Are Psychedelic Mushrooms Addictive?

As psychedelics continue to gain popularity for their potential therapeutic benefits, concerns around their addictive properties,based on decades of stigma, persist. In this section, we will explore the addictive potential of psychedelic mushrooms, the associated risks, and delve into relevant research to provide a comprehensive understanding of their addictive potential.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the addiction potential and associated risks of using these mushrooms is an important research area as the global popularity of psilocybin continues to grow
• Research has suggested that psychedelic mushrooms have a low risk for addiction, there are, however, other potential risks that users should be aware of
• Further research is needed to fully understand the addictive potential of these substances

Psilocybin Benefits 

Psilocybin and psychedelic mushrooms are gaining increasing traction worldwide and more research demonstrates  their long-term mental health benefits.

In 2020, 16.1% of Global Drug Survey respondents reported using magic mushrooms, nearly two times the amount of users reported in 2015. As the media continues to publicize psilocybin’s benefits, and health authorities consider its use in psychiatry, it’s likely this figure will continue to rise. 

When used alongside therapy, controlled psilocybin use has demonstrated clinically meaningful benefits for mental health conditions. These have included depression, anxiety, OCD, alcohol addiction and anorexia. In non-clinical settings, a recent survey demonstrated naturalistic psilocybin use was associated with long-term decreases in mental health symptoms, and increased cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation and spiritual wellbeing. 

Despite these benefits, a minority of participants reported persisting negative effects., such as increased mood fluctuations and depressive symptoms. However, there was no mention of addiction, other than participants having decreased addictive behaviors following psilocybin use. 

Is Psilocybin Addictive?

Psilocybin is currently listed as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). However, evidence shows psilocybin’s scope of use and harms are much lower compared to typically abused drugs. One review found there may be a mild abuse potential for psilocybin, but this potential should categorize the drug as Schedule 5 rather than Schedule 1 in line with the CSA framework.

In pre-clinical research, one experiment showed monkeys had no reliable interest in self-administering psilocybin. Self-administration is a common indicator for substance abuse, leading the authors to conclude psilocybin may only be mildly addictive, or may have a mix of both reinforcing and aversive effects.

Moreover, no studies have documented any symptoms of physical dependence following psilocybin use. Physical dependence is when the body adapts to the presence of a substance, causing withdrawal symptoms to develop when an individual stops using it. On the contrary, psilocybin use has reportedly decreased withdrawal symptoms in individuals with cannabis, opioid and stimulant misuse disorder.

Psychological Addiction and Psilocybin

Although psychedelic mushrooms show a low risk for physical dependence, individuals could become psychologically dependent on their effects. Psychological dependence is defined by the “emotional or mental dependence on a specific addictive agent.”   

Psilocybin’s benefits include euphoria, positive mood, and reduced mental health disorder symptoms, which may be driving forces to seek out the substance. However, with sustained benefits and a reported “emerging sense of contentment” following experiences, it’s unlikely psilocybin is sought after frequently. In addition, fear and anxiety are also commonly experienced during psilocybin, deterring users from chronic use. 

There are no available documented cases of psychological addiction following psilocybin-containing mushrooms to date. However, since the risk is possible, it’s important to be aware of the possible treatment options available and seek professional help if you or someone you know may be experiencing addiction to psychedelic mushrooms. Treatment options include rehabilitation, counseling and group therapy.

Understanding the Addictive Properties of Psychedelic Mushrooms

In conclusion, our exploration of the addictive properties of psychedelic mushrooms leads us to the understanding that they have a low risk for addiction. While psychological dependence is possible, physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms are rare.

We must note that addiction potential can vary from person to person, and some individuals may be more prone to addictive behavior than others. Therefore, it is important to be aware of potential risks associated with the use of psychedelic mushrooms and to use them responsibly.

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