Between Prohibitions: Patterns and Meanings of Magic Mushroom Use in the UK
Substance Use & Misuse 2008 DOI: 10.1080/10826080701772363 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 174 |
| Population | Self-selecting convenience sample of magic mushroom users in Edinburgh and Bristol, UK; mostly in their 20s, White-British, in education or employed; 64% male |
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Feeling Paranoia Harm reduction Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 36 |
| Key findings | Magic mushroom users reported infrequent but intense consumption, with positive effects like hallucinations and altered perspective alongside negative experiences of paranoia and anxiety. |
Abstract
A survey of magic mushroom use was completed by 174 participants in 2004, a year when the sale of hallucinogenic mushrooms was not illegal in the UK. The data were collected in Edinburgh and Bristol (UK). Participants were a self-selecting convenience sample. Participants tended to be in their 20s, White-British, in education or employed; 64% were male. Participants reported a pattern of infrequent but intense consumption (47% used between 4-12 times/year, average consumption in one setting was 12 g, a high dose). Use was explained in terms of laughing, hallucinations, altering perspective (41-74%), and feelings of being closer to nature (49%). Negative experiences reported included paranoia (35%) and anxiety (32%). Mushroom use was located within a wider recreational drug and alcohol culture. Four focus groups aided the interpretation of the data. Future research is recommended into negative experiences. Implications for policy and harm minimisation literature are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| The Role of Mindfulness and Psychological Flexibility in Somatization, Depression, Anxiety, and General Psychological Distress in a Nonclinical College Sample Ethnically diverse, nonclinical sample of college undergraduates (76% female) | 2011 | Observational cross-sectional survey | n = 494 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 21
- Survey study of challenging experiences after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms: Acute and enduring positive and negative consequences Journal of Psychopharmacology August 31, 2016
- Harm potential of magic mushroom use: a review. Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP April 1, 2011
- Diversity, biology, and history of psilocybin-containing fungi: Suggestions for research and technological development. Fungal biology April 1, 2022
- New psychoactive substances of natural origin: A brief review Journal of Food and Drug Analysis April 18, 2017
- Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of magic mushrooms Journal of Psychopharmacology April 7, 2022
and 16 more in the library
Cites 10
- The pharmacology of psilocybin Addiction Biology October 1, 2002
- Acute psychological and physiological effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a double-blind, placebo-controlled dose?effect study Psychopharmacology March 1, 2004
- Psychological and cognitive effects of long-term peyote use among Native Americans. Biological Psychiatry October 15, 2005
- Patterns of recreational drug use at dance events in Edinburgh, Scotland Addiction July 1, 2001
- Patterns, Trends, and Meanings of Drug Use by Dance-drug Users in Edinburgh, Scotland Drugs Education Prevention and Policy June 1, 2004
and 5 more in the library