Sarah Brown
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin mushrooms are found across the world, except Antarctica, with most species found in tropical and subtropical forests, especially in Mexico. The Psilocybe genus, which contains the most potent species of psilocybin mushrooms, has been used for religious and spiritual purposes by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica for thousands of years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps |
| Genus | Psilocybe |
| Species | P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, P. cubensis, P. mexicana, P. ingeli, P. maluti, Psilocybe hispanica |
| Active compounds | Psilocybin, psilocin, norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, aeruginascin, β-carbolines, harmine, harmane, tetrahydroharmine (THH), harmaline |
| Geographical distribution | Found on every continent except Antarctica; most species are found in tropical and subtropical forests and are especially common in Mexico |
| History of use | Used by native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination, and healing; depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, and in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs in the Americas |
| Legality | Controlled in many places; illegal in Australia |
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What You'll Learn
- Psilocybe mushrooms are found in the wild, in tropical and subtropical forests
- They are especially common in Mexico and Central America
- They are also found in Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand
- They have been used for religious and spiritual purposes for thousands of years
- They are now popular as recreational drugs
Psilocybe mushrooms are found in the wild, in tropical and subtropical forests
Psilocybe mushrooms, also known as magic 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. Psilocybin mushrooms produce two primary psychoactive compounds, psilocybin and psilocin, which are responsible for their mind-altering effects. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybe cubensis, the most common Psilocybe in tropical areas, grows naturally in tropical and subtropical forests.
Psilocybin mushrooms are found in the wild, in tropical and subtropical forests. They are gilled and produce dark spores, closely resembling poisonous species. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica, but most species are found in tropical and subtropical forests and are especially common in Mexico. Psilocybe mushrooms have been used for hundreds or thousands of years by Indigenous groups around the world, including native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination, and healing.
The history of Psilocybe mushrooms in Mesoamerica dates back to pre-Columbian times. Mushroom stones and motifs have been discovered in Guatemala, and a statuette depicting a mushroom resembling Psilocybe mexicana was found in a tomb in the Mexican state of Colima. The Aztecs referred to these mushrooms as "the flesh of the gods" or "teōnanācatl," meaning "divine mushroom" in the Nahuatl language. Psilocybe mushrooms were also reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502.
In addition to their historical use in Mesoamerica, Psilocybe mushrooms may have been used in prehistoric times in other parts of the world. For example, rock art from Tassili, Algeria, dating back to c. 9000–7000 BCE, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformation of individuals under their influence. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago.
Today, Psilocybe mushrooms are often used as recreational drugs, although they continue to hold cultural and spiritual significance in some communities. In the 21st century, these mushrooms have also been explored as a potential treatment for chronic mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While they can provide therapeutic benefits, it is important to exercise caution as excessive consumption of Psilocybe mushrooms can lead to fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis.
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They are especially common in Mexico and Central America
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are found across the globe, on every continent except Antarctica. However, they are especially prevalent in Mexico and Central America, where they have a long history of traditional use.
In Mexico, several species of Psilocybe mushrooms are commonly found, including P. mexicana, P. zapotecorum, and P. caerulescens. Psilocybe mexicana, a psychedelic mushroom species, has been used by the natives of Mexico and Central America for over 2,000 years. Known to the Aztecs as teonanácatl, meaning "divine mushroom" in the Nahuatl language, this species played a significant role in religious and spiritual ceremonies. Archaeological evidence also suggests that Psilocybe mexicana was served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502.
Psilocybe mushrooms are often considered sacred by indigenous groups in Mexico and Central America. They are used for healing, divination, and spiritual rites. Traditional mushroom ceremonies have survived to the present day in remote areas high in the mountains. These ceremonies typically involve consuming a specific dose of mushrooms, usually between 6 and 12 pairs, on an empty stomach. Participants also undergo various restrictions leading up to the ceremony, such as abstaining from alcohol and other drugs.
In addition to their cultural significance, Psilocybe mushrooms in Mexico face conservation issues. Several Mexican Psilocybe species are listed as endangered or vulnerable, including P. neoxalapensis, P. mammillata, P. banderillensis, P. fagicola, and P. cordispora. Human activities, such as cattle farming, have contributed to the widespread distribution of some species, while others with highly localized habitats are threatened by human impact.
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They are also found in Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand
Psilocybin mushrooms are found across the world, including Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. They are known to grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris.
In Africa, there is evidence of rock art from Tassili, Algeria, dating back to c. 9000–7000 BCE, which is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and their effects on users. In 2024, two new Psilocybe species (Hymenogastraceae), P. ingeli and P. maluti, were described in southern Africa.
In Europe, psilocybin mushrooms have been depicted in Stone Age rock art and were mentioned in the London Medical and Physical Journal in 1799. By the early 1970s, several psilocybin mushroom species were identified in Europe, and their use became widespread. Prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals 6,000 years ago.
In Asia, psilocybin mushrooms were also documented in the early 1970s, with many species being widely collected. Some bolete mushrooms in the Yunnan province in China have been reported to have hallucinogenic effects, although the exact species and active compounds are not yet known.
In Australia and New Zealand, the Psilocybe subaeruginosa species is known to exist. This species was first described in 1927 by Australian mycologist John Burton Cleland and is characterised by its blueing reaction when the fruit bodies are damaged or handled.
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They have been used for religious and spiritual purposes for thousands of years
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin when ingested. They are found in tropical and subtropical forests worldwide, especially in Mexico, and have been used for religious and spiritual purposes for thousands of years.
In Mesoamerica, specifically Mixtec and Nahua cultures, psilocybin mushrooms have played a significant role in the spiritual and religious practices of indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that these mushrooms were used in the region as early as 3,000 years ago, and they were considered sacred. The Aztecs, for example, referred to psilocybin mushrooms as "teonanácatl," which translates to "flesh of the gods" or "divine mushroom." They were consumed during religious ceremonies, psychedelic tea ceremonies, and coronation rituals, often with the belief that they facilitated communication with the divine and connection with ancestors.
In Central and South America, curanderos or shamans have long regarded psilocybin mushrooms as teachers and healers, incorporating them into spiritual and healing rituals. Rock art from Tassili, Algeria, dating back to c. 9000–7000 BCE, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and their effects on users. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica was used in religious rituals around 4,000 BCE.
Psilocybin mushrooms have also been found in Africa, where certain tribes incorporated them into healing rituals and spiritual traditions. They believed that the mushrooms' psychoactive properties could foster unity and connection with spirits, often under the guidance of shamans. Additionally, ancient mushroom-shaped sculptures and figurines unearthed in Mesoamerica further symbolise the mushrooms' spiritual significance and their role in shamanistic rituals.
Today, psilocybin mushrooms continue to be used in Mexican and Central American cultures for religious, spiritual, and divinatory purposes, despite historical suppression by colonial powers. Their use in these cultures is deeply rooted in ancient traditions and practices that view psilocybin mushrooms as sacred and integral to spiritual experiences.
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They are now popular as recreational drugs
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are naturally occurring and consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the chemical with psychoactive properties. Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh, cooked, or brewed into a tea. The effects of magic mushrooms usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten or 5–10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and they can last approximately four to six hours.
Magic mushrooms have been used for hundreds or thousands of years by Indigenous groups worldwide, including the native peoples of Mesoamerica and Central and South American curanderos or shamans. They have been considered sacred and used for healing, divination, and spiritual rites in a number of cultures. The Aztecs referred to these mushrooms as "the flesh of the gods" or divine mushrooms.
In the 21st century, psilocybin mushrooms have been tested as a treatment for chronic mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, widespread recreational use of these mushrooms has also prompted strict control measures in many places. They are now considered recreational drugs in various parts of the world, including Australia, where 1.6% of Australians aged over 14 years had used psychedelics in the past year, according to a 2019 survey.
The effects of magic mushrooms vary depending on the type of mushroom, the preparation, the dose, and the psychological state and environment of the user. Users may experience sensory, emotional, and neural changes, including distorted and heightened sensory impressions such as vivid colors or auras, objects morphing into other forms, and complex and profound sounds. In rare cases, fatal events related to emotional distress and trip-induced psychosis can occur due to overconsumption of psilocybin mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybe mushrooms are found all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. They are especially common in Mexico and other parts of Central and South America, as well as in tropical and subtropical forests.
Psilocybe mushrooms grow naturally in tropical and subtropical forests and can also be found growing on herbivore dung. They are often used as recreational drugs and are known for their hallucinogenic effects.
Psilocybe mushrooms have been found in various parts of the world, including Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. They have also been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa, suggesting their presence in prehistoric times.
