There is a risk of life-threatening poisoning due to confusion with other mushrooms. High doses can cause anxiety, frightening visions and paranoid reactions. Hallucinations can also lead to misjudgements of the situation and accidents. Possible physical effects include breathing difficulties, palpitations, altered blood pressure, circulatory problems, increased body temperature, sweating, headaches, balance problems, dizziness and nausea, and more rarely fainting and epileptic seizures. As with LSD, regular mushroom consumption leads to tolerance.

Mushrooms are usually consumed orally in dried or fresh form. Dried mushrooms generally have a much stronger effect than fresh mushrooms and should therefore be dosed more sparingly. The effect sets in after approx. 30 minutes, reaches its peak after approx. 2 hours and gradually subsides again after 4 - 6 hours (depending on the variety and form of preparation). Similar to LSD, psilocybin/psilocin influences the brain's filter function, which protects people from too many and too intense impressions and perceptions - i.e. sensory overload. Situations can therefore no longer be recognised and assessed "naturally". Perceptions, moods and thoughts can intensify and change. The boundary between reality and fantasy can become blurred.

The dosage depends on the type of mushroom and the form of preparation (fresh or dried). Dried mushrooms generally have a considerably stronger effect than fresh mushrooms. Due to these circumstances, it is not possible to provide standard dosage information.

• Mental health problems or pre-existing mental illnesses: existing problems can be exacerbated and mental illnesses triggered. The risks of a "bad trip" increase.
• For heart and circulatory problems.
• If you are prone to epileptic seizures or are pregnant, you should generally refrain from consuming psychoactive substances.

• Mushrooms and ecstasy
  The simultaneous or briefly staggered consumption of ecstasy and psychoactive mushrooms (as well as other hallucinogens) increases body temperature more than ecstasy alone. There are also indications that the neurotoxic effect of MDMA and other amphetamine derivatives is intensified by the consumption of hallucinogens.
• Mushrooms and alcohol
  Alcohol increases the likelihood of nausea, vomiting, circulatory problems and fainting.
• Mushrooms and nicotine/THC
  The combination of nicotine or cannabis and psychoactive mushrooms often leads to circulatory problems and fainting. In the short term, glucose can be helpful for circulatory problems.

If mushrooms are consumed despite health and criminal hazards, you should be aware of the following points in addition to the general information on risk reduction:

• Only consume mushrooms when you are mentally and physically well (set) and when you are in an environment in which you feel comfortable (setting).
• If you are exposed to psychological stress, you should refrain from consuming mushrooms.
• If you are afraid of tripping or not sure if you want to use mushrooms, don't use them. Hallucinogens can further increase your anxiety and concerns and make them difficult to control.
• As the active ingredient content in mushrooms fluctuates greatly and is therefore difficult to estimate, take small doses and wait at least 1-2 hours before you consider redosing. The onset of the effect can be delayed, especially on a full stomach!
• The effect of mushrooms often comes on in waves and can last up to 6 hours. It is therefore important that you make sure you have everything you will need for the next six hours (food, drink, etc.) before taking the mushrooms.
• During the mushroom rush, you may experience deep, incisive, confusing or unsettling impressions. You may need longer to process these experiences. You should therefore take plenty of time and rest, at least the day after, and make sure that there are long intervals of several weeks between highs.
• Magic mushrooms influence your sense of direction and your willingness to take risks. As a result, you may not be able to correctly assess dangerous situations. Therefore, avoid risky situations (road traffic, roadworks, etc.).
• Do not consume mushrooms on a full stomach to avoid nausea and vomiting. However, eat a light meal a few hours before consumption.
• Fresh, undried mushrooms can cause nausea and vomiting just one day after harvesting due to the decomposition of the mushroom protein.
• If possible, do not consume mushrooms alone (especially if you have had little/no experience with the substance), but with friends you can rely on.
• If you are consuming mushrooms for the first time, ask a friend to stay sober and keep you company or look after you during the trip.
• In the event of a "bad trip", seek support from someone you trust. If the condition does not change, try to get help from experts - such as the checkit! team - or from paramedics.
• Avoid mixed consumption with other psychoactive substances, as this can lead to unpredictable interactions.

Nicotine and cannabis, as well as alcoholic drinks, can put additional strain on the circulation and cause severe dizziness or fainting. Dextrose can help against circulatory problems.

Psilocybin (4-phosphoryl-dimetyhl-tryptamine) and psilocin (4-hydroxy-dimetyhl-tryptamine) are chemical substances that occur in at least 15 different species of fungi of the genus Psilocybe, Panaeolus and Conocybe.

Psychoactive mushrooms are among the oldest drugs known to mankind. Stone sculptures of psychoactive mushrooms dating back to 500 BC have been found in El Salvador, Guatemala and in some areas of Mexico. They were used in spiritual ceremonies and rites due to the mystical and demonic powers attributed to them. For example, the Aztec priests used the South American mushroom Teonanactl (flesh of the gods) to make contact with their gods, to heal the sick and to perform divination under the influence of the mushroom. In these cases, the mushrooms were used as intermediaries between humans and the supernatural world.

In 1958, the psychoactive substances psilocybin and psilocin were isolated by the LSD discoverer Albert Hofmann. The pharmaceutical company Sandoz - for whom Hofmann was working at the time - brought psilocybin onto the market under the name Indocybin®. Indocybin® was used in several therapeutic trials for the treatment of depression.

The active ingredients psilocybin and psilocin as a pure substance are covered by the Narcotic Substances Act. The acquisition, possession, import and export, transfer to and procurement for others (transfer and sale) are punishable by law. This also applies to products that contain the extracted or synthetically produced active ingredient. The Narcotic Drugs Act also mentions mushrooms containing narcotic drugs. According to the law, anyone who offers, provides or procures mushrooms containing psilocybin to another person is liable to prosecution. Anyone who cultivates mushrooms for the purpose of obtaining narcotic drugs is also liable to prosecution. However, anyone who acquires or possesses mushrooms is not liable to prosecution. Consumers who violate the SMG must expect a mandatory visit to a public health officer (in Vienna: the outpatient centre of the Addiction and Drug Coordination). There, health-related measures may be ordered and a drug test can be expected. If you adhere to these requirements, there will be no court proceedings.