How Magic Mushrooms Got Their Magic

From portrayals in popular culture in movies such as “Natural Born Killers” and “Altered States” to their recent role in innovative therapy, the mojo of magic mushrooms is unmistakable. What follows are some fun facts about these versatile fungi and some discussions that detail how magic mushrooms got their magic, bro.

Disclaimer

Magic mushrooms are banned in certain countries, although in the Netherlands, where they are known as ‘magic truffles,’ isn’t one of them. In the Netherlands, magic mushrooms are mostly sold for research, and the information in this article is intended for those purposes. Therefore, we won’t take any responsibility for those who choose to use them. Ensure that you check the legal status of magic mushrooms where you are before you consider buying or using them.

The potent fly agaric magic mushroom is discussed in this article, and it is often found in the Netherlands and other places growing wild. It is not protected or endangered here, but in 2008 it was put on the Opium List. It’s a legal offense in the Netherlands if you are found possessing 5 grams of fresh or 0.5 grams of dried fly agaric.

 

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What Exactly are Magic Mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms, also known as ‘shrooms,’ refer to fungi that contain psychoactive or hallucinogenic compounds such as psilocybin or psilocin. And, besides the shortened name of shrooms, magic mushrooms also go by nicknames such as Amani, agaric, blue meanies, golden tops, liberty caps, liberties, mushies and philosopher’s stones.

This article focuses mostly on the shrooms Psilocybe cubensis because of its popularity, especially among people that cultivate it. Psilocybe cubensis grows naturally in parts of Australia, Southeast Asia and North, Central and South America

We won’t focus much on other hallucinogenic mushrooms besides Psilocybe cubensis in this article, but Amanita muscaria, commonly known as Fly agaric or Scarlet flycap, deserves an honorable mention here because of its fascinating background and potency.

 

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Smurfs, Santa Claus and Shrooms

You’ve probably encountered the familiar sight of the Fly agaric while traipsing through the forest or watching the cartoon Smurfs. The Smurfs and other mythical gnomes and fairies are often depicted sitting on or making homes within these picturesque magic mushrooms.

Donald Pfister, a biologist at Harvard University, posits that Christmas traditions such as Santa Claus came from the appearance and hallucinogenic properties of Fly agaric. Pfister, an expert on fungi, said that Siberian shamans gifted bags of magic mushrooms in late December. The deep red and white-speckled Fly agaric, known to grow near evergreens and under birch, could resemble Santa’s presents under the Christmas tree, he reasoned.

Additionally, if you thought flying reindeer was trippy as a kid, consider the following: Folklorists in Siberia claim that Dasher, Dancer and so forth may have been the product of hallucinations brought on from agaric. Reindeer, which are common and live in Siberia, are known to consume the mushroom; magical and dancing reindeer, indeed. 

 

What’s More Hardcore, Liberties or Agarics?

Fly agaric is a toadstool, which, incidentally, means deadly mushroom for the most part. Fun fact: the nickname toadstool most likely comes from the fact that they looked just like a perfect stool for toads to rest a while. Be sure to read this. if you want to know what trippy magic mushrooms have in common with psychedelic toads.

Liberty caps are considered one of the most potent mushrooms, and in comparison Fly agaric mushrooms are usually more potent than they are. They get their kicks from psychoactive compounds other than psilocybin, too. These psychoactive compounds are also very potent toxins, which, in essence, make it a poisonous choice. A trip from one of these mushrooms is highly unpredictable, and you could very quickly wind up horizontal. Nonetheless, people still label the Fly agaric a magic mushroom.

 

What’s the Magic Behind ‘Shrooms?

The chemical compound psilocybin is what’s known as a psychedelic indole alkaloid, and it is what is delivered to your body when you consume shrooms. During digestion, psilocybin is converted to psilocin in the body. Once psilocin reaches the brain, it is theorized that it influences serotonin levels there. This biological process is supposed to be what gives you the feeling of altered perception.

The effects of the trip take about 20 to 40 minutes on average to start. Afterward, the enchanted ride can go on for up to six hours and ends when the psilocin is metabolized and excreted.

 

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Who Tripped on Shrooms First?

There is some debate among historians as to when magic mushrooms were first used for their hallucinogenic properties. Mayan and Aztec cultures depicted mushrooms in the art that is seen in the ruins in Central America. There is also strong evidence that the Aztecs are the earliest to trip on shrooms, and records indicate that they used them as part of their sacred ceremonies.

Although cultures across the world have used shrooms for centuries, Dr. Albert Hofmann synthesized and isolated psilocybin and psilocin for the first time in 1958. Dr. Hoffman was also the first person to discover and ingest lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

 

What Does Psilocybin Treat?

Great strides are being made in the use of psilocybin in therapy. For instance, the FDA approved one clinical study that uses psilocybin for treating depression that doesn’t respond to antidepressant treatments. Likewise, the agency also approved another study using psilocybin in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder or MDD. The FDA granted breakthrough therapy status to both these psychedelic treatments, and this means that the research can move faster. 

Studies also suggest that psilocybin can be used alone to treat anxiety, PTSD, cancer-related psychiatric distress, substance abuse disorders, and nicotine addiction. At the same time, Psilocybin used in tandem with LSD is also being researched as a treatment for cluster headaches. Relatedly, researchers gave their recommendations that psilocybin reclassified from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule IV drug so that its potential for medical use could be realized.

Caution: Taking magic mushrooms off-label (independently from a physician’s care without a prescription) can make existing mental health issues worse.

 

How Do Shrooms Make You feel?

Psilocybin mushrooms have a storied history that is associated with spirituality, and a trip on them is visual, auditory and sensory. However, it’s often hard to determine how shrooms affect different people. Environmental factors such as their freshness, your mindset or how comfortable you are with your surroundings can influence how intense the trip is.

Taking magic mushrooms can likely make you feel energized, excited, euphoric or downright silly. You may feel certain awe toward things surrounding you or even experience mild hallucinations. On the other hand, you might have negative feelings when using them. This can entail a feeling of being overwhelmed, paranoid, anxious or panicked. The experience can also make you feel like vomiting. Lastly, you can also experience flashbacks long after taking shrooms.

 

Can You Grow Magic Mushrooms?

Some specific strains within Psilocybe cubensis are hardy and have earned the reputation that they are easy to grow. Some of these shrooms even thrive in the less than perfect conditions you see in newbie growing setups.

Beginners appreciate the ease of growing B+ and Amazonian strains of cubensis, but the most popular and easily cultivated shroom is the Golden Teacher strain.

To grow your own beginner’s batch of psilocybin mushrooms, you can either collect materials from scratch or utilize a kit that’s made for growing mushrooms. For the best result in growing your own cubensis strain, acquire a mycelium substrate that creates an optimal environment that lets the mycelium thrive. Mycelium, for the uninitiated, is the underlying fungus that grows into edible magic mushrooms you know and love.

 

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How Do You Mask the Taste?

Psilocybin mushrooms are strongly flavored and don’t taste like the mushrooms you buy at the store. They are consumed in dry, pickled or powdered form, and some try to hide the strong flavor by mixing them in tea or cooking them into an omelet. There are several methods to mask the taste if you do a little online research, too. Magic mushroom extract is also available, and it is made by extracting the psilocybin from mushrooms like Liberty caps.  The extract comes in a vial and the liquid is a clear brown.

Fly agarics are usually not eaten raw since they can cause severe and violent GI issues. They are also well known for the unpredictability and seriousness of their effects. You get the idea, and we think it’s best to leave the Fly agaric alone or admire its beauty from afar.