Emma Wilson
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are not commercially cultivated due to their psychoactive properties and legal status. Psilocybin mushrooms occur on all continents, but the majority of species are found in subtropical humid forests. They grow most dependably in the damp, chill Pacific Northwest of the United States, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions they provide for the growth of the fungus. They can also be found on excess carbon deposits like wood chips near urban spaces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybe |
| Genus | Psilocybe, Copelandia, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, Pholiotina, Panaeolus, Cyclocybe, Hygrophorus |
| Species | P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, P. cubensis, P. ingeli, P. maluti, P. allenii |
| Active ingredients | Psilocybin, psilocin, β-carbolines |
| Effects | Hallucinogenic, psychedelic, anti-addictive |
| Occurrence | Found on all continents, most species in subtropical humid forests |
| Regions | Mexico (53 species), Canada and the US (22), Europe (16), Asia (15), Africa (4), Australia and associated islands (19) |
| Cultivation status | Not commercially cultivated due to legal status and psychoactive properties |
| Cultivation locations | Pacific Northwest of the United States, Cuba, Central and South America |
| Cultivation substrates | Straw, coffee grounds, sawdust, wood pellets, wheat bran, soybean hulls, agar, grain |
| Cultivation steps | Strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, harvest |
| Legality | Varies by jurisdiction, decriminalized in some parts of the US |
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What You'll Learn
- Psilocybin Mushrooms grow in the wild in the Pacific Northwest of the US
- They grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics
- They are found in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand
- They are most commonly found on excess carbon deposits like wood chips
- They grow from late spring through late autumn, but are easiest to harvest from September to October
Psilocybin Mushrooms grow in the wild in the Pacific Northwest of the US
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom and a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. They are not cultivated commercially due to their psychoactive properties and legal status. However, they can be found growing in the wild in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
The Pacific Northwest, with its damp and chill climate, provides an ideal environment for psilocybin mushrooms to thrive. They can be found growing in meadows and woods, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris. Psilocybe cyanescens, Psilocybe allenii, and Psilocybe ovoideocystidiata are some of the species known to grow in this region. These mushrooms are often found near urban areas, sprouting from wood chips and other excess carbon deposits.
The Pacific Northwest, including states like Washington, Oregon, and California, has become a hotspot for magic mushroom hunters seeking these psychedelic fungi. The spores of these mushrooms can be carried by the wind, contributing to their spread across the region. While they may not be easily found in the woods, they are commonly spotted in urban environments, including gardens, parks, and landscaped areas of office buildings or apartment complexes.
It is important to note that the cultivation, possession, and sale of psilocybin mushrooms are still illegal in many places. However, some states in the Pacific Northwest, such as Oregon, Washington, and Colorado, have decriminalized psilocybin and legalized it for therapeutic use. Before engaging in any activities related to psilocybin mushrooms, it is crucial to be aware of the local laws and regulations to avoid legal consequences.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of ethnomycological use, and they are now being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders. As research progresses, we are gaining a deeper understanding of their biology, ecology, and potential applications in medicine.
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They grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics. They are dark-spored, gilled mushrooms that grow in soils rich in humus and plant debris.
Psilocybin mushrooms occur on all continents, but the majority of species are found in subtropical humid forests. They grow most dependably in the damp, chill Pacific Northwest of the United States, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions provided by the presence of excess carbon deposits. They can also be found in the wild, near urban-proximate spaces, in ornamental wood chips used in landscaped flower beds.
P. cubensis is the most common Psilocybe in tropical areas and is easily grown in controlled settings. It is a tropical species originally found in Cuba but is also common in Central and South America. P. 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 grow from late spring through late autumn and are easiest to harvest from September through October. They have been consumed by humans for thousands of years and are used as recreational drugs. They may also be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe and are represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas.
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They are found in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and New Zealand
Psilocybin mushrooms are found on all continents, but the majority of species are found in subtropical humid forests. They are dark-spored, gilled mushrooms that grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris.
In North America, psilocybin mushrooms have been found in the San Francisco Bay Area, along the Pacific Coast, and across the United States and Canada. They spread rapidly in urban and peri-urban areas throughout the 1970s as people transported them to new habitats.
In South America, psilocybin mushrooms are common in Central and South America, especially in Cuba, where P. cubensis is native. They have also been celebrated historically in the cultures of Central and South America, and were used by the Aztecs and Mazatecs, who referred to them as genius mushrooms, divinatory mushrooms, and wondrous mushrooms.
In Europe, psilocybin mushrooms are found in temperate parts of the continent, and they may be depicted in Stone Age rock art.
In Asia, psilocybin mushrooms are found in temperate parts of the continent, and some hallucinogenic bolete mushrooms have been reported in the Yunnan province in China.
In Africa, psilocybin mushrooms are found in southern Africa, with two new Psilocybe species (Hymenogastraceae), P. ingeli and P. maluti, described from this region in 2024. They may also be depicted in Stone Age rock art.
In Australia and New Zealand, psilocybin mushrooms are found in the state of Queensland, in Tasmania, and in temperate parts of the continent. They grow in dung or in leaf litter on damp forest floors.
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They are most commonly found on excess carbon deposits like wood chips
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are not commercially cultivated due to their psychoactive properties and legal status. They are most commonly found on excess carbon deposits like wood chips near urban spaces. Psilocybe cubensis, the most common Psilocybe in tropical areas, is the most commonly cultivated psilocybin-active mushroom. It is a tropical species originally found in Cuba, but it is also commonly found in Central and South America. P. cubensis is easily grown in controlled settings and is relatively potent. It grows naturally in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions they provide for the growth of the fungus.
Psilocybin mushrooms occur on all continents, but most species are found in subtropical humid forests. They grow most dependably in the damp, chill Pacific Northwest of the United States. While they can be found in the “wild,” they are most often found near urban spaces. Psilocybe cyanenscens, for example, is a "weed mushroom" that grows in ornamental wood chips used in landscaped flower beds in the Pacific Northwest.
Mushrooms, including psilocybes, are fungi that help break down organic matter in nature. They prefer fallen trees or anything with excess carbon. Fungi can also include yeasts, mildew, and mold, but mushrooms are the focus here. Psilocybin mushrooms grow from late spring through late autumn and are easiest to harvest from September through October.
Oyster mushrooms, for example, grow very well on straw and are the best species to grow on this substrate. Straw is a very common substrate for home and beginning commercial growers. It does not produce the best yield and can be difficult to work with as it needs to be chopped for optimal yield. However, there are pre-treated and chopped bags of straw available at local stores and online that can be used successfully.
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They grow from late spring through late autumn, but are easiest to harvest from September to October
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are not commercially cultivated due to their psychoactive properties and legal status. They grow from late spring through late autumn, but are easiest to harvest from September to October.
Psilocybe mushrooms grow most reliably in the damp, chill Pacific Northwest of the United States. They can be found in the wild, but they are most commonly found near urban spaces, on excess carbon deposits like wood chips. Psilocybe cubensis, the most common Psilocybe in tropical areas, grows naturally in tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions they provide for the growth of the fungus. They are also found in Cuba, Central and South America.
Psilocybin mushrooms occur on all continents, but the majority of species are found in subtropical humid forests. They generally grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, usually in soils rich in humus and plant debris. Many of them are found in Mexico (53 species), with the remainder distributed throughout Canada and the US (22), Europe (16), Asia (15), Africa (4), and Australia and associated islands (19).
Psilocybe cyanescens, which is more potent than P. cubensis, is a "weed mushroom" that grows in ornamental wood chips in landscaped flower beds in the Pacific Northwest. P. semilanceata is considered the world's most widely distributed psilocybin mushroom and is found in temperate parts of Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand, but not in Mexico.
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Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms grow in the wild in many parts of the world, including Mexico, Canada, the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and associated islands. They typically grow in meadows and woods in subtropical and tropical climates, often near cattle or on excess carbon deposits like wood chips.
Psilocybin mushrooms grow from late spring through late autumn, but they are typically easiest to harvest from September through October.
Yes, psilocybin mushrooms can be cultivated indoors using various methods and substrates, such as straw, coffee grounds, sawdust, or wood pellets mixed with wheat bran or soybean hulls. However, certain species like Psilocybe cyanenscens are difficult to cultivate indoors.
The legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies by jurisdiction. In the US, some states and cities, such as Oregon, Colorado, and Washington, DC, have decriminalized psilocybin, but it is still illegal at the federal level. Outside of the US, the legality also varies from country to country.
Some common species of psilocybin mushrooms include Psilocybe cubensis, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, and Panaeolus subbalteatus. P. cubensis is the most commonly cultivated and occurs in tropical and subtropical regions, while P. semilanceata is the most widely distributed and is found in temperate regions.
