Man Who Hacked Off Own Genitals While High on Mushrooms Undergoes Successful Penis 'Replantation' in Historic First

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. Upon ingestion, the body metabolizes psilocybin into psilocin, which interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. This leads to mind-altering effects, such as hallucinations, altered perceptions of time, and significant emotional changes.

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.

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 in search of help, while losing a significant amount of blood. A passerby found him and called for emergency assistance. He eventually made it to a hospital five hours later.

He 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 about two centimeters of the penile shaft.

The replantation was deemed successful despite the contamination. 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.