Mushrooms

Safer Use

• The intoxication begins about 20-40 minutes after ingestion. Although the effect of psilocybin/psilocin is very similar to that of LSD, there are some small differences. The “high-compression phase” is much gentler and easier to handle with hallucinogenic mushrooms than with LSD. The rather mild entry of the substance allows many people to enter into intoxication in a more relaxed and accordingly more carefree manner.
• The duration of the effect is with about 6 hours somewhat shorter than with LSD-25.
• The psilocybin/psilocin enables a deep and emotionally oriented exploration of one’s own inner spaces. During the effect of the substance there can be ascending and descending phases. The body sensations change and become more intense, the thoughts and visions do not follow a linear system and are often of deep significance.
• Psychoactive substances – like LSD and psilocybin – should not be taken alone. It is best to take them together with people you trust and know well. Also, the environment should be calm and safe during the substance experience. If there are any uncertainties during the effect: Keep calm!
• Do not consume mushrooms on a full stomach and practice “psycho-hygiene”. That is, be mentally and physically light and carefree. If you’re not “light-hearted”, then do without!
• The use of hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin, etc.) should be avoided at all costs for known schizophrenic psychoses, epilepsy, manic-depressive disorders and also borderline disorders.
• You feel like you’re consuming too much? The drug counselling centre near you will be happy to help you!

Safer Sex

• Mushrooms can change one’s view of reality, loosen boundaries and lead to sexual fantasies – this carries the risk of not having safe sex, which increases the likelihood of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
• Sex and mushrooms only work when there is mutual agreement and great trust. Especially with mushrooms there is always the danger of a bad trip.
• You should only experience sex on mushrooms together if you know each other and the effect well. Clarify in advance which sex practices are desired by both parties and which are not.
• Only consume so much that you can defend yourself or still recognize your partner’s defensive signals.
• Before getting down to business, make sure you have enough safer sex paraphernalia (gloves, condoms, lubricant) ready.
• Watch your body! If you see anything unusual, see a doctor immediately. Have yourself tested for sexually transmitted infections and vaccinated against hepatitis A/B every 6 months with different sex partners.

HIV & mushrooms

• Take drugs and HIV medication at staggered intervals. This may reduce interactions somewhat. Always keep the dose of drugs low when taking medication at the same time.
• Often the night will be long – take sufficient medication with you and keep to your schedule.
• Talk to your doctor about the interaction of your HIV drugs with intoxicants! There are no known dangerous interactions with HIV drugs. If protease inhibitors and Sustiva are taken at the same time, an undesirable increase in the effect may occur – dose low!
• You can find information on the interaction of substances and HIV drugs here.