Scottish Drugs Forum
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Drug group - Psychedelics
Street names
Magic mushrooms, mushies
Drug effect
Psychedelic. Contains psilocybin and psilocin. Effects begin within 20-40 minutes and can last for 2-7 hours. They are linked to LSD but some users report a more dreamy and undulating experience.
Description
Small, light brown mushroom about 6-8cm high with distinctive pointed tops.
Street use
Sometimes eaten straight from the ground, but more often cooked and eaten or boiled in water to make a 'tea' or dried (often in autumn for use throughout the year).
Dependency
No
Withdrawal
No withdrawal symptoms have been noted.
Long term use
No long-term adverse physiological effects have been reported although, as with other psychedelics, latent psychological problems can be triggered.
Overdose risk
Liberty Caps are not very toxic and overdoses are extremely rare. There is a risk of mistakenly taking a more poisonous mushroom or fungus.
Legal status
Class A if dried or prepared for use. Drugs Act 2005 legislation will also make it a Class A offence to sell it fresh - but no date for this change has been announced yet.
Maximum penalty
Possession - 7 years
Supplying - Life