John Miller
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. They are typically consumed for their mind-altering effects, which include visual and auditory hallucinations, emotional changes, and an altered perception of time and space. Magic mushrooms are often eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea, and their effects usually last from three to eight hours, depending on dosage, preparation method, and personal metabolism. Interestingly, magic mushrooms are known to turn blue when they are cut or bruised, and this colour change is due to a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products. While the exact species vary, magic mushrooms are generally dark-spored, gilled mushrooms that grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, philosopher's stones, liberties, amani, agaric |
| Appearance | Psilocybin mushrooms look like ordinary mushrooms. They are dark-spored, gilled mushrooms that grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris. |
| Colors | Yellow, brown, blue |
| Types | P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, Pholiotina, Psilocybe |
| Geographical distribution | Psilocybin mushrooms occur on all continents. Many species are found in Mexico (53 species), with the remainder distributed throughout Canada and the US (22), Europe (16), Asia (15), Africa (4), and Australia and associated islands (19). |
| Legality | The legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies from country to country. In the US, Oregon and Colorado have legalized or decriminalized their use. |
| Effects | Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic and can cause visual distortions of color, depth, and form, progressing to visual and auditory hallucinations. Other side effects include pupil dilation, increased heart rate, unpleasant mood, and overresponsive reflexes. |
| Uses | Psilocybin mushrooms are used as recreational drugs and for their therapeutic potential in treating mental health conditions. |
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What You'll Learn
Blue when injured
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are hallucinogenic fungi that produce the psychotropic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. These mushrooms are distinguished by their ability to instantly turn blue when injured, cut, or bruised—a phenomenon known as "injury-triggered blueing reactions". This colour change is not limited to psilocybin mushrooms, as other mushrooms like the dotted stem bolete and cornflower mushroom also exhibit similar blueing tendencies.
The blue colour observed in injured psilocybin mushrooms is due to a mixture of quinoid psilocyl oligomers, primarily coupled via carbon 5. This pigment is not a single compound but a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, resembling indigo, the deep blue pigment used to dye jeans. The biochemical pathway that produces this pigment involves a two-step cascade reaction. Firstly, the phosphatase PsiP removes the 4-O-phosphate group to yield psilocin. Secondly, PsiL oxidizes the 4-hydroxy group, resulting in oxidative coupling of psilocyl residues via C-5.
The ecological significance of the blue pigments in psilocybin mushrooms remains a subject of speculation. One hypothesis suggests that these pigments may serve a protective function by producing reactive oxygen species that are toxic to insects attempting to feed on the mushrooms. This hypothesis aligns with the observation that the phosphate ester of psilocybin appears to have a reversible protective role.
The injury-triggered blueing reaction in psilocybin mushrooms has intrigued natural product chemists for decades. While the chemical basis and mode of formation of the blue colour have been elusive, recent studies have made significant progress in understanding the underlying biochemical processes. By employing advanced analytical techniques, researchers have gained valuable insights into the complex nature of the pigment and its formation.
In summary, the blue colour observed in injured psilocybin mushrooms is a result of a cascade reaction involving psilocybin oxidation products. The ecological role of these pigments may be protective, potentially repelling insects. The intriguing phenomenon of injury-triggered blueing reactions in psilocybin mushrooms has captivated chemists, leading to ongoing research and a deeper understanding of the underlying biochemical processes.
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Yellow to brown
Psilocybe semilanceata, considered the world's most widespread psilocybin mushroom species, has a light yellow-brown to pale grayish stipe (stem) and gills, and a dull yellowish-brown spore print. The colour of the cap ranges from whitish to dark brown, with the centre being light brown or white. When the mushroom dries, the cap becomes a light yellow-brown colour, and the gills become dark grey to purple-brown with a lighter edge.
Psilocybe semilanceata, also known as liberty caps, is native to Europe and has been reported in 18 countries worldwide, including the UK, India, and Turkey. It typically grows in grasslands, such as meadows and pastures, often in soil fertilised with sheep or cow dung.
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive and hallucinogenic compound. They are considered psychedelic drugs, which can alter a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions, leading to hallucinations. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms typically last up to 6 hours.
While psilocybin mushrooms generally resemble ordinary mushrooms, they can vary in colour, ranging from whitish-gray to dark brown. When dried, they turn a rusty brown colour with isolated areas of off-white.
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Dark-spored
Mushrooms with dark spores can be identified by examining the gills or pores where the spores grow. As mushrooms produce more spores, the colour of the gills or pores changes to match the colour of the spores. Dark-spored mushrooms have gills or pores that change from white to shades of brown, purple-brown, or black.
Some common types of dark-spored mushrooms include:
- Bolbitius: spore print is cinnamon brown, caps are flimsy and short-lived, and spores are smooth with a germ pore.
- Conocybe: spore print is rusty brown, lacking a universal or partial veil, and spores are smooth with a germ pore.
- Hypholoma: spore print ranges from dark brown to purple-brown or nearly black, with partial veil evidence sometimes present, and spores are smooth.
- Inocybe: spore print is dull brown, with partial veil evidence sometimes present, and spores are smooth and ellipsoid or funky and nodulose.
- Pholiotina: spore print is rusty brown, with universal and/or partial veil evidence present, and spores are smooth with a germ pore.
Psychedelic mushrooms, or "magic mushrooms," contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin and can induce hallucinations and distort the senses. While magic mushrooms typically resemble ordinary mushrooms, they can turn blue when injured due to a reaction involving the degradation of psilocybin. This blue colour is caused by a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, primarily quinoid psilocyl oligomers, which are structurally similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment.
The most common types of magic mushrooms in Australia include golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps. It is important to exercise caution when encountering wild mushrooms, as magic mushrooms can look similar to poisonous varieties.
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Conical to bell-shaped
The cap shape of a mushroom is a key feature that aids in its identification. One of the most widely distributed psilocybin mushrooms in nature, Psilocybe semilanceata, has a distinctive cap that is conical to bell-shaped. These mushrooms are widely distributed in the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe, and have also been reported in the Southern Hemisphere. They are associated with sedges in moist areas of fields and are thought to live on decaying root remains of certain grasses.
The cap of Psilocybe semilanceata is typically up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) in diameter and features a small nipple-like protrusion on top. The colour of the cap ranges from yellow to brown, with radial grooves when moist, fading to a lighter shade as the mushroom matures. The gills of these mushrooms are a pale brown to pinkish colour, and the spore print is white.
Mycena inclinata, commonly known as the clustered bonnet or oak-stump bonnet cap, is another example of a mushroom species with a bell-shaped cap. This species has a reddish-brown cap that can reach up to 4.5 cm (1.8 inches) in diameter. The stem is thin and whitish to yellow-brown at the top, gradually becoming reddish-brown towards the base. The gills of M. inclinata are initially pale brown to pinkish but develop reddish spots with age.
While the cap shape of mushrooms like Psilocybe semilanceata and Mycena inclinata is an important identifying feature, it is also essential to consider other characteristics such as the cap surface and margin, as well as the colour and shape of the gills. These additional characteristics help provide a comprehensive understanding of the mushroom's identity and facilitate accurate identification.
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Common in Australia
Psilocybin, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", is a hallucinogenic compound found in certain types of mushrooms. It is a naturally occurring psychedelic, found in almost 200 different types of mushrooms worldwide, with the main differentiating factor being the amount of psilocybin present. Psilocybin is converted in the body to psilocin, which is the chemical with psychoactive properties.
There are an estimated 20-30 species of magic mushrooms in Australia, some of which are native, while others have been introduced and flourished in disturbed ecosystems. The most common magic mushrooms in Australia are golden tops, blue meanies (named after the colour of the mushrooms), and liberty caps (named after the shape of the mushrooms).
Psilocybe subaeruginosa is a species of agaric fungus in the Hymenogastraceae family, native to Australia and New Zealand. It is common in the southern parts of Australia from April to August and is known to grow in Australian native and Eucalyptus forests. Psilocybe subaeruginosa bears a resemblance to several other common, sometimes toxic, mushrooms.
In Australia, the cultivation, manufacture, possession, use, and supply of psilocybin are illegal. It is a Schedule 9 substance, considered a 'prohibited substance' according to the Commonwealth Poisons Standard. Penalties for possessing or supplying psilocybin can carry up to 2 years of imprisonment or a fine of up to $5,500 in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are dark-spored, gilled mushrooms that grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics. They are typically brown or white. However, they can turn blue when cut or bruised due to the oxidation of psilocybin.
The blue colour is caused by a complex mixture of linked psilocybin oxidation products, primarily quinoid psilocyl oligomers. These compounds are similar to indigo, a deep blue pigment used to dye jeans.
Yes, there are many different types of psilocybin mushrooms, with over 100 species identified. Some common types include Psilocybe cubensis, P. semilanceata, P. azurescens, and P. cyanescens.
