Magic mushrooms refers to several types of illegal mushrooms that contain the hallucinogen psilocybin. Hallucinogens can make a young person see, hear, taste or smell things that are not really there or experience them differently to the way they are in reality.
OTHER NAMES:
Shrooms, mushies, magics, golden tops, blue meanies, liberty caps.
UNDERSTANDING:
Mushrooms are typically eaten fresh or dried, cooked in foods or brewed into a ‘tea’. They can also be ground into small particles and smoked with tobacco or cannabis.
Some people report other-worldly experiences in which they are blissfully at one with the universe, whilst others report frightening nightmare-like experiences from which they cannot wake. A young person using mushrooms may have an altered sense of reality, time and space. Effects are usually felt within 30 minutes to two hours and can last between two and six hours.
Wrongly identified mushrooms can be fatal. Symptoms of poisoning include stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhoea or unconsciousness. An ambulance should be called if any of these symptoms occur.
HOW TO SUPPORT A YOUNG PERSON:
Hallucinogens (of which mushrooms are one) distort reality so young people using mushrooms may interact with the world in a way that seems odd or uncharacteristic.
If you suspect intoxication with mushrooms, removing the young person to a calm, quiet environment where they can be monitored until the effects wear off would be preferable to trying to engage them in classwork whilst substance affected.
For a more comprehensive guide, we recommend the ADF’sfact sheet and Harm Reduction Victoria’s fact sheet.
Psychedelic mushrooms growing on moss in dreamy forest
Taking the time to understand how to support a student is important. YoDAA can help navigate this with you.
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