Laura Smith
While it is a myth that psychedelic mushrooms always bruise blue, some species that do bruise blue are psychedelic. However, some poisonous mushrooms also bruise blue. The act of bruising a mushroom is done by squeezing its stem.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of bruising | Oxidation |
| Type of mushrooms that bruise | Bolete, Suillus, Psilocybe, Gymnopilus, Pluteus |
| Color of bruising | Blue |
| Toxicity | Some blue-bruising mushrooms are poisonous |
| Method of bruising | Squeezing the stem |
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What You'll Learn
Squeezing the stem
To squeeze the stem of a mushroom to induce bruising, start by gently grasping the stem between your thumb and index finger. Apply gentle pressure and slowly increase it until you see discolouration appearing on the stem. It is important to be gentle and gradual when applying pressure to the stem, as too much pressure can damage the mushroom beyond bruising.
Additionally, when squeezing the stem, try to avoid touching the mushroom cap, as this can also cause bruising. Bruising typically appears in areas that have been physically handled or stressed, so by avoiding touching the cap, you can isolate the bruising to the stem. This can be helpful when trying to identify the mushroom or study the effects of bruising on mushroom tissue.
Finally, it is important to note that bruising a mushroom by squeezing the stem is not the only way to induce discolouration. Other methods include nicking the top and bottom of the mushroom cap, cutting into the cap, or dropping the mushroom, all of which can cause bruising. However, squeezing the stem is a precise way to induce bruising in a specific area of the mushroom and can be useful for identification or experimental purposes.
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Oxidation
The process of mushroom bruising, also known as "bluing", is a natural phenomenon that occurs due to oxidation. While the exact mechanism is not fully understood, it is believed that when mushrooms, specifically those containing psilocybin, are damaged or exposed to oxygen, their cells undergo oxidation, leading to the degradation of psilocybin and psilocin—the psychotropic compounds present in these fungi. This degradation results in the production of blue pigments, giving the bruised areas a distinctive blue colour.
The oxidation process in mushrooms involves a complex cascade reaction. It starts with the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin through the removal of a phosphate group by a phosphatase enzyme. Subsequently, an oxidising laccase enzyme creates psilocyl radicals, which then combine to form C-5 coupled subunits. These subunits further polymerise via C-7, leading to the formation of indigo-like polymers that contribute to the blue colouration.
In Boletales mushrooms, the blue colour is attributed to oxidised gyrocyanin or pulvinic acid. However, this mechanism is distinct from the one observed in Psilocybe mushrooms, where the blue pigmentation arises from the oxidation of psilocybin and psilocin. It is important to note that not all mushrooms containing psilocybin exhibit bruising, suggesting that additional factors, such as the presence of a copper-based compound, may influence the oxidation process and the resulting colour change.
The intensity of the blue bruising can vary depending on the potency of the mushroom. Generally, it is believed that more potent mushrooms are more susceptible to developing blue bruises, indicating a higher concentration of the psychoactive compounds that undergo oxidation. Additionally, the oxidation process in mushrooms is not limited to those containing psilocybin. Several non-psychoactive strains of mushrooms, including some boletes, have also been observed to display blue bruising, although the specific biochemical pathways involved may differ, resulting in varying shades of blue.
While the oxidation process in mushrooms, particularly the blue bruising, has intrigued mycologists and chemists alike, it serves as a natural indicator of the presence of certain compounds and their subsequent degradation. This phenomenon not only adds to our understanding of mushroom biology but also contributes to the fascinating world of fungal chemistry.
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Distinguishing toxic from non-toxic mushrooms
It is important to distinguish between toxic and non-toxic mushrooms as consuming the wrong ones can lead to severe illness or even death. However, it is difficult to tell the difference between the two as many edible and poisonous mushrooms look quite similar. In fact, there is no reliable way to tell which mushrooms are poisonous and even toxicology experts often have trouble identifying them.
A good way to identify mushrooms is by learning which family the fungus belongs to. For example, the Agarics family has both edible and toxic members that look very similar. The edible members of the Agaric family have pink to brown/black gills, a white cap, and usually a stout stem with a skirt. To distinguish between the toxic and non-toxic Agarics, bruise the cap. If it stains bright chrome yellow, it is probably poisonous; if it stains pale yellow, pink, or red, it is probably edible. However, there is a further test to establish toxicity: smell the mushroom. Edible Agarics smell pleasantly of mushroom, some with hints of aniseed or almond, whereas toxic mushrooms smell of Indian ink or iodine or just chemically and unpleasant.
Another example is the Chanterelle and Jack O'Lantern mushrooms. The Jack O'Lantern has true, sharp, non-forking, and deep-set gills that descend the stalk. Chanterelles have blunt, gill-like ridges on the cap to the stem. When the stem of a Jack O'Lantern is peeled, the inside is orange, whereas the interior of the Chanterelle stem is paler than the exterior. Jack O'Lanterns grow in large clusters, whereas Chanterelles tend to grow in smaller clumps that are more spread out. The Jack O'Lantern's cap will almost look like it's been waxed, whereas the Chanterelle's has a rougher texture.
- The toxic Cluster Mushroom has a stem with a skirt, whereas the non-toxic Cluster Mushroom's stem is smooth with no skirt.
- The toxic Button Mushroom has polka dots on its cap and stem, whereas the non-toxic Button Mushroom has a criss-cross pattern on its cap, like sourdough bread.
- The toxic Bugle Mushroom has lines on its stem and right under the head, whereas the non-toxic Bugle Mushroom has a completely smooth stem.
- The Half-free Morel is semi-toxic and its cap hangs totally free from its stem, attached only by a small section at the very top. Its stem also features a white pithy scruff.
- The Yellow Morel is edible and tends to be beginner-friendly due to its distinct appearance. Its poisonous look-alike, Gyromitra spp., is relatively easy to avoid as it is red, purple, or brown, whereas the true morel is yellow, gray, or tan.
If you are unsure if a mushroom is safe to eat, do not eat it. It is recommended that you only eat mushrooms bought from the supermarket, a greengrocer, or another reputable source. If you suspect that you or someone else has eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur before seeking medical attention.
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Bolete mushrooms
Many bolete mushrooms are known to bruise blue or blue-green. This is due to a chemical reaction between the compounds in the mushroom and oxygen when the cell walls are broken. For example, the Gyroporus cyanescens variety contains variegatic acid, which remains colourless unless exposed to oxygen. When the cell walls are broken, the oxygenase enzyme converts the variegatic acid to quinone methide, which is blue.
It is important to note that bruising colour alone is not a reliable method for determining the safety of a mushroom. While it can provide valuable insights into its species and safety, it should be used in combination with other identification methods. A common rule for boletes is to avoid consuming mushrooms with red pore surfaces that bruise blue, as many of these varieties are toxic. However, this is not always the case, and some blue-bruising boletes are safe to eat. For example, the Inkstain Bolete, also known as the Blackening Bolete, is an edible variety found in Europe and North America.
When identifying bolete mushrooms, it is recommended to nick the top and bottom of the cap to check for any colour change. It is also important to combine this method with other identification measures to ensure accuracy and safety, especially when foraging for wild mushrooms.
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Psychedelic mushrooms
The blue colour is caused by a two-step cascade reaction. First, the phosphatase PsiP removes the 4-O-phosphate group from psilocybin to yield psilocin. Then, PsiL oxidises the 4-hydroxy group of psilocin, leading to oxidative coupling of psilocyl residues, which form blue products.
The bluing of a mushroom confirms the presence of psilocybin and/or psilocin, the compounds responsible for its psychedelic effects. However, the appearance of blue bruises is believed to lower the potency of the mushroom, as it indicates that the psilocin has degraded. Therefore, when harvesting psychedelic mushrooms, it is recommended to avoid causing unnecessary bruising.
When harvesting psychedelic mushrooms, there are two methods: twist and pull, or slice and leave stumps. Twisting and pulling can disrupt and damage the network of mycelium, so it is recommended to use a sharp pair of scissors to harvest the mushroom as close to the surface as possible. After harvesting, mushrooms should be fully dehydrated until "cracker dry" and stored in an airtight container with a desiccant packet in a cool, dark place.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear what type of mushroom you are referring to, but in general, squeezing the stem of a mushroom will cause it to bruise.
Blue bruising in mushrooms is often associated with psilocybin-containing "magic mushrooms". However, not all blue-bruising mushrooms are psychedelic, and many are poisonous.
Some mushrooms that bruise blue include Psilocybe, Gymnopilus, and Pluteus.
