Psilocybin Mushrooms and DUI

The Psilocybin mushroom is a mushroom with hallucinogenic effects that can significantly affect a person's ability to drive. These types of mushrooms are illegal and can also lead to drug possession charges if found in your vehicle at the time of arrest.

If you or someone you care about has been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) in Georgia, an experienced Forsyth County DUI attorney can defend your case and protect your rights.

Psilocybin Mushrooms

These mushrooms, found naturally in Mexico, Central America, and the United States, are commonly grown as a recreational drug for consumption. The hallucinogenic compounds in the mushrooms are similar to that found in lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

There are over 180 species of mushrooms that contain the chemicals psilocybin or closely related psilocin. These mushrooms can be grown naturally, or the compounds can be produced synthetically in a lab. 

How They are Used

These types of mushrooms are often used by ingesting the mushrooms (eating them), consuming them in a tea, or adding them to other foods.

Common Names for the Mushrooms

Common street names for these mushrooms include

• Mushrooms
• Magic Mushrooms
• Shrooms
• Boomers
• Little Smoke

Effects of Mushroom Use on the Body

Mushrooms can have serious effects on a person's body and mind. The drug is similar to LSD, peyote, and mescaline. Mushrooms can cause

• auditory and visual hallucinations,
• changes in mood,
• dry mouth,
• causes hunger or cravings,
• changes in body temperature,
• increase in sexual appetite,
• loss of muscle control, and
• intensified sensory perception.

These effects on the body can have serious effects on a person's ability to drive. This includes:

• suddenly falling asleep,
• hallucinations,
• uncoordinated movements,
• lowered inhibition,
• panic,
• paranoia (extreme and unreasonable distrust of others),
• psychosis (disordered thinking detached from reality), and
• mixed senses (seeing sounds or hearing colors).

These effects can cause:

• swerving,
• unclear thoughts,
• lack of inhibition relating to speeding,
• lack of awareness of surroundings (i.e. lane changes),
• car accidents, and
• pedestrian injuries or death.

The larger the dose of mushrooms, the more significant the intoxicating effect will be. This means that there is a much more significant likelihood that an accident or DUI arrest will occur.

Field Sobriety Tests

Law enforcement cannot test for mushroom intoxication with a breathalyzer, so they will likely use field sobriety tests to look for certain characteristics of intoxication. Officers receive special training to teach them how to identify drug intoxication.

All too often, this "training" is very flawed, and results in false positive indicators of drug intoxication, even though a person is completely sober. Further, the field sobriety tests themselves are flawed, and also tend to lead to false positive indicators of intoxication.

Consult an Experienced Forsyth County DUI Attorney

If you or someone you care about has been arrested for a suspected DUI charge, whether for drugs or alcohol, you face serious charges and the loss of your right to drive. With an experienced Forsyth County DUI attorney by your side, you can defend your case and protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation of your case.