Emily Johnson
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin when ingested. They are not commercially cultivated due to their psychoactive properties and legal status. Psilocybin mushrooms grow in the wild and can be found in various locations, including Mexico, the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and associated islands. They typically grow in meadows and woods in subtropical and tropical climates, often near cattle due to the ideal conditions provided by their dung. Psilocybe cubensis, the most commonly cultivated psilocybin-active mushroom, thrives in tropical and subtropical conditions. The cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms involves several steps, including strain selection, substrate preparation, inoculation, incubation, initiation, fruiting, and harvest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, Shrooms |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin mushrooms, Psilocybe |
| Genus | Psilocybe |
| Species | P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, P. cubensis, P. maluti, P. ingeli, P. allenii |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin |
| Other compounds | Psilocin, β-carbolines, harmine, harmane, tetrahydroharmine (THH), harmaline |
| Occurrence | All continents |
| Prevalence | Subtropical humid forests, Tropical and subtropical conditions |
| Soil | Rich in humus and plant debris |
| Growth period | Late spring through late autumn, easiest to harvest from September through October |
| Cultivation | Not commercially cultivated due to legal status and psychoactive properties, grown in small amounts at home or foraged from the wild |
| Legal status | Varies by region, decriminalized in some US states and cities |
| Uses | Recreational drugs, therapeutic use, treatment for psychiatric disorders |
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What You'll Learn
Psilocybin Mushrooms Grow in the Wild
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, grow in many parts of the world, including the Pacific Northwest of the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and associated islands. They are found in a variety of habitats, from forests and meadows to coastal areas and urban spaces.
In the wild, psilocybin mushrooms grow most dependably in damp, chill environments with high humidity, often near streams, coastal dune grasses, or in forest humus soils. They are also commonly found near cattle, as the conditions provided by cow dung are ideal for the growth of the fungus. Psilocybe cubensis, for example, is a tropical and subtropical species that is often found in these environments.
Psilocybin mushrooms are relatively rare in the wild, but their presence has been documented in ancient rock art and sculptures, suggesting their use by humans for thousands of years. They are typically dark-spored, gilled mushrooms that grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, in soils rich in humus and plant debris.
The availability of psilocybin mushrooms from wild and cultivated sources has made them widely used as recreational and psychedelic drugs. While the possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms have been decriminalized in some places, their legality varies from country to country. In the United States, for example, Oregon has decriminalized psilocybin and legalized it for therapeutic use, while other states are considering similar measures.
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Cultivating Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They are not commercially cultivated due to their psychoactive properties and legal status. Instead, they are grown in small amounts at home or foraged from the wild.
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. They can be found in the "wild," but they are most often found near excess carbon deposits like wood chips in urban-proximate spaces. 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 fungus.
Psilocybin mushrooms grow from late spring through late autumn and are easiest to harvest from September through October. 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.
The legality of cultivating psilocybin mushrooms varies from country to country and even within the United States. For example, Oregon and Colorado have decriminalized psilocybin, but it is still illegal at the federal level. As such, it is important to check the local laws before attempting to cultivate psilocybin mushrooms.
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Legal Status of Psilocybin Mushrooms
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 often used as recreational drugs and may have been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies across the world. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which requires its members to prohibit the drug, with exceptions for medical and scientific research under controlled conditions. However, the mushrooms containing the drug were not specifically included in the convention due to pressure from the Mexican government.
Despite international regulations, many countries have their own laws and regulations regarding psilocybin mushrooms. In the United States, the federal government prohibits the possession, sale, and transfer of psilocybin mushrooms, but some states and local jurisdictions have enacted their own laws. For example, Oregon and Colorado have decriminalized psilocybin, and Oregon has specifically legalized it for therapeutic use. Other localities, such as Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Oakland, California, have also decriminalized psilocybin mushrooms. In Canada, the province of Alberta has recently announced the regulation and allowance of psilocybin for medicinal purposes, joining other countries like Australia, which has approved psilocybin for prescription use in treating PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
While the legal landscape surrounding psilocybin mushrooms is complex and evolving, it is important to note that their possession, use, and sale remain illegal in many places, with potential legal consequences. As public perception and scientific research on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics evolve, the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms may continue to change, with some localities prioritizing decriminalization and regulated access for therapeutic purposes.
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History of Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, 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. The use of psilocybin mushrooms dates back to prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence suggesting their use in religious and healing rituals thousands of years ago.
Ancient History
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use in various cultures around the world. They are believed to have been consumed by early humans due to their unique psychoactive properties. Evidence of their use can be found in ancient art and artefacts, such as Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, and cave paintings in modern-day Algeria and Spain, which suggest that their use may predate recorded history. In Mesoamerica, psilocybin mushrooms were consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies before being documented by Spanish chroniclers in the 16th century. Among the Aztecs, these mushrooms were known as "teonanácatl" or "flesh of the gods", and were considered sacred. They were also used by other indigenous peoples in the Americas, with numerous tribes participating in psychedelic ceremonies.
Modern History
In the modern era, psilocybin mushrooms gained popularity in the United States during the 1960s when American researchers began studying their healing properties and potential medical applications. Timothy Leary, a psychology professor at Harvard University, played a significant role in introducing magic mushrooms to popular culture in the US. After reading about the positive effects of psilocybin mushrooms in a magazine article, Leary began consuming them himself and conducting experiments to test their effects. He coined the phrase "turn on, tune in, and drop out" to encourage the use of the hallucinogenic drug, which gained nationwide attention from musicians and celebrities. The “hippie movement” of the 1960s further popularized the use of magic mushrooms, with Leary's phrase becoming a rallying cry for the movement.
Despite their potential therapeutic benefits, psilocybin mushrooms have faced increasing regulation and prohibition in recent decades. They are currently listed as a Schedule I controlled substance by the US government, indicating that they have no accepted medical use. However, recent clinical studies have indicated potential medical value for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating various health conditions.
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Effects of Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that contain the prodrug psilocybin. This substance is converted into the psychedelic compound psilocin in the body upon ingestion, producing psychoactive effects. Psilocybin mushrooms are naturally occurring and have been consumed by humans for thousands of years, with potential depictions in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe and more certain representations in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas.
Psilocybin mushrooms are known for their ability to induce hallucinations, alter perception, and evoke intense emotions. The effects of psilocybin can include visual and auditory hallucinations, distorted perception of objects and people, and shifts in mood and feelings ranging from bliss to terror. The experience can be profoundly subjective, influenced by factors such as personality, expectations, dosage, and the surrounding environment.
The potency of psilocybin mushrooms varies depending on the species and even within the same species. The dosage depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, with psilocybin typically ranging from 0.03% to 1.78% of the dried weight of the mushroom and psilocin ranging from 0% to 0.59%. The most potent species belong to the genus Psilocybe, including P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been isolated from other genera, such as Panaeolus, Inocybe, and Pluteus.
The use of psilocybin mushrooms can carry risks and potential side effects. Higher doses or feelings of anxiety before ingestion may increase the risk of a "bad trip." Additionally, regular use can lead to tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs such as LSD and mescaline has been observed. While physical addiction is considered low due to its primary effect on serotonin receptors rather than dopamine receptors, some psychological withdrawal effects, such as mild psychological symptoms or fatigue, have been reported.
In terms of therapeutic potential, psilocybin has been studied for its possible antidepressant effects, and its ability to treat mental health disorders such as substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In 2018, the FDA designated psilocybin as a potential "breakthrough therapy" for treating psychiatric disorders. As a result, some jurisdictions, including Oregon, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., have decriminalized psilocybin and legalized it for therapeutic use or personal consumption. However, it is important to note that the legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies across different regions and countries.
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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 due to the ideal conditions provided by their manure.
Psilocybin mushrooms can be found in the wild by looking in meadows and woods with rich soil and plant debris. They are most commonly found on excess carbon deposits like wood chips, especially near urban areas.
Yes, psilocybin mushrooms can be cultivated. They were first cultivated indoors in the mid-1970s, and cultivation methods have been refined and shared online since the 1990s. However, they are not commercially cultivated due to their psychoactive properties and legal status.
Psilocybin mushrooms grow from late spring through late autumn, but they are easiest to harvest from September through October.
