Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The terms mushroom and toadstool have been used interchangeably for centuries, with the former being derived from the French word mousseron, referring to moss. Mushrooms have been consumed by humans for various purposes throughout history, with some species being prized for their culinary, medicinal, or psychedelic properties. Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that has been used in indigenous cultures for centuries and has gained popularity in modern times for their potential therapeutic benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Toadstool |
| Scientific name | Psilocybin Mushrooms |
| Type | Flesh, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus |
| Structure | Stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap |
| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical conditions, often near cattle |
| History |
|
| Effects |
|
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Magic Mushrooms
The use of magic mushrooms has been documented in various cultures throughout history. They may be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe, and they were certainly represented in pre-Columbian sculptures and glyphs throughout the Americas. In 1955, Valentina Pavlovna Wasson and R. Gordon Wasson became the first known European Americans to participate in an indigenous mushroom ceremony, bringing attention to the use of magic mushrooms in Mexico.
In terms of legality, the cultivation, possession, and sale of magic mushrooms vary from country to country. In the United States, magic mushrooms were made illegal in 1970, but there has been a recent push for decriminalization and medicinal use. As of 2022, several states and cities in the US have decriminalized psilocybin, and Oregon has legalized it for therapeutic use. However, it is important to note that the sale of psilocybin without a license is still illegal in most places.
While magic mushrooms have gained attention for their potential therapeutic benefits, it is important to approach them with caution. Mixing magic mushrooms with other substances can elevate the risk of serious side effects. Additionally, individuals with pre-existing psychiatric or cardiac conditions may be at a higher risk of adverse events. Furthermore, while there is little evidence of physical or psychological dependence, it is possible to develop a tolerance to the effects of magic mushrooms with regular use.
Mushrooms vs LSD: Safer Tripping?
You may want to see also
Ancient History
Mushrooms have been used as food, medicine, and spiritual aids for centuries. While there is not much written evidence, it is believed that humans have been consuming mushrooms since our brains developed and we became evolutionarily distinct. This is partly because other species, like dolphins, reindeer, and jaguars, seek out and consume psychedelic mushrooms.
In ancient times, the use of psilocybin mushrooms was not limited to Central America but was widespread across the world. Indigenous tribes in Siberia used hallucinogenic mushrooms called Amanita Muscaria, which are also consumed by reindeer. In Ancient Greece, the Eleusinian Mysteries, ritual ceremonies that worshipped the goddess Demeter, involved drinking a psychoactive concoction containing psychedelic mushrooms. Famous figures like Plato, Homer, and Aristotle attended these secretive ceremonies.
Ancient civilisations that famously used psilocybin include the Mayans and Aztecs. In the Nahuatl language, used by the Mayans and Aztecs, magic mushrooms were called "Teonanácatl", which translates to "flesh of the gods". The last ruler of the Aztecs, Montezuma II, is said to have consumed a large amount of "Teonanácatl" during his coronation ceremony. Spanish missionaries in the 1500s attempted to destroy all records of the use of these mushrooms, but some documentation survived, intriguing ethnopharmacologists in the 20th century.
The Ancient Egyptians also considered mushrooms as the "food of the gods", placed on Earth by the god Osiris. They created artwork depicting magic mushrooms, and only the priests and upper class consumed them for religious reasons.
In medieval Europe, mushrooms were associated with witchcraft and evil, with names like "Devil's Fingers" and "Witches' Butter". Naturally occurring arcs of mushrooms, known as "fairy rings", were seen as hazardous places where witches danced.
While the exact methods are unknown, our ancestors likely learned about edible and poisonous mushrooms by observing the consumption of local fauna and through trial and error. Many cultures have been consuming mushrooms for thousands of years, including European, Asian, and South American civilisations.
Mushroom Skincare: Eradicating Wrinkles, Glowing Up Skin
You may want to see also
Modern Usage
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The term "mushroom" is more one of common application to macroscopic fungal fruiting bodies than one having precise taxonomic meaning. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. The term toadstool generally refers to a poisonous mushroom.
Today, mushrooms are used for a variety of purposes, including food, medicine, and recreation.
Food
Mushrooms are commonly used as food. People who collect mushrooms for consumption are known as mycophagists, and the act of collecting them is called mushroom hunting or "mushrooming". Even edible mushrooms may produce allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, and even the cultivated A. bisporus contains small amounts of hydrazines, which are destroyed by moderate heat when cooking. Eating mushrooms gathered in the wild is risky and should only be undertaken by individuals knowledgeable in mushroom identification.
Medicine
Mushrooms have been used as medicine for thousands of years. Modern science has recently begun to rediscover the medicinal properties of mushrooms, such as their ability to treat PTSD, depression, and anxiety. They are also being used to help people quit smoking. The use of mushrooms in medicine is often referred to as naturopathic medicine, and it can bolster conventional medical practices.
Recreation
Mushrooms containing psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom. They are used as recreational drugs and have been for centuries. The effects of psilocybin mushrooms come from psilocybin and psilocin, which create short-term increases in tolerance, making it difficult to misuse them. Psilocybin mushrooms have not been known to cause physical or psychological dependence. However, they can cause physical effects such as nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. The legality of the cultivation, possession, and sale of psilocybin mushrooms varies from country to country.
Weed and Mushrooms: A Complex Interaction
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Effects and Safety
Mushrooms, or toadstools, are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. The term "mushroom" typically refers to cultivated white button mushrooms, but it also describes a variety of other gilled fungi, with or without stems. The term "toadstool" generally refers to a poisonous mushroom.
The first mention of hallucinogenic mushrooms in European medicinal literature was in 1799, but they may be depicted in Stone Age rock art in Africa and Europe. In the 20th century, they arrived in the United States, and in 1970, they were made illegal.
Today, psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, are mostly illegal in the US, though some states have decriminalized them, and Oregon has legalized them for therapeutic use. In other jurisdictions, they may be purchased at smart shops in fresh, dried, or edible forms, or as extracts or mushroom tea.
The effects of psilocybin mushrooms vary widely, and they can affect everyone differently. The feelings they induce include euphoria, sensory distortion, and hallucinations, which can be disturbing. They can also cause nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. The effects usually begin within 30 minutes when eaten, or 5-10 minutes when taken as a soup or tea, and can last between 3 and 7 hours.
Psilocybin mushrooms are not considered addictive, and they do not cause physical or psychological dependence. However, adverse side effects may require medical treatment, and there is a risk of poisoning from picking the wrong types of mushrooms. Magic mushrooms are also known to cause "bad trips," which can be influenced by a person's mood and environment. Taking magic mushrooms with other drugs, including some psychiatric medications, can be unpredictable and dangerous.
Some research indicates that psilocybin mushrooms could be useful in treating mental and behavioral health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, as well as helping people quit smoking. However, these treatments are not approved by the FDA, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) believes psilocybin has a high potential for abuse and serves no legitimate medical purpose.
Aaron Rodgers' Mushroom Microdosing: A Performance Enhancer?
You may want to see also
Legality
The legality of psilocybin mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms or shrooms, varies across the world. In the United States, they were made illegal in 1970 and are listed as a Schedule I controlled substance, indicating that they have no accepted medical use. However, in recent years, there has been a push for decriminalization and medicinal use. For example, in 2018, researchers at Johns Hopkins University confirmed the medicinal potential of psilocybin in treating mental health conditions. This led to the decriminalization of magic mushrooms in Denver, Colorado, in 2019. Subsequently, in 2020, Oregon became the first US state to decriminalize psilocybin and legalize it for therapeutic use, although selling it without a license remains illegal. As of 2022, Colorado has also legalized the consumption, growing, and sharing of psilocybin mushrooms for personal use, but sales are still prohibited. Other jurisdictions in the United States that have decriminalized psilocybin mushrooms include Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan, as well as Oakland and Santa Cruz, California.
Outside of the United States, the legality of psilocybin mushrooms varies by country. In general, possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms has been outlawed in most nations, and it is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in some jurisdictions. However, there are exceptions. For instance, in certain jurisdictions, psilocybin-containing mushrooms and products can be purchased at specialized stores. Additionally, some countries may have specific regulations allowing their use for therapeutic or research purposes.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms is subject to change as more research emerges on their potential therapeutic benefits and as public opinion evolves. It is essential to stay informed about the specific laws and regulations regarding psilocybin mushrooms in your jurisdiction, as they may be subject to ongoing revisions and updates.
Mushrooms' Hallucinogenic Powers: A Trippy Adventure
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source.
Mushrooms are not created by humans, they are a natural occurrence.
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are a type of hallucinogenic mushroom that contains the drug psilocybin.
Psilocybin is broken down by the liver in a process called dephosphorylation. The resulting compound is called psilocin, which is responsible for the psychedelic effects.
The effects of psilocybin vary from person to person and can include euphoria, muscle weakness, drowsiness, fear, confusion, and psychosis.
