Between Prohibitions: Patterns and Meanings of Magic Mushroom Use in the UK

• Published in: Substance use & misuse 2008, Vol.43 (1), p.55-71
• Main Authors: Riley, Sarah C.E., Blackman, Graham
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictive behaviors; Adolescent; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Agaricales; Biological and medical sciences; Data Collection; Drug abuse; Drug addiction; Female; Focus Groups; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Hallucinogens; Hallucinogens - administration & dosage; Humans; magic mushrooms; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Personal experiences; psilocybin; Psilocybin - administration & dosage; Psychoanalysis; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; recreational drug use; Street Drugs; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toxicology; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 1082-6084; 1532-2491
• DOI: 10.1080/10826080701772363

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.