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Psilocybe cubensis Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted tryptamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Description

Psilocybe cubensis (magic mushrooms, shrooms) is a psilocybin-producing mushroom in the family Hymenogastraceae — the most widely cultivated psychedelic fungus globally.[1] Its principal active constituent, psilocybin, is converted in the body to psilocin. Psilocin activates serotonin receptors in the prefrontal cortex, disrupting the brain's default network and producing the psychedelic experience.[2]

Subjective effects include brightened colours, flowing visual geometry, heightened emotional sensitivity, thought connectivity, and — at higher doses — ego dissolution and mystical-type experiences. The experience is characteristically introspective and body-centred, shaped powerfully by mindset and environment.[3]

Psilocybin produces no physical dependence and no withdrawal, and no human fatalities from psilocybin toxicity alone are documented.[4] The primary dangers are psychological — acute anxiety reactions and, rarely, lasting psychosis in people with a personal or family history of psychotic disorders.

Dose and duration

No dose or duration recorded for any route.

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Low
Chronic toxicity
Negligible
Physical dependence
None
Psychological dependence
Negligible
Withdrawal
None recorded
Compulsive redosing
Negligible

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
10 days
Carries over to
LSD; mescaline; DMT; other serotonergic psychedelics

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Brightness alteration; Color alteration; Color enhancement; Depth perception distortion; Environmental patterning; Geometry; Holotropic state; Music enhancement; Perspective distortion; Sound sensitivity; Tracers; Visual breathing; Visual drifting; Visual morphing; +22 possible, including Visual haze / noise, Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion
Body
Body scan awareness; Pupil dilation; +31 possible, including Nausea, Dizziness, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
Aesthetic enhancement; Conceptual thinking; Immersion enhancement; Introspection enhancement; Novelty enhancement; Openness enhancement; Thought connectivity; +30 possible, including Cognitive impairment, Suggestibility enhancement, Confusion
Feeling
Emotional enhancement; Emotional lability; Simultaneous emotions; +7 possible, including Anxiety, Paranoia, Dysphoria
Self
Derealization; Emotional susceptibility; +12 possible, including Depersonalization, Communication suppression, Social disconnection
Time
Present-moment absorption; Temporal disorientation; Time alteration; +2 possible
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
Personal insight; +4 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Psychotic disorders; Concurrent MAOI use
Relative
Established cardiovascular disease; Active suicidal ideation; Hepatic impairment; Pregnancy; Adolescent and pediatric populations; Concurrent lithium therapy

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (1)
MAOIs
Dangerous (17)
Dopamine agonists; Lithium; MDMA, MDA; NRIs; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); Psychedelics; Salvia, Ibogaine; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids
Caution (37)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/psilocybe-cubensis
Not graded (6)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

Most difficulty is psychological (intense fear, panic, confusion) and passes with calm support — the signs below mean seek emergency help:

  • Very high body temperature; hot, dry skin
  • Seizures
  • Chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Severe muscle rigidity, tremor, or twitching (possible serotonin syndrome)
  • Cold, pale, or blue fingers/toes — severe vasoconstriction (notably NBOMe / DOx)
  • Persistent vomiting; unconsciousness; uncontrollable agitation or risk of self-harm

What to do

  1. Stay calm and reassure — remind them they took a drug and the effect will pass
  2. Move to a calm, quiet, safe space with low light; reduce noise and sensory input
  3. Keep them from harm — they may act on fear or confusion; stay with them, don't leave them alone
  4. Talk them down gently; don't grab or restrain unless they're in danger
  5. For the medical signs above (overheating, seizure, chest pain, vasoconstriction, unresponsive) call emergency services
  6. If overheating, cool the body; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

The experience is time-limited and usually resolves with calm reassurance in a safe setting — psychological first aid, not medication. Serious physical harm is uncommon for classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) but real for some potent phenethylamines (NBOMe, DOx), where hyperthermia, seizures, and vasoconstriction warrant emergency care.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r2 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Kurzbaum E, Páleníček T, Shrchaton A, Azerrad SP, Dekel Y (2025) Exploring Psilocybe cubensis Strains: Cultivation Techniques, Psychoactive Compounds, Genetics and Research Gaps — Journal of Fungi doi:10.3390/jof11020099
  2. [2]
    ^Sonda S, Pendin D, Comai S, De Martin S, Manfredi P, Mattarei A (2025) Emerging mechanisms of psilocybin-induced neuroplasticity — Trends in Pharmacological Sciences doi:10.1016/j.tips.2025.08.012
  3. [3]
    ^Haijen E, Kaelen M, Roseman L, Timmermann C, Kettner H (2018) Predicting Responses to Psychedelics: A Prospective Study — Frontiers in Pharmacology doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00897
  4. [4]
    ^Johnson M, Richards W, Griffiths R (2008) Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety — Journal of Psychopharmacology doi:10.1177/0269881108093587
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