Emily Johnson
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as the magic mushroom, is a species of psilocybin mushroom of moderate potency. Its principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin, which are controlled psychoactive substances under Schedule I of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances (1971). Psilocybe cubensis is found on cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch or rich pasture soil, with mushrooms appearing from February to December in the northern hemisphere, and November to April in the southern hemisphere.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushroom, Shroom, Golden halo, Golden teacher, Cube, Gold cap, Gold top, Golden top, Sacred mushroom, Blue mushroom, San Ysidro, Palenque mushroom, Hed keequai |
| Scientific name | Psilocybe cubensis |
| Genus | Psilocybe |
| Active compounds | Psilocybin, Psilocin, Baeocystin, Aeruginascin |
| Effects | Distorted sights and sounds, Loss of sense of time and space, Intense emotions ranging from bliss to terror, Increased heart rate, Nausea |
| Use cases | Healing, Spiritual rituals, Recreational, Mental health treatment |
| Growth substrates | Cow dung, Horse dung, Sugar cane mulch, Rich pasture soil, Water buffalo dung |
| Growth period (Northern hemisphere) | February to December |
| Growth period (Southern hemisphere) | November to April |
| Growth locations | Australia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, United States, Zimbabwe |
| Growth conditions | Temperature not exceeding 40 °C |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
History of Use
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as the magic mushroom, shroom, golden halo, golden teacher, cube, or gold cap, is a species of psilocybin mushroom. It is the most prolific hallucinogenic mushroom on the planet and is found on nearly every continent.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies. There is evidence that indigenous people in Central America used them for healing and spiritual rituals as far back as 3000 BCE. The hallucinogenic species of the Psilocybe genus have also been used among the native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination, and healing, from pre-Columbian times to the present day. Mushroom stones and motifs have been found in Guatemala. A statuette dating from around 200 CE depicting a mushroom strongly resembling Psilocybe mexicana was found in the Mexican state of Colima in a shaft and chamber tomb. A Psilocybe species known to the Aztecs as teōnanācatl (literally "divine mushroom") was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. Several 16th-century historians (Durán, Sahagún, and Motolinía) described Aztecs using sacred mushrooms during their religious ceremonies. After the Spanish conquest, Catholic missionaries campaigned against the cultural tradition of the Aztecs, dismissing them as idolaters, and the use of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms, along with other pre-Christian traditions, was quickly suppressed. Despite this history, the use of teonanácatl has persisted in some remote areas.
The first mention of hallucinogenic mushrooms in European medicinal literature was in the London Medical and Physical Journal in 1799: A man served Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms he had picked for breakfast in London's Green Park to his family. The apothecary who treated them later described how the youngest child "was attacked with fits of immoderate laughter, nor could the threats of his father or mother refrain him."
Psilocybe cubensis was first described in 1906 as Stropharia cubensis by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba. In 1907, it was identified as Naematoloma caerulescens in Tonkin (now Vietnam) by French pharmacist and mycologist Narcisse Théophile Patouillard, while in 1941, it was called Stropharia cyanescens by William Alphonso Murrill near Gainesville in Florida. German-born mycologist Rolf Singer moved the species into the genus Psilocybe in 1949, giving it the binomial name Psilocybe cubensis.
In March 2018, several Psilocybe cubensis specimens were collected in Zimbabwe in the Wedza District of Mashonaland East province, approximately 120 km southeast of Harare. This was the first reported occurrence of a psilocybin mushroom in Zimbabwe.
Mushrooms: Capturing CO2 and Saving the Planet
You may want to see also
Effects and Experience
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as magic mushrooms, shrooms, or gold caps, are a species of psilocybin mushroom of moderate potency. The principal active compounds in these mushrooms are psilocybin and psilocin. The effects of psilocybin are generally similar to those of LSD, including an altered perception of time and space and intense changes in mood and feeling.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms usually occur within 15-45 minutes of ingestion and can last between four and six hours. The duration of the effects depends on the method of ingestion, with effects occurring within 5-10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and within 20-60 minutes when ingested using the "Lemon Tekking" method.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms can vary depending on the individual, the dosage, and the environment in which they are consumed. Some people may experience heightened emotions, creativity, and a sense of mental and emotional clarity. They may laugh or giggle a lot, and their senses may be distorted, causing them to believe they can see music or hear colours. Others may experience hallucinations, anxiety, fear, nausea, and muscle twitches, accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure. In some cases, people may have a "'bad trip'", which can be frightening and include paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms has been associated with short-term mental and physical effects, and there is little evidence of long-term effects or physical dependence. However, regular use may lead to tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs such as LSD and mescaline has been observed. Additionally, there is a risk of accidental poisoning from consuming poisonous mushrooms that resemble psilocybin mushrooms.
While the effects of psilocybin mushrooms can be recreational or spiritual for some, there is also increasing interest in their potential therapeutic uses. Researchers are studying the potential of psilocybin to treat mental health disorders such as substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, at this time, there are no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin.
Mushrooms: Are They All Kosher?
You may want to see also
Scientific Research
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as the magic mushroom, is a species of psilocybin mushroom of moderate potency. Its principal active compounds are psilocybin and psilocin. Psilocybe cubensis is widely recognised and cultivated, and is found in tropical and subtropical regions. It was first described in 1906 as Stropharia cubensis by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba.
Psilocybin is a chemical found in certain types of mushrooms that grow on nearly every continent. It has been used for thousands of years in religious and spiritual rituals, particularly by indigenous people in Central America. In modern times, it has been used recreationally and by those seeking to improve their mental health.
When a person takes psilocybin, their body converts it to psilocin. Psilocin attaches to and activates receptors, or binding sites, for the brain chemical serotonin, particularly the serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5HT2a) receptor. This action is believed to be responsible for the subjective experience of the user. 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.
Research into psilocybin has been conducted for several decades, alongside studies into related substances like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). This research has examined the potential of psilocybin to treat mental illnesses, including substance use disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, pain, and neurodegenerative disorders.
There has been a recent surge in scientific interest and research efforts into psilocybin, with a sharp increase in publications on the topic in recent years. This surge likely reflects renewed interest in psilocybin’s potential therapeutic applications, particularly in mental health treatments.
Despite the growing interest, there is limited scientific research on the effects of growth conditions on the psychoactive compound content of Psilocybe cubensis. There is also a lack of scientific information on the species due to regulatory restrictions on psychedelic research. However, recent developments in genetic and biochemical studies, as well as advancements in cultivation techniques, are improving the understanding of this complex area.
Psilocybe Mushrooms: Where to Find Them in Nature
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cultivation and Growth
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as the magic mushroom, is a species of psilocybin mushroom that is widely recognised and cultivated. It is known for its ease of cultivation and wide distribution.
Psilocybe cubensis is found on cow (and sometimes horse) dung, sugar cane mulch or rich pasture soil. In Asia, the species grows on water buffalo dung. The mushrooms appear from February to December in the northern hemisphere and November to April in the southern hemisphere.
The first step in cultivating psilocybin mushrooms is to prepare the substrate, which forms the foundation for healthy mushroom growth. Common options for substrates include rye grain, brown rice flour, vermiculite, and coco coir. The cultivator then tries to get the desired edible mushroom mycelium established before anything else can take hold. The higher the inoculation rate or amount of spawn added to the substrate, the faster the mycelium will grow through the substrate. This period of mushroom cultivation, starting at inoculation, is known as colonisation.
Once the mycelium has fully permeated and overgrown the substrate, it will form mushrooms in its reproductive stage, also known as fruiting. After harvesting the mushrooms, the next crucial steps are proper drying and storage.
Mushroom cultivation is a delicate process that demands meticulous attention to detail to prevent contamination. It requires the right conditions, including specific nutrients, temperatures, humidity, and light.
The Mystical Mushroom Cloud Ring
You may want to see also
Legal Status
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical uses. However, psilocybin mushrooms have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in dozens of cultures throughout history, and their potential for abuse is significantly lower than that of other Schedule I drugs.
While the 1971 Convention requires its members to prohibit psilocybin, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention, largely due to pressure from the Mexican government. Most national drug laws have been amended to reflect the terms of the convention, such as the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the US Psychotropic Substances Act of 1978, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act of 1996. The possession and use of psilocybin are prohibited under almost all circumstances and often carry severe legal penalties.
In many national, state, and provincial drug laws, there is ambiguity about the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms, and selective enforcement in some places. Most US state courts have considered the mushroom a "container" of illicit drugs, and therefore illegal. However, a loophole complicates the legal situation: the spores of psilocybin mushrooms do not contain the drugs and are legal to possess in many areas. For example, in Germany and some US states, it is illegal to possess psilocybin mushroom spores.
There have been recent moves towards decriminalization and legalization of psilocybin mushrooms in some places. In Oregon, a ballot initiative passed in 2020 made "magic mushrooms" legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings. In 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, and Australia approved psilocybin for prescription use in the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. In Canada, the province of Alberta has allowed the use of psilocybin for medicinal purposes in drug-assisted psychotherapy.
Other countries and territories where some form of psychedelics have been legalized or decriminalized include parts of Central Africa (Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Republic of the Congo), South Africa, the Bahamas, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, the Czech Republic, Costa Rica, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Samoa, Spain, and Switzerland.
Despite these changes, psilocybin mushrooms and their derivatives remain illegal in many places, including Russia, India, and South Africa. In the United States, while some states have decriminalized or legalized psilocybin, it remains illegal at the federal level.
Mushroom Clouds: Nuclear Explosions or Not?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as cabensis mushrooms, are a species of psilocybin mushroom of moderate potency. They are known for their hallucinogenic properties and are sought after by individuals seeking a psychedelic experience.
Cabensis mushrooms contain the psychoactive substances psilocybin and psilocin. When consumed, the body converts psilocybin to psilocin, which attaches to and activates serotonin receptors in the brain. This action is responsible for the subjective experience of the user, who may see colours, shapes, or scenes; hear things that aren't real; or lose their sense of time and space.
Cabensis mushrooms are found on cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch, or rich pasture soil. They grow in tropical and subtropical regions across the world, including Asia, Australia, Central America, and South America. They have also been found in Africa.
While a recent review concluded that the use of cabensis mushrooms is relatively safe, with only a few mild adverse effects reported, the unpredictable nature of panic attacks and flashbacks associated with these mushrooms remains a point of concern. Possession of these mushrooms is illegal in many countries.
