John Miller
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. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for centuries in various cultural and spiritual contexts and are currently being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health disorders. The effects of ingesting these mushrooms can include visual and auditory hallucinations, altered perception of time and space, euphoria, and introspection, as well as physical effects such as nausea, pupil dilation, and increased heart rate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic mushrooms, shrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active ingredient | Psilocybin, which turns into psilocin upon ingestion |
| Other compounds present | Norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, aeruginascin, β-carbolines (e.g. harmine, harmane, tetrahydroharmine, harmaline) |
| Genera | Psilocybe, Copelandia, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, Panaeolus, Pholiotina, Galerina, Agrocybe, Gerronema, Hypholoma, Cyclocybe, Hygrophorus |
| Species | P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, P. cubensis, P. mexicana, P. ingeli, P. maluti, P. subtropicalis |
| Effects | Hallucinations, altered perception, changes in mood, distorted sensory impressions (e.g. seeing vivid colours or auras, hearing complex sounds), euphoria, introspection, pupil dilation, increased heart rate |
| Use | Recreational, spiritual, healing, research into therapeutic benefits (e.g. for anxiety, depression, addiction, PTSD) |
| Legal status | Illegal in many places, including Australia and the US |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Psilocybin Mushrooms: History and Traditional 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. The use of psilocybin mushrooms dates back centuries and has been deeply rooted in various ancient cultures and spiritual practices.
Ancient History and Traditional Use
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use among indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, including the Aztecs, the Maya, the Mixtec, and the Nahua cultures. In Mesoamerican cultures, psilocybin mushrooms were consumed in spiritual and divinatory ceremonies. The Aztecs referred to these mushrooms as "teonanácatl," which translates to "flesh of the gods." Spanish colonial records, such as the sixteenth-century Florentine Codex, provide valuable information about the ritualistic use of psilocybin mushrooms by the Nahua people.
Beyond Mesoamerica, other indigenous tribes in Central and South America have also used psilocybin mushrooms for centuries. The Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico, are particularly known for their ongoing use of these mushrooms in traditional healing ceremonies.
The ancient use of psilocybin mushrooms was deeply rooted in ritual and community. These mushrooms were often consumed in sacred ceremonies, creating a safe and supportive space for participants to navigate their psychedelic experiences, facilitating healing and spiritual growth.
Modern History and Research
In the 1950s, Maria Sabina, a Mazatec healer, introduced psilocybin mushrooms to the Western world when her rituals were documented and shared with R. Gordon Wasson, an amateur mycologist and banker. In 1958, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated psilocybin and psilocin from the mushroom Psilocybe mexicana.
During the 1960s, Timothy Leary, a psychology professor at Harvard University, popularized the use of psilocybin mushrooms in the United States. Leary became interested in magic mushrooms after reading about Wasson's experiences in Mexico. He conducted studies on the effects of psilocybin and advocated for its benefits on mental health and well-being. His phrase, "turn on, tune in, and drop out," encouraged the exploration of hallucinogenic drugs.
Despite the promising research in the 1960s, the increasingly restrictive drug laws of the 1960s and 1970s curbed scientific research into psilocybin and other hallucinogens. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psilocybin mushrooms due to their potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in mental health treatment. Modern clinical settings are beginning to recognize the importance of ritual and community in creating safe and controlled environments for effective therapy, mirroring the ancient understanding of set (mindset) and setting (environment).
Mushroom-Killing Mulch: What's the Secret?
You may want to see also
Effects of Psilocybin on the Brain
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into the psychedelic compound psilocin, which produces mind-altering effects. While the effects of psilocybin are highly subjective, users may experience distorted and heightened sensory impressions, such as seeing vivid colours or auras, witnessing objects morphing, and perceiving sounds as more complex. These sensory impressions can also include synesthesia, where the senses are "scrambled," leading to experiences like seeing sounds or tasting forms.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for healing, divination, and spiritual rites in various cultures. In the 21st century, they have been studied for their potential therapeutic effects in treating chronic mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The active components of psilocybin may break old neural connections and create new ones, potentially reducing negative thought patterns and fostering the development of more positive behaviours.
Research has shown that psilocybin enters the brain through the same receptors as serotonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, sexual desire, and emotional states. By entering these receptors, psilocybin temporarily disrupts the brain network involved in creating a person's sense of self, leading to acute changes in how individuals perceive time, space, and the self. This disruption results in significant, widespread changes in the brain's functional connectivity (FC), or how different regions of the brain interact and exchange information. The largest changes occur in the default mode network, which is associated with internal thoughts, a person's sense of time, space, and self, and is most active during passive tasks like daydreaming.
The therapeutic effects of psilocybin may last long after the acute effects of the drug wear off. While most brain activity returns to normal within days, a reduction in FC between the default mode network and the hippocampus has been observed to last for at least three weeks. This suggests the potential for lasting changes in hippocampus circuits involved with the perception of self. These findings provide valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin and other psychedelic drugs.
Mushrooms and B12: A Nutritional Mystery
You may want to see also
Therapeutic Benefits and Treatment Options
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic fungi that produce psychoactive compounds such as psilocybin and psilocin, which can cause mind-altering effects. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms are highly subjective and depend on various factors, including the type of mushroom, dosage, and psychological state of the user. While these mushrooms have been used recreationally, there is growing interest in their therapeutic benefits and potential as a treatment for various mental health disorders.
Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for healing and spiritual rituals by indigenous people in Central and South America since ancient times. In modern times, researchers have explored the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin, particularly in the context of mental health disorders. The molecular structure of psilocybin allows it to penetrate the central nervous system, and its interaction with serotonin receptors in the brain can trigger psychedelic effects.
One area of interest is the use of psilocybin in treating chronic mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research suggests that psilocybin may help reduce negative or obsessive thinking and promote the development of more positive behaviors. For example, a small double-blind study conducted by Johns Hopkins researchers found that a single large dose of psilocybin provided considerable relief from cancer-related anxiety and depression for up to six months. Additionally, an online survey of individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder indicated a reduction in alcohol consumption after taking psilocybin, supporting the potential for psychedelic-assisted treatment for substance abuse.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is also investigating the use of psilocybin to address mental health issues and high suicide rates among veterans. Furthermore, the National Cancer Institute is funding a multi-site clinical trial to explore psilocybin's efficacy in treating cancer-related mental health concerns. These studies suggest that psilocybin may have therapeutic benefits in conjunction with psychotherapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy.
While psilocybin shows promise in treating mental health disorders, it is not without potential side effects. Some participants in psilocybin studies have reported headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and, in rare cases, suicidal ideation and self-injurious behavior. The stigmatization and regulatory barriers associated with psilocybin's recreational use have also slowed its progress toward widespread therapeutic adoption. However, states like Colorado and Oregon have legalized therapeutic psilocybin use, and research centers dedicated to psychedelic research, such as the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins Medicine, are emerging.
Mushroom Cap Jellyfish: Do They Sting?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Legality and Risks of Psilocybin Use
Psilocybin is a chemical occurring in certain mushroom varieties, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms. The most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybin is also present in a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies worldwide. Psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule I drugs under the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse or no recognized medical use. However, psilocybin mushrooms have historically been used for medicinal and religious purposes in various cultures, and they have a lower potential for abuse compared to other Schedule I drugs. While the UN does not regulate them, many countries have some level of regulation or prohibition in place. For example, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and the Japanese Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law all prohibit the possession and use of psilocybin.
However, there is ambiguity in the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in some jurisdictions, and a strong element of selective enforcement. Additionally, the spores of psilocybin mushrooms are legal to possess in many areas, including the US state of New Mexico, as they do not contain the drugs themselves. This has led to an underground economy and an internet-based social network supporting the illicit trade. In recent years, there has been a growing body of research highlighting the therapeutic and medicinal potential of psilocybin, which has garnered increasing legal and political support. As a result, some localities, particularly in North America, are revising their legal frameworks. For example, Oregon has made magic mushrooms legal for mental health treatment in supervised settings, and there is a pending bill in California to legalize specified quantities of psilocybin.
Regarding the risks associated with psilocybin use, adverse side effects are often mild to moderate and may include euphoria, hallucinations, sensory distortion, confusion, fear, headache, high blood pressure, nausea, and paranoia. Higher doses of psilocybin may increase the risk of negative experiences, and pre-existing mental health conditions can also increase this risk. Psychological distress, extreme anxiety, short-term psychosis, and flashbacks are potential adverse events that may occur after recreational use. Regular use may lead to tolerance, and cross-tolerance with other drugs like LSD and mescaline is also possible. While psilocybin has a low risk of addiction, there is a risk of accidental poisoning from consuming poisonous mushrooms.
Purple Mushrooms in Stardew: Where to Find Them
You may want to see also
Identifying Psilocybin Mushrooms in the Wild
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin. This is converted into the psychoactive compound psilocin upon ingestion, producing mind-altering effects. While psilocybin mushrooms have been used for hundreds or even thousands of years by Indigenous groups around the world, they are now mostly sought for their recreational uses.
It is important to exercise caution and restraint when attempting to identify psilocybin mushrooms in the wild, as ingesting a wild mushroom without a mycologist's opinion could be deadly. While only 3% of known mushrooms are poisonous, psilocybin-containing mushrooms may closely resemble poisonous species, so forager discretion is advised.
Psilocybin mushrooms can be found on every continent except Antarctica, with the majority of species found in tropical and subtropical forests, especially in Mexico. They are relatively rare, often found in urban-proximate areas, and typically grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, in soils rich in humus and plant debris. They can also be found in garden beds with wood chip mulch, which provides a fertile environment for germination.
Psilocybin mushrooms are generally gilled and produce dark spores. Some of the most potent species are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been isolated from a dozen other genera, including Panaeolus (including Copelandia), Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina. P. cubensis, a common Psilocybe species in tropical areas, often grows near cattle due to the ideal conditions provided for fungal growth. Other genera that contain psilocybin-producing species include Agrocybe, Galerina, Gerronema, Hypholoma, and Pluteus.
Mushroom Foraging: UK Season Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, which induces hallucinogenic effects.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms vary depending on the type of mushroom, dosage, individual sensitivity, and environment in which they are consumed. Common effects include visual and auditory hallucinations, altered perception of time and space, enhanced sensory experiences, and changes in mood.
While psilocybin mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, they can lead to psychological dependence and compulsive use. Negative effects can include anxiety, fear, nausea, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and "bad trips" or "flashbacks".
Some common types of psilocybin mushrooms include Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps), Psilocybe azurescens, and Psilocybe mexicana. These mushrooms have been used for centuries in various cultural and spiritual contexts.
