How risky are magic mushrooms really? This question has been debated for years, from policy to user experiences. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (In the Netherlands better known as the RIVM) conducted research on this and released a report. In this blog, we’ve listed the most important insights for you. As it turns out, the conclusions about the harmfulness of magic mushrooms are surprisingly mild! This is what we found:
What exactly did the RIVM investigate?
The RIVM looked at the potential risks of consuming magic mushrooms. They also examined how the effects compare to substances like alcohol and tobacco. The focus is on public health: what exactly does the use of magic mushrooms mean for society? Think of questions such as: How addictive or toxic are magic mushrooms? Do they cause nuisance or violence? The conclusions are based on research, statistics, and expert insights to create the most reliable picture possible.
Key insights
Relatively low risk score
According to the RIVM, magic mushrooms (and active substances like psilocybin) fall into a relatively low-risk category compared to many other substances. In various parts of the report (such as toxicity, addiction potential, and social harm), they consistently score lower than alcohol and tobacco, for example.
How does this compare to other substances?
A few things stand out when comparing magic mushrooms to other substances:
- Alcohol scores higher on physical harm and social impact
- Tobacco scores extremely high on addiction and health risks
- Stimulants (such as cocaine or amphetamines) score higher on dependency and the risk of excessive use
Magic mushrooms often end up low in the rankings in these comparisons because they score relatively mildly on several risk factors.
Why are magic mushrooms rated relatively low?
There are clear reasons for this:
- Low risk of addiction: There is little to no physical dependence, and regular or high use is quite rare.
- Little physical harm: The risk of direct physical harm or overdose is low compared to many other substances.
- Usage pattern: Magic mushrooms are generally used less frequently and less out of habit or dependence than, for example, alcohol or nicotine.
A small nuance
Relatively low risk obviously doesn’t mean there are no risks at all. The RIVM indicates that there are risks on a mental level and regarding unpredictability of the environment while tripping. This can lead to anxiety, panic, or intense reactions, but even here, we noticed that the risk is estimated to be only slight!
Which risks does the RIVM actually mention?
- Sudden mental effects: The RIVM mainly points to temporary mental effects, such as anxiety, confusion, or a panic reaction (or sometimes even a bad trip). These can feel intense but are usually temporary.
TIP: Want to know what to do during a bad trip? Read our blog: how to prevent a bad trip
- Unpredictability of the experience: The experience with magic mushrooms can vary greatly per person and situation. Factors such as mindset, environment, and dosage play a major role. This makes the effect less predictable than with some other substances.
- Risks in behavior and environment: Due to altered perception and a reduced grip on reality, users may react differently to their surroundings. For example: impulsive behavior or the misjudging of situations.
When you put those scores side by side, you see a clear pattern: magic mushrooms consistently score around 2 out of 5. So there are risks, but they remain slight! The main risks concern temporary, situation-dependent effects, not severe physical harm or addiction.
No strong evidence of harm with occasional use
According to the RIVM, there are no clear indications of permanent damage with sporadic use. Most risks are temporary and are strongly related to the context of use.
Why are magic mushrooms sometimes difficult to predict?
Magic mushrooms remain difficult to predict because the strength can vary per batch. Factors such as mushroom species and growing conditions affect the amount of active substance, making precise dosing difficult. What feels mild one time can suddenly turn out to be much stronger the next.
- That’s why more and more people are choosing reliable liquid formulas, such as The Drops. The Drops are a synthetic alternative to psychedelic magic mushrooms or truffles. With us, you can count on a consistent composition and easy dosing. Interested? Check out our products!
FAQ
Are magic mushrooms safe according to the RIVM?
The RIVM considers magic mushrooms to be relatively low-risk compared to many other substances. However, that doesn’t mean they are safe.
When should you be extra careful with magic mushrooms?
If you’re not feeling well, are in a restless environment, or aren’t sure how much you’re taking. In those cases, the chance of anxiety or a bad trip is higher.
Why aren’t magic mushrooms addictive?
They don’t cause physical dependence and are usually not used frequently in succession, because the experience is often too intense. But also because you build up a tolerance quickly.
