🍄 Attention fungi fans: a new research project is looking at how people in New Zealand use psilocybin mushrooms, and what those shrooms actually are. 🍄
PhD student Sam Lasham is conducting this study, which includes surveys that are open to anyone nationwide and a drug checking service (Auckland only) to help you find out the species and strength of your psilocybin mushrooms.
Head to the link in our bio for more into and to join the study!
#harmreduction #psychedelicresearch #aotearoa #drugsafety
Part two of Hayden's 'shroom safety tips on @95bfm_breakfast ! This one's about how to increase your chances a smooth trip once you know what you're taking - see part one for info on how to be safer if you're picking 'shrooms. 🍄🍄🍄
#harmreduction #aotearoa #endoverdose #psychedelicsafety
Magic (and not-so-magic!) mushrooms are popping up everywhere at the moment. Hayden talked to @95bfm_breakfast last week about what to watch out for if you're picking your own. There are MANY toxic lookalikes out there that can make you seriously sick (or even dead). Stay tuned for part two, where we talk about how to reduce the risk of a bad trip.
#HarmReduction #DrugSafety #Aotearoa #Foraging
Babe wake up, new drug safety info just dropped. Here's the low-down to help you stay safer with etomidate (aka space oil or k-pods), a short-acting anaesthetic that can have dissociative effects.
Etomidate can make you feel relaxed, euphoric, numb, nauseous or drowsy. It's often sold in vape form, which can make it hard to keep track of how much you've had. Taking too much can lead to seizures, psychosis or unconsciousness - so keep an eye on your mates and get help if anything seems off.
#HarmReduction #DrugSafety #PartySafer #Aotearoa
We tested 3164 drug samples in 2025. Here's what we found (spoiler: 12% of those drug samples weren't what people thought they were!). That's hundreds of people who we helped to avoid drug harm or even overdose. Drug checking saves lives.
And maybe the real treasure was the friends we made along the way: over 40% of people using drug checking were doing so for the first time. If this was you, thanks for trusting us and for doing your part to keep yourself, your mates and your community safer. ❤ Drug checking doesn't just give you info about the drugs you're planning to take, it helps us identify new risks and share this knowledge to everyone.
With consumption of some drugs on the rise, drug checking is more essential than ever. We're privileged to work alongside our incredible colleagues at @knowyourstuffnz , @disc_trust , @highalertnz and @phfscience .
Comment below to get a link to the full report, and sing out if you have any questions!
#harmreduction #drugchecking #pilltesting #aotearoa
Keep tabs on your safety (ha) with these quick psychedelic safety tips from Phil, in conversation with @95bfm . We've been hearing of people having unexpectedly intense acid trips lately - which makes us think there might be some high-dose tabs going around.
A common dose of LSD is around 75ug (micrograms), but there's no guarantee that's how much is on your tab. Different tabs from the same batch be different strengths. Start low, wait an hour to feel the effects and take it from there.
NBOMe is a drug that can be sold as acid, but its effects can be much more unpredictable. NBOMe can be fatal at high doses. If NBOMe is sold as tabs, it's likely to have a strong bitter flavour. Hence the saying: if it's bitter, it's a spitter!
Drug checking can help you test your tabs - find drug checking near you on thelevel.org.nz
#HarmReduction #DrugEducation #FestivalSafety #Aotearoa
If you're using steroids, peptides or post-cycle meds like SARMs, here's a few quick tips to help you stay safer, not just stronger 💪
We heard you guys wanted more info about these kinds of performance and image-enhancing drugs, so we've got a couple of new articles up on thelevel.org.nz - including info about what substances can be tested at drug checking clinics, and advice from Dr. Tushar Srivastava at @selfcaremen.co.nz on how to look out for your health.
#harmreduction #PIEDs #enhanced #BodybuildingLifestyle #gymtok
We’ve been seeing more stories recently of people being hospitalised after taking nangs - so what’s happening?
A big reason is we’re seeing more of these large canisters being sold, which can contain upwards of 200 doses. These can make it really hard to know how much you’ve taken – which means it can be really easy to take too much.
If you are going to use NOS, try to stick to a few small silver cannisters per session and take long breaks between using, to reduce the risk. If you are taking NOS from a large 2 or 3 litre cannister, discharge it into a ballon and stick to 1 or 2 balloons per session.
How can NOS harm your health?
NOS can stop your body from being able to process B12, which can result in permanent nerve damage, paralysis or psychosis.
Taking B12 supplements or eating steak won’t prevent you from developing B12 issues if you’re using lots of NOS. That’s because your body can’t absorb B12 while you are using NOS.
If start to notice you feel more tired than usual, out of breath, have pale skin, have numbness, burning or tingling in your hands/feet, mouth sores, foggy brain or headaches, it is a good idea to go and see you GP to get your B12 levels checked.
If you have an existing B12 deficiency, or a family history of b12 deficiency, it might be a good idea to give NOS a miss.
Find more info at the link in our bio.
Ever taken 'shrooms? Help contribute to research! We're sharing this on behalf of researcher Sam Lasham, who is looking at how psilocybin mushrooms are used in Aotearoa and how they affect people. Head to the link in our bio for more info and to participate. 🍄
The University of Auckland in collaboration with the Liggins Institute and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research is conducting this study, which aims to understand how psilocybin mushrooms are being acquired, stored, and used in Aotearoa New Zealand, and whether certain species, compounds, or other factors have an effect on the overall experience and adverse effects.
To participate you must be:
18 years old or over.
A current or past user of psilocybin mushrooms.
If you wish to participate in drug checking, you must also:
Be able and willing to attend an in-person appointment in Grafton, Auckland.
Be intending to consume psilocybin mushrooms in the next six months.
If you have any other questions, please email [email protected]. If anonymity is of concern, you can create a new email address.
Study investigators: Dr. Rhys Ponton & Sam Lasham
School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland
Approved by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee on 25/2/2025 for three years. Reference number AH27703.
This project is licensed to conduct drug checking services by the Ministry of Health.
#harmreduction #drugresearch #auckland #plantmedicine
Sometimes taking too much of a drug can cause a seizure, as can withdrawal symptoms. Seizures can be really scary - but Emily has some tips on what to do. ❤️
If someone you're with has a seizure:
☎️ call 111
❌ don't restrain them or try to keep them still
✅ make sure the area is safe
🧸 if possible, place something soft under their head
⏱️ time the seizure
🫂 stay with them and keep calm
Head to the link in our bio for more info on what to do if someone has overdosed, is having a seizure or psychological distress after taking drugs.
#partysafer #harmreduction #seizure #endoverdose #narcan
Listen up, pony pals. 🐴 If you're taking ketamine this weekend, this is what you need to know.
Drug checking clinics can help you find out what's really in your K - head to thelevel.org.nz to find drug checking near you.
Pātai? Questions? Pop them in the comments and we can help out.
#harmreduction #k #aotearoa
Imagine you've greened out and Jerry here appears in a vision to tell you that you're gonna be okay 🥹🥹🥹
Cannabis is generally pretty low-risk, but it can be rough on your mental health and can interact with other drugs - including alcohol. Here's how to have a good time and stay safer if you're celebrating 420.
#420 #harmreduction #weed #aotearoa
