Michael Davis
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of magic mushrooms vary from person to person and can include perceptual changes such as hallucinations, distorted senses, and an altered sense of time and emotions. The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly between and within the same species. This variation raises the question of whether psilocybin mushrooms are born with a predetermined amount of these compounds or if environmental factors play a role in their production.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin, which turns into psilocin upon ingestion |
| Effects | Hallucinations, distorted sights and sounds, loss of sense of time and space, intense emotions, increased heart rate, nausea |
| Withdrawal effects | Mild psychological effects, feeling tired |
| Legal status | Illegal to possess, use, sell, or drive under the influence in Australia |
| Therapeutic potential | Under research for treatment of substance use disorders and other mental illnesses |
| Distribution | Found in Mexico (53 species), North America (22), Europe (16), Asia (15), Africa (4), Australia and associated islands (19) |
| Habitat | Meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris |
| Species | 116 species of Psilocybe, 14 of Gymnopilus, 13 of Panaeolus, 12 of Copelandia, 6 of Pluteus, 6 of Inocybe, 4 of Pholiotina, 1 of Galerina |
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What You'll Learn
Magic mushrooms are found on nearly every continent
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are indeed found on nearly every continent. They have been used in traditional ceremonies and for recreational purposes for thousands of years. The principal component of these mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion, causing psychoactive effects. The mushrooms can cause people to experience distorted sights and sounds, as well as a loss of their sense of time and space.
Psilocybin mushrooms occur on all continents, but the majority of species are found in subtropical humid forests, particularly in Mexico (53 species), followed by Canada and the US (22 species), Europe (16 species), Asia (15 species), Africa (4 species), and Australia and associated islands (19 species). The most common species in Australia are golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps. P. cubensis is the most common Psilocybe in tropical areas, while P. semilanceata is considered the most widely distributed psilocybin mushroom, found in temperate parts of Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
In 2023, two new Psilocybe species (Hymenogastraceae), P. ingeli and P. maluti, were described in southern Africa. Some bolete mushrooms, unrelated to known psilocybin-containing mushrooms, have been reported to be hallucinogenic, such as those found in Yunnan, China. The exact species and active compounds in these mushrooms are not yet known.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, divinatory, or spiritual purposes. Prehistoric rock art in Spain and Algeria suggests that psilocybin mushrooms were used in rituals as early as 9000–6000 years ago. Today, psilocybin mushrooms are also used as recreational drugs and can be consumed in various forms, including dried or fresh mushrooms, extracts, edibles, or tea.
While psilocybin mushrooms have been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating substance use disorders and mental illnesses, there are also risks associated with their consumption. These include the possibility of misidentifying mushrooms and ingesting toxic species, as well as experiencing extreme fear, anxiety, panic, or paranoia during a "bad trip." It is important to note that the use of psilocybin mushrooms is regulated in many places, and they should only be consumed in a safe and responsible manner.
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They are commonly known as shrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, or psilocybin-containing mushrooms, are commonly known as shrooms. They are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, including in religious rituals, and are now being studied for their therapeutic potential in treating conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction.
Shrooms are typically found in subtropical humid forests, growing in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris. They are distributed worldwide, with the majority of species found in Mexico (53 species), followed by Canada and the US (22), Europe (16), Asia (15), Africa (4), and Australia and associated islands (19).
The effects of shrooms include hallucinations, euphoria, nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. The experience can be enjoyable and meaningful, but it may also be disturbing or frightening, with potential negative consequences such as flashbacks and "bad trips". Shrooms are illegal in many places, including Australia, where there are penalties for possession, use, and sale.
The most common types of shrooms in Australia are golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps. They can be found in their natural form, or they may be dried and placed in capsules, or processed into tablets or capsules, or dissolved in water. Synthetic psilocybin appears as a white crystalline powder.
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They are hallucinogenic and cause an altered state of mind
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic. They contain the naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid psilocybin, which is converted to psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the chemical compound responsible for the altered state of consciousness experienced by consumers.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years. Prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in rituals 6,000 years ago. The hallucinogenic species of the Psilocybe genus have a history of use among the native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination, and healing, from pre-Columbian times to the present day. The Aztecs and Mazatecs referred to psilocybin mushrooms as genius mushrooms, wondrous mushrooms, and divinatory mushrooms.
The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes of ingestion and can last between four and six hours. The effects include euphoria, hallucinations, changes in perception, a distorted sense of time, and perceived spiritual experiences. Some people experience anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches, accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure. This is known as a "bad trip".
Psilocybin is typically ingested orally, either by consuming the mushrooms dried or powdered or by brewing them into a tea. Microdosing, or consuming less than 1 gram of dried mushrooms, can result in a less intense experience that is still recreationally enjoyable and potentially alleviating for symptoms of depression.
Research into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin is ongoing. While clinical trials have shown promising results, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin.
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They are used in traditional ceremonies
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the prodrug psilocybin. This substance is converted into the psychoactive chemical psilocin when ingested. Magic mushrooms are widely distributed, with many species found in Mexico, as well as in Canada, the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Magic mushrooms have been used in traditional ceremonies and rituals for thousands of years, dating back to ancient history. They have played a significant role in the cultures of indigenous peoples, particularly in Mesoamerica, including the Mixtec and Nahua cultures. In the Nahuatl language, the word "teonanacatl" translates to "flesh of the gods," indicating the sacred status of these mushrooms in religious ceremonies.
The Florentine Codex, a sixteenth-century colonial text, provides insight into the ceremonial use of psilocybin mushrooms by the Aztecs. It describes a mushroom ceremony performed by traders to celebrate a successful expedition. During the ritual, participants consumed the mushrooms with honey, danced, and wept while shell trumpets were blown.
In modern times, the Mexican tradition of María Sabina, a Mazatec curandera from the town of Huautla de Jiménez, has influenced the practice of mushroom ceremonies. Sabina worked with psilocybin, referring to it as "Los Niños Santos" or "The Little Saints." Today, psilocybin ceremonies are facilitated by experienced guides who combine modern scientific knowledge with traditional wisdom, ensuring a safe and professional environment for participants.
The use of psilocybin in traditional ceremonies has also been studied for its potential therapeutic benefits. While there is ongoing research and legislative challenges surrounding the use of psychedelics, psilocybin mushrooms continue to be explored as a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary science for healing and mental well-being.
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They are being studied for their therapeutic potential
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, have been used for thousands of years in spiritual and religious ceremonies. They have a long history of use, with evidence of their consumption by indigenous people in Central America for healing and spiritual rituals dating back to 3000 BC. In the early 20th century, psilocybin and LSD became intriguing topics for study among psychiatrists.
Today, psilocybin mushrooms are being studied for their therapeutic potential in treating various mental health disorders. Psilocybin is the main psychoactive component of magic mushrooms, and it has a low level of toxicity. Its acute psychedelic effects are typically detectable 30-60 minutes after ingestion. The effects depend on the species of mushroom, the individual's mindset and body type, and their level of tolerance.
Research has explored the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy for hard-to-treat disorders such as addiction, depression, and end-of-life anxiety. For example, a recent study tested psilocybin on 12 patients with advanced-stage cancer and various associated psychological disorders. Additionally, psilocybin is being investigated as a treatment for substance use disorders, severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and mood disorders in terminally ill patients.
However, there are challenges to studying psilocybin-assisted therapy, including negative stigmatization of psychedelic drugs, regulatory hurdles, and the lack of standardized therapeutic practices and large-scale clinical studies to assess safety and efficacy for specific disorders. Nevertheless, psilocybin shows promise as a therapeutic tool, and ongoing research continues to explore its potential benefits.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, psilocybin mushrooms are born with a certain amount of psilocybin, which is the key ingredient that gives them their hallucinogenic effects.
Psilocybin content in these mushrooms is typically around 0.5% to 1% of the dried weight of the mushroom, with a range of 0.03% to 1.78%.
Yes, psilocin is also present in psilocybin mushrooms and is responsible for the psychoactive effects. Psilocin levels can range from 0% to 0.59%.
Panaeolus subbalteatus, a species of magic mushroom, has been found to have the highest amount of psilocybin compared to other species.
The effects of consuming psilocybin mushrooms include hallucinations, distorted senses of time and space, and intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror. Physical side effects may include increased heart rate, nausea, muscle weakness, and lack of coordination.
