Doctors in Austria have documented the first known occurrence of psilocybin-induced penile amputation according to an unprecedented case report. A 37-year-old man suffering from depression and alcohol abuse severed his penis with an axe after consuming a significant amount of magic mushrooms, according to Psypost. Luckily for him, doctors were successfully able to reattach a portion of the amputated organ. The unusual case is described in the Mega Journal of Surgery.
The Mega Journal of Surgery defines psilocybin as a naturally occurring psychedelic substance present in specific species of mushrooms, commonly known as “magic mushrooms.” Upon ingestion, the body metabolizes psilocybin into psilocin, which interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. This interaction can result in a range of mind-altering effects, such as hallucinations, altered perceptions of time, and significant emotional changes. The use of psilocybin has a rich history, with ancient cultures utilizing it for religious and spiritual purposes.
The case report from doctors at Hospital Feldkirch in Austria details the alarming story of a 37-year-old man who took a significant amount of psilocybin. While experiencing a severe psychotic episode, he used an axe to amputate his penis. The man had a background of depression and alcohol dependency and had consumed four or five dried psilocybin mushrooms while isolated in a remote vacation house.
The man was said to have wrapped a piece of cloth around his genitals to manage the bleeding and placed the severed parts of his penis in a jar of snow. He then exited the house, losing a significant amount of blood, in search of help. A passerby found him in a dazed condition and called for emergency assistance. He was transported to a nearby village and later to a hospital, arriving approximately five hours post-amputation.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the patient was immediately taken into surgery due to having lost a significant amount of blood. Surgeons succeeded in saving the glans (the tip of the penis) and roughly two centimeters of the penile shaft; however, the other areas were too damaged to be restored.
The replantation was deemed successful despite the significant obstacles presented by the severity of the injury and contamination. While the patient experienced initial complications, his condition improved post-surgery, though he still dealt with severe psychotic symptoms, including auditory hallucinations and religious delusions. He was admitted to psychiatric care.
