some piece of advice on consuming psychedelic compounds
It is always prudent to prepare before consuming mushrooms. Conduct some research and make the necessary preparations to maximize your experience. We shall cover the tips much later on, but for now, let’s look into how you can ensure you have an enjoyable and safe trip.
As psychedelics’ decriminalization popularizes from city to city, individuals should be aware of possible side effects of entheogens. With the knowledge of its therapeutic benefits and possible side effects, people can choose whether to consume it or not.
A psychedelic substance like psilocybin alters your perception of reality. It will change your mood, behavior, and perception of space and time.
That said, psilocybin has been linked to therapeutic benefits like detachment from substance dependency, post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD, mental disorders like anxiety and depression, chronic pain, and obsessive stress disorder or OCD.
What’s the experience like?
As described above, psychedelics like psilocybin substantially alters one’s perception of reality. After consumption, an individual will experience effects ranging from mild to extreme. Everyone has their own type of thrill with psilocybin.
Some experiences are negative, while others are positive. Psilocybin’s effects last for four to seven hours. Depending on the dosage taken, the after-effects can last for up to 6 hours.
Take your headspace into consideration.
Psilocybin is known to have anxiolytic and antidepressant properties that have been beneficial to many individuals suffering from anxiety and depression. However, it can also trigger, aggravate or precipitate quiescent or existing mental disorders.
Confusing, right? Consider psilocybin a double-edged sword. It can work for or against you.
In the event that you decide to consume it, double-check your past and current mental state. Look deeply into your family history and steer clear if there have been instances where a family member was diagnosed with mental conditions like bipolar, schizophrenia, or any other issue.
Have a friend around
Considering the probability of experiencing adverse effects of psilocybin, it is advisable to have someone who knows the ins and outs of mushroom consumption. This is especially recommended if it is your first time taking the psychedelic.
It could be a friend or a relative that you trust. Consider them your sober companion; one that has sufficient knowledge on consuming and dealing with the effects of psilocybin. The ideal sitter would be one who has assisted others with their experience in the past.
Consider the who and the where
Individuals should take psychedelics in a safe environment with people they trust, and you are comfortable around.
Ensure that you are in a comfortable environment that makes you feel safe and relaxed. The people you experience psilocybin with should be carefully selected to a few individuals. Limiting external stimulus is key to having a wholesome experience.
Things to learn from the psychedelic culture
Since we have been focusing more on general rules pertaining to psilocybin, it’s about time we dived into its culture and see what experiential tips we can gather from it. Some of these tips have been outlined perfectly and delightfully in the Have A Good Trip documentary on Netflix.
Do not drive or engage in any coordination/technically-demanding task.
Though this hasn’t been mentioned before in the article, it is very important to take heed. Psilocybin alters one’s reality and changes your perfection of time and space. It is very hard and risky to drive while experiencing these effects.
You risk getting arrested and jailed for driving under the influence and endangering your life and that of others. This will totally ruin the psychedelic experience.
Mirrors…
Mirrors can have either of two effects when it comes to looking oneself in the mirror; it can either freak you out or keep you happy and entertained. This is yet another example of the double-edged sword effects of psilocybin.
Consider the internal and external landscape.
The documentary emphasizes carefully selecting an environment that will have you feeling safe and comfortable. Consider a myriad of factors…including the type of clothes you are wearing.
Place yourself somewhere you’ll experience no disturbance. It should just be you, your sober companion (if you have no experience with psychedelics), and sometimes, a few friends.
Prepare all the things you will require like; fluids to keep you hydrated and accessibility to a restroom.
Personalize your experience
Make your psychedelic trip memorable by writing it down in a notebook. Eventually, the notebook will be filled with different experiences. It will become your personal psychedelic library.
Filling your playlist with stoner-inspired music can heighten your experience. Some of the best tunes are from the ’60s as they are classic and smooth.
Turning on the television might go either way. You could end up seeing human beings transforming into cartoons, or it could end up being an unforgettable experience. Pick something upbeat from your collection of already-viewed movies and enjoy.
You could also divert your attention to visually appealing things like art and some colorful, gorgeous fabric.
Enjoying psilocybin out in the open
You could go out and find out what mother nature has to offer. Simply ensure that you pick a location where there is enough privacy and that you have all the necessary items before starting on your psychedelic trip.
Bon voyage! Enjoy your psychedelic trip.
The trip is usually beautiful to embark on. If you feel weird, remember you are tripping, and that’s normal; just hang in there. The secret is to go with the flow and let the high take the lead.