Emily Johnson
Cow dung provides a nutrient-rich substrate that supports the growth of various mushroom species, including both edible and hallucinogenic varieties. While some mushrooms found in cow dung are edible and safe to consume, others are hallucinogenic and even poisonous. The most well-known hallucinogenic mushroom species found in cow dung is Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms. However, not all mushrooms that grow on cow dung are hallucinogenic, and proper identification is crucial before consuming any wild mushrooms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushroom, shroom, golden halo, golden teacher, cube, gold cap |
| Scientific name | Psilocybe cubensis |
| Active compounds | Psilocybin and psilocin |
| Effects | Euphoria, sensory distortion, hallucinations, altered perception of time and space, intense changes in mood and feeling |
| Potential medical uses | Treatment for PTSD, depression, and end-of-life care |
| Legality | Not illegal in Florida due to how the law is written |
| Habitat | Cow dung, horse dung, sugar cane mulch, rich pasture soil, water buffalo dung |
| Growth period (Northern Hemisphere) | February to December |
| Growth period (Southern Hemisphere) | November to April |
| Colour | Brown, becoming paler to almost white at the margin, fading to more golden-brown or yellowish with age |
| Bruising | All parts of the mushroom stain blue when bruised |
| Gills | Narrow and grey, darkening to purplish-black and becoming mottled with age |
| Stipe | Hollow, white, and 4–15 cm high by 0.4–1.4 cm thick, becoming yellowish with age |
| Veil | Well-developed, leaving a persistent white membranous ring |
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What You'll Learn
- Some mushrooms found in cow dung are hallucinogenic, like Psilocybe cubensis
- Psilocybe cubensis is also known as 'magic mushrooms' or 'shrooms'
- Not all mushrooms that grow on cow dung are hallucinogenic
- Most hallucinogenic mushrooms exhibit blue bruising
- It is illegal to possess psilocybin mushrooms in some places
Some mushrooms found in cow dung are hallucinogenic, like Psilocybe cubensis
Psilocybe cubensis is the best-known psilocybin mushroom due to its wide distribution and ease of cultivation. It is found on cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch, or rich pasture soil. In Asia, the species grows on water buffalo dung. Psilocybe cubensis is also known as golden halo, golden teacher, cube, or gold cap. The cap is brown, becoming paler to almost white at the margin and fades to more golden brown or yellowish with age. When bruised, all parts of the mushroom stain blue.
Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic chemical found in certain mushrooms, and its ingestion can lead to a variety of effects, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations. Psilocybin works by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in parts of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which affect mood, cognition, and perception. Hallucinogens also work in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses. The effects of psilocybin are generally similar to those of LSD and include an altered perception of time and space and intense changes in mood and feeling. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), the hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes after ingestion and last between four and six hours.
It is important to note that not all mushrooms that grow on cow dung are hallucinogenic. While some mushrooms found in cow dung are edible and safe to eat, some species are either poisonous, hallucinogenic, or both. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution and ensure proper identification before consuming any wild mushrooms.
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Psilocybe cubensis is also known as 'magic mushrooms' or 'shrooms'
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, is a species of moderate-potency psilocybin mushroom. It is the best-known psilocybin mushroom due to its wide distribution and ease of cultivation. The principal active compounds in Psilocybe cubensis are psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds are hallucinogenic and can cause a variety of effects, ranging from euphoria to hallucinations. They are also known to distort how some people perceive objects and people in their environment.
Psilocybe cubensis was first described in 1906 as Stropharia cubensis by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba. In 1949, German-born mycologist Rolf Singer moved the species into the genus Psilocybe, giving it the binomial name Psilocybe cubensis. This species of mushroom is found on cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch, or rich pasture soil. In Asia, the species grows on water buffalo dung.
Psilocybe cubensis is one of the most well-known examples of hallucinogenic mushrooms that grow on cow dung. However, not all mushrooms that grow on cow dung are hallucinogenic. The hallucinogenic properties of mushrooms depend on the genetic compounds of the mushroom spores, not the environment in which they grow. While psychedelic spores could be ingested by cows and passed in their dung, or dispersed by the wind and landed on cow manure, the resulting mushrooms will only be psychedelic if the spores have the necessary genetic traits.
Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance, meaning that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes it has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose. However, current research does not consider psilocybin addictive, and it has shown promise in treating conditions such as PTSD and depression.
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Not all mushrooms that grow on cow dung are hallucinogenic
It is true that some species of psychedelic mushrooms can be found growing in cow manure, but not all mushrooms that grow in such an environment have hallucinogenic properties. The hallucinogenic qualities of mushrooms are determined by the genetic composition of the mushroom spores, not the environment in which they grow. While psychedelic spores could be ingested by cows and passed in their dung, or dispersed by the wind and landed on cow manure, the resulting mushrooms will only be psychedelic if the spores have the necessary genetic traits.
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms, is a species of psilocybin mushroom that can be found growing on cow dung. It is the best-known psilocybin mushroom due to its wide distribution and ease of cultivation. The species was first described in 1906 as Stropharia cubensis by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba. The mushrooms are relatively easy to cultivate indoors. First, spores are inoculated within sterilized jars or bags, colloquially known as grain spawn, containing a form of carbohydrate nutrient such as rye grains. After approximately one month, the spores fully colonize the grain spawn, forming dense mycelium, which is then planted within a bulk substrate such as a coconut husk fiber and vermiculite mixture. Given proper humidity, temperature, and fresh air exchange, the substrate will produce fruiting Psilocybe cubensis bodies within a month of planting.
Psilocybin and psilocin, the psychoactive compounds found in nearly all species of Psilocybe, have shown promise as a treatment for conditions including PTSD, depression, and for easing end-of-life care. However, it is important to note that not all psilocybin mushrooms are legal to possess or consume, and consuming wild mushrooms without proper knowledge and identification can be dangerous. There are at least five separate toxins found in a variety of mushrooms that can be deadly.
In summary, while some mushrooms that grow on cow dung may be hallucinogenic, not all are, and it is crucial to exercise caution and ensure proper identification before consuming any wild mushrooms.
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Most hallucinogenic mushrooms exhibit blue bruising
While mushrooms that grow on cow dung, or cow pies, are not inherently hallucinogenic, some of them can be. The hallucinogenic properties of mushrooms depend on the genetic composition of their spores, rather than the environment in which they grow.
Several species of psilocybin mushrooms, often referred to as "magic mushrooms", are the most well-known examples of hallucinogenic mushrooms that grow on cow dung. Psilocybe cubensis, for instance, is commonly found on cow dung and exhibits blue bruising.
While the exact reason for the blue bruising is not yet known, one hypothesis is that it serves a protective role, acting as a repellent against insects that might nibble on the mushrooms. The compounds that cause the blue bruising may produce reactive oxygen species, which are toxic to insects.
It is important to note that not all mushrooms that exhibit blue bruising are hallucinogenic, and not all hallucinogenic mushrooms will show this characteristic. The presence of psilocybin is required for the blue bruising to occur, but not all mushrooms containing psilocybin will bruise. Additionally, some non-hallucinogenic mushrooms have been known to develop blue bruises, likely through a different reaction and with different compounds than those found in psilocybin mushrooms.
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It is illegal to possess psilocybin mushrooms in some places
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", are a species of fungi that have hallucinogenic qualities. They are well-known for growing on cow dung, earning them the nickname "cowpie mushrooms". While cow dung provides a nutrient-rich substrate for various mushroom species, not all mushrooms that grow on it are hallucinogenic. The hallucinogenic properties of mushrooms depend on the genetic composition of the spores, rather than the environment in which they grow.
The legality of possessing psilocybin mushrooms varies across different jurisdictions. Psilocybin mushrooms are not regulated by UN treaties, but many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition in place. For example, in the United States, the federal law classifies psilocybin as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal to possess. However, the laws vary at the state level, with some states like Colorado, Oregon, and Washington decriminalizing or legalizing psilocybin for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. In Oregon, for instance, voters passed an initiative in 2020 that made "magic mushrooms" legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings.
In the United Kingdom, the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 prohibits the possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms. Similarly, the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Australian Poisons Standard also restrict the possession and use of these substances. On the other hand, some countries like Peru, Bolivia, and Denmark have legalized psilocybin for medicinal use, while other jurisdictions allow the possession and sale of psilocybin spores since they do not contain the controlled substance.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms has been ambiguous, with selective enforcement in some places. For example, in the United States, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in 1978 that possession of psilocybin mushrooms was not illegal, as the mushrooms themselves were not specifically mentioned in the applicable statute. Similarly, in California, a bill is pending in the State Legislature that would legalize the possession, obtaining, and transportation of specified quantities of psilocybin. These varying legal approaches reflect the evolving understanding and attitudes towards the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin.
It is important to note that the legal landscape surrounding psilocybin mushrooms is dynamic, with ongoing research and changing public perceptions influencing policy decisions. As a result, it is crucial for individuals to stay informed about the specific laws and regulations pertaining to psilocybin mushrooms in their respective jurisdictions.
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Frequently asked questions
While some mushrooms found in cow dung are edible and safe to eat, some species are either poisonous, hallucinogenic, or both. It is crucial to exercise caution and ensure proper identification before consuming any wild mushrooms. The hallucinogenic properties of certain mushrooms depend on the mushroom spores' specific genetic compounds and not the environment they grow in.
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms, is a species of psilocybin mushroom of moderate potency. It is the best-known psilocybin mushroom due to its wide distribution and ease of cultivation.
Psilocybin, the hallucinogen found in certain mushrooms, works by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in parts of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala. Hallucinogens also work in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses. Psilocybin may cause visual or auditory hallucinations and distort how some people perceive objects and people in their environment.
