Emma Wilson
Mushrooms are the fruit of a larger fungus usually hidden underground or in decaying wood. They are often found in forests on moist, warm, decaying material, such as manure heaps, where they help to decompose organic residues. Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a type of mushroom that can be consumed in various forms for their hallucinogenic effects. They have been used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples for medicinal and spiritual purposes. While they are mostly illegal in the US, there is advocacy for decriminalisation as research suggests psilocybin could be beneficial in treating psychiatric and behavioural conditions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are mushrooms? | Mushrooms are the fruit or fruiting body of a much larger fungus that is usually hidden from sight underground or in decaying wood. |
| How do mushrooms grow? | Mushrooms grow from the mycelium, a complex network of fibers that spreads underground. Mycelium grows by absorbing nutrients from dead and decaying organic matter. |
| What conditions do mushrooms need to grow? | Mushrooms need indirect or shaded light, a moist and humid environment, and a moist (but not wet) substrate to grow. |
| What is the substrate? | The substrate is a growth medium that provides essential carbon and nitrogen nutrients for mushrooms. |
| What is the casing layer? | The casing layer is a layer of peat moss spread over the substrate, providing necessary moisture for mushrooms to grow. |
| Do mushrooms grow on manure heaps? | Yes, mushrooms can grow on manure heaps, such as horse manure, because it contains undigested food residues (sugars and cellulose) that serve as an ideal food source for fungi and mushrooms. |
| Are there any risks associated with mushrooms? | Yes, some mushrooms are poisonous and can be dangerous if consumed. Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "shrooms," are illegal in most parts of the US but are advocated for their potential health benefits. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are the fruit of a larger fungus
Mushrooms are the fruit, or fruiting body, of a much larger fungus that is usually hidden from sight, either underground or in decaying wood. This larger fungus is a complex network of fibres called mycelium, which grows by absorbing nutrients from dead and decaying organic matter. Mycelium plays an important role in the ecosystem, as it secretes enzymes that help break down decaying matter. It also allows trees to communicate with each other through an underground network that links different fungi.
The mycelium remains dormant and hidden until conditions are suitable for reproduction. When the conditions are right, the mycelium produces a mushroom, whose purpose is to produce and distribute spores. Mushrooms need specific conditions to grow and develop, including shade, moisture, and humidity. They grow in wild, shady areas under trees and thrive in moist, humid environments as they have no skin and can dry out easily.
Mushrooms are cultivated in large growing rooms, where the environment is carefully controlled. Before planting, the rooms and beds are sterilised at high temperatures to ensure a clean environment. The beds are then filled with a growth medium called a substrate, which provides essential nutrients for the mushrooms. The substrate is pasteurised before the mushroom spawn, or mycelia, is mixed into it. The spawn acts as the seedstock for the mushrooms. As the substrate layer thickens, a layer of peat moss is spread over it, providing the necessary moisture for mushrooms to flourish.
Mushrooms have been consumed by humans since ancient times, and ancient civilisations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians considered them special. Mushrooms are also known for their hallucinogenic effects, with certain types of mushrooms, such as Psilocybe mushrooms, being consumed for recreational or medicinal purposes. These mushrooms typically grow in highly organic media, such as cow or horse manure, which provides an ideal food source for the fungi due to the presence of undigested food residues.
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Fungi thrive in manure heaps
Mushrooms are the fruit, or fruiting body, of a much larger fungus that is usually hidden from sight underground or in decaying wood. Fungi thrive in manure heaps because they provide the ideal conditions for their growth. Manure is a nutrient-rich material that can provide the perfect environment for many types of mushrooms to grow.
Fungi play a crucial role in the decomposition of organic residues, breaking down dead or dying material. They are often found on animal waste, especially in dry, acidic, and low-nitrogen sites that do not support bacteria. For example, horse manure is known for its high nitrogen content, making it an ideal substrate for many types of mushrooms. On the other hand, cow dung has a lower nitrogen content and higher carbon content, which can be preferable for certain types of mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cubensis.
The presence of fungi in manure heaps is a sign of the initial stage of waste breakdown. Manure provides an abundant food source for fungi, as it often contains a significant amount of undigested food residues in the form of sugars and cellulose. Different types of dung mushrooms grow on each type of manure, and these mushrooms are not only delicious but also packed with nutrients.
In addition to the nutritional benefits, growing mushrooms on manure is a sustainable and eco-friendly practice. By utilising the waste material, fungi help convert it into a valuable resource. This process also contributes to the reduction of odour and fly issues associated with manure heaps. Overall, the presence of fungi in manure heaps indicates a thriving ecosystem where waste is efficiently broken down and transformed into a nutrient-rich source for the benefit of both fungi and humans.
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Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic
Mushrooms are the fruit or fruiting body of a much larger fungus that is usually hidden underground or in decaying wood. They are consumed by humans for various reasons, including medicinal, spiritual, and recreational purposes.
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, 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 been used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples in Central and South America, such as the Mayan civilisation, for medicinal, spiritual, and divinatory purposes. They may also be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but their representation in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas is more certain.
The hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin usually occur within 30 minutes of ingestion and can last between four and eight hours. The effects include hallucinations, perceptual changes, altered states of consciousness, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. The dosage of psilocybin can vary from microdoses ( < 2.5 mg) to high or ego-dissolution doses (30-40 mg).
While psilocybin mushrooms are not considered highly addictive, regular use can lead to tolerance, and they may have adverse side effects, including panic reactions and psychosis, particularly with large doses. Additionally, there is a risk of accidental poisoning from mistaking poisonous mushrooms for psilocybin mushrooms.
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Mushrooms need humid conditions to grow
Mushrooms are the fruit, or fruiting body, of a much larger fungus that is usually hidden from sight underground or in decaying wood. In the wild, mushrooms grow in shady areas under trees, in moist, humid environments.
To cultivate mushrooms, growers regulate temperature, humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide to stimulate the mushroom mycelium to develop mushrooms. The growing process is precise, and the rooms and beds used for cultivation are thoroughly sterilized before each crop is planted.
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms," are a type of mushroom that grows in highly organic media, such as cow feces (cow patties), and usually in the springtime. They are commonly consumed for their hallucinogenic effects and have been used for thousands of years by indigenous peoples for medicinal and spiritual purposes.
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Ancient civilisations used mushrooms in rituals
Mushrooms are the fruit of a larger fungus usually hidden underground or in decaying wood. They have been consumed by humans since ancient times, with evidence of their use in rituals and ceremonies by various ancient civilisations.
The ancient Egyptians, for example, considered mushrooms to be the "food of the gods" or "sons of the gods", and only the priesthood and upper classes were allowed to consume them. Similarly, in ancient Greece and Rome, mushrooms were revered as the food of the gods.
In Central America, the Mayan and Aztec people called magic mushrooms "Teonanácatl" in the Nahuatl language, which translates to "flesh of the gods". The Aztec, Mayan, and Toltec civilisations frequently mentioned mushrooms in their religious myths, believing that they were given to their ancestors by the serpent god who created all life. As such, psilocybin mushrooms were used in religious and spiritual ceremonies for divination, healing, anaesthetising pain, and celebrations.
Rock paintings and carvings in places like Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria, depict human figures holding mushrooms, suggesting that ancient cultures in Africa also considered psilocybin mushrooms sacred. These ancient cultures likely used mushrooms to connect with the divine or achieve altered states of consciousness.
In ancient Greece, the Eleusinian Mysteries were secretive psychedelic rituals where participants drank a psychoactive concoction, kykeon, made with psychedelic mushrooms. These ceremonies were open to all, regardless of gender or social status, as long as they spoke fluent Greek and had never committed murder.
Indigenous tribes in Siberia also used the hallucinogenic Amanita Muscaria mushrooms in rituals. These cultures still collect and drink the psychoactive urine of reindeer, which are also known to consume these mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms don't pass stools as they are a type of fungus. Fungi absorb nutrients from dead and decaying organic matter.
Mushrooms are low in sodium and are a good source of vitamin D. Research has also shown that psilocybin mushrooms may be beneficial in treating psychiatric and behavioural conditions. However, these uses have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Psilocybin mushrooms are a type of mushroom that can be consumed in various forms, including as food additives, tea, or drink additives, for their hallucinogenic effects. They are commonly eaten as an illegal recreational drug.
Mushrooms are the fruit of a larger fungus that is usually hidden from sight underground or in decaying wood. The hidden part of the fungus is called mycelium, which grows by absorbing nutrients from dead and decaying organic matter. Mushrooms need a moist, humid environment to grow and develop.
