This book explores the latest information on psychedelic research. It outlines how psychedelic mushrooms trigger a peak or spiritual experience. It also includes the use of psychedelics in indigenous cultures. It’s mushroom season in the northern hemisphere. And that means that the green and pleasant fields and forests of the UK are littered with fungi – some of it of the psychedelic variety. In March 2018, several Psilocybe cubensis specimens were collected in Zimbabwe in the Wedza District of Mashonaland East province, approx. 120km southeast of Harare. This was the first reported occurrence of a psilocybin mushroom in Zimbabwe. The mushrooms were collected on Imire Rhino & Wildlife Conservation - a nature reserve that is home to both wildlife and cattle, as well as cattle egrets. [15] Psychedelic and entheogenic use [ edit ] Psilocybe cubensis Wasson, G.R. (1980). The Wondrous Mushroom: Mycolatry in Mesoamerica. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-068443-0. Psilocybin mushrooms seem to have a very low potential for addiction in humans. There have not been any significant cases of people becoming detrimentally addicted to mushrooms.

They’re not legal, as they contain the psychedelic compound psilocybin, making them a Class A drug. But as anyone who lives in the real world knows, this obviously doesn’t stop people from taking them. The train has already left the station, and from white-collar business owners to vanlifers, it seems like everybody is getting on board. a b c d Schultes, Richard Evans (1976). Hallucinogenic Plants. Illustrated by Elmer W. Smith. New York: Golden Press. p. 68. ISBN 978-0-307-24362-1. Main article: Psilocybin §Pharmacokinetics A bag of 1.5 grams of dried psilocybe cubensis mushroomsBallesteros, S.; Ramón, M.F.; Iturralde, M.J.; Martínez-Arrieta, R. (2006). "Natural Sources of Drugs of Abuse: Magic Mushrooms". In Cole, S.M. (ed.). New Research on Street Drugs. Nova Science Publishers. p.175. ISBN 978-1-59454-961-8. Forty-year-old operations manager Melissa Elwin is among them. After an unpleasant first treatment, in which she felt trapped, during her second psychedelic trip inside Hammersmith Hospital, she felt as though she had left her body and was seeing her problems objectively. Psilocybin helped her confront her depression, fuelled by a difficult relationship and fraught breakup, and anxiety she had had since childhood. Under the drug, she started to find a resilience that has since helped her face her father’s death from dementia and a protracted legal battle with her ex-partner. Her descriptions of the trip are similar to the awe and unity Hoffman at times experienced on psychedelics while testing them: he saw in them a powerful ability to put our self and troubles in perspective. Stamets, P. (1996). Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. ISBN 978-0-9610798-0-2. Magic mushroom composition varies from genus to genus and species to species. [23] Its principal component is psilocybin, [24] which is converted into psilocin to produce psychoactive effects. [25] [26] Besides psilocin, norpsilocin, baeocystin, norbaeocystin, and aeruginascin may also be present, which can modify the effects of magic mushrooms. [23] Panaeolus subbalteatus, one species of magic mushroom, had the highest amount of psilocybin compared to the rest of the fruiting body. [23] Certain mushrooms are found to produce beta-carbolines which inhibit monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down tryptamine alkaloids. They occur in different genera, such as Psilocybe, [27] Cyclocybe, [28] and Hygrophorus. [29] Harmine, harmane, norharmane and a range of other l-tryptophan-derived β-carbolines were discovered in Psilocybe species.

Chilton, Scott; Bigwood, Jeremy (1979). "Chilton, W. Scott, Jeremy Bigwood, and Robert E. Jensen. "Psilocin, bufotenine, and serotonin: historical and biosynthetic observations". Journal of Psychedelic Drugs. 11.1 (2): 61–69. doi: 10.1080/02791072.1979.10472093. PMID 392119. In a 1992 paper, locals and tourists in Thailand were reported to consume P. cubensis and related species in mushroom omelets—particularly in Ko Samui and Ko Pha-ngan. At times, omelets were adulterated with LSD, resulting in prolonged intoxication. A thriving subculture had developed in the region. Other localities, such as Hat Yai, Ko Samet, and Chiang Mai, also had some reported usage. [11] Bogusz, M. J.; Maier, R. D.; Schäfer, A. T.; Erkens, M. (1998). "Honey with Psilocybe mushrooms: a revival of a very old preparation on the drug market?". International Journal of Legal Medicine. 111 (3): 147–150. doi: 10.1007/s004140050135. ISSN 0937-9827. PMID 9587797. S2CID 34213721. Being one of the safest drugs, psilocybin is casting off its reputation as a wonky drug for hippies and drop outs and is now being recognised as a powerful medicine that will play an important role in the future of mankind’s mental wellbeing.

a b Guzmán, G. (2005). "Species diversity of the genus Psilocybe (Basidiomycotina, Agaricales, Strophariaceae) in the world mycobiota, with special attention to hallucinogenic properties". International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 7 (1–2): 305–331. doi: 10.1615/intjmedmushr.v7.i12.280. Cornelis, Schrevel (1826). Schrevelius' Greek lexicon, tr. into Engl. with numerous corrections. p.358 . Retrieved 2011-10-04.

a b Guzmán, G.; Allen, J.W.; Gartz, J. (2000). "A worldwide geographical distribution of the neurotropic fungi, an analysis and discussion" (PDF). Annali del Museo Civico di Rovereto: Sezione Archeologia, Storia, Scienze Naturali. 14: 189–280. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 5, 2018 . Retrieved April 5, 2022.Before consuming any psilocybin mushrooms (fresh or dried) it is very important to accurately weigh them to ensure the correct dosage. Accurate gram and milligram scales are widely available and should be used to ensure the dosage is correct. Upon ingestion, effects usually begin after approximately 20–60 minutes (depending on the method of ingestion and stomach contents) and may last from four to ten hours, depending on dosage and individual biochemistry. Visual distortions often occur, including walls that seem to breathe, a vivid enhancement of colors, and the animation of organic shapes. [ citation needed]

I became a different person,” says Michael. “I couldn’t wait to get dressed, get into the outside world, see people. I was supremely confident – more like I was when I was younger, before the depression started and got to its worst.” Earle, Franklin Summer (1906). "Algunos hongos cubanos". Información Anual Estación Central Agronomica Cuba (in Spanish). 1: 225–242 [240–241]. Standing 4-10cm tall, the mushroom has a distinct conical to bell-shaped cap that grows to about 2-2.5cm. It also has a small nipple-looking lump on the top of the cap. Liberty caps are a creamy yellow to brown and become quite pale when dried.

In fact, if you were caught with a small amount for personal use – say up to 5 grams – you’d probably get away with a caution. If you want to produce your magic mushrooms, this book is for you. It gives detail on home mushroom cultivation. Colorado Proposition 122, Decriminalization and Regulated Access Program for Certain Psychedelic Plants and Fungi Initiative (2022)". ballotpedia.org. November 8, 2022 . Retrieved July 5, 2023. van Amsterdam, J.; Opperhuizen, A.; van den Brink, W. (2011). "Harm potential of magic mushroom use: A review". Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 59 (3): 423–429. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2011.01.006. PMID 21256914.