
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin-containing mushrooms, are a group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are commonly referred to as shrooms and are known to induce hallucinations, euphoria, and sensory distortion. While they are considered a recreational drug, they have also been explored for their medicinal effects, particularly in treating mental health issues such as OCD, depression, and anxiety. If you're interested in learning more about magic mushrooms, there are several books available that offer an introduction to the topic, including Magic Mushrooms: The Truth About Psilocybin by Colin Willis, Mushroom Magic by Michael Jordan, and How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan. These books provide insight into the recreational and medicinal uses of magic mushrooms, their effects, and their potential benefits and risks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Books on magic mushrooms | Magic Mushrooms: The Truth About Psilocybin: An Introductory Guide to Shrooms, Psychedelic Mushrooms, And The Full Effects by Colin Willis; Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World: An Identification Guide by Paul Stamets, Weil M.D., Andrew; Plants of the Gods; Food of the Gods: The Search for the Original Tree of Knowledge by Terence McKenna; The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide |
| Legal status | In most countries, it is illegal to possess, buy, or grow psilocybin mushrooms. However, the spores are legal to buy in many places, as long as you don't use them to grow mushrooms. Psilocybin mushrooms may be federally banned in the US, but you can legally possess magic mushrooms in certain cities and states around the country. For example, in New Mexico in 2005, it was legal to grow and possess psilocybin mushrooms as long as they were not dried. |
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What You'll Learn
- Magic Mushrooms: The Truth About Psilocybin by Colin Willis
- The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing and Using Magic Mushrooms by Dr. K. Mandrake and Virginia Haze
- Mushroom Magic by Michael Jordan
- Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin and Ayahuasca by Dr. Richard Louis Miller
- Online sources such as Grasslands and Wikipedia

Magic Mushrooms: The Truth About Psilocybin by Colin Willis
"Magic Mushrooms: The Truth About Psilocybin" by Colin Willis is an introductory guide to shrooms, psychedelic mushrooms, and their full effects. The book explores the world of psilocybin mushrooms through their recreational and medicinal effects on societal development.
Willis' work is considered groundbreaking as he highlights how the presently maligned drug has transformed numerous lives. He identifies the correlations between substance usage and the prevention and treatment of increasing, prevalent mental health issues, such as OCD, depression, and anxiety. The book provides an extensive comparison to other accessible drugs, making it stimulating and thought-provoking.
The book is available in various formats, including as an ebook, audiobook, and physical book. It can be purchased on Amazon and Audible.
However, some customers have criticized the book, stating that it lacks writing skill and is written as if for children. There are also complaints about the accuracy of certain facts, with some reviewers recommending that readers fact-check the information presented. Additionally, there are criticisms regarding the lack of notes or citations to support the claims made in the book. Despite these criticisms, some customers have found the book to be an interesting introduction to the subject, describing it as concise, clear, and thought-provoking.
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The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing and Using Magic Mushrooms by Dr. K. Mandrake and Virginia Haze
"The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing and Using Magic Mushrooms" is a comprehensive guide to cultivating and consuming magic mushrooms. Written by Dr. K. Mandrake, a mycology doctoral graduate, and Virginia Haze, a writer, photographer, and mushroom cultivator, the book offers a detailed and practical approach to the complex process of mushroom cultivation.
The book covers every step of the mushroom cultivation process, from sterilizing equipment and building containers to preventing contamination and consuming mushrooms safely. With over 40 step-by-step photographic instruction guides, it is the largest and most comprehensive book on the subject. It is designed to be accessible and effective for anyone interested in growing their own magic mushrooms at home, regardless of their prior experience.
In addition to the practical aspects of mushroom cultivation, the book also delves into the history and botany of psilocybin mushrooms, providing readers with a deeper understanding of their prevalence throughout human history. Dr. Mandrake's expertise in mycology and Haze's experience in mushroom cultivation ensure that readers receive accurate and reliable information.
"The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible" is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in growing magic mushrooms, whether they are beginners or experienced growers. It offers a wealth of information and practical tips, making it a go-to guide for those seeking to cultivate and consume magic mushrooms safely and effectively. The book is available in paperback and can be purchased from online retailers such as Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
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Mushroom Magic by Michael Jordan
The book is a celebration of mushrooms as a fascinating part of nature, highlighting their unique characteristics and their importance in various ecosystems. It provides readers with a deeper understanding of the world of mushrooms, their diversity, and their role in the natural world.
Mushroom Magic is a well-maintained book, with minimal signs of wear and tear on the cover. The pages are clean and intact, and the spine remains undamaged, indicating that it has been carefully looked after. The book is available for purchase on AbeBooks, where it is described as being in "very good condition."
While the book has received no reviews or ratings on Amazon, it is worth noting that the title may be a bit deceiving, as suggested by a UK-based reviewer. They expected the book to be about magic mushrooms, which may indicate a potential mismatch between the content and the expectations set by the title.
Overall, Mushroom Magic by Michael Jordan offers a natural history exploration of mushrooms, their growth, and their role in nature, along with practical recipes for culinary applications. It is a thoughtfully curated book that invites readers to appreciate the fascinating world of mushrooms.
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Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin and Ayahuasca by Dr. Richard Louis Miller
"Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin and Ayahuasca" by Dr. Richard Louis Miller is a book that explores the potential of psychedelics as medicine and their intersections with politics, science, and psychedelic research. It delves into the tumultuous history of psychedelic research, the efforts to revive psychedelic therapies, and the connections between psychiatric drugs and mental illness. The book offers non-technical summaries of recent double-blind, placebo-controlled studies involving MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca. It includes the work of renowned researchers such as Rick Doblin, Stanislav Grof, James Fadiman, and Julie Holland, among others.
Dr. Miller, a clinical psychologist, interviews leading scientists and doctors who have been studying psychedelics for various therapeutic purposes. The book highlights the potential of psilocybin in alleviating fear in the terminally ill and the possible benefits of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD treatment. It also examines Dr. Charles Grob's research on the indigenous use and therapeutic effects of ayahuasca, as well as Dr. Gabor Mate's efforts to introduce plant medicine into clinical settings with support from Canada's Department of National Health.
"Psychedelic Medicine" provides insights into the ongoing work to reintegrate psychedelic therapies into healthcare. It addresses the concerns of overmedication by the pharmaceutical industry and discusses the shifting political landscape, offering hope for an end to the War on Drugs. Additionally, it explores the potential of psychedelics in treating mental health disorders, including drug addiction, depression, and alcoholism. The book is well-suited for those seeking an introduction to the emerging field of psychedelic psychotherapy and the latest developments in psychedelic research.
The book has received positive reviews, with readers finding it enlightening and informative. It provides a valuable perspective on the history, legalization issues, potential benefits, and healing capabilities of psychedelics. However, some reviewers mention that the interview format can be slightly distracting, and they identify biases against recreational drug use and a simplistic understanding of politics. Nonetheless, "Psychedelic Medicine" offers a comprehensive overview of the current state and future directions of psychedelic medicine, making it a valuable resource for those interested in this evolving field.
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Online sources such as Grasslands and Wikipedia
Wikipedia has a page dedicated to Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. It describes them as 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 page also mentions the various genera in which psilocybin has been isolated, including Psilocybe, Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina. It also provides information on the dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms, which depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, and can vary between and within the same species.
The Wikipedia page also discusses the history of magic mushrooms, noting that they may be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, and are more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. It mentions amateur mycologist Robert Gordon Wasson's 1957 photo essay "Seeking the Magic Mushroom," in which he describes his experience taking psilocybin mushrooms during a Mazatec ritual in Oaxaca, Mexico. Wasson's essay brought the term "Magic Mushroom" into popular culture and influenced the nascent counterculture in the United States, leading many hippies and spiritual seekers to travel to Mexico in search of the mushroom.
In addition to Wikipedia, online sources such as Grasslands offer information on magic mushrooms. Grasslands provides a list of recommended books about psychedelics, including "The Psilocybin Mushroom Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing and Using Magic Mushrooms" by Dr. K. Mandrake, which offers a comprehensive guide to responsible personal mushroom production. Another book mentioned by Grasslands is "Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin and Ayahuasca" by Dr. Richard Louis Miller, which explores the pharmaceutical potential and scientific efficacy of psychedelics. Grasslands also recommends "How to Change Your Mind" by Michael Pollan, which investigates the use of psilocybin and LSD in providing relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction, and anxiety.
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Frequently asked questions
You can read about the history of magic mushrooms in "The Lives of Fungi", published by Princeton University Press.
You can read about the effects and risks of magic mushrooms in "Magic Mushrooms: The Truth About Psilocybin" by Colin Willis.
You can read about magic mushrooms in popular culture in "Fungipedia" by Lawrence Millman, published by Princeton University Press in 2019.
You can read about the different types of magic mushrooms in "Mushrooms Demystified", which includes descriptions and images of more than 2,000 species of mushrooms.

























