DOSE:

1 g

oral

Mushrooms

(tea)

BODY WEIGHT:

156 lb

Hypertension and Mushrooms

After 2 months of smoking three times per day and a week of binging on adderall, my heart felt used up and I'd get occasional pressure/pain in my chest and high blood pressure. However, my readings had been normal for the past few days. I had given up smoking weed and eating salt for about two weeks, at the request of my cardiologist. He had told me that my blood pressure was most likely attributable to anxiety, but could also be caused by damaged epithelial tissue in one of my arteries.

I crushed about a gram of caps and stems; I don't know the species. I then poured the powder into a Solo cup full of hot water from my shower. I was hit with a wave of powerful regret. What if psilocybin's vasoconstrictive effects trigger a heart attack? I started to get second thoughts, so I went down the hall to ask my friend what he thought I should do. He told me not to worry and that if things go really badly he would comfort me. I drank the murky, lukewarm mixture at 2:40 PM on a full stomach, feigning confidence that I would be okay.

Prior to this experience, I had tripped on acid before but had never tried shrooms, so I knew approximately what to expect. First, I noticed a pressure in my chest that began growing and turning intensely painful. I had not expected this symptom. I began to take my blood pressure, but deflated the cuff before the reading finished. I would have rather been unsure of my blood pressure than know it was high. I sought out my friend who had promised to take care of me, but he was asleep. I turned to a group of students in my hall and they agreed to stay with me and help me keep down the negative feelings.

As I continued coming up, I had trouble interacting with the people who walked down the hall, and commented about the way they looked as they passed by. A tide of anxiety welled up inside my ribcage and I felt the beginnings of intense panic. I nervously announced, 'somebody please hug me,' and after a minute of hugging, I felt better. I began to peak at 5:00.

The carpet glowed with flecks of bright colors and the walls looked like they were covered in barnacles. I put on goofy, simple music that gave me the giggles. My back cramped, but I couldn't sit down out of fear that my blood pressure would spike. My heart pains substantially subsided, but my heartrate spiked periodically and made me nervous.

As I came down, I went to the dining hall and had a banana, a plain cookie, and a bowl of milk, but still wouldn't sit down. I felt sluggish and creative. After deciding that I wasn't going to smoke, in case I brought back the trip, I tried to go to sleep. I was in bed by 10:00, but every time I got close to sleeping, I would forget to breathe and wake up gasping. I was sleeping by 12:30. My dreams were stressful but short. I woke up feeling sharp and beautiful with a pressure in my chest and palpitations.

Although this trip was not only good, I do not regret it. Although I felt one lurking inside me, I did not have a panic attack. Although my cardiologist told me that tripping isn't as bad for my heart as smoking, I will be avoiding psychedelics for the next few months.

Exp Year: 2018	ExpID: 111512
Gender: Male
Age at time of experience: 18
Published: Aug 2, 2025	Views: Not Supported
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Mushrooms (39) : Public Space (Museum, Park, etc) (53), Glowing Experiences (4), Health Problems (27), Difficult Experiences (5)