Emma Wilson
Of the 13,500 identified species of mushroom-forming fungi, about 8,500 are gilled. These mushrooms produce thin, slit-like spore-dispersing tissues underneath their caps. In mycological terms, these gills are known as lamellae. Some gilled mushrooms are psychedelic, containing psychoactive compounds like psilocybin and psilocin. Amanita muscaria, for example, is a gilled, psychoactive mushroom distributed across the Northern Hemisphere. However, it does not contain psilocybin and is not controlled in most places.
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What You'll Learn
Psilocybin mushrooms are used as recreational drugs
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin by the liver, which causes the psychedelic effects. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can include visual and auditory hallucinations, distorted perception of objects and people, and intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror. The effects typically begin within 20 to 30 minutes of ingestion and can last up to 6 hours.
The availability of psilocybin mushrooms from wild and cultivated sources has made them one of the most widely used psychedelic drugs. In 2023, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 8.8 million Americans aged 12 and older had used hallucinogens, including psilocybin, with adults aged 18 to 25 being the most frequent users. Additionally, the National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2019 found that 1.6% of Australians aged 14 and older had used psychedelics, with 61% of this group having used psilocybin.
While psilocybin mushrooms are primarily known for their recreational use, there is ongoing research into their potential therapeutic benefits. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is supporting studies into psilocybin as a possible treatment for substance use disorders and other mental illnesses, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. Oregon became the first US state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize it for therapeutic use in 2020.
It is important to note that the use of psilocybin mushrooms can carry risks, and the effects may vary from person to person. There is also a risk of accidental poisoning from consuming poisonous mushrooms that resemble psilocybin mushrooms.
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They are also used in therapeutic settings
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are gilled and produce dark spores. They have been used by people in Central America and possibly other regions for centuries. In the Western world, psychedelic mushrooms were largely unknown until the 1950s when American mycologist R. Gordon Wasson travelled to Mexico and publicised his experiences with the fungi.
Since then, psilocybin mushrooms have been researched for their therapeutic potential. In the 21st century, these mushrooms have been tested as a treatment for chronic mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The active ingredient, psilocybin, is a powerful psychedelic that interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain to trigger various effects, including altered perception of space and time, visual distortions, euphoria, and mystical experiences.
A growing body of research suggests that when administered in controlled conditions with supportive therapy, psilocybin may be useful for treating various psychiatric disorders. For example, the Department of Veterans Affairs in the United States has been testing psilocybin to address mental health problems and high suicide rates among veterans. Researchers at the Heffter Research Institute, a non-profit focused on the therapeutic uses of psychedelics, are also studying the potential benefits of psilocybin.
While the exact mechanisms of action are still being investigated, some results suggest that psilocybin may help break old neural connections and create new ones, reducing negative or obsessive thinking and enabling the development of more positive behaviours. However, there are still questions surrounding the stigma, funding, and regulatory hurdles associated with psilocybin before it can be widely adopted for therapeutic use.
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They are one of the most widely used psychedelic drugs
While there is no specific mention of "gilled psychedelic mushrooms", the Agaricales are an order of fungi that includes all the agarics (gilled mushrooms). Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of psychedelic mushroom. They are one of the most widely used psychedelic drugs, with reported use among groups in Central Mexico, including the Nahua, Mixtecs, Mixe, Mazatecs, and Zapotecs.
Psilocybin mushrooms produce two primary psychoactive compounds, psilocybin and psilocin, which are responsible for their mind-altering effects. Psilocybin is converted into psilocin in the body, and this chemical has psychoactive properties. The effects of these compounds are highly subjective, depending on the type of mushroom, its preparation, the dosage, and the user's psychological state and environment. Users may experience sensory, emotional, and neural changes, including distorted and heightened sensory impressions, such as seeing vivid colours or auras, and perceiving sounds as more complex. Psilocybin mushrooms can also induce hallucinations, with users sometimes seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms as a psychedelic drug can be traced back to ancient times, with potential depictions in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe. They were also represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. In modern times, their recreational use has been popularized by figures like Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert of Harvard University, who publicized the fungi's consciousness-expanding properties.
The availability of psilocybin mushrooms from wild and cultivated sources has contributed to their widespread use. They can be consumed in various forms, including dried or fresh mushrooms, extracts, edibles, or tea. Microdosing has also become a popular technique, where users take less than 1.0 g of dried mushrooms for a less intense experience. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are well-known for their short-term increases in user tolerance, making it difficult to misuse them due to the weakening of effects with frequent consumption. However, some users may experience flashbacks, involving visual distortions and changes in emotions or perception, even long after the drug was last taken.
The legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies across the world. In Oregon, for instance, it has been decriminalized for therapeutic use, while Australian federal and state laws impose penalties for possession, use, or sale. Despite their widespread use, the active components of psilocybin mushrooms are still being studied to understand how they alter brain functions and their potential therapeutic benefits.
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They are not a harmless or legal high
While some people use psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, as a recreational drug, they are not a harmless or legal high.
Magic mushrooms are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time and emotions. They can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted. The effects of psilocybin vary widely, and adverse side effects can be unpredictable and dangerous. While current research does not consider psilocybin addictive, users may experience disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, panic, and flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences. In very rare cases, taking a huge amount of mushrooms can lead to death.
In addition, it is difficult to know how strong mushrooms are, and buying them is risky because some mushrooms are poisonous. A number of mushroom species can make people violently ill or even kill them. Most accidental mushroom ingestion results in minor gastrointestinal illness, but the most severe instances require medical attention.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it is deemed to have no medicinal benefit and high abuse and addiction potential. It is illegal under US federal law, and smaller-scale offences are often managed at a state level. In some places, psilocybin is decriminalized or legal for medicinal purposes. For example, in 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, and in 2023, Australia approved psilocybin for prescription medications. However, in many national, state, and provincial drug laws, there is ambiguity about the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms, and penalties for possession, use, and sale exist in many places.
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They are commonly known as magic mushrooms
While I cannot ascertain whether all psychedelic mushrooms are gilled, I can confirm that there are gilled mushrooms that are psychedelic. These mushrooms are commonly known as magic mushrooms. They are also referred to as psilocybin mushrooms, named after the psychoactive compounds they contain, primarily psilocybin and psilocin. Over 200 species across multiple genera produce these compounds, with the Psilocybe genus alone containing over 100 psychoactive species.
The Psilocybe genus includes species such as Psilocybe cubensis, which has common names like Golden Teacher, B+, Penis Envy, and Amazonian. The potency of this species is said to range from 0.6-1.2% psilocybin. Another species within the Psilocybe genus is Psilocybe semilanceata, also known as Liberty Caps. This species is native to Europe and other regions with mild temperatures and humid climates.
Other psychedelic mushrooms include Amanita muscaria, which is not controlled in most places since it does not contain psilocybin. It is important to note that these mushrooms are illegal in many places and can be dangerous if misidentified. They are not addictive, and the body rapidly builds a tolerance after use, making daily use ineffective. However, in extreme overdoses, the compounds muscimol and ibotenic acid, found in some psychedelic mushrooms, can cause respiratory distress, convulsions, or coma.
The classification of mushrooms, including psychedelic varieties, has been a complex and evolving area of study. In the 19th century, Elias Fries classified gill-forming mushrooms into the genus Agaricus, but later authors made changes to his groupings. Fries's classification was based on macroscopic characteristics and spore print colour, but it was challenged by microscopic studies of basidiocarp structure.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that typically has stems and gills.
Magic mushrooms are often referred to as "little brown mushrooms" due to their characteristic brown caps that come in different shades. The gills are typically thin and tightly packed, with a delicate, spore-bearing structure. They are usually pale to dark brown, ranging from almost white to a deep, chocolate brown.
Aside from the gills, magic mushrooms have thick strands of mycelium attached to the base of the stem. They also have a "partial veil" or "cortina", which is a temporary membrane that connects the cap to the stem and protects the developing gills. As the cap expands and matures, the partial veil ruptures and becomes a ring around the stem, exposing the gills.
Magic mushrooms are not known to cause physical or psychological dependence. However, mistakenly consuming toxic mushrooms can lead to severe health complications and even be life-threatening. It is important to approach the foraging and consumption of magic mushrooms with caution and prioritise research.
