Emily Johnson
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. Psilocybin mushrooms are widely distributed and can be found on all continents, with the majority of species found in subtropical humid forests. They are often grown in controlled settings, with the Pacific Northwest of the United States, particularly the states of California, Oregon, and Washington, being a notable hub for their growth. Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of human use, dating back to their use by the Pre-Columbian Aztecs of South America for religious ceremonies and healing rituals. Today, they are often used as recreational drugs and are also being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating various mental health disorders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, Shrooms |
| Genus | Psilocybe |
| Species | P. cubensis, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, P. allenii, P. ovoideocystidiata, P. azurescens, P. maluti, P. ingeli, P. subbalteatus, Copelandia, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, Pholiotina, Galerina, Bolete |
| Origin | Pacific Northwest, Australia |
| Spread | Humans, Global wood chip supply |
| Occurrence | All continents, Subtropical humid forests |
| Distribution | Mexico (53 species), Canada and the US (22), Europe (16), Asia (15), Africa (4), Australia and associated islands (19) |
| Environment | Urban and suburban, Wood chips, Temperate climates |
| Temperature | 60s Fahrenheit (optimal), 50-65 Fahrenheit (ideal), 75 Fahrenheit (maximum) |
| Lighting | Sufficient to read by |
| Cultivation techniques | Strain selection, Substrate preparation, Inoculation, Incubation, Initiation, Fruiting, Harvest |
| Cultivation history | 1970s (outlawed in the US), 1990s (online guides), 2020s (decriminalization campaigns) |
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What You'll Learn
- Psilocybin mushrooms are grown indoors and in the wild
- They are native to the Pacific Northwest, Australia, and other regions
- The mushrooms grow in urban and suburban environments
- They are cultivated from spores, with specific temperature and lighting requirements
- Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of human use
Psilocybin mushrooms are grown indoors and in the wild
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. They are widely distributed and can be found on all continents, with the majority of species found in subtropical humid forests.
Psilocybin mushrooms can be grown both indoors and in the wild. The history of their cultivation is quite interesting. Psilocybin mushrooms were first cultivated indoors in the mid-1970s, even though psilocybin and psilocin were criminalized in 1970. The possession of spores and mycelium of psilocybin-active species remained legal in most states, leading to the emergence of an underground industry of mail-order Psilocybe spores.
Psilocybe cubensis, a tropical species originally found in Cuba, became the model organism for underground cultivation. It is easily grown in controlled settings and is relatively potent. Over the years, cultivation methods have been refined and shared online, resulting in a unique technoscientific practice that fosters several not-quite-wild, not-quite-domesticated species.
In the wild, psilocybin mushrooms can be found in various locations, including the Pacific Northwest, urban areas, and the tropics. They are often found in urban-proximate spaces and thrive in environments filled with mulch beds and
Growing psilocybin mushrooms indoors involves following specific steps, including strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest. Temperature and lighting play crucial roles in the cultivation process, with temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit being ideal for most species.
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They are native to the Pacific Northwest, Australia, and other regions
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic. They are used as recreational drugs and may be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe. They are also represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas. Psilocybin mushrooms were historically used by the Pre-Columbian Aztecs of South America for religious ceremonies and healing rituals. They called them "teonanacatl", meaning "god's flesh".
Psilocybin mushrooms are native to the Pacific Northwest, Australia, and other regions. They are thought to have originated in these regions and spread around the world. Psilocybin mushrooms grow in the wild but are most often found in urban-proximate spaces. They are commonly found in California, Oregon, and Washington, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area. They thrive in urban and suburban environments filled with mulch beds and wood chips.
Psilocybe cubensis, a tropical species originally found in Cuba, is the most common Psilocybe in tropical areas. It grows naturally in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions provided for the growth of the fungus. Psilocybe semilanceata is considered the world's most widely distributed psilocybin mushroom, found in temperate parts of Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been decriminalized in some regions, such as Colorado and Oakland, California, but they are still considered Schedule I drugs by the Nixon administration, indicating a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical uses. However, psilocybin mushrooms have shown potential in treating various disorders, including major depressive disorder, eating disorders, stress disorders, and substance use disorders.
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The mushrooms grow in urban and suburban environments
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic and contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are often referred to as "shrooms" and are used as recreational drugs. They are also used to treat mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, eating disorders, stress disorders, and substance use disorders.
Psilocybin mushrooms grow in the wild, but they are most commonly found in urban and suburban environments. They thrive in areas with mulch beds, feeding on wood chips, and are often spotted in gardens and landscaped areas of office buildings or apartment complexes. Psilocybin mushrooms have been observed to grow in the Pacific Northwest, including California, Oregon, and Washington.
P. cubensis, a species of Psilocybe, is the most common in tropical areas and can be easily grown in controlled settings. It is often found near cattle due to the ideal conditions provided for its growth. Other species of Psilocybe, such as P. semilanceata and P. cyanescens, are also widely distributed worldwide.
The cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms involves seven main stages: strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest. Temperature and lighting play crucial roles in the fruiting process, with temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit being ideal for most species.
While the possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms have been decriminalized in some jurisdictions, it is important to note that they are not legal everywhere, and federal or state authorities may still prosecute possession or use.
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They are cultivated from spores, with specific temperature and lighting requirements
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms", are cultivated from spores. The process of growing these mushrooms involves seven main steps: strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest. The first step, strain selection, is critical to the success of mushroom cultivation. Different strains exhibit large variations in growth rate, colour of the fruiting body, shelf life, fruiting temperature, and yield. The next step, substrate preparation, involves filling containers with a substrate mixture, which acts as a food source for the mushroom mycelium. Common substrates include logs, stumps, woodchips, straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, and grain hulls. The substrate mixture is typically sanitised and steamed to prevent contamination.
Following substrate preparation, mushroom spores are injected into the substrate, marking the inoculation stage. The inoculation rate, or the amount of spawn added to the substrate, influences the speed of spawn run and the success rate of cultivation. After inoculation, the substrate is left out of direct sunlight for 7–14 days to allow the white mycelium to grow. During the incubation stage, temperature and humidity control are crucial factors to maintain. The mycelium must not be allowed to dry out.
Once the container is fully colonised by mycelium, the pinning process begins, marking the initiation stage. The jars are kept at room temperature and exposed to a regular light cycle during this stage. Pinning takes 5–30 days, after which the mycelium cakes are transferred to a transparent container to allow light to enter and initiate the fruiting stage. While some mushroom species require no light to grow, others, such as the psychedelic cubensis, require ample illumination to develop mature fruiting bodies. Growers use various lighting setups, including LED lights, CFL lights, and natural daylight. The lighting schedule and light intensity are important considerations, with some growers favouring a 12/12 lighting schedule to ensure sufficient light exposure.
It is important to note that cultivating psilocybin mushrooms is a complex process that may be subject to legal restrictions in certain jurisdictions. The legality of growing, selling, and possessing psilocybin mushrooms and their spores varies across different regions. Before attempting to cultivate these mushrooms, it is essential to understand and comply with the legal framework governing their use in your specific location.
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Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of human use
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 a long history of human use, dating back to prehistoric times.
Psilocybin mushrooms may have been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but their use was more certainly established in pre-Columbian cultures throughout the Americas. The Pre-Columbian Aztecs of South America, for example, used psilocybin mushrooms in religious ceremonies and healing rituals. They called them "teonanacatl", meaning "god's flesh". Spanish missionaries of the 1500s believed that the mushrooms caused demonic possession and attempted to eradicate their use.
In the mid-20th century, psilocybin and its effects came under scientific scrutiny. In 1958, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, who is best known for accidentally inventing LSD, first isolated psilocybin and psilocin from hallucinatory mushrooms. A few years later, Hofmann succeeded in synthesising psilocybin and patented the process in 1963.
In the 1970s, psychedelic enthusiasts in North America began cultivating psilocybin mushrooms indoors. This was driven by the criminalisation of psilocybin and psilocin by the Nixon administration in 1970, which made it difficult to access these substances through other means. Psilocybe cubensis, a species native to Cuba and other parts of Central and South America, became the model organism for underground cultivation due to its ease of growth in controlled settings and relatively high potency.
Today, psilocybin mushrooms continue to be used for recreational and therapeutic purposes. They are also the subject of ongoing research into their potential to treat various mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, are thought to have originated in the Pacific Northwest or Australia and spread around the world. They are found in the wild but are most often found in urban-proximate spaces. They grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris. They can also be cultivated indoors.
Psilocybin mushrooms can be found in the US states of California, Oregon, and Washington. They are commonly found in urban areas, such as parks and gardens.
There are seven main steps to the process of growing mushrooms: strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest. Temperature and lighting are important factors to consider when growing mushrooms indoors.
