Sarah Brown
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used by humans for thousands of years, with evidence of their presence in prehistoric rock art and pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs. They are often found in the wild, specifically in damp, chill, and humid environments with excess carbon deposits, such as wood chips and fallen trees. Psilocybin mushrooms are distributed worldwide, with the majority found in Mexico, followed by the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and associated islands.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Genus | Psilocybe |
| Species | P. cubensis, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, P. azurescens, P. ovoideocystidiata, P. allenii, P. maluti, P. ingeli, P. mexicana, P. hispanica |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin, a prodrug that turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion |
| Other possible ingredients | Norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, aeruginascin, β-carbolines (e.g., harmine, harmane, tetrahydroharmine, harmaline) |
| Origin | Pacific Northwest of the United States or Australia |
| Current distribution | Mexico (53 species), United States and Canada (22), Europe (16), Asia (15), Africa (4), Australia and associated islands (19), Guatemala, Colombia |
| Habitat | Damp, chill environments with excess carbon deposits like wood chips; also found in meadows, woods, and soils rich in herbivore dung |
| Use by humans | Recreational drug, shamanic healing rituals, religious communion, divination |
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What You'll Learn
Psilocybe mushrooms grow in the Pacific Northwest of the US
Psilocybe mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin. Psilocybin mushrooms have been consumed by humans for thousands of years, with evidence of their use in prehistoric rock art and pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs.
In the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Psilocybe mushrooms can be found in the wild, particularly in the temperate rainforests that stretch from Northern California through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and up to Alaska. They are also known to thrive in landscaped urban environments in this region, often found on excess carbon deposits like wood chips near urban-proximate spaces.
The damp and chill conditions of the Pacific Northwest provide an ideal environment for Psilocybe mushrooms to grow. The three most common varietals found in this region are P. cyanescens, P. allenii, and P. ovoideocystidiata. These species are relatively small, averaging 2-3 inches in height, and are often chestnut brown, turning a deep purplish-blue when crushed due to the presence of purple spores.
While the origin of P. cyanescens is believed to be either the Pacific Northwest or Australia, the origin of P. allenii is less clear. However, it is considered a synanthrope, thriving in human-built environments. P. ovoideocystidiata, on the other hand, is known to grow wild in the Ohio River Valley.
The Pacific Northwest has become a popular destination for magic mushroom hunters and foragers, attracted by the abundance of these psychedelic fungi. However, it is important to note that the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms can have unintended consequences if not appropriately dosed, and their possession and legality vary across different states and federal regulations.
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They are also found in Australia, especially near the coast
Psilocybin mushrooms are found in Australia, particularly near the coast. The species Psilocybe subaeruginosa, for instance, has been photographed in Tasmania. It was first described in 1927 by Australian mycologist John Burton Cleland, who gave it its name, which refers to the blueing reaction when the fruitbodies are damaged or handled. The Latin adjective "aeruginosa" describes copper rust, or verdigris, which is blue-green in colour.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa is believed to be native to Australia, and it may have spread globally. Dr McTaggart of the University of Queensland is researching whether this species, or a close relative, has become the most commonly used psilocybin in medicine around the world. The species is now the foundation of patents and research in Europe and the United States.
Australia's first legal, living collection of native magic mushrooms is being studied by scientists in a Brisbane laboratory. The aim is to identify characteristics that could be useful for medical research into psychedelic treatments. Dr McTaggart's research will also investigate whether the mushrooms are native, edible, poisonous, or adaptable for medicinal use.
The most common psilocybin mushrooms in Australia are called golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps. Golden tops, for example, are commonly found growing in cow pats, though they may originate from overseas.
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Psilocybin mushrooms are decriminalised in some US states
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 often used as recreational drugs and have been consumed by humans for thousands of years.
In the United States, the use, sale, and possession of psilocybin are illegal under federal law, and it is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. However, some US states and cities have taken steps to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, recognizing their potential therapeutic benefits and advocating for the redirection of law enforcement resources to higher priorities.
In May 2019, Denver, Colorado, became the first city in the US to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms through a ballot initiative. The law prohibits Denver authorities from spending resources to prosecute individuals for the use or possession of psilocybin. Following this, in June 2019, Oakland, California, decriminalized psilocybin after hearing testimonies from individuals about their experiences with the drug. Santa Cruz, California, followed suit in January 2020, decriminalizing the adult possession and cultivation of psilocybin.
At the state level, Oregon became the first state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize its supervised non-medical use in November 2020 through Ballot Measure 109. In 2022, Colorado became the second US state to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms through Proposition 122. The District of Columbia also passed Initiative 81 in November 2020, effectively decriminalizing psilocybin drugs, including magic mushrooms.
While these jurisdictions have taken steps towards decriminalization, it is important to note that the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms remains ambiguous in many US states, and possession or use could still result in legal repercussions under federal or state laws.
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They are the most common in Mexico, with 53 species
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. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in Mexico and Central America for thousands of years in religious, divinatory, or spiritual contexts. They have also been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but their presence is more certain in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas.
Mexico is home to the majority of psilocybin mushroom species, with 53 species identified. The use of these mushrooms in Mesoamerica dates back to pre-Columbian times and continues to the present day among the native peoples. They are used for religious communion, divination, and healing. For example, the Aztecs and Mazatecs referred to psilocybin mushrooms as genius mushrooms, divinatory mushrooms, and wondrous mushrooms. A Psilocybe species known as teōnanācatl, which translates to "divine mushroom", was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502.
Psilocybe mexicana, another species of psilocybin mushroom, has also been found in Mexico. A statuette dating from around 200 CE that depicts a mushroom resembling Psilocybe mexicana was discovered in a shaft and chamber tomb in the western Mexican state of Colima.
Psilocybin mushrooms typically grow in damp, chill environments with excess carbon deposits, such as wood chips near urban spaces. They are often found in subtropical and tropical regions, particularly in soils rich in humus and moss. Psilocybe cubensis, for instance, grows naturally in tropical and subtropical regions.
In addition to Mexico, psilocybin mushrooms have been found in other parts of the world, including the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Australia, and Southern Africa.
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P. semilanceata is the most widely distributed species
Psilocybe semilanceata, commonly known as the liberty cap, is considered the world's most widely distributed psilocybin mushroom species. It is found in grassland habitats, especially in wetter areas. It is a saprobic species that feeds off decaying grass roots. P. semilanceata is widely distributed in the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe, and has been reported in several countries across the continent, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. It is generally agreed that the species is native to Europe.
In North America, P. semilanceata has a widespread distribution and is commonly found in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, particularly west of the Cascade Mountains. It is also present in Canada, with collections reported from British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. The species is much less common in South America, with only occasional records in Chile.
The earliest reliable report of P. semilanceata intoxication dates back to 1799 in London, and in the 1960s, it became the first European species confirmed to contain psilocybin. The mushroom has a distinctive conical to bell-shaped cap, typically with a small nipple-like protrusion on top. The caps are yellow to brown when moist and fade to a lighter colour as they mature. The stipes tend to be slender and long, usually the same colour as the cap or slightly lighter.
P. semilanceata is not only widely distributed but also one of the most potent psilocybin mushroom species. It produces the psychoactive compounds psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin, which contribute to its potency and psychoactive effects. The widespread distribution of P. semilanceata, along with its potency, makes it a notable species within the world of psilocybin mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms are found in the wild, in the damp, chill Pacific Northwest of the United States, near urban spaces, and in rainforests in Queensland and Tasmania, Australia.
Psilocybin mushrooms are also found in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, and associated islands.
The most potent species of psilocybin mushrooms are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens.
Psilocybe mushrooms are found in the wild, but they are most commonly found on excess carbon deposits like wood chips near urban spaces.
Some of the earliest known depictions of Psilocybe mushrooms are Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, as well as prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain, and Tassili, Algeria, dating back to 9000-7000 BCE.
