Magic Mushrooms Grew in Man’s Blood After Injection

Sometimes medical case reports read like horror stories, and this one qualifies. A 30-year-old man trying to treat his depression and addiction problems decided to inject homemade magic mushroom tea directly into his veins, believing it might help based on research he’d read online. What happened next sounds like something from a nightmare: the actual mushroom fungus began growing inside his bloodstream, causing his organs to shut down one by one. Dr. Partha Nandi examines this shocking case that landed a patient in intensive care for over three weeks, exploring how legitimate medical research can be dangerously misinterpreted and why injection drug use creates life-threatening risks that go far beyond the intended effects of any substance.

A Desperate Search for Relief Turns Dangerous

Mr. X, as doctors called him to protect his privacy, suffered from bipolar disorder type I and had been struggling with opioid dependence and severe depression. After stopping his prescribed medications (risperidone and valproate), he began cycling between manic and depressive episodes that left him searching desperately for relief.

During his research into alternative treatments, he encountered legitimate scientific studies about psilocybin therapy for depression and addiction. Multiple clinical trials have shown promising results for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating various mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression and substance abuse disorders.

However, these medical studies used pure, pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin administered orally in controlled clinical settings with extensive medical supervision. Mr. X made several critical errors by attempting to self-medicate using crude preparation methods and intravenous injection rather than oral consumption.

He prepared what he called “mushroom tea” by boiling magic mushrooms in water, then “filtering” the mixture through cotton before injecting it directly into his veins. This homemade preparation method introduced numerous contamination risks while delivering uncontrolled doses of psychoactive compounds directly into his bloodstream.

Everything That Could Go Wrong Did Go Wrong

Within days of the injection, Mr. X developed a cascade of serious medical problems that would eventually threaten his life. His family found him experiencing confusion, jaundice, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting blood, prompting an emergency trip to the hospital.

Emergency room evaluation revealed multiple organ systems failing simultaneously. His oxygen saturation dropped to 92%, his heart rate increased to 100 beats per minute, and his blood pressure plummeted to 75/47, indicating cardiovascular collapse. Physical examination showed jaundiced skin, cyanosis of lips and nail beds, and severe confusion.

Laboratory tests revealed a frightening array of abnormalities: low platelet count, electrolyte imbalances, acute kidney failure, and acute liver injury. Cardiac enzymes indicated heart damage, while his electrocardiogram showed dangerous rhythm abnormalities consistent with cardiac stress.

Doctors immediately transferred him to the intensive care unit for multi-organ failure treatment. He required intravenous fluids, multiple blood pressure supporting medications, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and antifungal drugs to combat the developing infections.

The Mushrooms Were Growing in His Blood

The most disturbing aspect of this case emerged when doctors cultured blood samples to identify the source of his infections. Laboratory analysis revealed both bacterial contamination (Brevibacillus species) and, incredibly, fungal growth identified as Psilocybe cubensis—the exact species of magic mushroom he had injected.

Blood cultures showed living mushroom fungus actively growing within his circulatory system, essentially turning his bloodstream into a growing medium for psychoactive fungi. This represented an unprecedented medical situation where the recreational drug itself became a life-threatening pathogen.

The fungal infection contributed to septic shock, a condition where overwhelming infection causes dangerous blood pressure drops and organ dysfunction. His condition deteriorated to require mechanical ventilation on day two of hospitalization when his lungs began failing.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation developed, causing dangerous blood clotting throughout his body that required plasmapheresis—a procedure to filter his blood and remove clotting factors. This complication can cause both excessive bleeding and dangerous clots simultaneously.

Intensive Care Became a Long-Term Battle

Mr. X spent eight days in the intensive care unit and 22 total days in the hospital, requiring an enormous array of medical interventions to keep him alive. The complexity of his condition demanded multiple specialist consultations and aggressive treatment protocols.

His treatment regimen included powerful antibiotics (daptomycin and meropenem) to combat bacterial infections and antifungal medication (voriconazole) to eliminate the mushroom growth in his bloodstream. These medications carry their risks and side effects, but were necessary to prevent fatal infection.

The case required coordination between emergency medicine, intensive care, infectious disease, cardiology, nephrology, and psychiatry specialists. Each organ system required specific interventions while doctors worked to eliminate the underlying fungal and bacterial infections.

Even after hospital discharge, Mr. X continued requiring long-term antibiotic and antifungal therapy to ensure complete elimination of the infections. The extended treatment duration reflects the difficulty of eradicating fungal infections from blood and organs.

Why Injection Makes Everything More Dangerous

Intravenous drug use bypasses all of the body’s natural protective barriers that usually filter out contaminants before substances reach vital organs. When drugs are taken orally, the digestive system and liver provide opportunities to metabolize and eliminate harmful substances.

Injection delivers crude preparations directly into the bloodstream, carrying bacteria, fungi, particulate matter, and other contaminants straight to the heart, lungs, brain, and other vital organs. Even small amounts of contamination can cause life-threatening infections when injected intravenously.

The cotton “filter” that Mr. X used provides minimal purification and may introduce additional contaminants, including cotton fibers that can block small blood vessels and cause tissue death. Professional pharmaceutical preparation requires sterile conditions and extensive purification processes.

Homemade injection preparations commonly contain endotoxins from bacterial contamination that can trigger septic shock even when the bacteria themselves don’t survive in the bloodstream. These toxins cause massive inflammatory responses that can rapidly lead to organ failure and death.

Legitimate Research Gets Misunderstood and Misapplied

Scientific studies showing psilocybin’s therapeutic potential use carefully controlled conditions that bear no resemblance to street drug preparation and injection. Clinical trials employ pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin manufactured under strict quality standards with precise dosing and purity testing.

Medical psilocybin research involves extensive screening to exclude patients with severe medical conditions, comprehensive medical monitoring throughout treatment sessions, and integration with professional psychotherapy. These safeguards help maximize benefits while minimizing risks.

The therapeutic effects observed in clinical studies depend heavily on proper preparation, appropriate dosing, safe environments, and professional guidance. Self-medication attempts lacking these elements are unlikely to produce therapeutic benefits and carry enormous risks.

Online information about psychedelic research can be misinterpreted by people seeking quick solutions to severe mental health problems. Desperate individuals may focus on positive results while ignoring the careful protocols and safety measures that make clinical research safe and effective.

Mental Health Treatment Requires Professional Care

Mr. X’s case illustrates the dangers of attempting to treat severe mental health conditions without professional medical supervision. Bipolar disorder and substance abuse disorders require comprehensive treatment approaches that address both psychological and medical aspects of these complex conditions.

Stopping prescribed psychiatric medications can trigger dangerous mood episodes that impair judgment and increase risk-taking behaviors. Medication discontinuation should always involve gradual tapering under medical supervision to prevent withdrawal symptoms and mood destabilization.

Substance abuse treatment programs provide evidence-based approaches that address the underlying psychology of addiction while managing medical complications safely. Self-medication attempts often worsen addiction problems and create additional health risks.

Professional mental health treatment includes safety monitoring, medication management, psychotherapy, and coordination with other medical specialists when needed. These comprehensive approaches provide much better outcomes than dangerous self-treatment experiments.

Emergency Warning Signs Everyone Should Know

Mr. X’s case demonstrates how quickly injection drug complications can become life-threatening. Anyone using injection drugs should seek immediate medical attention for fever, confusion, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or signs of infection at injection sites.

Septic shock can develop rapidly and requires emergency treatment to prevent death. Warning signs include low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, confusion, decreased urination, and skin color changes that indicate poor circulation.

Organ failure symptoms like jaundice (yellow skin), difficulty breathing, decreased urination, or severe abdominal pain require immediate emergency care. These conditions can become irreversible if treatment is delayed even by hours.

Family members and friends of people using drugs should learn to recognize medical emergencies and call for help immediately rather than waiting to see if symptoms improve. Quick medical intervention can mean the difference between recovery and permanent disability or death.

My Personal RX on Substance Use and Mental Health

As a physician who has treated countless patients struggling with mental health and addiction issues, I understand the desperation that drives people to seek alternative treatments when conventional approaches seem insufficient. However, this case dramatically illustrates why self-medication with unregulated substances, primarily through injection, represents one of the most dangerous paths anyone can take. When patients tell me they’re considering alternative treatments, I encourage open conversations about their concerns with conventional therapy while emphasizing the importance of working within established medical frameworks. Your mental health deserves professional care that prioritizes both effectiveness and safety, not dangerous experiments that could cost you your life.

1. Seek professional help for mental health struggles: Work with qualified psychiatrists, psychologists, and addiction specialists who can provide evidence-based treatments tailored to your specific needs and medical history.
2. Never stop psychiatric medications abruptly: Consult with your prescribing physician before making any changes to mental health medications, as sudden discontinuation can trigger dangerous mood episodes or withdrawal symptoms.
3. Research legitimate clinical trials if interested in psychedelic therapy: Look for FDA-approved research studies conducted by licensed medical professionals rather than attempting self-treatment with unregulated substances.
4. Support brain health through comprehensive wellness: Use MindBiotic supplements containing probiotics and adaptogens that support the gut-brain connection and may help stabilize mood through natural mechanisms.
5. Nourish mental health with targeted nutrition: Prepare brain-supporting meals from Mindful Meals cookbook that provide omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and other nutrients essential for neurological function and mood regulation.
6. Build a strong support network for recovery: Connect with family, friends, support groups, and healthcare providers who can help you through difficult periods without resorting to dangerous self-medication attempts.
7. Learn to recognize medical emergencies: Understand warning signs of serious complications like infection, organ failure, or overdose, and know when to seek immediate emergency medical care.
8. Practice harm reduction if using substances: If you’re struggling with substance use, work with healthcare providers who can help you stay as safe as possible while working toward recovery goals.
9. Address underlying trauma and psychological issues: Engage in proper psychotherapy to address root causes of depression, anxiety, and addiction rather than seeking quick fixes through dangerous drug experimentation.
10. Stay informed about legitimate treatment advances: Follow reputable medical sources for information about new treatment options while avoiding unverified online claims that could lead to dangerous self-treatment attempts.

Sources: 

Giancola, N. B., Korson, C. J., Caplan, J. P., & McKnight, C. A. (2021). A “Trip” to the Intensive Care Unit: An Intravenous Injection of Psilocybin. Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, 62(3), 370–371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaclp.2020.12.012