Harm potential of magic mushroom use: A review
This review (2011) summarizes the literature on physical or psychological dependence, acute and chronic toxicity, the risk for public health, and criminal aspects related to the consumption of magic mushrooms. The authors conclude that the use of magic mushrooms is relatively safe as only few and relatively mild adverse effects have been reported.
Authors
- Wim Van Den Brink
Published
Abstract
In 2007, the Minister of Health of the Netherlands requested the CAM (Coordination point Assessment and Monitoring new drugs) to assess the overall risk of magic mushrooms. The present paper is an updated redraft of the review, written to support the assessment by CAM experts. It summarizes the literature on physical or psychological dependence, acute and chronic toxicity, risk for public health and criminal aspects related to the consumption of magic mushrooms. In the Netherlands, the prevalence of magic mushroom use was declining since 2000 (last year prevalence of 6.3% in 2000 to 2.9% in 2005), and further declined after possession and use became illegal in December 2008. The CAM concluded that the physical and psychological dependence potential of magic mushrooms was low, that acute toxicity was moderate, chronic toxicity low and public health and criminal aspects negligible. The combined use of mushrooms and alcohol and the quality of the setting in which magic mushrooms are used deserve, however, attention. In conclusion, the use of magic mushrooms is relatively safe as only few and relatively mild adverse effects have been reported. The low prevalent but unpredictable provocation of panic attacks and flash-backs remain, however, a point of concern.
Research Summary of 'Harm potential of magic mushroom use: A review'
Introduction
Van Amsterdam and colleagues produced a revised technical report for the Dutch CAM (Coordination point Assessment and Monitoring new drugs) at the request of the Minister of Health after a fatal accident allegedly involving magic mushrooms. Earlier concerns motivating the assessment included several other mushroom-related incidents and a Municipal Health Service report, prompting the expert panel — composed of toxicologists, clinicians, policy officers, police and social scientists — to review acute and chronic toxicity, dependence potential, public health impact, prevalence and public order aspects of psilocybin/psilocin-containing mushrooms. This paper sets out to update and summarise the literature to support the CAM assessment. The review specifically addresses physical and psychological dependence, acute and chronic toxicity, risks to public health, and criminal aspects associated with magic mushroom consumption, and it aims to inform policy by placing these risks in context relative to other recreational drugs.
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Amsterdam, J. V., Opperhuizen, A., & Brink, W. V. D. (2011). Harm potential of magic mushroom use: A review. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 59(3), 423-429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yrtph.2011.01.006
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