Introduction
At a beautiful wedding, while adults danced and children ran around a table laden with colorful candies and decorated chocolates, eight-year-old Diego mistakenly consumed a chocolate containing psilocybin—the active compound in so-called “magic mushrooms.” Soon after, he experienced a psychedelic crisis, transitioning from nervous laughter to tears, overwhelmed by confusion and fear. This incident highlights the growing concern of psychedelic-infused foods at parties, festivals, and social gatherings.
What are “Chocohongos”?
The term “chocohongos” refers to the combination of chocolate and psilocybin-containing mushrooms, a contemporary blend with no traditional or ceremonial roots. Originally, indigenous Mesoamerican cultures consumed these mushrooms in sacred rituals under the guidance of a healer with spiritual intentions. In contrast, “chocohongos” emerged in the modern market as a way to mask the earthy taste of mushrooms, making them more appealing and easier to sell.
This trend coincides with the so-called “new psychedelic wave,” fueled by partial decriminalization in some countries, social media spread, and the misconception that natural substances are risk-free. However, the lack of regulation makes these products uncertain and often dangerous.
A Trend Turned Risky
Psychedelic-infused confections, including chocolates, cannabis edibles, MDMA, and ketamine, circulate without labeling or oversight. They are often sold in homemade packaging or through social media, mimicking commercial products like chocolates, gummies, candies, or cakes.
- A piece of chocolate can contain anywhere from microdoses (less than 0.1 grams) to amounts equivalent to three or four grams of dried mushrooms.
- Oral absorption is slow—effects can take between 90 and 120 minutes—leading many to repeat doses, believing they haven’t felt anything, increasing the risk of severe intoxication.
- There have been reports of adulterated products containing other substances, including fentanyl, which heightens the risk of respiratory depression or cardiorespiratory arrest.
Hospital emergency rooms in Mexico and the United States have seen a rise in accidental intoxication cases from tainted treats. Affected individuals may display symptoms ranging from anxiety, nausea, and disorientation to transient psychosis, seizures, or loss of consciousness.
In Diego’s case, the crisis was managed with basic life support and medical observation. However, adults—especially in environments with music, lights, alcohol, and high temperatures—may experience more severe reactions.
While psilocybin shows therapeutic promise in mental health under controlled conditions, its unregulated use can be unpredictable. The setting and mindset significantly influence whether the experience will be enlightening or terrifying.
Psychedelics Without Control: The Other Side of the “Revolution”
Unlike research protocols requiring medical evaluation, a safe environment, therapeutic accompaniment, and precise dosing, psychedelic-infused products at parties represent an unregulated and trivialized version of a substance demanding respect and knowledge.
The surge in these products reflects a cultural paradox. While science seeks to revalue psilocybin’s therapeutic potential, the recreational market turns it into just another product, disconnected from its ritualistic and healing purpose. Consequently, consumption shifts from a quest for introspection to a casual experience, often without full awareness of what’s being ingested.
The goal isn’t to demonize these substances but to understand the risks of uninformed consumption and acknowledge the urgent need for clear, responsible regulation.
Recommendations
- Avoid consuming any product if you’re unsure of its contents or dosage. If a treat is offered at a party without packaging or clear information, declining it is an act of self-care.
- Don’t mix substances. Combining alcohol, cannabis, psychedelics, and stimulants can exacerbate adverse effects like anxiety, dehydration, or tachycardia.
- If someone exhibits signs of intoxication—intense nausea, confusion, panic, excessive sweating, or loss of balance—immediate medical attention is required.
- Families, schools, and event organizers should be informed about these products’ presence and associated risks.
- It’s crucial to advocate for regulation, clear labeling, and education on responsible use of these substances.
Without clear regulations, adulteration remains a threat. Psychedelics, used with respect, can be powerful tools for mental health and consciousness expansion. However, when trivialized and mixed with chocolate, confetti, and loud music, they become a chemical gamble.
Diego’s case serves as a reminder that behind every “magical sweet” could lie an unpleasant story. Regulate, educate, and accompany—those are the true paths to harm reduction.
I’d love to hear your questions or experiences related to this topic. Let’s keep the conversation going; you can email me at [email protected] or reach out to me on Instagram at @dra.carmenamezcua.
