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Magic
Mushrooms
('shrooms,
mushies, liberty caps)
Magic mushrooms are a powerful, naturally occurring hallucinogenic.
There are about a dozen varieties of hallucinogenic mushrooms found growing in
the wild in the UK, the most popular being the 'Liberty Cap' (Psilocybe
Semilanceata). The harvesting season is between September and November. After
picking, mushrooms are usually eaten raw, cooked, made into a drink, or dried
for later consumption. They are usually sold loose in bags or crushed into
tablets.
The effects of mushrooms are very similar to acid, although some report a more
'natural' high sometimes with a feeling of being detached. Small doses can bring
on excitement and euphoria, while bigger doses (30 mushrooms or more) can bring
on shape and colour distortions and vivid hallucinations.
Side effects: Much the same as acid. Some users complain of nausea,
dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pains. Like all hallucinogens, how
good or bad your trip will be can be affected by who you are with, where you are
and how you're feeling at the time. Some people also report flashbacks. It is
important to be in a safe environment as some people can panic and get confused.
Like all drugs, the exact nature and strength of the effects doesn't just depend
on the amount of mushrooms taken: the body weight, tolerance levels, and general
physical health and mental state of the user all have parts to play.
Health risks: Little research has been done into the long-term effects of
mushrooms. There are no serious problems such as dependence and withdrawal
associated with the drug, and as the body quickly develops tolerance, continuous
use is unlikely. The hallucinatory effects of the drug can make people at risk
of accidents, while the biggest risk is of people mistakenly picking and
consuming poisonous mushrooms - make sure you know what you're taking. If in any
doubt, don't take them.
The Law: Possession and consumption of mushrooms is not an offence unless
they have been processed or prepared for illicit use (i.e. cut, sliced, dried,
pressed into powder etc. Psilocybin is contained in many hallucinogenic
mushrooms (including the liberty cap) and is a phosphate of psilocin, which is a
controlled drug. This raises complex legal issues with regard to magic
mushrooms; generally, prosecution brought against people for possession of
untreated mushrooms alone is likely to fail.
2CB (and 2-CT-7)
2CB is normally sold as a 5mg pill for £2-5 each with many users taking several
at a time. Its effects are likened to ecstasy with heightened visual imagery,
increased bodily awareness and sensitivity and an increased sex drive. Effects
normally last for around 2-8 hours.
Some people report that taking 2CBs with Ecstasy (often called a 'party pack')
can attenuate the hit.
Side effects: The effect is cumulative (i.e. the more you take the
stronger the effects) and taking over 3-5 tablets can cause very powerful
hallucinations which some find very disturbing. As with all drugs, how you feel
and where you are can all play a part in how you are affected by the drug.
More info at Hyperreal
2-CT-7 is a much less well known drug that has been described
as giving a slightly stronger trip than 2CB (somewhere between ecstasy and LSD).
Coming in the form of pills and costing around £3 in Amsterdam (where it is
currently still legal), its strength can be deceptive and many have suffered
strong hallucinations - sometimes paranoid. We advise caution - especially if
you are not sure about the quality.
DMT (Businessman's Lunch)
DMT is a very powerful hallucinogen that kicks in very quickly and can
produce a very strong trip that usually lasts between 10-30 minutes.
Heart rate and blood pressure increase dramatically and there is a feeling of
exhilaration and confusion. Some people are overcome by the strength of the
drug, and it is important to feel safe and relaxed in your environment,
preferably with a friend to look out for you.
Side effects: Some people have become very scared and paranoid after
taking DMT. Its effects can be very disorientating resulting in panic and
confusion.
Health risks: If you've high blood pressure or heart problems taking DMT
could be risky. Try not to mix it up with drugs like poppers, coke or E as this
could send your poor old heart into a frenzy.
Rohypnol (roofies, 'date-rape'
drug)
Rohypnol is a prescription-only sedative that has been used in many
'date rapes' in the US, with cases now being reported in France and Australia.
Rohypnol's medical use is as a pre-operation anaesthetic or strong sleeping
pill, but stronger doses can bring on amnesia. It takes effect very quickly -
sometimes as quick as 10 minutes after being taken - and reaches its peak eight
hours later when it can render a person totally unconscious. It's about ten
times stronger than Valium.
Coming in the form of a tasteless and odourless pill which is easily ground down
into powder, rohypnol has gained notoriety as the 'date rape' drug, after
victims have been incapacitated and sexually assaulted after having their drinks
spiked. All traces of the drug disappear after 24 hours making prosecution
difficult.
Rohypnol has also been used in combination with other drugs to enhance the
effects of low grade heroin, to mellow the buzz from crack and heroin, and to
soften comedowns.
The drug has also acquired a reputation as a party drug, sometimes dubbed the
'love drug'. This is due to its claimed aphrodisiac qualities and because some
users say that it gets you more drunk and keeps you that way longer.
It is fairly rare in the UK (although rising), but in the US it has a street
price of around $2-4 per tablet.
Side effects: The most worrying side effect of rohypnol is that it can
easily be administered without the victims knowledge and lengthy sexual assaults
can take place with the victim having no memory of events afterwards. In many
cases, victims are even unaware that assaults have taken place until their
symptoms are recognised or their memory returns. It's a very nasty drug.
Be very wary of accepting opened drinks from strangers or people you
don't trust, even if they are only soft drinks. If you feel odd,
nauseous or drunk after only a couple of drinks, leave immediately and go to a
place of safety. If you are alone or with a stranger, call friends to tell them
where you are and/or go to the landlord or manager and explain your situation.
Health risks: Used on its own, Rohypnol is unlikely to be fatal, but when
combined with other drugs such as alcohol and cannabis the risk increases
greatly - as the drug suppresses the central nervous and respiratory systems,
there's a chance that you could stop breathing. Other side effects include
hallucinations, vertigo, skin rashes, stomach problems and changes in libido.
Detection periods: Rohypnol passes out of the system in 24
hours.
THE LAW: In the UK rohypnol is only available by private
prescription (not NHS) and illicit possession would most likely come under The
Medicines Act (we haven't confirmed this yet). In the US recent legislation has
made it a Class A drug.
More info: (UK) Roofie Foundation 0800 7832980
4MTA (MTA-1, flatliners)
Despite hysterical newspaper reports suggesting that 4MTA is '33 times more
potent than ecstasy', 4MTA is in fact a recent legally-developed slimming aid
and anti-depressant.
Legally on sale in Amsterdam until 1998 (it was taken out of the stores when
owners realised that it had only ever been tested on rats), 4MTA usually comes
in tablet form, with effects lasting anything up to 8 hours.
Users have described 4MTA as giving a steady increase in energy and a
'Prozac-like mental calm'.
Health risks
The biggest risk comes from users mixing 4MTA with other drugs such as cocaine
and ecstasy, and from overdosing on the drug - possibly from taking more and
more as the media-hyped huge e-like hit fails to materialise.
There have been three recorded UK deaths linked with 4MTA but it should also be
noted that "on its own, a flatliner will no more readily kill you than
a tab of prozac or Viagra", The Observer (24.11.99)
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