John Miller
Pennsylvania is known as the Mushroom Capital of the World, producing 68% of the nation's mushrooms. The state is home to the largest grower of specialty mushrooms in the US. While the state has a thriving mushroom industry, it is important to note that not all mushrooms are safe for consumption. Some psychedelic mushrooms, such as the Destroying Angel Mushroom, the Funeral Bell Mushroom, and the Jack O Lantern Mushroom, are considered deadly and should be avoided. Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, commonly known as psychedelic ovoid mushrooms, are also found in Pennsylvania and can cause psychoactive effects. These mushrooms typically grow in shady areas and are most commonly found in the spring after heavy rainfall. While there is growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, it is currently illegal in Pennsylvania for recreational and therapeutic use.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality | Possession or cultivation of psychedelic mushrooms is illegal in Pennsylvania. Psilocybin, the psychoactive component of magic mushrooms, is considered a Schedule I restricted substance. However, magic mushroom spores are legal because they don't contain psilocybin, but using them for cultivation is illegal. |
| Species | Panaeolus cinctulus, Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe caerulipes, Psilocybe caeruleans, and several psychoactive species in the Gymnopilus genus. Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, also known as ovoid, river teacher, or psychedelic ovoid mushroom, is native to North America and was first documented in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in 2003. |
| Appearance | Cap: 1.5-5 cm across, chestnut, orangish brown, yellowish brown, or pearly cream color. During youth, the cap is usually highly convex and dark brown/black, while the stem is white. During maturity, the entire mushroom becomes light brown (cinnamon-brown when moist and light beige when dry). |
| Habitat | Grows in shady areas, typically alongside Japanese knotweed. Often found on hardwood trees, including spruce, birch, and pine. |
| Seasonality | Most common in the spring, from mid-April to late June, especially after heavy rain. May occasionally fruit as late as November. |
| Toxicity | Psychedelic mushrooms can be poisonous, toxic, and dangerous to humans and animals. The Haymaker Mushroom is the most common toxic yard mushroom in Pennsylvania. |
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What You'll Learn
Psychoactive mushrooms in Pennsylvania: Are they legal?
Psychoactive mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are not currently legal in Pennsylvania. Psilocybin, the psychoactive component of magic mushrooms, is considered a Schedule I restricted substance under federal law. As such, the possession or cultivation of these mushrooms is illegal in the state. However, magic mushroom spores, which do not contain psilocybin, are technically legal. Nonetheless, using these spores to cultivate magic mushrooms is illegal.
While psychedelic mushrooms are currently illegal in Pennsylvania, there are ongoing efforts to explore legalisation pathways. Lawmakers in the state are working on a new bill that would enable the study of magic mushrooms for the treatment of PTSD and other mental health conditions. This aligns with growing public interest in and advocacy for the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. Research has shown that psilocybin can be beneficial in treating various mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
In addition to state-level initiatives, ongoing FDA clinical trials are exploring the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. These trials aim to provide robust data on safety and efficacy, potentially paving the way for future federal approval and broader acceptance. At the moment, the only legal pathway to psychedelic-assisted therapy in Pennsylvania is through the use of ketamine, which has been widely accepted for treating conditions such as depression and PTSD.
Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, commonly known as "ovoid" or "river teacher", is a psilocybin mushroom native to North America. It was first documented in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in June 2003. This mushroom typically grows in groups of several hundred individuals or multiple small clusters within close proximity of one another. In the northeastern US, they are most commonly found in the spring, especially after periods of heavy rain.
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Where do they grow?
Pennsylvania is known for its mushroom cultivation, producing 68% of the United States' mushrooms. However, this large-scale production is focused on specialty mushrooms, and it is unclear whether psychoactive mushrooms are included in this category.
Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, also known as the ovoid mushroom or river teacher, is a psilocybin mushroom native to North America. It was first documented in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in June 2003. This species tends to grow in shady areas, avoiding direct sunlight. It is gregarious, often growing in groups of several hundred mushrooms in one area, as well as in multiple small clusters within close proximity.
In the northeastern United States, including Pennsylvania, psilocybin mushrooms are most commonly found in the spring, from mid-April to late June, especially after periods of heavy rain. They may occasionally fruit as late as November, but they are very sensitive to the season and primarily fruit in the spring.
The Destroying Angel Mushroom, the Funeral Bell Mushroom, and the Jack O Lantern Mushroom are some of the psychedelic mushrooms that can be found in Pennsylvania. These mushrooms grow from summer to fall and can be found in yards and on hardwood trees, including spruce, birch, and pine. However, it is important to note that these mushrooms are considered deadly and should not be consumed.
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What do they look like?
While there are several types of psychedelic mushrooms that grow in Pennsylvania, one of the most common is Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, also known as the ovoid mushroom, river teacher, or psychedelic ovoid mushroom. This mushroom is native to North America and was first documented in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in June 2003.
Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata has a cap that is typically chestnut, orangish brown, yellowish brown, or pearly cream in colour. The cap is hygrophanous, glabrous, sub-viscid, and translucent-striate near the margin. It is slightly to highly undulated in maturity. During its youth, the cap is usually highly convex and dark brown or black, while the stem is white. As the mushroom matures, it turns light brown (cinnamon-brown when moist and light beige when dry).
Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata can be easily confused with other similar Psilocybe species, such as P. subaeruginascens from Java, P. septentrionalis from Japan, and P. wayanadensis from India. It can also be mistaken for species belonging to other brown-spored agaric genera, such as Agrocybe. However, one key distinguishing feature is the blue bruising reaction characteristic of psilocybin mushrooms, which the look-alikes will lack.
In Pennsylvania, Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata typically fruits in the spring, from mid-April to late June, with a peak in late May. It prefers shady areas and avoids direct sunlight. It often grows in groups of several hundred individuals in one particular area, as well as in multiple small clusters within close proximity to one another. It is commonly found alongside Japanese knotweed and on hardwood trees, including spruce, birch, and pine.
Another common psychedelic mushroom in Pennsylvania is the Haymaker Mushroom, which is known to be toxic and can be found in yards, lawns, and farms. It is important to note that all psychedelic mushrooms should be considered poisonous and toxic, and they can be extremely dangerous and even deadly to humans and animals. If you come across any mushrooms that you suspect may be psychedelic, it is important to destroy them immediately and not consume them.
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When do they grow?
While the possession or cultivation of psychedelic mushrooms is illegal in Pennsylvania, there are several psychoactive species in the state. These include Panaeolus cinctulus, Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe caerulipes, Psilocybe caeruleans, and several species in the Gymnopilus genus. One of the most well-known psychoactive mushrooms found in Pennsylvania is Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, commonly known as the "ovoid" or "river teacher" mushroom.
Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata was first documented in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in June 2003. This mushroom is native to North America and is known to grow in shady areas, avoiding direct sunlight. It often grows alongside Japanese knotweed and can be found in groups of several hundred individuals or multiple small clusters within close proximity to one another.
The seasonality of psychoactive mushrooms in Pennsylvania can vary depending on the region. In the northeastern United States, including Pennsylvania, these mushrooms are most commonly found in the spring, from mid-April to late June, with a peak in late May. They seem to be very sensitive to the season and fruit chiefly in the spring, with little fruiting occurring during other times of the year, even under favourable weather conditions. However, they may occasionally fruit as late as November, especially after periods of steady heavy rain for several consecutive days, which is a common weather pattern in the eastern United States during the spring.
In terms of where they grow, psychoactive mushrooms in Pennsylvania are often found on hardwood trees, including spruce, birch, and pine. They can also be found in yards, where they can be a natural pesticide or herbicide. However, it is important to remove these mushrooms to prevent children or animals from accidentally ingesting them, as they can be toxic and dangerous.
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Are they dangerous?
Psychoactive mushrooms, often referred to as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin. While the effects of psilocybin vary widely, they can include euphoria, hallucinations, anxiety, panic, nausea, excessive yawning, and a distorted sense of reality. The length and intensity of a "trip" depend on the strength and amount of mushrooms consumed, as well as the user's mood, personality, and expectations. Some trips may be enjoyable, while others lead to terrifying thoughts of losing control, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and fears of death.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be dangerous and unpredictable. Poisonous mushrooms can closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms, and even professionals sometimes mistake the two. Consuming the wrong type of mushroom can lead to severe illness or even death. Additionally, the distorted sense of reality and impaired judgment caused by psilocybin make operating a vehicle dangerous. In very rare cases, consuming a huge amount of mushrooms can cause death.
In terms of addiction, research suggests that psilocybin has a low risk of addiction and is not currently considered addictive. However, it is classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), indicating a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose.
In the United States, the possession and consumption of psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in most states, including Pennsylvania. However, research is ongoing to understand the potential risks and benefits of these mushrooms, and some beneficial effects have been observed. For example, psilocybin has been shown to have benefits for physical and mental health, and it has been used in psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat conditions such as depression and PTSD.
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Frequently asked questions
No, currently, psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, remains illegal in Pennsylvania for recreational and therapeutic use.
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is known as the Mushroom Capital of the World. Pennsylvania is the largest producer of specialty mushrooms in the United States, with 68% of the nation's mushrooms coming from the state.
There are several types of psychedelic mushrooms that grow in Pennsylvania, including the Destroying Angel Mushroom, the Funeral Bell Mushroom, and the Jack O Lantern Mushroom. Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata, commonly known as the river teacher, was first documented in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, in June 2003.
The seasonality of psychedelic mushrooms in Pennsylvania varies. Some species grow from summer to fall, while others grow from early fall to winter or late summer to late fall. In the northeastern United States, including Pennsylvania, psychedelic mushrooms are most common in the spring, from mid-April to late June, especially after heavy rain.
