Safety & Toxicity

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Study

Some Wood-Loving Psilocybin Mushrooms Can Cause Temporary Paralysis

Some Wood-Loving Psilocybin Mushrooms Can Cause Temporary Paralysis

Psilocybin mushrooms

What they found

Psilocybe azurescens and cyanescens have been linked to rare, temporary paralysis that resolves within 24 hours.

Psilocybe azurescens and cyanescens have been linked to rare, temporary paralysis that resolves within 24 hours.

The number

within 24 hours

How solid is it?

Early human

Early human

Human – observational/survey

Human – observational/survey

Evidence ladder: Lab dish → Animal → Early human → Strong human. Reviews summarize earlier research.

At a glance

Latin name

Psilocybe azurescens, Psilocybe cyanescens

Psilocybe azurescens, Psilocybe cyanescens

Compound

β-carbolines (suspected)

β-carbolines (suspected)

Published in

Toxicon

Toxicon

Covered in Shroom Scan

Section

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

PSILOCYBIN & LEGISLATION

As it ran in Shroom Scan

“Wood-Lover Paralysis” Warning

“Wood-Lover Paralysis” Warning

Some wood-loving psilocybin mushrooms like Psilocybe azurescens and Psilocybe cyanescens have been linked to a rare but temporary paralysis reported by users. Researchers suspect neurotoxic compounds—possibly β-carbolines or unknown fungal metabolites—may cause the muscle immobility. While symptoms resolve within 24 hours, this is a crucial safety note for foragers and new psychonauts.

Some wood-loving psilocybin mushrooms like Psilocybe azurescens and Psilocybe cyanescens have been linked to a rare but temporary paralysis reported by users. Researchers suspect neurotoxic compounds—possibly β-carbolines or unknown fungal metabolites—may cause the muscle immobility. While symptoms resolve within 24 hours, this is a crucial safety note for foragers and new psychonauts.

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