Emily Johnson
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The active ingredients in magic mushrooms are chemicals called psilocybin and psilocin, which are controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for recreational and cultural purposes, and there is ongoing research into their potential therapeutic uses. While the mushrooms themselves are illegal in many places, the spores of mushroom species containing psilocybin may be purchased and possessed in most US states, provided they are not intended for cultivation. This raises the question: is psilocybin mushroom mycelium psychoactive, and if so, how does it compare to the effects of the mushrooms themselves?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Psychoactive substance | Yes, due to the presence of psilocybin and psilocin |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin and psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches, increased heart rate and blood pressure, "bad trips", "flashbacks", etc. |
| Legality | Controlled internationally under the United Nations Drug Control Conventions. Illegal in Canada and Australia. Legal in the United States except in Georgia, Idaho, and California. |
| Therapeutic uses | Potential to treat anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use. |
| Precautions | Not to be injected intravenously. No approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin are currently available. |
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What You'll Learn
The legality of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies across different countries and jurisdictions.
International Law
According to international law, the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, adopted in 1971, requires its members to prohibit psilocybin. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under this convention, which defines Schedule I drugs as drugs with a high potential for abuse or no recognised medical use. However, the mushrooms themselves were not specifically included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government.
Legality in the United States
In the United States, the federal government classifies psilocybin and psilocin as Schedule I controlled substances with "no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." Under federal law, the possession, use, and sale of psilocybin are illegal. However, there has been ambiguity and selective enforcement regarding the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms at the state and provincial levels. Most US state courts consider the mushrooms a "container" of the illicit drugs, making them illegal.
Some US states, such as Oregon, Colorado, and the District of Columbia, have taken steps towards decriminalisation and legalisation of psilocybin for supervised therapeutic use. In Oregon, voters passed a ballot initiative in 2020 to decriminalise psilocybin and legalise its supervised use for mental health treatment. However, much of the decriminalisation measure was repealed in 2024, effectively recriminalising the substance. Colorado followed with a similar medical use and decriminalisation measure in 2022. Additionally, cities like Denver, Oakland, Santa Cruz, and some municipalities in Massachusetts have also decriminalised the possession and personal use of psilocybin mushrooms.
It is important to note that while there are movements towards decriminalisation and legalisation in certain states and cities, the sale of psilocybin mushrooms for commercial purposes remains illegal in these jurisdictions.
Legality in Canada
In Canada, psilocybin and psilocin are controlled under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Activities involving magic mushrooms, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorised by Health Canada through a licence, exemption, or regulation. The production, sale, and possession of magic mushrooms are generally prohibited in Canada.
Legality in Other Countries
Other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, have also amended their national drug laws to reflect the terms of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. For example, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and the Australian Poisons Standard (October 2015) are in line with the international convention.
In summary, the legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies across different jurisdictions, with some countries and states taking a more lenient approach through decriminalisation and legalisation for therapeutic use, while others maintain strict prohibitions and penalties.
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Psilocybin mushroom composition
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms", are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been isolated from approximately a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina. The composition of psilocybin mushrooms varies from genus to genus and species to species. Its principal component is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin to produce psychoactive effects.
Psilocybin and psilocin are the primary hallucinogenic alkaloids found in psychedelic mushrooms. Psilocin exerts a neurologic effect by binding to serotonin subtype 2A receptors (5-HT2A) and producing neuropsychological effects, including oceanic boundlessness, anxious ego dissolution, visionary restructuring, auditory alterations, and reduction of vigilance. These effects collectively comprise the "psychedelic experience". On oral administration in humans, psilocybin is rapidly converted to psilocin via intestinal alkaline phosphatase, with nearly 100% of the bioactive molecule found in circulation 30 minutes to 6 hours after ingestion. The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the 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%.
In addition to psilocybin and psilocin, other compounds that may be present in psilocybin mushrooms include norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and aeruginascin. These compounds may result in an entourage effect and modify the effects of magic mushrooms. Certain mushrooms are also found to produce β-carbolines, such as harmine, harmane, tetrahydroharmine (THH), and harmaline, which inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme that breaks down tryptamine alkaloids. Additionally, psilocybin mushrooms may contain other alkaloids such as bufotenin, which contribute to the unique effects of each strain.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for centuries in various cultural and spiritual contexts and are currently being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits. While they have shown promising results in clinical trials, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin. Treatment for misuse or addiction to psilocybin mushrooms focuses on psychological support and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, as psilocybin is not considered physically addictive.
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History of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The history of psilocybin mushrooms dates back thousands of years and has been used by various cultures for ritualistic, medicinal, and recreational purposes.
Ancient History
One of the earliest depictions of hallucinogenic mushroom use comes from a 4000 BCE cave painting in Spain, which illustrates what appears to be Psilocybe hispanica, a species with hallucinogenic properties. Similarly, stone paintings in North Africa and Spain from around 9000 BCE may also depict the use of psilocybin mushrooms.
Indigenous Use
Indigenous cultures in Mesoamerica and South America, such as the Aztecs and Mazatecs, have a long history of consuming psilocybin mushrooms in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies. The Aztecs referred to the mushrooms as "teonanacatl," meaning "god's flesh" or "divine mushroom." Spanish chroniclers first documented their use in the 16th century, and Spanish missionaries attempted to destroy all records and evidence of mushroom use. Despite suppression by Catholic missionaries after the Spanish conquest, the use of psilocybin mushrooms persisted in some remote areas.
In the mid-20th century, psilocybin mushrooms gained prominence in the Western world through the experiences of Gordon Wasson, a U.S. banker who participated in a mushroom ceremony in Oaxaca, Mexico. Wasson's subsequent writings and a photo essay published in Life Magazine in 1957 sparked widespread interest in the mushrooms. Wasson also provided a sample to Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, who isolated psilocybin and psilocin from Psilocybe mexicana in 1958.
Popularization in the United States
In the 1960s, psilocybin mushrooms became popular in the United States, with researchers studying their healing properties and potential medical applications. Timothy Leary, a psychology professor at Harvard, and Richard Alpert played a significant role in introducing magic mushrooms to popular culture. They advocated for the benefits of psilocybin mushrooms and conducted experiments, such as the Concord Prison Experiment, to study their effects. The "hippie movement" of the 1960s further popularized the use of psilocybin mushrooms, with celebrities and musicians embracing the drug.
Modern Day
Today, psilocybin mushrooms are listed as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, indicating they have no accepted medical use. However, there has been a recent explosion of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and several FDA-approved clinical studies have indicated the potential medical value of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating various conditions.
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Effects of psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically occur within 30 minutes to an hour of ingestion and can last between four to six hours. The duration of the effects may vary depending on factors such as the method of consumption, dosage, and individual factors such as age, biology, and history of drug use.
Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can cause a person to experience altered states of consciousness, including hallucinations and distorted senses. These hallucinations can be visual, auditory, or tactile, leading to a distorted perception of reality. The mushrooms can also induce an altered sense of time and space, with individuals reporting a loss of personal boundaries and a feeling of oneness with the universe. The experience can evoke intense emotions, ranging from bliss and happiness to fear and terror.
In addition to the psychological effects, psilocybin mushrooms can also have physical side effects. These may include an increased heart rate, nausea, and muscle twitches. While rare, some individuals may experience adverse reactions such as anxiety, confusion, and delirium, requiring immediate medical attention. It is important to note that the effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary from person to person, and factors such as personality, expectations, and the surrounding environment can influence the overall experience.
The active compounds in psilocybin mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin, are controlled substances under international conventions and various national legislations. While the potential therapeutic benefits of these compounds are being explored, particularly in the treatment of mental health disorders, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin. However, research in this area is ongoing, and the potential benefits of microdosing and the drug's low toxicity are being investigated.
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Ongoing research and potential therapeutic uses
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are subjective and can vary considerably among individual users. However, the drug can cause people to experience distorted sights and sounds, hallucinate, and lose their sense of time and space. People who take psilocybin may also feel intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror and may have physical side effects such as increased heart rate, nausea, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies and as recreational drugs. However, researchers are still working to understand the effects of psilocybin on the brain and its potential therapeutic uses. The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research is at the forefront of exploring innovative treatments using psilocybin.
Psilocybin has been studied for its potential to treat a range of conditions, including:
- Depression: In a small study, Johns Hopkins researchers found that two doses of psilocybin, combined with supportive psychotherapy, produced rapid and significant reductions in depressive symptoms.
- Anxiety: In a small double-blind study, Johns Hopkins researchers found that a single large dose of psilocybin provided considerable relief from cancer-related anxiety for up to six months.
- Substance use disorders: Researchers at Johns Hopkins have also explored the potential for psilocybin to treat tobacco addiction, with some longtime smokers reporting success in quitting the habit after a carefully controlled and monitored use of psilocybin in conjunction with cognitive-behavioral therapy.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Addiction
- Pain
- Neurodegenerative disorders
In addition to these potential therapeutic applications, psilocybin may also offer benefits in end-of-life care. A 2021 survey of more than 7,000 people found that 7% had used psilocybin mushrooms in the past year, with some seeking to have a meaningful or spiritual experience or to improve their well-being.
While psilocybin mushrooms have been decriminalized or legalized for therapeutic use in some jurisdictions, it is important to note that they are still federally banned in the United States, and their recreational use can carry legal penalties in various countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion.
Only fruiting mushrooms and mycelium contain psilocybin, a federally banned substance in the United States. Psilocybin is the primary indole alkaloid found in Psilocybe species. When psilocybin is ingested, it is converted in the body to psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties.
The effects of consuming psilocybin mushrooms include heightened emotions and senses, hallucinations, and an altered state of consciousness. Psilocybin mushrooms may also cause nausea, vomiting, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.
