Introduction

Psilocybin, a compound found primarily in psilocybe mushrooms, has garnered interest for its therapeutic potential, especially for conditions such as treatment-resistant depression. Despite its low toxicity and addiction risk compared to other substances, there remains a need for a clearer understanding of its negative outcomes.

Study Methodology

A study aimed to explore these adverse effects through the analysis of 346 self-reported experiences from an online platform, using IRAMUTEQ textual analysis software.

Findings

The findings identified four main categories of negative outcomes: thinking distortions, emergencies, perceptual alterations, and issues related to the administration of the substance. Notably, "bad trips," characterized by thinking distortions, were more frequently reported among female users. Additionally, using multiple doses of psilocybin in a single session or mixing it with other substances was linked to long-term negative outcomes, while consuming high doses of mushrooms in a single instance was associated with medical emergencies.

Implications for Harm Reduction

These insights are crucial for the harm reduction efforts surrounding psychedelic use. They highlight the importance of dosage and context in mitigating negative experiences and underscore the potential risks of combining psilocybin with other substances. For individuals and professionals interested in the therapeutic use of psychedelics, understanding these factors is key to ensuring safe and positive experiences.

Conclusion

The study's findings can guide harm reduction strategies by emphasizing the need for caution regarding dose management and the avoidance of polydrug use. This research contributes significantly to our comprehension of psilocybin's effects and is instrumental in fostering safer practices in its use, both recreationally and therapeutically (Bienemann et al., 2020).