Psychedelic Mushrooms: Their Occurrence And Prevalence

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. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, with some evidence suggesting they were used as far back as 8,000 years ago. Today, they are used as recreational drugs and are often prepared by drying and eaten by being mixed into food or drinks. They can also be smoked or brewed like tea. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 8.8 million Americans aged 12 and older used hallucinogens, including psilocybin, in 2023.

Magic mushrooms' effects

Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are psychedelic and contain the hallucinogenic chemical psilocybin. They are typically consumed dried or powdered, and the effects can vary from person to person. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 15-45 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours, although they may last up to eight hours. During this time, a person may experience a range of psychological and physical effects.

Psychologically, magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations and distort a person's sense of reality. They may see, hear, or feel things that are not there, or believe they can see music or hear colours. They may also experience a distorted sense of self, feeling one with the universe, or have visions or relive memories. These experiences can be either positive or negative, with some people reporting feelings of bliss and euphoria, while others experience paranoia, fear, or anxiety.

Physically, magic mushrooms can increase heart rate and cause nausea. They are not considered addictive, and there are no known withdrawal effects other than potential mild psychological effects or feeling tired. However, regular use can lead to tolerance, meaning that a person will need to take more to achieve the same effect.

The effects of magic mushrooms can be influenced by various factors, including the amount consumed, the potency, and the individual's biology, personality, and expectations. The environment in which the mushrooms are consumed also plays a significant role, with a calm, quiet, and relaxed setting more likely to lead to a positive experience.

There are potential risks associated with magic mushrooms, including the possibility of consuming poisonous mushrooms by mistake, which can be dangerous and even fatal. Additionally, mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs can be unpredictable and dangerous, increasing the risk of a "bad trip". While research into the long-term effects of magic mushroom use is limited, there is growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for treating mental health disorders.

History of use

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 history of the use of psychedelic mushrooms dates back thousands of years, with rock art from around 9000–7000 BCE in Tassili, Algeria, believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and their effects on users. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago.

In Mesoamerica, psychedelic mushrooms have been consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies for centuries, with Spanish chroniclers first documenting their use in the 16th century. Dominican friar Diego Durán, in his book The History of the Indies of New Spain (published c. 1581), wrote about the use of mushrooms in festivities during the coronation of Aztec emperor Moctezuma II in 1502. The Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún also described witnessing mushroom use in the Florentine Codex (published 1545–1590), where merchants consumed mushrooms to evoke revelatory visions after successful business trips.

After the defeat of the Aztecs, the Spanish forbade traditional religious practices involving ceremonial mushroom use, considering them "pagan idolatry". Despite this, the native peoples of Mesoamerica continued their use of psychedelic mushrooms in secret. Psilocybe mexicana, a species of psilocybin-containing mushroom, was first isolated by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1958. His employer, Sandoz, marketed and sold pure psilocybin to physicians and clinicians worldwide for use in psychedelic therapy.

In the 1960s, increasing drug restrictions curbed scientific research into psilocybin and other hallucinogens. However, their popularity grew due to the increased availability of information on mushroom cultivation. During this time, magic mushrooms were introduced to the United States by banker Gordon Wasson and his wife, who participated in a mushroom ceremony in Oaxaca, Mexico. They shared their experience, leading to increased interest in psychedelic mushrooms.

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, which requires its members to prohibit psilocybin and restrict its use to medical and scientific research under controlled conditions. However, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government. As a result, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms is often ambiguous and subject to selective enforcement in many countries.

In the United States, psilocybin is federally classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, and its use, sale, and possession are illegal. However, there have been recent efforts to decriminalize and legalize psilocybin in certain states. Oregon became the first state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize its supervised use in 2020, although much of the decriminalization measure was repealed in 2024. Colorado followed suit in 2022, becoming the second state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, and state-regulated programs have since been established. Other states, such as California, Washington, and New York, have also proposed or passed bills to decriminalize or legalize psilocybin in some form.

In Canada, the province of Alberta has taken steps to regulate and allow the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy. Similarly, Australia has approved the use of psilocybin in prescription medications for treating PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.

In Europe, Germany has specifically criminalized the possession of psilocybin mushroom spores since 1998. On the other hand, Switzerland 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 legalize psychedelic therapy.

The legality of psychedelic mushrooms is a dynamic and evolving topic, with increasing scientific research and political support for therapeutic and medicinal uses. As a result, many localities, particularly in North America, are revising their legal frameworks regarding psychedelics. However, arguments against legalization and decriminalization include concerns over potential increases in substance use disorders and psychedelic-related emergencies.

Addiction and tolerance

Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", are not considered to be addictive. The active ingredient, psilocybin, produces intense mental and physical effects that make people use it infrequently. The body also quickly builds up a tolerance to psilocybin, making the effects less intense and desirable. Psilocybin creates short-term increases in tolerance in users, making it difficult to misuse them because the more often they are taken within a short period, the weaker the resultant effects are. This is because psilocybin and psilocin, the compounds responsible for the psychedelic effects, create a rapid tolerance build-up in the user's body.

However, overuse can lead to addiction, overdose, and even death. Some people who use magic mushrooms may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, panic, flashbacks, and psychosis. There is also some evidence that psilocybin may trigger or worsen certain mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, manic episodes, or depression. People who use mushrooms may also be more likely to struggle with a co-occurring mental health disorder. Additionally, the risk of a bad trip may increase if a person takes higher doses of psilocybin or has feelings of anxiety before taking it.

Magic mushrooms are popular with teenagers and young adults who frequent raves, clubs, and college campuses. In 2023, 8.8 million Americans aged 12 and older used hallucinogens, including psilocybin, with adults aged 18 to 25 being the most frequent users. According to a 2013 research study, over 30 million Americans use psychedelics, including mushrooms, cacti, and LSD.

Although magic mushrooms are not considered highly addictive, they can still have detrimental effects on a person's life. People who develop a psychological addiction to mushrooms may withdraw from social activities, isolate themselves, and experience emotional instability, mood swings, anxiety, or depressive symptoms. They may also start neglecting their responsibilities, such as work, school, or other important tasks, and distance themselves from friends or family due to their consistent mushroom use.

Therapeutic potential

Psychedelic mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms", are fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are typically consumed dried, powdered, brewed as tea, or prepared with food to mask their bitter taste.

Despite the social stigma and legal restrictions, researchers are exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelic mushrooms. The Heffter Research Institute, for example, is focused on two main areas of psilocybin research: addiction and cancer-related psychiatric disorders.

Psilocybin has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in people with cancer, promote well-being, and improve quality of life. The National Cancer Institute is funding a multi-site clinical trial to investigate the use of psilocybin to treat cancer-related mental health issues.

Psilocybin has also been studied as a treatment for substance use disorders, including smoking cessation. It has been shown to have a favourable safety profile compared to other psychedelic drugs, and its potential to treat a range of psychiatric and behavioural disorders is being explored.

Psychedelic-assisted therapies may provide new opportunities in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, and psilocybin-assisted treatment in particular may be efficacious, toxicologically safe, and well-tolerated. Numinus Wellness Inc. was recently granted a license to produce and extract psilocybin from mushrooms, which will allow for rigorous scientific investigation of synthetic psilocybin as a therapeutic option.

While psilocybin has not received FDA approval for any therapeutic uses, it may follow in the footsteps of MDMA therapy and gain approval within the next 5 to 10 years.

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