Emily Johnson
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or Psilocybe, are wild or cultivated fungi that contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin. They are often eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea, and their effects can vary depending on the user's mood and environment. Interestingly, magic mushrooms are known to turn blue when cut or bruised due to the oxidation of psilocybin. While the exact purpose of this colour change remains unknown, one hypothesis suggests that it may serve as a protective mechanism against predators. In addition to their hallucinogenic effects, magic mushrooms have been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health conditions and therapy-resistant depression. However, it is important to recognise the risks associated with their use, including the possibility of bad trips and long-term adverse effects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Magic mushrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybe |
| Colors | Blue, orange, green, pink, purple, black |
| Color change | Turns blue when injured or cut |
| Effects | Hallucinations, perceptual changes, flashbacks, headaches |
| Legality | Illegal in most places |
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What You'll Learn
Hallucinogenic mushrooms can turn blue when injured
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are often eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. While the effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, they can also cause perceptual changes, such as visual and auditory hallucinations.
Interestingly, some hallucinogenic mushrooms can turn blue when injured, cut, or bruised. This phenomenon, known as "bluing," has puzzled researchers for decades. It occurs due to a mixture of quinoid psilocyl oligomers, compounds similar to indigo, the dye used to create blue jeans. These compounds are formed through a cascade reaction involving the enzymes phosphatase and laccase, which convert psilocybin into psilocin and create psilocyl radicals. While the exact purpose of these blue pigments remains unknown, researchers hypothesize that they may serve a protective role by producing toxic compounds that repel insects attempting to feed on the mushrooms.
The Psilocybe genus of hallucinogenic mushrooms is particularly known for its injury-triggered bluing reaction. For example, the Psilocybe cubensis species exhibits this phenomenon, with its stems turning blue or blue-green when bruised. However, not all hallucinogenic mushrooms bruise blue, and using colour changes alone to identify mushrooms can be dangerous.
While the blue colour may be visually intriguing, it's important to remember that magic mushrooms are illegal in most places and carry risks. They can induce "bad trips," medical emergencies, and long-term adverse effects, especially when combined with other substances. If you suspect that you or someone you know has consumed a poisonous mushroom, it's crucial to seek immediate medical assistance.
In summary, hallucinogenic mushrooms can turn blue when injured due to a complex biochemical process involving psilocybin oxidation. This colour change has sparked curiosity among researchers, but the ecological role of these blue pigments remains a subject for further study. It's important to exercise caution and be aware of the potential risks associated with consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms.
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Not all hallucinogenic mushrooms turn blue
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are fungi that produce the psychotropic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. They are one of several species that instantly develop a blue coloration when they are cut or bruised. This phenomenon is known as "bluing" and is caused by a mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, most of which are quinoid psilocyl oligomers—compounds similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment used to dye jeans.
However, not all hallucinogenic mushrooms turn blue. While bluing is commonly observed in Psilocybe mushrooms, it is not the only type of hallucinogenic mushroom. For example, Boletales mushrooms, which can also induce hallucinations, derive their blue colour from oxidised gyrocyanin or pulvinic acid rather than the psilocybin oxidation products found in Psilocybe mushrooms.
Furthermore, the intensity and mechanism of bluing can vary depending on the specific species of Psilocybe mushroom. For instance, Psilocybe cubensis, a well-studied variety, exhibits bluing through a two-step cascade reaction involving the enzymes PsiP and PsiL. However, the presence and function of these enzymes may differ in other Psilocybe species, leading to variations in the bluing reaction.
It is also important to note that not all mushrooms that turn blue are hallucinogenic. The blue colouration is a result of oxidation, and any damaged mushroom, regardless of its psychoactive properties, can undergo oxidation when exposed to air. Therefore, the presence of bluing does not necessarily indicate the presence of psilocybin or other hallucinogenic compounds.
In conclusion, while some hallucinogenic mushrooms, particularly those in the Psilocybe genus, are known for turning blue when cut or bruised due to the oxidation of psilocybin, it is not a universal characteristic of all hallucinogenic mushrooms. The blue colouration can vary across different species, and other factors, such as oxidation of different compounds, may also contribute to the colour of mushrooms.
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Some mushrooms turn orange when cut
The colour of hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, varies. While some mushrooms are orange, others are red, yellow, purple, blue, or white. Some mushrooms even display multiple colours.
The colour of a mushroom can be used to identify whether it is poisonous or edible. For instance, the Agaricus mushroom usually bruises pinkish. If the Agaricus cap stains bright chrome yellow, it is likely poisonous, whereas if it stains pale yellow, pink, or red, it is probably edible. However, there is a further test to establish toxicity: smelling the mushroom. Edible Agarics smell pleasantly of mushrooms, sometimes with hints of aniseed or almond, whereas toxic mushrooms smell of Indian ink, iodine, or chemicals.
Another example of a mushroom that turns orange when cut is the Russula Rubescens. When bruised, it turns reddish and then slowly turns black.
It is important to note that not all hallucinogenic mushrooms are orange, and not all orange mushrooms are hallucinogenic. When identifying mushrooms, it is crucial to consider multiple features beyond colour, such as bruising, bleeding, smell, and the presence of gills or pores.
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Some mushrooms turn green when bruised
Hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or Psilocybe, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are typically eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or within 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last approximately four to six hours.
When identifying mushrooms, it is important to look for signs of bruising or bleeding. While not a completely reliable method, observing color changes can aid in accurate identification and safety. Some mushrooms turn green when bruised, such as the saffron milk cap (Lactarius deliciosus), which bruises green and bleeds orange. The Lactarius indigo, or indigo milk cap, is another example of a mushroom that turns green; when cut, it bleeds a bright blue latex that progressively turns green.
It is worth noting that not all hallucinogenic mushrooms bruise blue. For instance, the Psilocybe cubensis, a hallucinogenic mushroom, has stems that bruise blue or blue-green. The color change in mushrooms occurs due to a chemical reaction between the compounds in the mushroom and oxygen when the cell walls are broken. However, the exact reason for this color change is still not fully understood.
While some believe that all blue-bruising mushrooms are safe to eat or are hallucinogenic, this is not true, as some can be poisonous. It is important to use multiple identification methods when determining if a mushroom is safe to eat. Additionally, mycelium bruising, which can be dark blue or blue-green, is typically caused by the presence of molds, such as the destructive blue-green mold from the Trichoderma genus.
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The colour of a mushroom is not a reliable way to identify it
Magic mushrooms, or Psilocybe, are fungi that produce the psychotropic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. They are one of several species that instantly develop a blue colouration when they are cut or bruised. However, the colour of a mushroom is not a reliable way to identify whether it is hallucinogenic or not.
While the blue colour of some magic mushrooms is caused by the oxidation of psilocybin, this is not the case for all species of hallucinogenic mushrooms. For example, Boletales mushrooms get their blue colour from oxidised gyrocyanin or pulvinic acid, rather than oxidised psilocybin. Additionally, some toxic look-alikes may appear shinier, more uniform in colour, or display bright, unnatural hues. Therefore, relying on colour alone is not sufficient for safe identification.
To safely identify psychedelic mushroom species, it is crucial to consider multiple characteristics, such as cap shape, gill colour, and bruising reactions. Spore prints are particularly important because they reveal the colour of a mushroom's spores, which is essential for distinguishing true Psilocybe species from harmful imposters. True Psilocybe species typically produce purple-brown to dark purplish-black spore prints. By carefully analysing multiple traits and using resources like spore kits and expert mushroom identification guides, foragers can more accurately identify safe mushrooms and avoid toxic or deadly look-alikes.
It is worth noting that the amount of psilocybin and psilocin in any given magic mushroom is unknown, and mushrooms vary greatly in terms of their psychoactive contents. Additionally, some samples alleged to be psilocybin mushrooms may be regular store-bought mushrooms laced with LSD or other substances. Therefore, it is always safer to purchase a spore kit from a reliable source and grow the mushrooms yourself under controlled conditions. This reduces the risk of consuming unknown or harmful substances.
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Frequently asked questions
Hallucinogenic mushrooms can vary in colour, but some mushrooms with hallucinogenic properties, such as those from the Psilocybe genus, are known to turn blue when injured or cut. This is due to the presence of psychotropic compounds like psilocybin and psilocin.
The blue colour is a result of a chemical reaction involving the oxidation of psilocybin. The pigment is a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, primarily composed of quinoid psilocyl oligomers.
No, not all hallucinogenic mushrooms bruise blue. While some species like Psilocybe cubensis exhibit this phenomenon, it is not a reliable method for identifying hallucinogenic mushrooms. Other factors, such as the age of the mushroom, can also influence colour changes.
Yes, consuming hallucinogenic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, carries risks. They can induce perceptual changes, such as hallucinations, and may lead to bad trips or medical emergencies, especially when combined with other substances. Long-term adverse effects, including flashbacks and changes in personality, have also been reported. It is important to be cautious and informed about the potential dangers before considering consuming any substance.
