A 37-year-old Austrian man caused serious injury to himself after consuming psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms. This extreme case was reported in the Mega Journal of Surgery, making it the first known instance of self-mutilation linked to psilocybin use. It showcases risks related to psychedelic substances, especially for those with a history of mental health issues.

The man, who had been diagnosed with depression and alcohol dependence, consumed four to five magic mushrooms while alone at a holiday home. Not long after he took magic mushrooms, he began experiencing intense hallucinations and delusions. In a fit of psychosis, he took an axe and severely injured his genitals. Much of the incident is a blur to him due to his affected mental state at the time. Trying to stop the bleeding caused by the consumption of magic mushrooms, he tied a cloth around the area and placed the severed parts into a jar of snow. He then stumbled out of the house, covered in blood.

Magic Mushrooms
Image Source: Wikipedia

A passerby noticed this man in a disoriented state and called an ambulance. He was taken to a nearby hospital about five hours after the incident. When he arrived, he was in critical condition from blood loss. Surgeons faced difficulties due to contamination from dirt and snow, but they managed to reattach part of the man's penis, including the tip and about two centimeters of the shaft.

Despite the surgery, the man continued to suffer from severe psychotic effects, including auditory hallucinations and religious delusions. He was transferred to a psychiatric unit and given antipsychotic medication, which helped to reduce his symptoms. Over time, his mental health improved, and he was able to continue recovering in the urology department. Although he faced some postoperative complications, such as tissue damage to the glans, he regained some degree of erectile function after three months.

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