Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, have been used by humans for thousands of years. They 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. Evidence of their use dates back to at least 1000 BCE in Central America, where they were consumed during religious ceremonies and psychedelic tea ceremonies by the Aztecs, who called them teonanácatl or flesh of the gods. Archaeological discoveries reveal that indigenous cultures worldwide have long recognized the spiritual and healing potential of psilocybin mushrooms, with ancient mushroom-shaped sculptures and figurines unearthed in regions of Mesoamerica.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Earliest evidence of use | Cave paintings from 9000 BCE in North Africa and Europe |
| Ancient names | "Teonanacatl" or "flesh of the gods" |
| Ancient use | Religious and healing rituals |
| Arrival in the US | 20th century |
| First studied | 1957 |
| Studied at Harvard | 1960 |
| Outlawed in the US | 1970 |
| Number of known species | ~165 |
| Evolution | 57 million years ago |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic mushrooms were first discovered in cave paintings from 9,000 BCE
- They were used in ancient civilisations for religious and healing rituals
- In the 20th century, they were brought to the US and studied by scientists
- In the 1960s, Timothy Leary popularised their use at Harvard
- In 1970, magic mushrooms were made illegal in the US
Magic mushrooms were first discovered in cave paintings from 9,000 BCE
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, have a long and fascinating history. One of the earliest known depictions of hallucinogenic mushroom use comes from cave paintings in Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria, which date back to around 9,000 years ago or 7,000 BCE. These ancient paintings depict figures, possibly shamans, holding mushroom-like objects and even having mushrooms sprouting from their bodies. Interpretations suggest that the images represent the hallucinations experienced by the cave painters, indicating the use of psychoactive mushrooms in rituals and spiritual practices.
The discovery of these cave paintings provides valuable insights into the ancient use of magic mushrooms. While the paintings themselves are intriguing, it is important to note that the interpretation of their meaning is not without controversy. Terence McKenna, an ethnobotanist and mystic, proposed in his 1992 book, "Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge," that the paintings depicted ancient rituals involving the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms. He described the images as "shamans dancing with fists full of mushrooms."
McKenna's interpretation is supported by the U.S. Forest Service, which acknowledged the Tassili cave art as "the oldest known petroglyph depicting the use of psychoactive mushrooms." Additionally, the mushrooms in the paintings have been identified as possibly belonging to the Psilocybe genus, known for containing the psychedelic compound psilocybin. This compound is responsible for the hallucinogenic effects experienced by users of magic mushrooms.
The discovery of these ancient cave paintings suggests a long history of human interaction with hallucinogenic mushrooms. It indicates that the use of psychoactive substances may have been integral to the rituals and spiritual practices of ancient cultures. This continuity in the use of hallucinogenic plants can also be seen in the pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs found throughout the Americas, providing further evidence of their significance in ancient societies.
While the cave paintings from 9,000 years ago provide some of the earliest evidence of magic mushroom use, it is important to note that the history of human interaction with these fungi likely extends even further back in time. The popularization of magic mushrooms and the sharing of knowledge about their effects have undoubtedly played a role in shaping their use throughout history, from ancient rituals to modern-day therapeutic applications.
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They were used in ancient civilisations for religious and healing rituals
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, have a long history of use in ancient civilisations for religious and healing rituals. One of the earliest depictions of hallucinogenic mushroom use comes from a 4000 BCE cave painting in Spain, which illustrates animals and mushrooms. North African and European cave paintings from 9,000 BCE may also allude to the use of magic mushrooms.
In Mesoamerica, archaeological and historical evidence suggests that psilocybe mushrooms were used as early as 3,000 years ago. The indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, including the Mixtec, Nahua, and Mazatec cultures, used psilocybin mushrooms in various ways, including ritual and therapeutic practices. These mushrooms are often depicted on ritual paraphernalia, sculptures, and in pictographic manuscripts known as codices. For example, the Codex Vindobonensis Mexicanus 1, a pre-colonial pictographic manuscript created by the Mixtec people, portrays a mushroom ritual.
The Aztec civilisation in Mesoamerica referred to psilocybin mushrooms as "teonanacatl", or "flesh of the gods", indicating their sacred status. They were consumed during religious ceremonies and psychedelic tea ceremonies, where they were believed to induce visionary states for divination, healing, and communing with the divine. Spanish colonial records, such as the 16th-century Florentine Codex, provide valuable information about the ritual use of mushrooms in Aztec culture.
In addition to Mesoamerica, psilocybin mushrooms have also played a significant role in spiritual ceremonies and shamanistic practices in other parts of the world, including Africa, South America, and Europe. Rock paintings and carvings in Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria, depict human figures holding mushrooms, suggesting early psilocybin use in Africa. The Mayans are another ancient civilisation known to have revered psilocybin mushrooms.
Today, psilocybin mushrooms continue to be studied for their therapeutic potential in mental health and wellbeing. Research has indicated their effectiveness in treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance misuse.
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In the 20th century, they were brought to the US and studied by scientists
In the 20th century, magic mushrooms were brought to the US with help from an executive at J.P. Morgan Bank. The executive discovered them on vacation and brought them back for his friends to try. In 1957, R. Gordon Wasson, a banker and fan of magic mushrooms, travelled to Mexico where he learned more about the drug. He participated in a Mazatec ceremony, conducted by a shaman, featuring magic mushrooms.
Specimens were obtained, and their active principle identified and chemically synthesized. In 1958, Hofmann A, Heim R, Brack A, and Kobel H elucidated the structure and synthesis of psilocybin. Swiss scientist Albert Hoffman was the first person to extract psilocybin from the mushrooms. He designated the chemical as the reason 'shrooms make people feel a little loopy. American scientists also started studying the mushrooms around this time.
In 1960, Timothy Leary, a counterculture and psychedelia icon, read an article on magic mushrooms and decided to try them himself. He travelled to Mexico and returned to Harvard University, where he started the Harvard Psilocybin Project to conduct experiments based on psychedelic drugs. He and Richard Alpert promoted psychological and religious studies of psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs. They conducted research with psilocybin on prisoners in the 1960s, testing its effects on recidivism. The experiment showed that the recidivism rate had decreased beyond their expectations, below 40%.
In the early 1970s, many psilocybin mushroom species were described from temperate North America, Europe, and Asia and were widely collected. Books describing methods of cultivating large quantities of Psilocybe cubensis were also published. In 1970, magic mushrooms were made illegal in America, but people continued to use them. In 1976, writer and ethnobotanist Terence McKenna released a book called “Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide”.
In the early 21st century, research in the United States picked up again, and psilocybin mushrooms were tested for their potential to treat drug dependence, anxiety, and mood disorders. In 2018, researchers at Johns Hopkins University confirmed that magic mushrooms could be used medicinally to treat PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
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In the 1960s, Timothy Leary popularised their use at Harvard
In the 1960s, Timothy Leary popularised the use of psilocybin mushrooms at Harvard University. Leary, an American psychologist and author, was known for his strong advocacy of psychedelic drugs. He first arrived at Harvard in 1959 as a lecturer and psychologist. Inspired by a Life article by R. Gordon Wasson, Leary travelled to Mexico in 1960 to experience psilocybin mushrooms himself. Upon his return to Harvard, he and Richard Alpert started the Harvard Psilocybin Project, which aimed to document the effects of psilocybin on human consciousness. Leary believed that psychedelic drugs could lead to a higher state of consciousness and have therapeutic effects. He conducted experiments such as the Concord Prison Experiment and the Marsh Chapel Experiment, testing psilocybin's impact on prisoners and graduate divinity students.
The Harvard Psilocybin Project caused controversy, and Leary and Alpert were dismissed from Harvard in 1963 due to concerns about the safety of their research subjects and the violation of agreements regarding drug administration to undergraduates. Despite this, Leary continued to publicly promote psychedelic drugs and became a well-known figure in the 1960s counterculture movement. He popularised catchphrases such as "turn on, tune in, drop out" and "think for yourself and question authority". His advocacy resulted in multiple arrests, with Leary being incarcerated in 1970.
Leary's influence extended beyond his time at Harvard, and he continued to explore and promote the use of psychedelic drugs, particularly LSD. He developed an eight-circuit model of consciousness and gave lectures, emphasising the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics in psychiatry. His ideas inspired various creative works, including songs by John Lennon, the Moody Blues, and Ray Thomas.
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In 1970, magic mushrooms were made illegal in the US
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, 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. They have been used by various cultures throughout history, with some historians suggesting that their use dates back to 9,000 BCE as depicted in cave paintings in North Africa and Europe. In the 20th century, magic mushrooms were introduced to the United States, and by the early 1970s, their use had become widespread.
In 1970, the United States took a significant step towards curbing the growing popularity of magic mushrooms by making them illegal. On October 27, 1970, psilocybin and psilocin, the psychoactive compounds found in magic mushrooms, were classified as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. This classification designated these substances as illicit hallucinogens with no known therapeutic benefit. The 1970 Controlled Substances Act effectively banned the use, sale, and possession of psilocybin and psilocin in the United States, making it a federal crime to engage with these substances.
The decision to criminalize magic mushrooms in the US was influenced by a combination of factors, including the increasing popularity of psychedelic drugs in the 1960s counterculture and the potential risks associated with their use. During this time, figures like Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert advocated for the therapeutic and consciousness-expanding potential of psychedelics, conducting research and promoting their use among the nascent hippie movement. However, concerns about the potential negative consequences of psychedelic drug use, including the risk of abuse and unknown long-term effects, likely played a role in the decision to criminalize magic mushrooms.
Despite the federal ban, the use of magic mushrooms continued underground, and they remained a popular recreational and spiritual substance for many. In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards decriminalization and medical use of psilocybin mushrooms in the United States. In 2018, researchers at Johns Hopkins University highlighted the potential medicinal benefits of magic mushrooms in treating mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. This sparked a push for decriminalization, with cities like Denver, Colorado, and states like Oregon leading the way. By 2020, Oregon had become the first state to legalize psilocybin for supervised non-medical use, and Colorado had become the first state to decriminalize it.
While the 1970 ban on magic mushrooms in the US created a legal framework for controlling their use, the ongoing dialogue and evolving understanding of psilocybin's potential benefits have prompted a re-evaluation of their legal status. The efforts towards decriminalization and medical use represent a shift in perspective, acknowledging the potential therapeutic value of substances once deemed illicit. As research progresses and societal perceptions evolve, the legal and cultural landscape surrounding magic mushrooms continues to be a dynamic and evolving topic.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are a natural fungus and were not invented. They have been used by humans for thousands of years, with the earliest known use of hallucinogenic mushrooms being depicted in cave paintings from 4000 BCE in Spain.
Evidence suggests that ancient civilizations recognized the effects of mushrooms early on and they became woven into the lore and practices of these ancient societies. Archaeological evidence suggests that mushrooms were used in religious and healing rituals thousands of years ago.
Mushrooms became popular in the United States in the 20th century, with the help of an executive at J.P. Morgan Bank who discovered them on vacation. In 1957, R. Gordon Wasson, a banker and fan of magic mushrooms, traveled to Mexico and learned about their use in shamanic ceremonies. In 1960, Timothy Leary, a counterculture and psychedelia icon, read about Wasson's experiences in a Life article and decided to try it himself. He then started the Harvard Psilocybin Project to conduct experiments based on psychedelic drugs.
In 1970, magic mushrooms were officially made illegal in America. However, this did not stop people from using them, and in 1976, a book called "Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide" was published, which contributed to the popularity of mushroom cultivation.
