John Miller
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that typically grows in damp, dark, and shady environments. They are characterized by their umbrella-like caps and stem-like structures. While mushrooms are typically stationary in the wild, the term mushroom mobile can refer to a variety of things. In the context of video games, mushroom mobile may refer to a game involving adventurous mushrooms, such as the Legend of Mushroom. In popular culture, shrooms or magic mushrooms refer to hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain psilocybin and psilocin, which can induce a 'trip' with varying effects on a person's thoughts, emotions, and senses. Additionally, mushroom mobile can also be used to describe decorative mobiles featuring mushroom designs, commonly found in nurseries or as handmade pieces on platforms like Etsy.
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogenic mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been found in a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use, possibly dating back to prehistoric times. Rock art from Tassili, Algeria, dating to around 9000-7000 BCE, is believed to depict the use of psychedelic mushrooms. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in rituals 6,000 years ago. In Mesoamerica, native peoples have used hallucinogenic mushrooms for religious, divinatory, and healing purposes since pre-Columbian times. For example, a statuette from around 200 CE, discovered in Colima, Mexico, depicts a mushroom resembling Psilocybe mexicana.
The active ingredients in magic mushrooms are the chemicals psilocybin and psilocin, which are classified as hallucinogens and controlled substances in various parts of the world, including the United States and Canada. When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the liver into psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects. The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin within 15-45 minutes and can last for approximately four to six hours. These effects can include hallucinations, perceptual changes, and altered thoughts and emotions.
While magic mushrooms are primarily known for their hallucinogenic properties, there is growing interest in their potential therapeutic benefits. Modern medical research is exploring their possible use in treating mental and behavioural health conditions. Clinical trials have shown promising results, but as of now, there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin. Additionally, it is important to note that the use of any drug carries risks, and magic mushrooms are no exception. Negative experiences, often referred to as "bad trips," can occur, and there have been reports of serious harm associated with intravenous injection of mushrooms.
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Health benefits of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "shrooms" or "magic mushrooms", are hallucinogenic drugs that can affect a person's thoughts and emotions. They are illegal in most parts of the world, including the United States, where they are classified as a Schedule I drug. However, there is growing recognition of the potential health benefits of psilocybin mushrooms, and some cities in the US have decriminalized their possession in small amounts.
Research has shown that psilocybin mushrooms can have therapeutic effects and may be useful in treating various mental and behavioural health conditions. For example, psilocybin has been found to help treat depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder. It can also ease existential distress caused by life-threatening diseases. A large-scale survey conducted by Johns Hopkins University found significant improvements in mental health, well-being, and psychological functioning among participants who used psilocybin. The majority of participants experienced reduced anxiety, depression, and alcohol misuse, as well as increased cognitive flexibility and emotional regulation.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used by Indigenous communities around the world for over a thousand years, and some researchers believe that rock paintings in Western Australia indicate their use in Indigenous ceremonies over 10,000 years ago. In modern times, psilocybin mushrooms are typically consumed fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. However, it is important to note that consuming psilocybin mushrooms recreationally can be risky due to the potential for bad trips and the difficulty in identifying poisonous mushrooms.
As more evidence of the potential health benefits of psilocybin mushrooms emerges, there is growing advocacy for removing legal restrictions on their possession and use. While the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved psilocybin mushrooms as a treatment for any condition, Australia has recognized their medicinal qualities. From July 2023, authorized psychiatrists in Australia can prescribe psilocybin to treat patients with treatment-resistant depression.
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Legality of mushrooms
The legality of mushrooms, specifically psilocybin mushrooms, varies across the world. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse and no recognised medical uses. However, the UN convention does not specifically mention psilocybin mushrooms, and they have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in several cultures throughout history.
In the United States, psilocybin mushrooms are Schedule I drugs, making it illegal to possess, sell, or give away. However, there is advocacy for legalisation due to the potential health benefits of psilocybin mushrooms in treating psychiatric and behavioural conditions. In a few cities, possession of small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms has been decriminalised. Oregon has become the first state to allow adult use of psilocybin mushrooms in supervised settings, and a bill in California is pending to legalise the possession and distribution of specified quantities of psilocybin. In addition, some US states, like New Mexico, have ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms does not qualify as "manufacturing" a controlled substance.
Outside of the US, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971, the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Japanese Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law of 2002 are examples of national drug laws that have been amended to reflect the UN convention. In some countries, like Germany and a few US states, the sale and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores are specifically criminalised, while in others, spores are legal to possess as they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin.
A handful of countries, including Brazil, Nepal, and the Bahamas, have legalised the use of psilocybin mushrooms, but none have implemented a system of supervised use.
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How to consume mushrooms
Mushrooms are versatile and can be consumed in a variety of ways. They can be eaten raw or cooked and are packed with a savoury umami flavour. They are a good source of antioxidants and vitamins. Here are some ways to consume mushrooms:
Sautéing
Brush a pan lightly with oil and heat it on high. Add a single layer of mushrooms and turn them once they become reddish-brown on one side. Cook until the other side turns the same colour and then remove from the heat. Sautéed mushrooms can be added to any dish.
Roasting
Brush mushrooms with oil and place them on a shallow baking pan in an oven preheated to 450 degrees. Stir occasionally until brown. Roasting mushrooms is a great option for multitasking cooks.
Grilling
Lightly brush the caps and stems of larger-capped mushrooms, such as Portabellas, with oil and season as desired. Grill or broil 4 to 6 inches away from the heat source for 4 to 6 minutes on each side, brushing once or twice.
Blending
Finely chop mushrooms and blend them with your favourite meat recipes such as tacos, burgers, chilis, and casseroles.
Salads
Slice raw mushrooms and mix them into a salad.
Sandwiches and Soups
Steam mushrooms in the microwave and toss them onto a hot sandwich, soup, chilli, or packaged meal.
Safety Considerations for Psilocybin Mushrooms
If you are considering consuming psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, for their psychedelic effects, it is important to take certain precautions. Firstly, conduct a risk assessment and ensure that it is legal and safe for you to consume them. Secondly, it is recommended to consume dried mushrooms, as they are easier to measure and have a longer shelf life. Proper dosing is critical, so use tools like a Magic Mushroom Dosage Calculator to determine an appropriate dose based on factors such as body weight and experience with psychedelics. Additionally, consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach can intensify the experience, so it may be advisable to consume them after eating to achieve a milder high.
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Mushroom trip experiences
Psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms", are hallucinogens that can cause a person to see, hear, and feel things that are not happening in real life. They can also distort an individual's sense of time and space, and cause intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror.
A study published in Nature reported that the “come-up" of a mushroom trip is characterised by anxiety and excitement, while the “peak" is described as awe-inspiring. The "come-down" is often a sense of peace, cathartic release, and relaxation. The duration of the mushroom come-down is longer than the come-up, but harder to define as the effects and after-effects taper off gradually. Several individuals acknowledge challenges but nevertheless desire further trips in the future. Some individuals describe the come-down as a return from a challenging journey, with a sense of victory and relief.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that psilocybin destabilizes a critical network of brain areas involved in introspective thinking, which creates a surreal experience. This is supported by another study, which found that psilocybin altered patterns of brain activity, causing a profound change in consciousness.
In a study of 29 terminally ill patients, 80% saw relief from emotional distress that lasted more than six months after a single dose of psilocybin. In a long-term follow-up, the effects persisted nearly five years later, with 71 to 100% of participants attributing positive life changes to the treatment.
While some mushroom trips can be frightening or bad experiences, most participants in a study argued that these unpleasant experiences had been beneficial and had given them deep existential and life-altering insights.
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Frequently asked questions
A mushroom mobile is a hanging mobile with a mushroom theme. They are often marketed as baby mobiles or nursery decor.
You can buy mushroom mobiles from Etsy.
No, mushrooms are not mobile. They are non-motile organisms.
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as shrooms or magic mushrooms, are illegal in most of the US. However, there is advocacy for decriminalization due to their potential health benefits.
The effects of magic mushrooms include hallucinations, nausea, excessive yawning, drowsiness, and relaxation. The length and intensity of the effects depend on the strength of the mushrooms, the dosage, and the user's mood, personality, and expectations.
