Sarah Brown
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are mushrooms that contain the hallucinogenic drug psilocybin. They are polyphyletic and belong to the informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. 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 thousands of years for ceremonial and medicinal purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Shrooms, magic mushrooms, mushies, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin mushrooms |
| Active compounds | Psilocybin, psilocin |
| Effects | Hallucinations, heightened emotions and senses, euphoria, paranoia, fear, distorted sense of reality, giggles, mental clarity |
| Dosage | Depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which varies between species and within the same species |
| Use | Recreational, medicinal, ceremonial |
| Legality | Illegal in many places, including Canada and the US (except for a few cities) |
| Risks | Poisonous mushrooms may be mistaken for psilocybin mushrooms, bad trips, unknown long-term effects |
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What You'll Learn
Shrooms are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom
"Shrooms", also known as "magic mushrooms", are a type of mushroom that contains the hallucinogenic drugs psilocybin and psilocin. They are also referred to as mushies, mushrooms, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, and psychedelic mushrooms. Shrooms have been used for thousands of years for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. In Central America, Aztec and Mazateca cultures believed these mushrooms had divine properties and used them during coronations and other important events until at least the 1500s.
Shrooms are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. 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. The most common Psilocybe in tropical areas is P. cubensis, which is also the most widely distributed psilocybin mushroom and is found in the temperate parts of Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
The effects of shrooms can vary from person to person and can include heightened emotions and senses, hallucinations, and an altered state of consciousness. These effects typically appear within 15-45 minutes and last for four to six hours. Shrooms can be consumed in a variety of ways, including dried or fresh mushrooms, extracts, or food products such as mushroom edibles or mushroom tea. However, it is important to note that shrooms can also produce fear, paranoia, and other unwanted effects, especially if consumed in large or strong batches.
While shrooms have been studied for their potential therapeutic benefits, they are currently illegal in most places. In Canada, for example, activities involving magic mushrooms, psilocybin, and psilocin, such as sale, possession, and production, are illegal unless authorized by Health Canada. In the United States, possession of shrooms is illegal in all states except for a few cities.
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They contain the psychedelic prodrug psilocybin
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the psychedelic prodrug psilocybin. This substance is converted into psilocin upon ingestion, producing psychoactive effects. The mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional ceremonies, with evidence of their consumption by indigenous people in Central America dating back to 3000 B.C. They have also been depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe and are represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas.
Psilocybin mushrooms are widely distributed and can be found on all continents, with the majority of species occurring in subtropical humid forests. They are dark-spored, gilled mushrooms that typically grow in meadows and woods in the subtropics and tropics, favouring soils rich in humus and plant debris. The most potent species belong to the genus Psilocybe, including P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. However, psilocybin has also been identified in several other genera, such as Panaeolus, Inocybe, Pluteus, Gymnopilus, and Pholiotina.
The active ingredients in magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, are controlled substances under international conventions and the legislation of various countries. These chemicals are responsible for the hallucinogenic and consciousness-altering effects experienced by individuals who consume magic mushrooms. The effects can vary from person to person and depend on factors such as dose, species of mushroom, and individual physiology. While the short-term effects include heightened emotions, distorted senses, and hallucinations, there is limited research on the long-term impacts of magic mushroom consumption.
Magic mushrooms are typically consumed in their whole form, either fresh or dried. They can also be turned into extracts or food products, such as edibles or mushroom tea. The dosage of psilocybin-containing mushrooms depends on the psilocybin and psilocin content, which can vary significantly between and within species. While there is ongoing research into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for treating mental health disorders, there are currently no approved therapeutic products containing psilocybin on the market.
It is important to note that consuming mushrooms, especially without proper identification, can be dangerous. If you believe you or someone else has ingested a poisonous mushroom, seek immediate medical attention.
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Shrooms are also known as magic mushrooms
"Shrooms", also known as magic mushrooms, are a type of mushroom that contains the hallucinogenic drugs psilocybin and psilocin. They are also referred to as mushies, mushrooms, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, and magic truffles. Magic mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for ceremonial and medicinal purposes. In Central America, Aztec and Mazateca cultures believed these mushrooms had divine properties and used them during coronations and other important events until at least the 1500s.
The most potent species of magic mushrooms are members of the genus Psilocybe, such as P. azurescens, P. semilanceata, and P. cyanescens. Psilocybe cubensis, or P. cubensis, is the most widely known and commonly encountered Psilocybe species. It is also the most popular species, likely due to its wide distribution and ease of cultivation. P. cubensis is one of the most widely known psilocybin-containing mushrooms used for triggering psychedelic experiences after ingestion. The major alkaloids in P. cubensis are psilocybin and psilocin, with concentrations ranging from 0.14-0.42% (wet weight) to 0.37-1.30% (dry weight) in the whole mushroom.
Magic mushrooms can be consumed in a variety of ways, including dried or fresh mushrooms, extracts, or food products such as mushroom edibles or mushroom tea. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary from person to person and can include heightened emotions and senses, hallucinations, and an altered state of consciousness. It is important to note that magic mushrooms can also lead to short-term mental and physical effects, such as fear, paranoia, and other unwanted effects, especially at high doses.
The biggest risk associated with the use of magic mushrooms is that they look very similar to some types of poisonous mushrooms. It can be easy to mistake a poisonous mushroom for a magic mushroom, so it is important to use an established guide or grower that produces trusted mushrooms.
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They have been used for thousands of years
"Shrooms", or magic mushrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the prodrug psilocybin, which turns into the psychedelic psilocin upon ingestion. They are commonly used as recreational drugs and have been used for thousands of years.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a long and varied history of use across different cultures. They may be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, but their use is more certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs seen throughout the Americas. For example, rock art from c. 9000–7000 BCE from Tassili, Algeria, is believed to depict psychedelic mushrooms and the transformation of the user under their influence. Similarly, prehistoric rock art near Villar del Humo in Spain suggests that Psilocybe hispanica, a hallucinogenic species of mushroom, was used in rituals 6,000 years ago.
In Mesoamerica, native peoples have a history of using psilocybin mushrooms for religious communion, divination, and healing. A Psilocybe species known to the Aztecs as teōnanācatl, or "divine mushroom", was reportedly served at the coronation of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma II in 1502. The South American Aztec Indians also referred to these mushrooms as teonanacatl, meaning "god's flesh", and used them in religious and healing rituals. Following the Spanish conquest, Catholic missionaries campaigned against the use of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms, dismissing the Aztecs as idolaters, and suppressed their use. Despite this, the use of teonanácatl has persisted in some remote areas.
In modern times, psilocybin mushrooms have been studied for their potential therapeutic effects. There is ongoing research into the potential of psilocybin to treat various mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and problematic substance use. Microdosing, or taking less than 1 gram of dried mushrooms, has also become a popular technique for recreational users, providing an enjoyable experience without the intensity of a full hallucinogenic trip.
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Shrooms are illegal in most places
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are hallucinogenic mushrooms that induce an altered state of consciousness. They have been used for thousands of years and have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in various cultures. However, shrooms are illegal in most places today due to their potential for abuse and lack of recognised medical benefits.
Shrooms are considered a controlled substance under international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. This treaty requires its signatories to prohibit the use of psilocybin, the active compound in shrooms, except for medical and scientific research under strict control. While the mushrooms themselves were not included in the convention due to pressure from Mexico, most countries have amended their drug laws to reflect the treaty's terms. 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 regulate or prohibit psilocybin mushrooms.
The possession and use of shrooms are prohibited in almost all circumstances, often carrying severe legal penalties. In the United States, for instance, the Drug Abuse Control Amendments of 1965 regulated the unlicensed possession, manufacture, or sale of hallucinogenic drugs, including psilocybin. Subsequently, in 1968, a federal law specifically banned psilocybin and psilocin, stating that they had a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and lacked safety guarantees. These substances were further classified as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, placing them in the same category as drugs like cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.
The illegality of shrooms stems from the concern that they can alter one's mental state, leading to behaviour that may not be culturally acceptable or within the bounds of the law. While some argue that shrooms can be controlled, the judicial system aims to limit access to such substances to prevent their misuse and potential negative consequences. Furthermore, the cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is often considered drug manufacture, which is heavily penalised in most jurisdictions.
Despite the illegality of shrooms, there is ongoing research into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin. Some countries and US states have recognised that growing psilocybin mushrooms does not constitute "manufacturing" a controlled substance, indicating a potential shift in the legal landscape surrounding these substances. Additionally, Johns Hopkins researchers have suggested that if psilocybin passes the current phase III clinical trials, it should be reclassified as a Schedule IV drug, which would allow for tighter control and potential prescription use.
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Frequently asked questions
Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are a type of mushroom that contains the hallucinogenic drugs psilocybin and psilocin.
Shrooms can cause hallucinations and alter a person's thoughts, emotions, and senses. They can also produce euphoric feelings and relieve mental health conditions.
No, shrooms may not be safe to consume as they can lead to short-term mental and physical effects, including heightened emotions and senses. In some cases, they may also cause fear, paranoia, and other unwanted effects, known as a ""bad trip". Additionally, it is possible to mistakenly consume poisonous mushrooms, which can be dangerous.
The legality of shrooms varies by location. In some places, such as Canada and the United States, the sale, possession, and production of shrooms are illegal unless authorized by the appropriate regulatory body. However, there are a few U.S. cities where their use is legal, and there is ongoing advocacy for removing legal restrictions on mushroom possession in the United States.
There are over 200 species of magic mushrooms, and common types include Psilocybe cubensis, P. semilanceata, P. cyanescens, and Copelandia.
