What Are Liberty Caps?

Liberty cap mushrooms sometimes referred to as liberty caps or magic mushrooms, is another name for a mushroom named Psilocybe semilanceata. It is a hallucinogenic mushroom found in grasslands and pastures across North America, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Despite the fact that they are commonly distributed within North America, this type of mushroom consumption is against the law. They typically look very similar to ordinary mushrooms with long, thin stems and caps that are either black or rusty brown. Some people eat them by themselves, combine them with food, or brew them to be consumed in the form of tea. It can also be combined with cannabis and smoked. The use of psychedelic mushrooms is highly dangerous.

What Is the History of Liberty Caps?

Liberty cap mushrooms have been around for many years. It is believed that they were originally used by tribal people during ceremonies. These people thought that these types of mushrooms were spiritually significant and could help welcome an individual into the spiritual world after death. As for more recent history, liberty cap mushrooms were heavily reported on in the 1950s by R. Gordon Wasson. Wasson published a book entitled “Seeking the Magic Mushroom,” which introduced liberty cap mushrooms to the United States. The book detailed the visions Wasson would have after consuming these mushrooms.

What Effect Do Liberty Cap Mushrooms Have on the Mind?

Liberty cap mushrooms are a type of hallucinogenic drug. Thus, they cause the user to hear, feel, or see things that are not really there. People typically seek them out because of the type of high that they cause. An individual may experience a sense of relaxation, euphoria, or a distorted sense of time. However, not every individual’s experience with this type of drug will be pleasant. Many people experience a sense of panic, anxiety, and paranoia. Some might even go into a state of psychosis.

What Are the Physical Effects of Mushrooms?

Many people mistakenly believe that liberty caps are safer than other types of drugs and lead to a less intense high. However, in reality, they are highly unpredictable and can be incredibly dangerous. An individual who has used this drug will typically experience increased heart rate and body temperature. They might feel drowsy, have muscle weakness, nausea, or experience a lack of coordination. Someone who has taken this drug will often have dilated pupils and may frequently be yawning.

The effects of liberty cap mushrooms will generally wear off in six to 12 hours. However, some individuals may continue to feel its effects days after use. They may experience a personality change or even have flashbacks to when they were on the drug.

Typically, most urine drug screenings related to employment will not test specifically for psilocybin. However, some screenings may look for a strong hallucinogen that could pick up if an individual has used liberty cap mushrooms. Additionally, the drug can still be found in an individual’s hair follicles for up to 90 days after use.

The Dangers

It is important to note that it can be challenging to tell what the strength of any given liberty cap is. Thus, an individual will not know how strong, how long, or what type of experience they will have upon use. Many people will use liberty cap mushrooms in combination with alcohol and other types of drugs. However, combining liberty cap mushrooms with other substances increases the risk of dangerous side effects and even death. In severe cases, liberty cap mushrooms have been known to cause convulsions. In this situation, the individual should receive medical treatment immediately.

Another danger of using liberty cap mushrooms is that their appearance can be quite similar to that of a poisonous mushroom. Thus, the individual risks the potential of possibly poisoning themselves. Mushroom poisoning is highly dangerous and can be fatal. It can lead to severe physical problems and organ damage.

Can You Experience Withdrawal After Discontinuing the Use of Liberty Cap Mushrooms?

 In many cases, an individual will not experience the physical effects of withdrawal when they quit using the drug, even if they were using it heavily. However, individuals have reported that they experienced some mental side effects such as depression in some situations.

It is possible to experience tolerance to liberty caps which is highly dangerous because the individual will need more and more of the drug to feel the same effects. Thus, this can lead to overdose.

The overdose symptoms related to liberty cap mushrooms can include:

• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Panic
• Muscle Weakness
• Psychosis
• Paranoia
• Intense Aggravation

Liberty caps are a type of psychedelic mushroom that leads to hallucinogenic effects. The drug within these types of mushrooms is called Psilocybe semilanceata. These mushrooms can be eaten by themselves, combined with food, brewed into tea, or smoked. Liberty cap mushrooms are illegal in the United States as well as many other countries. Someone who consumes this drug may experience a sense of euphoria or relaxation; however, they could also experience a sense of panic and paranoia. Liberty cap mushrooms can lead to dilated pupils, increased heart rate, drowsiness, lack of coordination, and muscle weakness. In severe cases, it can lead to convulsions. Taking liberty cap mushrooms is highly dangerous because their effects can be very unpredictable.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, our team at Gallus Medical Detox Centers is here to help. Call (720) 669-8178 today for more information about our different types of services.

Shannon Weir, RN

Shannon Weir, RN is the Chief Nursing Officer at Gallus Medical Detox Centers. She has been a Registered Nurse for 30 years, Shannon’s experience ranges from critical care to flight nursing, medical detox, sexual assault exams, and SWAT nursing. Shannon has been with Gallus Medical Detox Centers since 2010 and is a vital part of our organization.