Mushroom chocolate bars contain psychedelic compounds and have become popular. Often sold illegally in colorful packaging, these products can be dangerous because they lack safety testing, making their ingredients and potency unpredictable [1].

Public health officials have increasingly linked these edibles to hospitalizations resulting from accidental poisoning, undisclosed chemicals, and dangerously high doses of psychoactive substances [2, 3]. 

This article explains the health risks of mushroom chocolate bars, their effects, possible substances, and their legal status.

What Are Psychedelics?

Psychedelics are a potent class of psychoactive drugs known for their ability to dramatically alter a person’s perception, mood, and various cognitive processes [4]. 

The primary examples include psilocybin, found in what are commonly known as “magic mushrooms”; lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD); and dimethyltryptamine (DMT). 

When an individual consumes a psychedelic substance, they can experience vivid hallucinations, where they might see, hear, or feel things that are not actually there. Their perception of time and space can become heavily distorted, with minutes feeling like hours or the environment appearing to warp and change.

The emotional effects are just as powerful and can swing from one extreme to another. A user might feel intense euphoria, a deep sense of connection to the universe, and spiritual enlightenment. Conversely, they can be plunged into states of extreme fear, anxiety, and paranoia. 

While these substances have a long history of use in various cultural and spiritual ceremonies and are now being researched for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating conditions like depression and PTSD, they remain powerful, unpredictable, and, in most contexts, illegal.

The Trend of Psychedelic Edibles

Psychedelic edibles, like mushroom gummies, teas, and shroom chocolates, are becoming more popular. This change reflects a shift in how people consume these substances. The success of the legal cannabis market has inspired illegal producers to market these products to a wider audience. They often sell them online, in unlicensed shops, or at music festivals. 

The marketing for these products can be misleading. They use bright, fun packaging that looks like popular candy bars. This creates a false sense of safety and attracts younger consumers. Such branding makes these substances seem normal and downplays the risks of taking a powerful psychedelic drug.

This trend is very risky for two reasons:

First, the candy-like look makes these products easy for children or unaware adults to accidentally eat, as they might think they are regular treats. 

Second, the market for these products is unregulated, leading to poor quality control. A lab test of seized mushroom edibles showed big differences in the amount of psilocybin in each product. Some had very high levels, while others had none at all [2,5]. 

This inconsistency means users cannot know how much they are taking, which can lead to an overdose.

What Are Mushroom Chocolate Bars?

Mushroom chocolate bars combine chocolate with psilocybin, the main active ingredient in “magic mushrooms.” [4] These bars are made by mixing dried, powdered mushrooms into melted chocolate, which is then shaped into a bar. The bar is usually divided into smaller squares, making it easy to manage the dosage. The main appeal is that the rich chocolate flavor hides the bitter taste of raw mushrooms, creating a more enjoyable experience.

The reality of these products is more complicated than it seems. They are often made in unregulated places, like secret labs or home kitchens. This can result in significant differences in the amount of psilocybin each product contains. For example, one piece of chocolate may contain a significant amount of psilocybin, while another piece may have very little. 

Investigations have shown that many of these mushroom bars contain no psilocybin at all. Instead, they often use synthetic chemicals like 4-AcO-DMT or other drugs that can give a similar effect to a psychedelic trip [5]. This means that if you eat a mushroom chocolate bar, you may be taking a risk by consuming unknown and possibly dangerous substances.

Dangers & Risks Associated with Magic Mushroom Chocolate Bars

While they may look harmless, magic mushroom chocolate bars carry serious and multifaceted dangers due to their completely unregulated nature [1, 5]. The primary risk is that consumers have no way of knowing the dosage or the true ingredients of what they are eating. This uncertainty creates a cascade of potential physical, mental, and legal consequences.

Inconsistent Dosage and Overdose Risk: Since these chocolate bars are manufactured in illicit settings, the active ingredients are often poorly mixed. This can create “hot spots,” where one piece is significantly stronger than another. As a result, accidental overdoses are a real risk. An overdose on psychedelics can cause a frightening experience, known as a “bad trip,” with severe paranoia and a feeling of losing control.

Contaminants and Adulterants: The contents of these bars can be risky. A recent investigation by the FDA and CDC into a multi-state outbreak of illnesses linked to a specific brand of mushroom chocolate found that the products contained no psilocybin. Instead, they were a cocktail of dangerous substances, including synthetic psychedelics like 4-AcO-DMT, other psychoactive compounds like muscimol, and undeclared prescription drugs [3, 5]. These adulterants can cause unexpected and severe adverse reactions that are different from those of psilocybin.

Health Risks: The FDA has reported cases of seizures and loss of consciousness from tainted chocolates. Even with pure psilocybin, high doses can cause traumatic psychological effects that may last a long time. For people with a family history of mental illness, a strong psychedelic experience can trigger serious conditions like psychosis or Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) [4].

Accidental Ingestion: The candy-like appearance of these bars increases the risk of accidental ingestion by children, pets, or unaware adults. A child consuming a potent psychedelic could face serious health risks and traumatic experiences.

Legal Problems: In the United States, psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance [5]. This means that possessing, selling, or making any product with psilocybin is illegal and can result in heavy fines and long prison sentences. Some people mistakenly believe that local laws permitting the personal use of small amounts of raw mushrooms also apply to these chocolate bars [6]. However, these laws do not allow the sale or distribution of manufactured edibles.

What Shroom Bars Are Made Of

A legitimate shroom bar contains two main ingredients: ground psilocybin mushrooms and chocolate (cacao, sugar, fats). However, the illegal market does not follow any standards or rules. The mushrooms used may be of low quality and can be contaminated with mold or pesticides. The process of making these bars also does not have quality checks, which can lead to inconsistent dosages.

An even bigger concern is the use of other substances. An FDA/CDC investigation of recalled “shroom chocolate” bars revealed the presence of synthetic chemicals and plant alkaloids, rather than pure psilocybin [3]. This means that what is sold as a “mushroom” product might actually be a different and more dangerous drug. Consumers have no way to check what they are about to eat.

How Shroom Chocolate Works

When someone consumes a psilocybin chocolate bar, the body converts psilocybin into psilocin, the active form of the compound. Psilocin produces the psychedelic effects. It mainly interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, especially the 5-HT2A receptor. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, perception, and cognition. 

Psilocin binds to receptors in the brain, altering communication patterns. It impacts the “default mode network,” which is responsible for self-reflection, thinking about the past, and planning for the future. By calming this network, psilocin can induce a sense of ego loss and foster a feeling of connection with the surrounding world.

This process leads to the typical psychedelic experience, with effects starting within 20 to 60 minutes and lasting four to six hours.

Effects of Taking a Psilocybin Chocolate Bar

Eating a psilocybin chocolate bar can lead to different experiences for each person. The effects depend on the amount consumed, the person’s mental state, and the environment in which it is taken. These effects can be categorized into two main types: psychological and physical.

Psychedelic (Mind) Effects

Visual and Auditory Hallucinations: Users often report seeing geometric patterns, vibrant colors, and trails of light. Surfaces may appear to breathe or ripple. Sounds can become distorted, and some people experience synesthesia, where senses get mixed up (e.g., “seeing” a sound) [4].

Altered Sense of Time and Space: The perception of time can be heavily distorted. Minutes may feel like hours, or time may seem to stand still or loop.

Intense Emotions: The emotional experience can be a rollercoaster, swinging from profound joy, awe, and a sense of universal love to overwhelming anxiety, paranoia, and despair [4].

Enhanced Introspection and Ego Dissolution: Psychedelics often lead to deep introspection, where users confront personal memories and emotions. At higher doses, this can lead to “ego death,” a temporary but profound loss of the sense of self as a separate individual, which can be either a spiritually enlightening or a terrifying experience.

Physical Effects

Nausea and Vomiting: Stomach discomfort, commonly referred to as “gut rot,” is a common side effect as the body digests the mushroom material [4].

Increased Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Psilocybin can cause a significant, though temporary, spike in heart rate and blood pressure. This can be dangerous for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions [4].

Muscle Weakness and Lack of Coordination: A feeling of physical heaviness, sometimes described as a “body load,” is common, along with difficulty with coordinated movement.

Changes in Body Temperature: Users often experience fluctuations in body temperature, resulting in sweating, chills, and goose bumps [4].

FAQs

1. Are mushroom edibles legal?

No, any edible product containing psilocybin is illegal under U.S. federal law, as psilocybin is a Schedule I substance. While some states and cities have decriminalized the personal possession of small amounts of raw mushrooms, these laws do not legalize the commercial sale of processed edibles like shroom chocolate bars.

2. How long does a mushroom chocolate bar take to kick in?

Generally, a psilocybin chocolate bar takes between 20 and 60 minutes to take effect. The effects typically peak around 1 to 2 hours after ingestion and can last for 4 to 6 hours in total. The onset can be delayed if the person has recently eaten a large meal.

3. Are mushroom bars legal in California?

No, mushroom bars are not legal in California. The state classifies psilocybin as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal to possess, sell, or manufacture any product containing it. While some cities have decriminalized personal possession, this does not apply to the sale of edibles.

4. What is the difference between a psilocybin bar and an “adaptogenic” mushroom chocolate?

A psilocybin chocolate bar is an illegal drug containing a psychedelic compound intended to produce a “trip.” In contrast, adaptogenic mushroom chocolates, which contain legal mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi, or Cordyceps, are wellness products that do not produce psychoactive effects. They are sold as supplements that are purported to offer improved focus and stress relief over time.

5. Can you get addicted to mushroom chocolate bars?

While psilocybin is not considered to be physically addictive in the way that substances like opioids or alcohol are, it is possible to develop a psychological dependence on mushroom chocolate bars. This occurs when a person begins to rely on the psychedelic experience to escape from reality or cope with underlying emotional issues, leading to a pattern of use that disrupts their life and responsibilities.

Get Treatment for Psychedelic Addiction at Alliance Recovery

If you are struggling with problematic psychedelic or other substance use, professional help is available. Here at Alliance Recovery, our executive leadership and admissions staff have extensive knowledge of addiction treatment, with many members of our team having gone through treatment themselves. Through years of their lives dedicated to service and striving to develop a connection with fellow addicts, our team has cultivated a passion for helping others who find themselves in the same position.

When you come to Alliance Recovery, you’ll receive:

Individual and group therapy tailored to your needs.

A supportive, sober community.

Comprehensive aftercare planning and career assistance.

Call our treatment team at (844) 287-8506 to get started.

Sources

[1] washingtonpost.com/health/2024/07/03/mushrooms-psychedelic-edible-harmful 

[2]food-safety.com/articles/9533-fda-warns-public-about-mushroom-edibles-with-undisclosed-ingredients-causing-seizures 

[3] cdc.gov/environmental-health-studies/outbreak-investigation-diamond-shruumz-products 

[4] nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psilocybin-magic-mushrooms 

[5] latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-09/magic-mushroom-chocolates-are-having-a-moment-but-do-they-even-contain-mushrooms 

[6] californiadefenselawyer.net/blog/are-magic-mushrooms-legal-in-california 

[7] thespruceeats.com/meet-alice-a-chocolate-company-that-s-adding-a-dose-of-mushrooms-to-the-wellness-industry