Psychedelic Mushroom Distribution: A Complex Web

Psilocybin mushrooms, more commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that have been used for thousands of years. They are consumed for their psychedelic effects, which can include hallucinations, an altered sense of reality, and changes in thinking, emotions, and senses. While magic mushrooms have been traditionally used in spiritual and religious rituals, particularly in Central America, they are also sought after as recreational drugs. The distribution and consumption of magic mushrooms are subject to legal restrictions in many places, such as Canada and Australia, due to their potential health risks and unknown long-term effects. However, there is growing interest in their therapeutic potential, with clinical trials exploring their ability to treat mental illnesses and substance use disorders.

Legality

The legality of psychedelic mushrooms varies worldwide. 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 recognized medical uses. However, the convention did not specifically include psychedelic mushrooms, due in large part to pressure from the Mexican government.

Many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psychedelic mushrooms. For example, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In some jurisdictions, however, spores of psychedelic mushrooms are legal to possess and sell, as they do not contain psilocybin or psilocin. In the United States, this is the case in California, Georgia, and Idaho.

There is a growing movement towards the decriminalization and legalization of psychedelic mushrooms in some places. In 2020, Oregon became the first US state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize its supervised use. In 2024, much of the measure decriminalizing psilocybin was repealed, effectively re-criminalizing it. Colorado followed with a similar medical use and decriminalization measure in 2022. In 2021, Washington, DC, decriminalized psychedelics, making the enforcement of their illegality the city's lowest law enforcement priority. Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the United States to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms in 2019. In 2020, the City Council of Ann Arbor, Michigan, voted in favor of a resolution declaring the investigation or arrest of anyone for planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, or possessing entheogenic plants or plant compounds to be the city's lowest law enforcement priority.

In other countries, certain psychedelics have been legalized only under specific contexts. Switzerland, for example, has had an exceptional use program in place since the 1980s, with the most recent law in effect since 2014, making it the first country in the modern era to have legal psychedelic therapy, but only on official request. Israel approved a compassionate use program in 2019 for the therapeutic use of MDMA in people with PTSD. Jamaica is a popular place for psychedelic tourism due to its lack of laws surrounding psilocybin. In Nepal, psychedelics such as psilocybin are not explicitly mentioned in the country's Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act 2033, and their use, possession, sale, and distribution are not actively policed. Although psilocybin mushrooms are classified as a hard drug and are technically illegal in the Netherlands, this legislation does not cover a number of psychoactive products that are legal thanks to a legal loophole, including magic truffles, liquid peyote, and inoculated grow kits.

As scientific research on the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psychedelics grows, so does legal and political support. However, some argue that the push for decriminalization and legalization is premature, as more research is needed on the potential risks of these substances.

Natural growth

Psilocybin mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are naturally occurring fungi that help break down organic matter in nature. They are often found on fallen trees or anything with excess carbon, such as wood chips near urban spaces. They can also grow near cattle due to the ideal conditions provided by their manure.

Psilocybe mushrooms have a long history of use in Mesoamerican cultures for religious, divinatory, and spiritual purposes. They have been depicted in prehistoric rock art and were used in rituals by the Pre-Columbian Aztecs, who called them "teonanacatl", meaning "god's flesh".

In nature, more than 2000 varieties of mushrooms exist, but only a small fraction of those are commercially cultivated. Psilocybe mushrooms, in particular, are not often cultivated on a commercial scale due to their psychoactive properties and legal status. Instead, they are typically grown in small amounts at home or foraged from the wild.

The natural growth of psilocybin mushrooms begins with the spores, which are launched into the air and carried by the wind to new locations. The mycelium, or the network of threads underneath the fruiting body of the mushroom, gathers the necessary materials for the fruiting body to develop. The fruiting body is primarily responsible for dispersing spores to continue the lifecycle of the mushroom.

While the specific techniques may vary, there are generally seven main steps to the process of growing mushrooms, including psilocybin varieties:

• Strain Selection: Choosing the right strain or genetic expression for the desired mushroom species.
• Substrate Preparation: Preparing the growing medium, such as sawdust or wood pellets, which may be supplemented with grain for rapid mycelial expansion.
• Inoculation: Introducing the spawn or mycelium to the substrate, which can be done through methods like "top spawning" or "through spawning".
• Incubation: Allowing the mycelium to colonize the substrate, maintaining adequate spacing and airflow to prevent overheating and contamination.
• Initiation: The preparation phase before fruiting, which may involve specific environmental conditions or triggers.
• Fruiting: Formation of the mushroom fruiting bodies.
• Harvest: Collecting the mature mushrooms.

Forms and methods of consumption

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms may be consumed in their whole form, either fresh or dried. They can also be turned into extracts or food products such as mushroom tea, chocolate, or other edibles. In rare cases, people have also injected mushroom extracts intravenously, but this can lead to serious medical complications such as systemic mycological infection and hospitalization.

The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on their psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly between and within the same species. Psilocybin content is typically around 0.5% to 1% of the dried weight of the mushroom, with a range of 0.03% to 1.78%.

Psilocybin is usually consumed orally, with effects lasting from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. The first 3–4 hours after ingestion are typically referred to as the 'peak', with the user experiencing more vivid visuals and distortions in reality. Noticeable changes in the auditory, visual, and tactile senses may become apparent around 30 minutes to an hour after ingestion, although effects may take up to two hours to take place.

The effects of psilocybin can vary depending on factors such as mental health, setting, quantity, and expectations. Positive effects may include heightened emotions and senses, happiness, creativity, laughter, and a sense of mental and emotional clarity. Negative effects may include anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, paranoia, loss of boundaries, distorted sense of self, and "bad trips".

It is important to note that the production, sale, and possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms are illegal in some countries, and consuming them can carry certain risks, including the possibility of misidentifying mushrooms and consuming poisonous or toxic mushrooms.

Therapeutic uses

Psychedelic mushrooms, or psilocybin-containing mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin, the chemical with psychoactive properties. The effects of psilocybin range from euphoria to hallucinations, and it is often consumed in dried or powdered form.

Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, with evidence of their use by indigenous people in Central America for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 B.C. They may also be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe. However, their use became associated with the ""hippie" counterculture movement, resulting in a lingering negative stigma and the scheduling of psychedelics as illegal drugs in many places.

Despite the historical use and recent increased interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin. This means that the safety, efficacy, and quality of such products have not been assessed or reviewed by health authorities. Nevertheless, clinical trials and research are ongoing, and psilocybin is being investigated for its potential therapeutic effects in various areas:

Neuropsychiatric Conditions

Psilocybin has been explored as a therapeutic option for neuropsychiatric conditions. A 2022 review suggested that psilocybin may help regulate the brain's reward system in people with depression or suicidal ideation. Research has also indicated that psilocybin may be beneficial for treating anxiety and depression associated with end-stage cancer.

Substance Use Disorders

Psilocybin is being investigated for its potential in treating substance use disorders and helping people quit smoking. Its effects on the brain and body are being studied to understand whether it can be used to treat addiction without the side effects of hallucinations.

Mental Health Disorders

There is ongoing research into the potential of psilocybin to treat various mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use.

Acceptance of Illness

Research suggests that psilocybin can promote well-being, quality of life, and acceptance of illness and related issues in people with cancer.

While the therapeutic potential of psilocybin is being explored, it is important to note that there are also risks associated with its use. Bad trips can occur, especially at high doses, leading to paranoia, loss of boundaries, distorted sense of self, and risk-taking behaviour. Additionally, there is a potential for physical and psychological dependence with regular use, and the combination of psilocybin with certain substances can elevate the risk of serious side effects. Therefore, clinical trials and further research are crucial to advancing our understanding of the health benefits and risks associated with psilocybin.

Negative experiences

The use of psychedelic mushrooms can lead to a range of negative experiences, commonly referred to as a "bad trip". The effects of a bad trip can include paranoia, loss of boundaries, a distorted sense of self, and impaired judgement, which may lead to risk-taking behaviour and potential injury or even death.

A bad trip is often influenced by the setting in which the mushrooms are consumed. For example, a calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a positive experience, whereas a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience. Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends, and in a familiar and safe environment can reduce the risk of a bad trip.

Additionally, consuming psychedelic mushrooms with other drugs, including over-the-counter or prescription medications, can lead to unpredictable and dangerous consequences. Mixing psychedelic mushrooms with certain drugs, such as ice, speed, ecstasy, or psychiatric medications, can increase the likelihood of a bad trip and heighten feelings of panic, anxiety, or paranoia.

The psychological consequences of psilocybin use can include hallucinations, extreme fear, anxiety, panic, and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. In some cases, this may lead to psychosis or suicidality, particularly if a large dose is consumed. It is important to note that the effects of psychedelic mushrooms are subjective and can vary significantly among individuals.

Furthermore, there is a risk of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can result in mushroom poisoning with symptoms such as muscle spasms, confusion, and delirium. In rare cases, fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis have occurred due to the over-consumption of psychedelic mushrooms.

While current research suggests that psilocybin is not addictive, regular users may experience flashbacks or disturbing visual distortions involving previous mushroom experiences, which can be triggered by various factors such as stress, tiredness, or exercise. These flashbacks can be frightening, especially if they involve recalling a bad trip or disturbing hallucination.

Frequently asked questions