While not everyone can be a professional mushroom expert like Paul Stamets, there are certain things you simply should never do with magic mushrooms. And we’re not even talking about things you might do while on a trip. In fact, reports have come in that a man who injected magic mushrooms into his bloodstream suffered organ failure when the fungi began to grow inside his body. Ouch…
“Even more alarming were the results of the blood test: the magic mushrooms, which thrive in dark places, actually began to grow in his bloodstream.”
Home-made therapy
The incident is discussed in the Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. The 30-year-old man wanted to reduce his medication for bipolar disorder and depression, so he began his own research into the effects of microdosing LSD and psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic substance produced by over 200 species of mushrooms (we probably don’t need to tell you that). The man found some studies on magic mushrooms and psilocybin and thought it would be a good idea to incorporate the mushrooms into his daily life. Well, plenty of people do that. More and more scientific researchers believe there might be a link between the two, but self-treatment is still not recommended.
Normally, as most of you know, the mushrooms should be eaten whole or, if necessary, dissolved into powder in tea, which can then be drunk. This man, however, had other plans. He boiled the magic mushrooms, filtered the water, and injected the remaining substance. Yes, really. Drinking magic mushroom tea is a method used by some recreational users of the drug. The man, however, took the unusual step of preparing it for injection by filtering it through cotton before injecting the concoction into his veins.
Read also: Mike Tyson downs 5 grams of magic mushrooms during podcast
Not a good idea
We can safely say that wasn’t the best idea. A few days later, he became very tired, started vomiting blood, and developed a fever and diarrhea. His family found him in a pitiful state and took him to the hospital, where doctors were unable to communicate with him. Tests showed that his liver and kidneys were not functioning properly and that the first stage of organ failure had set in.
Even more alarming were the results of the blood test: the magic mushrooms, which thrive in dark places, had actually started growing in his bloodstream. The man had to be put on a ventilator, and his blood was thoroughly filtered. He was given two antibiotics and antifungal treatment, which continues even after his discharge from the hospital.
Read also: Everything you need to know about magic mushrooms and magic mushroom grow kits
"It is unclear whether active intravascular infection with a psychoactive fungus such as Psilocybe cubensis can lead to persistent psychoactive effects, as seen with ingestion of the same species, which could further contribute to changes in perception and cognition," the team wrote in the report, adding that this case underscores the need to educate the public about the dangers of using substances in ways not prescribed.
In short: feel free to enjoy magic mushrooms, but do so safely…
