Are magic mushrooms addictive?

Do you ever use magic mushrooms and worry about becoming addicted to them? Magic mushrooms cause hallucinations and can have a positive effect on your mood and outlook on life. But a bad trip can also occur. But what about an addiction to magic mushrooms, is that possible? Below we answer this question.

What is an addiction?

In order to know whether you can become addicted to magic mushrooms, it is important that we first clarify what an addiction actually is. First of all, you can become addicted to all kinds of substances and behaviours. Think of alcohol, drugs, but also gambling or sex. When you use a certain substance, the reward system in the brain is stimulated.

This reward system produces substances that make you feel good. It is a signal by which your body indicates that you should continue with this. Originally, this system was meant to help you survive. When you ate, it activated the reward system. Of course, you need food to survive. But it also reacts when you use substances that are addictive.

This makes you want to keep using that substance or keep doing that activity. Even if it has negative consequences for your health, your finances or your relationships. There are two types of addictions: physical and mental. If there is a physical addiction, then you have used so much of the substance that your body has become totally dependent. You can no longer function without it. If you just stop taking it, you will get withdrawal symptoms.

With a mental addiction, your body is not addicted, but you have become mentally dependent. You need that uplifting feeling that the substance or behaviour produces. A mental addiction may not destroy your body, but it can also have serious negative effects on your life.

Addicted to magic mushrooms?

So the question is, can you become addicted to magic mushrooms? The fact is that you cannot become physically addicted to magic mushrooms. That's because over time, the body builds up a tolerance to the psychoactive compound psilocybin. You will then become less and less sensitive to it, and it will have less and less effect. People who have used magic mushrooms more often in succession will probably recognize this. The first time the trip is intense, but if you take it a second or third time, you will hardly notice the effects, even if you take a higher dose.

As a result, a physical addiction to magic mushrooms is not possible. You have to stop for a while before the drug will have an effect again. Also, from researchshows that magic mushrooms are one of are the safest drugs. A psychic dependence is probably possible (although scientists do not yet fully agree on this). That's because the effects of magic mushrooms are so pleasant that people don't want to give them up and think they can't live without them.

How psychological addiction can arise.

As mentioned, the use of magic mushrooms can have positive effects. Magic mushrooms can cause a feeling of euphoria (feelings of happiness and cheerfulness). You can experience that you are less anxious, feel more social and make contact with others more easily. You think out-of-the-box more easily, you are more creative and deep philosophical thoughts can also come to mind.

Magic mushrooms can provide you with new insights. After an intense trip it is possible that you look at your life, your relationships and your work very differently. You can even go through spiritual experiences. It is therefore not surprising that people attach great value to what they experience during a trip. The fact that magic mushrooms can have a positive influence on your mood, such as less anxiety or gloomy thoughts, can also make you want to experience this more often.

This can potentially cause a psychological addiction. That's because you always want to experience a certain emotional reaction that the magic mushrooms can give you. You start thinking that without the magic mushrooms you can no longer go through life happily, socially or without fear.

This is how you recognize a psychological addiction

With a mental dependence, you can suffer from the following symptoms:

• Continuous desire for the substance or activity in question
• Mood swings
• Lack of appetite
• Poor sleep and restlessness if you cannot take the drug
• Getting upset when you think about it t that you can't take the drug

The advantage is that a mental addiction is easier to treat than a physical one. Sometimes you can break through your dependence purely on willpower. But be aware that asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Rather effective, because you recognize that there is a problem that you cannot solve yourself. Behavioural therapy or coaching can help, so be sure to seek help if you want to overcome your mental addiction.

Do you get withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking magic mushrooms?

If you notice that you may be somewhat dependent on your use of magic mushrooms, it is probably time to stop or at least cut back. Fortunately, you will not physically suffer from withdrawal symptoms. However, it can be difficult if you have become mentally dependent on magic mushrooms. As you read above, the idea of stopping can make you restless or even anxious. In that case, it can be useful to seek help.

Are magic mushrooms safe?

Are you worried about whether you still have mushrooms (or truffles, which contain the same psychoactive substance)? Magic mushrooms are one of the safest drugs, but even using shrooms has some drawbacks. The fact is that you can't become physically addicted to magic mushrooms, so don't worry about that. Be aware of what it does to you mentally. But if you make sure you use these wonderful mind-altering substances wisely and carefully, you can enjoy yourself and avoid becoming mentally dependent.