Laura Smith
Magic mushrooms, or Psilocybe cubensis, are a species of fungi that are known to grow on cow dung. They are also referred to as shrooms, golden halo, golden teacher, cube, or gold cap. These mushrooms have been used for their psychedelic effects for centuries, and they contain the chemical psilocybin, which induces hallucinations when ingested. While Psilocybe cubensis is commonly associated with cow dung, it can also be found growing on sugar cane mulch or rich pasture soil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can mushrooms grow on cow poop? | Yes |
| Types of mushrooms that grow on cow poop | Psilocybe cubensis, Panaeolus cyanescens, Panaeolus antillarum, and Peziza vesiculosa |
| Are these mushrooms psychedelic? | Yes, except for Panaeolus antillarum |
| Are these mushrooms safe to eat? | No, there are at least five separate toxins found in a variety of mushrooms that can be deadly |
| Where can these mushrooms be found? | South America, East Asia, Florida, Gulf Coast States, Mexico, Southern Texas, and dairy pastures in the spring |
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What You'll Learn
- Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms, grow on cow dung
- Psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound in these mushrooms, causes visions and altered states of consciousness
- Cattle egrets play a role in spore dispersal, aiding the spread of Psilocybe cubensis
- In Australia, the species grows on water buffalo dung and is called gold top or golden top
- Farmers may add supplements to cattle feed to prevent mushroom growth
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms, grow on cow dung
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are indeed found growing on cow dung. They are also sometimes found on horse dung, sugar cane mulch, or rich pasture soil. In Asia, the species grows on water buffalo dung.
Psilocybe cubensis is a species of psilocybin mushroom, whose principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds induce hallucinogenic effects, including altered perception, euphoria, and spiritual experiences. The mushrooms are relatively easy to cultivate indoors. First, spores are inoculated within sterilized jars or bags, colloquially known as grain spawn, containing a form of carbohydrate nutrient such as rye grains. After approximately one month, the spores fully colonize the grain spawn, forming dense mycelium, which is then planted within a bulk substrate such as a coconut husk fiber and vermiculite mixture. Given proper humidity, temperature, and fresh air exchange, the substrate will produce fruiting Psilocybe cubensis bodies within a month of planting.
The relationship between cattle, cattle egrets, and Psilocybe cubensis is an example of symbiosis, where dissimilar organisms live together in close association. The cow usually consumes grains or grass covered with the spores of P. cubensis, and the fungus will begin to germinate within the dung. The cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a bird that typically walks alongside cattle, preying on insects. As it walks through spore-laden vegetation and cow dung, it transfers the spores to suitable habitats, often thousands of miles away during migration. This type of spore dispersal is known as zoochory, enabling the fungus to propagate over a much greater range than it could alone.
Psilocybe cubensis is also known as gold top, golden top, or gold cap in Australia; sacred mushroom or blue mushroom in Brazil; and San Ysidro or Palenque mushroom in the United States and Mexico. The term magic mushroom is also sometimes applied to hallucinogenic mushrooms in general.
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Psilocybin, the hallucinogenic compound in these mushrooms, causes visions and altered states of consciousness
Psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions, and perception. Psilocybin can induce states of consciousness that have lasting personal meaning and spiritual significance in religious or spiritually inclined people; these states are called mystical experiences.
When a person takes psilocybin, their body converts it to another substance called psilocin. Psilocin attaches to and activates receptors or binding sites for the brain chemical serotonin, primarily the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5HT2a) receptor. Researchers believe that this action is responsible for much of a person's subjective experience when they take the mushrooms. Psilocin activity at the 5HT2a receptor affects how the brain works and how different brain regions communicate with each other. These altered patterns of brain activity contribute to a person's profound change in consciousness. Some regions increase in activity and connectedness, while others decrease.
People may experience perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there or are distorted). They may also experience euphoria, a distorted sense of time, and perceived spiritual experiences. Psilocybin can cause what is called a mystical experience, where they enter a dreamlike, euphoric state, perhaps having visions or reliving memories. They may have a different sense of self, feeling that they have no personal boundaries and are one with the universe, a concept referred to as "oceanic self-boundlessness". This experience can be blissful, but it may also be frightening and cause fear or panic.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been and continue to be used in Indigenous American cultures and other cultures worldwide in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. They are revered as powerful spiritual sacraments that provide access to sacred worlds and enhance group cohesion and reaffirm traditional values.
Psilocybin mushrooms are often found growing on cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch, or rich pasture soil. The relationship between cattle, cattle egrets, and Psilocybe cubensis, a common psilocybin mushroom species, is an example of symbiosis, where dissimilar organisms live together in close association. The cow usually consumes grass covered with the spores of P. cubensis, and the fungus begins to germinate within the dung.
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Cattle egrets play a role in spore dispersal, aiding the spread of Psilocybe cubensis
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a species of psilocybin mushroom. They are often found on cow dung or rich pasture soil. The mushrooms grow naturally in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions the cattle provide for the growth of the fungus.
Cattle egrets typically walk alongside cattle, preying on insects. They track through spore-laden vegetation and cow dung, transferring spores to suitable habitats, often thousands of miles away during migration. This type of spore dispersal is known as zoochory, enabling the species to propagate over a much greater range than it could achieve alone.
The relationship between cattle, cattle egrets, and Psilocybe cubensis is an example of symbiosis, where dissimilar organisms live together in close association. While wind is the main vector of spore dispersal, egrets can become vectors of the spores by walking through spore-laden vegetation and cow dung. They could then fly to another field, passing the spores.
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In Australia, the species grows on water buffalo dung and is called gold top or golden top
Mushrooms indeed grow on cow dung, with the spores of certain mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cubensis, often found on grass or grains consumed by cows. This species of mushroom, commonly known as the "magic mushroom", is also found on horse dung, sugar cane mulch, or rich pasture soil. In Asia and Australia, P. cubensis grows on water buffalo dung.
Psilocybe cubensis is commonly known as "gold top", "golden top", or "gold cap" in Australia. It is also called the "sacred mushroom" or "blue mushroom" in Brazil, and the "San Ysidro" or "Palenque mushroom" in the United States and Mexico. In South Africa, it is known as the "Golden teacher". In Thailand, it is called "Hed keequai", which translates to "mushroom that appears after water buffalo defecate".
P. cubensis has a wide distribution and is easy to cultivate, which has contributed to its popularity. It was first described in 1906 by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba, where it was initially named Stropharia cubensis. It has since been identified in various parts of the world, including Vietnam, Florida, and Australia.
In Australia, P. cubensis was likely introduced with the arrival of cattle in the early 1800s. The species can now be found growing in the northern regions of Queensland and New South Wales.
Psilocybe cubensis is not the only mushroom species that grows on cow dung. For example, Panaeolus Antillarum, a non-psychoactive and edible variety, is also found on cow patties.
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Farmers may add supplements to cattle feed to prevent mushroom growth
While mushrooms are not technically plants, they are often found in the same locations as cattle, such as grasslands and pastures. Certain species of mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", have a symbiotic relationship with cattle. This species of mushroom is often found growing on cow dung, and the cattle egret, which typically walks alongside cattle, aids in the dispersal of spores.
Mushrooms require moisture to grow, and when conditions are right, they can pose a danger to cattle. While cattle will usually avoid eating mushrooms when other food sources are available, accidental ingestion can occur, and it doesn't take much to cause problems. There have been documented cases of mushroom poisoning in calves, and the poison is extremely potent—a single mushroom, if toxic, could kill an adult cow.
Farmers may be concerned about the presence of mushrooms in their fields, particularly those species with psychoactive or psychedelic properties, due to the potential risk to their livestock and the possibility of people trespassing on their land to pick the mushrooms. While some sources mention the practice of adding supplements to cattle feed to prevent mushroom growth, others refute this, stating that it is unnecessary and expensive.
There are a variety of methods that farmers can use to manage mushroom growth in their fields. One approach is to directly address the mushrooms by spraying the fields with fungicides to kill the mushrooms and prevent the growth of new ones. Another method is to add supplements to the cattle feed that will prevent the mushrooms from growing. This could be achieved by including probiotics or ferments in the feed, as certain types of fungi have been shown to improve animal health and enhance growth performance. Common fungal feed additives include Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus oryzae, and Pleurotus spp. Additionally, feeding cows oranges may help prevent mushroom growth due to the citric acid content.
While there are ways to prevent and manage mushroom growth, it is important to note that the chances of mushroom poisoning in cattle are slim. However, farmers should still be vigilant and consult with veterinarians and diagnostic labs if they suspect any cases of mushroom poisoning in their herds.
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Frequently asked questions
Some mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", grow in cow dung. However, not all mushrooms grow in cow manure.
Psilocybe cubensis is a species of psilocybin mushroom whose principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin, which cause hallucinations when ingested.
No, some mushrooms that grow on cow dung are not psychedelic. For example, Panaeolus Antillarum, which is edible but not psychoactive or psychedelic.
Psilocybe cubensis grows on cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch, or rich pasture soil. They appear from February to December in the northern hemisphere and November to April in the southern hemisphere.
No, magic mushrooms can cause poisoning. Benzodiazepines and cholinergic agents are useful in managing the undesirable effects of psilocybin mushroom poisoning.
