Psycillon Mushrooms: Benefits And Uses

Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychoactive chemical psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for thousands of years, and there are over 200 species known to exist. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms vary from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as set and setting. While there is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin, particularly in treating depression and anxiety, the production, sale, and possession of psilocybin mushrooms are currently illegal in many places, including Canada and the United States.

History and distribution

Psilocybin mushrooms, often called "magic mushrooms", are hallucinogenic fungi that produce two primary psychoactive compounds, psilocybin and psilocin, which are responsible for their mind-altering effects. They are considered sacred and have been used for hundreds or thousands of years by Indigenous groups worldwide for healing, divination, and spiritual rites.

The history of psilocybin mushrooms can be traced back to ancient rock art and cave paintings from around 9000–7000 BCE in Tassili, Algeria, and near Villar del Humo in Spain, which suggest that they were used in religious rituals. In Mesoamerica, the mushrooms were consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies before being documented by Spanish chroniclers in the 16th century. The Dominican friar Diego Durán and the Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún both wrote about the use of mushrooms by the Aztecs in the 16th century, with the former describing their use in festivities during the coronation of the Aztec emperor Moctezuma II in 1502.

After the Spanish conquest, Catholic missionaries campaigned against the use of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms by the Aztecs and other Indigenous groups, considering it pagan idolatry. Despite this suppression, the use of psilocybin mushrooms persisted in some remote areas. The first mention of hallucinogenic mushrooms in European medicinal literature was in the London Medical and Physical Journal in 1799, where a British family was reported to have accidentally consumed Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms picked from London's Green Park.

Psilocybin mushrooms are found on all continents except Antarctica, with the majority of species occurring in subtropical humid forests. Mexico has the highest diversity of psilocybin mushrooms, with 53 species, followed by the United States and Canada (22 species), Europe (16 species), Asia (15 species), Africa (4 species), and Australia and associated islands (19 species). Psilocybe cubensis, one of the most common species, grows in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions their dung provides for the growth of the fungus.

Consumption methods

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are ingested orally. They may be eaten fresh, cooked, or dried. They can also be brewed into a tea or added to other foods to mask their bitter flavour. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin in 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last from four to eight hours. However, lingering effects can last for hours after the comedown. It is important to note that the strength of magic mushrooms can vary greatly, and the effects can depend on the dose and type of mushroom used.

It is recommended to have a "trip sitter" when consuming psilocybin mushrooms, especially for first-timers. A trip sitter is someone who does not consume psilocybin but remains present to chaperone the experience. It is preferable to choose someone who has had previous experience with psychedelics and who you trust.

Psilocybin mushrooms are also produced and sold illegally in powder, tablet, or capsule form. However, it is important to note that drugs produced illegally may contain other dangerous substances. Synthetic psilocybin powder can be dissolved in water.

While psilocybin mushrooms have shown potential therapeutic uses, it is important to note that they are illegal in many places, including Canada, Australia, and federally in the United States. Brazil, Vietnam, Jamaica, and the Netherlands allow the recreational consumption of psilocybin mushrooms.

Effects and risks

Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are classified as psychedelic drugs, which can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, emotions, and state of consciousness.

The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the chemical with psychoactive properties. The strength of magic mushrooms can vary, and the effects depend on the dose and type of mushroom used. The mushrooms can be consumed in various forms, including dried or fresh, or turned into extracts, tea, or food products.

The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary widely from person to person and are influenced by factors such as mental health, setting, quantity, expectations, age, unique biology, sex, personality, and history of drug use. The effects usually begin within 15-45 minutes and can last approximately four to six hours, with the first 3-4 hours considered the "peak".

The most common effects include hallucinations, perceptual changes, and sensory distortions. People may experience distorted sights and sounds, as well as a loss of their sense of time and space. They may also feel intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror and have physical side effects such as nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and increased heart rate.

One of the main risks associated with magic mushrooms is the possibility of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, as they can look very similar to certain toxic varieties. Consuming poisonous mushrooms can be dangerous and even life-threatening.

Another risk is the potential for a "`bad trip'", which can be influenced by factors such as a person's mood, anxiety, dose, and environment. A bad trip can include feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and short-term psychosis. In some cases, it may lead to risk-taking behaviour, traumatic injuries, or even death.

Regular use of psilocybin mushrooms can lead to tolerance, with the drug having little to no effect over time. There is also a risk of cross-tolerance with other drugs, such as LSD and mescaline. While psilocybin is not considered addictive, some people may experience mild to moderate adverse side effects that may require medical treatment.

There is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin, particularly in the treatment of substance use disorders, depression, and other mental illnesses. However, there is currently no approved therapeutic product containing psilocybin. Additionally, there have been limited studies on the long-term effects of repetitive use of magic mushrooms.

It is important to note that the use of any drug carries risks, and it is always advisable to be cautious when considering the consumption of substances like psilocybin mushrooms.

Medical uses

Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or sacred mushrooms, have been used for thousands of years in spiritual and religious rituals. They are hallucinogenic and can cause a range of effects, including euphoria, hallucinations, and altered perception of time and space.

While psilocybin mushrooms are currently classified as a Schedule I substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), indicating that they have a high potential for abuse and no legitimate medical purpose, there is ongoing research into their potential therapeutic applications.

One area of interest is the use of psilocybin in treating mental health disorders. Psilocybin has been studied for its potential in treating substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental and psychological disorders. The compound has a low toxicity level and does not appear to cause physical or psychological dependence. It works by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in parts of the brain that affect mood, cognition, and perception.

In addition, psilocybin has been evaluated for its ability to alleviate anxiety and fear in people with terminal cancer. A report published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology detailed two small studies that found a single dose of synthetic psilocybin reversed the feeling of "existential distress" that patients often experience after cancer treatment.

Psilocybin is also being investigated as a potential therapy for opioid addiction, Alzheimer's disease, treatment-resistant depression, post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, smoking cessation, anorexia nervosa, and alcohol use disorder.

The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly within the same species. A typical dose for recreational use ranges from 5 to 40 mg, with peak effects occurring within 1 to 2 hours and lasting up to 6 hours. Microdosing, or taking less than 1 gram of dried mushrooms, has become a popular technique to achieve a less intense experience, potentially alleviating symptoms of depression.

While psilocybin mushrooms have shown promise in various therapeutic applications, it is important to note that they also carry risks. Accidental ingestion of poisonous mushrooms can occur, and negative experiences, such as “bad trips," disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic attacks, are possible. Additionally, individuals on psychiatric medications should exercise caution as psilocybin may interact with their medication.

Legal status

The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies across the world. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. This means that they are considered to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. However, the mushrooms themselves are not regulated by UN treaties, and the convention does not specifically mention them due to pressure from the Mexican government.

Many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition of psilocybin mushrooms. For example, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. In the US, psilocybin is federally classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, making it illegal to possess, sell, or grow. However, state laws vary, and some states have legalized or decriminalized psilocybin for medicinal or therapeutic purposes, including Oregon, Colorado, and Washington. In Oregon, voters passed a ballot initiative in 2020 that made psilocybin legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings. Colorado passed a similar ballot initiative in 2022, creating a regulatory framework for the legalization of psychedelics in "healing centers".

In other countries, specific psychedelic mushrooms or truffles are legal in Brazil, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Nepal, the Netherlands, and Samoa. Psilocybin is also legal for medicinal use in countries including Canada, Australia, and Denmark, and is legal without restriction in Peru and Bolivia.

The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms is complicated by the fact that mushroom spores do not contain psilocybin or psilocin and are therefore legal to possess and sell in many places. However, possessing spores could be considered illegal paraphernalia or an intent to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms, which can be punishable under state or federal law.

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