Laura Smith
Coprinaceae mushrooms, commonly known as inky caps, are a type of fungus that has been used for centuries as a food source and in traditional medicine. They are usually identified by their thin, fragile flesh and gills that liquefy at maturity, resulting in a black, inky mess. While some Coprinaceae mushrooms are edible, such as the Coprinellus micaceus and Coprinus comatus, others like the Coprinopsis atramentaria are poisonous when consumed with alcohol due to the presence of coprine. However, there is no indication that Coprinaceae mushrooms are psychedelic. Instead, the psychedelic fungi belong to the Panaeolus and Psilocybe species, which contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin.
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What You'll Learn
- Coprinaceae mushrooms are psychedelic due to psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin
- Coprinaceae mushrooms are edible and used in traditional medicine
- Coprinaceae mushrooms are also called shaggy mane, chicken drumstick, or lawyer's wig
- Coprinaceae mushrooms are toxic when consumed with alcohol
- Coprinaceae mushrooms are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere
Coprinaceae mushrooms are psychedelic due to psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin
Coprinaceae mushrooms are psychedelic due to the presence of psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin. Psilocybin is a psychoactive ingredient that can induce a "blueing reaction" when the mushrooms are touched, with the outside of the mushroom bruising and turning blue in colour. The strength of this reaction is directly correlated with the potency of the psilocybin content.
Psilocybin and psilocin are both present in the Psilocybe genus, which contains over 180 different species of mushrooms. Of these, approximately 95 species contain psychoactive doses of psilocybin and psilocin, as well as a closely related compound called baeocystin. This makes the Psilocybe genus the most common genus of psychedelic mushrooms.
The Panaeolus genus is a member of the larger Coprinaceae family and is notable for its psilocybin content. Other members of the Coprinaceae family that contain psilocybin include Psathyrella and Coprinus.
While Coprinaceae mushrooms may have psychedelic properties, they also have potential hazards and negative features. For example, the Coprinus comatus species, also known as the shaggy mane or chicken drumstick mushroom, can cause skin reactions in patients with dermatitis and has a risk of confusion with poisonous mushrooms. Additionally, old specimens of this species undergo autolysis, making them edible only when young.
Another species, Coprinopsis atramentaria, is commonly known as the "common ink cap" or "inky cap". This mushroom is edible but contains coprine, which can cause heightened sensitivity to ethanol and result in disulfiram-like symptoms when consumed with alcohol.
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Coprinaceae mushrooms are edible and used in traditional medicine
Mushrooms have been used for centuries not only as food but also in traditional medicine due to their pro-health properties. Coprinaceae mushrooms, also known as inky caps, are edible and have been used in traditional medicine. They are easy to identify due to their thin, fragile flesh and dark spore prints. The gills of these mushrooms liquefy at maturity, turning into a black, inky, spore-laden liquid.
Coprinaceae mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine in Asia, where they are cultivated for consumption. The species Coprinellus micaceus, commonly known as the shiny cap, is characterised by a yellow-brown or tan cap with a central nipple-like protrusion. The cap is coated with a fine layer of reflective mica-like cells, giving it a mealy, glittery appearance. The flesh of these mushrooms is thin and fragile, and the gills liquefy and turn black a few hours after being picked. Coprinellus micaceus is considered edible before the gills blacken and dissolve, as cooking stops the autodigestion process. Chemical analysis of the fruit bodies has revealed the presence of antibacterial and enzyme-inhibiting compounds.
Another species of Coprinaceae mushrooms is Coprinus comatus, also known as shaggy mane, chicken drumstick mushroom, or lawyer's wig. This species is unique in that it is only edible when young, as the old mushrooms undergo autolysis. The cap of Coprinus comatus is normally white, but with time it turns pink and covers the stipe. The stem is white, hollow, and 6-15 cm tall, and the spores are black and ellipsoidal. This species is considered to have positive physiological properties, such as antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, it also has some negative features, such as skin reactions in patients with dermatitis and a risk of confusion with poisonous mushrooms.
While not all Coprinaceae mushrooms are psychedelic, some species, such as Coprinopsis atramentaria, have been known to cause disulfiram-like symptoms when consumed with alcohol. This interaction results in symptoms such as facial reddening, nausea, vomiting, and agitation. The mushroom contains a compound called coprine, which blocks the action of an enzyme that breaks down acetaldehyde in the body. Due to this effect, Coprinopsis atramentaria has been used to cure alcoholism. Overall, Coprinaceae mushrooms are a diverse group of fungi with a range of properties and uses, from traditional medicine to potential treatments for alcoholism.
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Coprinaceae mushrooms are also called shaggy mane, chicken drumstick, or lawyer's wig
Coprinaceae mushrooms, also known as shaggy mane, chicken drumstick, or lawyer's wig, are part of the phylum Basidiomycota, family Agaricaceae, and genus Coprinus. They are easily recognisable by their shaggy, cylindrical caps, which are initially white and covered in pale brown shaggy scales. The caps range from 4–8 cm in width and 6–20 cm in height. The free gills change rapidly from white to pink and then melt into a black liquid filled with spores, giving rise to the name "ink cap".
Coprinaceae mushrooms are considered choice edible mushrooms, especially when young, before the gills start to turn black. They are widely consumed in Asian countries and are often cultivated for this purpose. However, they should be prepared soon after being collected as the black areas can quickly turn bitter. The mushrooms have a mild taste and produce a large amount of liquid when cooked. They are commonly used in mushroom soup or as a liquid component in risotto.
It is important to note that Coprinaceae mushrooms may induce mild coprine poisoning if consumed with alcohol. Symptoms of coprine poisoning include vomiting, diarrhoea, palpitations, and a metallic taste in the mouth. This is due to the presence of coprine, a compound found in some mushrooms that can interfere with the body's metabolism of alcohol.
Coprinaceae mushrooms have a unique life cycle. They typically grow in dense clusters on or near rotting hardwood tree stumps or underground tree roots. The mushrooms are ephemeral, often disappearing by noon due to their thin flesh and the process of deliquescence, where the gills liquefy at maturity. This process begins from the outside in, with the gills liquefying as the spores become mature, resulting in a black, inky appearance.
In addition to their culinary uses, Coprinaceae mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. They contain compounds with potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, among others. Furthermore, they have been studied for their ability to inhibit inflammation-related DNA halogenation and interfere with the NF-kappaB pathway, which has potential implications for breast cancer treatment.
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Coprinaceae mushrooms are toxic when consumed with alcohol
Coprinaceae mushrooms, also known as "inky caps", are not inherently psychedelic. However, they do contain a compound called coprine, which has toxic effects when consumed with alcohol. This mushroom, scientifically known as Coprinopsis atramentaria, was first described by French naturalist Pierre Bulliard in 1786. It is widespread and common throughout the Northern Hemisphere, often found in urban and disturbed habitats.
The unique characteristic of Coprinaceae mushrooms is their ability to create acute sensitivity to alcohol, resulting in disulfiram-like symptoms. Consuming these mushrooms within a few hours of drinking alcohol can lead to facial reddening, nausea, vomiting, malaise, agitation, palpitations, and tingling in the limbs. These symptoms typically arise within five to ten minutes of alcohol consumption and can last for up to three hours. The severity of the symptoms is directly proportional to the amount of alcohol consumed. Interestingly, similar symptoms can occur even if a small amount of alcohol is consumed up to three days after eating the mushrooms, although they tend to be milder as time passes.
The toxic reaction between Coprinaceae mushrooms and alcohol is due to the presence of coprine, a cyclopropylglutamine compound. When consumed together, coprine blocks the action of an enzyme called acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which is responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, an intermediate metabolite of ethanol. This blockage leads to a buildup of acetaldehyde in the body, resulting in the unpleasant symptoms mentioned above.
It is important to note that Coprinaceae mushrooms are generally considered edible when young. However, consuming them with alcohol can lead to dangerous interactions. Therefore, it is crucial to avoid alcohol consumption for at least a few days after eating these mushrooms to prevent any adverse effects.
In addition to their potential toxicity when combined with alcohol, Coprinaceae mushrooms have also been associated with other negative effects. For example, they can cause skin reactions in individuals with dermatitis and atopic predispositions. They also pose a risk of confusion with poisonous mushrooms, as their appearance may vary.
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Coprinaceae mushrooms are widespread in the Northern Hemisphere
Coprinaceae mushrooms, also known as inky caps, are indeed psychedelic. However, this is not the only effect they have on the human body. Consuming these mushrooms within a few hours of consuming alcohol results in disulfiram-like symptoms. This interaction has only been discovered in the early 20th century. Symptoms include facial reddening, nausea, vomiting, malaise, agitation, palpitations, and tingling in the limbs. These symptoms arise five to ten minutes after alcohol consumption and generally subside within two to three hours.
Coprinaceae mushrooms are widespread and common throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are found in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia. They are known to grow in urban and disturbed habitats such as vacant lots, lawns, and grassy areas. They are also found near rotting hardwood tree stumps or underground tree roots. These mushrooms are usually bountiful as they grow in dense clusters. They are also easy to cultivate in laboratories.
Coprinaceae mushrooms are small with thin flesh. They have a greyish or brownish-grey cap that is initially bell-shaped and later becomes more convex. The caps are marked with fine radial or linear grooves that extend nearly to the center. The gills are crowded and are initially white, then turn grey or pinkish before turning black and liquefying. The spores are almond-shaped and range in color from black to purple-brown. The flesh is thin and pale grey in color.
Coprinaceae mushrooms are considered edible when young, but consuming them with alcohol can lead to severe symptoms due to the presence of coprine, a compound that heightens the body's sensitivity to ethanol. This effect has been used to cure alcoholism as it creates an aversion to alcohol.
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Frequently asked questions
No, they are not. However, consuming Coprinaceae mushrooms within a few hours of drinking alcohol will result in disulfiram-like symptoms such as facial reddening, nausea, vomiting, malaise, agitation, palpitations, and tingling in the limbs.
Coprinaceae mushrooms are commonly known as "shiny caps", "mica caps", or "glistening inky caps", referring to the mealy particles found on their caps that glisten like mica.
The scientific name for Coprinaceae mushrooms is Coprinaceae comatus, also known as shaggy mane, chicken drumstick mushroom, or lawyer's wig.
Yes, Coprinaceae mushrooms are edible when young, but consuming them with alcohol will result in disulfiram-like symptoms.
The unique feature of Coprinaceae mushrooms is that they are edible only when young; older mushrooms undergo autolysis, turning black and dissolving themselves in a matter of hours.
