Abuse of Indigenous Psilocybin Mushrooms: A New Fashion and Some Psychiatric Complications

Abstract

The use for hallucinogenic purposes of an indigenous mushroom, Psilocybe semilanceata indigenous to Britain is reported in three patients. Typical psychedelic, transient psychotic and more prolonged schizophrenia-like states were seen, with sympathomimetic signs noted in two cases, in one being prolonged. Enquiry about such mushroom abuse should be considered in individuals presenting to medical or psychiatric emergency clinics.

Occurrence and use of hallucinogenic mushrooms containing psilocybin alkaloids

“…Agitation and hallucinations may be seen with 10 mushrooms in one case, whereas 200 may produce only gastritis in another. Prolonged sympathomimetic effects and psychosis have been seen with 50 to 60 mushrooms (Hyde et al, 1978). Hollister and co-workers have described both the time sequence of onset of clinical effects from psilocybin among 16 subjects exposed orally to doses between 60 and 209 g/kg, and the frequency of response among 19 subjects given an oral dose of 150 g/kg (Hollister, 1961;Hollister and Hartman, 1962;Hollister et al, 1960 Similar symptoms and absence of adverse toxic effects in humans have been observed by others (Isbell, 1959;Gouzoulis-Mayfrank et al, 1999b) In cases of intoxication, it might be useful to distinguish between the primary toxic effects and the secondary effects resulting due to the exposed persons emotional reactions to the primary symptoms of intoxication.…”

“…The patient was afraid and agitated, and had visual hallucinations -colours being extremly vivid. Hyde et al, 1978 20-year-old man Although the patient had not used drugs for 6 months, he was not new to drugs. He once tried 20 mushrooms with friends and experienced pleasant effects for 6-8 hours.…”

“…At 48 hours he showed spasmodic stupor and excitation, and at 72 hours he showed cataleptic phenomena and began to display episodes of agitation and fear. Hyde et al, 1978 Young male student The patient consumed 15-25 P. semilanceata. One hour after consumption of the mushroom he first became giggly, well disposed and talkative.This was followed by a period when he felt threathened, and later on time began to go wrong, and colourfull hallucinations occurred.…”

Poisoning by hallucinogenic mushroom Hikageshibiretake (Psilocybe argentipes K. Yokoyama) indigenous to Japan.

“…Compared with the foreign reports on abuse (Hyde et al 1978 ;Mills et al 1979 ;Peden et al 1982 ;Mack 1983), the amount of ingestion seemed to be smaller in our cases, therefore, it may be concluded that Hikageshibiretake is considerably toxic in regard to our cases.…”

“…Since the toxic effects are short-lived and subside wihin a few hours, it appears that no active treatment is necessary. However, it is very necessary to recognize that emotional panic reactions occurred commonly as in our cases, and behavior problems such as violence, agressive actions, homicidal and suicidal attempts (Peden et al 1982), prolonged schizophrenia-like psychosis (Hyde et al 1978) and convulsions (Mack 1983) occurred in some cases. In our cases (4 and 5), antianxiety drugs seemed to be effective for panic reactions and might prevent further mental deterioration.…”