While there are so many benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, we can’t completely overlook some of the potential effects it brings, and one of these is the possibility of causing diarrhea. At some point in life, we have all experienced the urge to run for our lives due to abrupt changes in our gut system. Diarrhea can be embarrassing, and this can be caused by different factors, including bacterial infection, allergy, IBS, food intolerance, and so on. Another item that could be added to the list is magic mushrooms.

Psilocybin mushrooms are rapidly growing in popularity, and this is mainly due to the increasing progress made by psychedelic researchers. These advances include progress in the quest to understand how psychedelics can be applied in managing different affective disorders. The resurgence of interest in psychedelic substances has brought about a corresponding increase in interest from people looking to maximize the benefits of these substances.

Today, there are many shroomers who rave about the potential benefits of psilocybin mushrooms. Most of these benefits have already been scientifically proven. However, it’s also important to note that shrooms can also cause diarrhea. Continue reading to find out more.

Physical Effects of Shrooms

The focus of most research has been on the psychological effects of shrooms and not their physical effects. This is why we all know that magic mushrooms are not addictive, unlike what most people think. Shrooms have also been found to be effective in binge drinking and smoking cessation. Another thing revealed by research is that shrooms don’t cause physical dependence, but there’s the potential to develop tolerance. However, you can avoid developing tolerance by sticking to a microdosing protocol.

Here’s an overview of some common physiological effects of taking moderate doses of psilocybin mushrooms:

  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Difficulty with cognitive tasks
  • Fear and anxiety
  • Disorientation
  • Compulsive yawning
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Synesthesia
  • Open and closed-eye visuals
  • Amplification of emotions.
  • Clear come-up, peak, and come-down.
  • Seeking mundane things.
  • Enhanced appreciation for art and music.
  • Increased flow of ideas
  • Philosophical insights or life-changing introspective.

Psilocybin Mushrooms and Diet

Preparation and diet before a psilocybin session is one of the factors that can trigger the nausea effects. This is one of the reasons why most psychedelic retreats advise people attending to be careful of their nutrition for a reasonable period before the psychedelic experience. Anti-inflammatory diets could be foods like nuts, fortified foods, and fish. Also, it’s advisable to avoid processed foods as this can reduce the potential for adverse effects.

Serotonin is a hormone and neurotransmitter that functions in promoting positive emotions and stabilizing moods. Low levels usually cause negative feelings like irritability, anxiety, anger, hopelessness, and sadness. With that, it’s important to eat food that can enhance the levels of serotonin in the body. This is also important because the body mostly produces serotonin in the gut. Therefore, you’re likely to experience an unpleasant reaction to psilocybin mushrooms if you have an unhealthy gut.

One of the important amino acids found in different foods is tryptophan. This amino acid is converted into serotonin in the brain, but this is also in the presence of vitamin D, which is required to activate the TPH2 gene for the conversion.

Examples of foods that contain tryptophan include soybeans, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, egg whites, and oats. Another vital thing to note is that the effects magic mushrooms have on people aren’t the same for everyone, and this is why caution is advised when using the substance.

Can Magic Mushrooms Be Digested Raw?

Mushrooms are mostly indigestible, especially when you eat them raw, and this is because of their robust cell walls that are made of chitin. Chitin is one of the most common biopolymers on earth, and it’s also the second most common polysaccharide. It’s common in the exoskeleton of mushrooms, algae, insects, yeast, and internal structures of some vertebrates.

Even though there are many studies that show that chitin can improve gastrointestinal health, it’s important to note that humans can’t digest chitin. Chitin is not a protein, but it acts like some proteins. In organisms like mushrooms, clams, and insects, chitin creates an outer protection or shell. Humans cannot digest chitin due to the absence of the bacteria needed to break down chitin.

Therefore, it’s advisable to cook mushrooms so that chitin can break down and release its nutrient. The main reason why people recommend taking psilocybin mushrooms in tea forms or lemon tek is to reduce diarrhea and nausea effects. This is because the acid in the juice enhances the breakdown of chitin.

Increased Serotonin Levels

The mechanism of action of psilocybin is similar to that of serotonin, which is an important neurotransmitter that affects our cognitive abilities and mood. Serotonin is also important in modulating cognition, learning, mood, memory, reward, and many other physiological processes like vasoconstriction and vomiting. Another thing to note is that the structure of psilocybin is similar to that of serotonin, which is why it mimics its effects.

A key thing to note is that the psychedelic effects of shrooms are not due to psilocybin itself. After ingestion, psilocybin undergoes different processes that convert it to psilocin. Research shows that serotonin 2A receptors (5HT2ARs) are triggered by psilocin, which causes psychedelic effects in the brain.

However, research states that up to 95% of the serotonin that the body produces is in the intestine, which plays a vital role in maintaining gut motility. Therefore, if the production of serotonin in an individual is damaged, the person may experience different digestive issues like leaky gut, IBS, SIBO, or Candida overgrowth. Serotonin is vital for supporting proper digestion and nutrient absorption. It is also vital for the function and development of the central nervous system.

Another thing to note is that intestinal 5-HT mediates neurogenesis and enteric nervous system development, secretion, motility, sensation, inflammation, and epithelial development. With that, low serotonin levels can trigger constipation, while higher levels can cause diarrhea. Psilocybin has been found to alter serotonin signaling, which is why there’s the possibility of experiencing temporary diarrhea after taking psilocybin mushrooms.

Serotonin Syndrome/Toxicity

Serotonin syndrome or serotonin toxicity is now one of the risk concerns when combining psychiatric medications with psychedelics. This is due to concerns that the combination can cause excessive serotonin levels, which can cause symptoms like anxiety, nausea, and other severe reactions like coma, delirium, and even death. Serotonin toxicity is a rare occurrence, but it’s important to understand what drug combination can trigger this reaction.

Psilocybin functions by binding to the 5-HT2A receptor, thereby blocking serotonin binding to the receptor. On the other hand, antidepressants like SSRIs prevent serotonin reabsorption by the brain, which allows more serotonin to remain in the brain. MAOI antidepressants prevent serotonin breakdown, which also shows that psychedelics can increase serotonin levels in the brain.

Currently, available research shows that psilocybin, when used with SSRIs or alone, has a low risk of leading to serotonin toxicity. This is because it doesn’t lead to a significant rise in serotonin levels. Basically, psilocybin is a partial agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor, and with that, it wouldn’t bind to other drugs. Therefore, the combination has a relatively low risk of causing serotonin toxicity. Combining psilocybin with MAOIs with psilocybin doesn’t cause much concern but has the possibility to increase its effects.

Another vital thing to note is that drugs like anticonvulsants, antipsychotics, SNRIs, buspirone, OTC cold and cough medicines containing dextromethorphan, and analgesics can also increase the levels of serotonin. However, this has individual variations, which is why it’s important to first talk to a physician before taking any combination of these drugs.

Reducing the Risk of Diarrhea and Nausea When Taking Shrooms

Despite everything above, the good side of it all is that you can reduce the risk of diarrhea and nausea when taking shrooms. Some of the most common solutions people recommend include shroom tea and lemon tek. These methods will increase the psychedelic experience in addition to easing the effect on your stomach. Therefore, if you’re looking for an effective way to reduce the potential to experience diarrhea or nausea after taking shrooms, you might want to consider these two options.