User:Oppugno/Prep/Psychedelic-Mushrooms

Psychedelic mushrooms are fungi that contain psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin, psilocybe, or muscimol. The most common colloquial terms for psychedelic mushrooms are magic mushrooms, boomers,^[1] or just shrooms, though there are many more. Common doses range from about 1 to 3 grams, while stronger experiences range from 3 grams and upwards. However, some users who are especially sensitive to psilocybin can be catapulted into heavy effects with only a quarter of a gram.

Threshold effects are typically felt within 20 to 60 minutes of consumption, with a faster onset if eaten on an empty stomach. Mushrooms cause a noticeable dilation of the senses, emotions, and psychological activity. This expansion in consciousness generally lasts from 2 to 6 hours, but is dependent on the user and amount taken. As with other psychedelics, the experience can sometimes trigger long-lasting or permanent positive or negative changes in the user.

Mushrooms are taken orally. However, they have been known to have an unpleasant taste to some, if not all of the users. This has culminated into people making recipes for their consumption, ranging from simple ones such as dipping them in chocolate syrup to sesame balls.^[2]

First used and worshiped ritually as far back as 500 BC, mushrooms have a long and colorful history. Modern usage before introduction into western culture sparked the interests of people like R. Gordon Wasson and Dr. Timothy Leary to experience them firsthand, later becoming increasingly used in the 1960s and 1970s. Mushrooms continue to be an ongoing controversial subject in medicine as a proposed treatment for cluster headaches.

Categorization

*Psilocybe cyanescens*, referred to sometimes as *Wavy Caps*.

Psychedelic mushrooms can be divided into two groups: the psilocybin-bearing mushrooms, found primarily in the Psilocybe genus, and the muscimol-containing mushroom Amanita muscaria.

Psilocybe mushrooms contain psilocybin and/or psilocin, psychedelic tryptamines that are structurally similar to serotonin, a strong regulator of mood, state of mind, and consciousness. Several species of Psilocybe also contain the alkaloid baeocystin, which is a demethylated derivative of psilocybin. Other genera that contain psilocybin include Conocybe, Copelandia, Gymnopilus, Inocybe and Panaeolus.

Amanita muscaria, or Fly Agaric, contains many entheogenic elements, most notably muscimol, but also including muscazone, ibotenic acid and muscarine. It produces a much different experience compared to a Psilocybe mushroom. This mushroom is toxic in large doses, as ibotenic acid and muscazone can cause unpleasant side-effects such as nausea or even permanent damage, although there are very few fatalities caused by Amanita muscaria. Recreational users who wish to consume the Amanita muscaria often heat dry or cook the mushrooms, as the high temperature is believed to reduce negative effects by converting ibotenic acid into muscimol.

History

Various cultures throughout the ages have used psychedelic fungi for shamanistic and other purposes; rock paintings in the Sahara of mushroom effigies date back to 7000 BCE.

Mesoamerican mushroom stones of the pre-classic Mayans representing deified mushrooms date back to approximately 500 BCE, Psilocybin mushrooms were a revered tradition in native Central American cultures at the time of the European invasion, and have been in continuous use up to the present. Named teonanácatl ("flesh of the gods") in Nahuatl, they may have been employed for healing, divination and for intercession with spirits. Since the beginning of the Latin American colonial era, their use has been hidden due to persecution by the Christian church, which branded all native religious practices, especially those employing entheogenic sacraments, as "pagan".

Some scholars believe that Soma, the drink mentioned in Vedic literature, was derived from psychedelic mushrooms; R. Gordon Wasson suggests that this was amanita muscaria, which is known to have been used in Siberian shamanism. That Nordic Vikings may have used fly-agaric to produce their berserker rages was first suggested by the Swedish professor Samual Ödman in 1784. Ödman based his theory on reports about the use of fly-agaric among Siberian shamans. The notion has become widespread since the 19th century, but no contemporary sources mention this use or anything similar in their description of berserkers. Today, it is generally considered an unproven speculation.

According to the BBC, the first documented use of psychedelic mushrooms was in the Medical and Physical Journal: In 1799, a man who had been picking mushrooms for breakfast in London's Green Park included them in his harvest, accidentally sending his entire family on a trip. The doctor who treated them later described how the youngest child "was attacked with fits of immoderate laughter, nor could the threats of his father or mother refrain him."

In 1957, amateur mycologist R. Gordon Wasson published an article for Life describing his experiences with psilocybin mushrooms while a guest in the rituals of the Mazatec shaman Maria Sabina in a mountain village in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. His account triggered a wave of experimentation with these mushrooms which resulted in their eventual classification in the United States as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

The introduction of westerners into the previously secret rites was later rued by Maria Sabina: "From the moment the foreigners arrived, the 'holy children' (a Mazatec euphemism for the mushrooms, which are otherwise not named directly) lost their purity. They lost their force, they ruined them. Henceforth they will no longer work. There is no remedy for it."

Effects

As with many psychoactive substances, the effects of any mushrooms consumed are subjective and unpredictable. Generally speaking, the experience of psilocybin containing mushrooms lasts four to six hours or more. The effect is typically inwardly oriented, with strong visual and auditory components. Visions and revelations may be experienced, and the effect can range from exhilarating to terrifying. There can be also a total absence of effects, even with large doses.

The effects of mushrooms are strongly dependent upon set and setting. The Mazatecs purify themselves before a velada (or "vision quest") by abstaining from meat, eggs, alcohol and sex for four days. The veladas are always done in the dark, in a protected and sealed space which no one may enter or leave until all have regained their composure. Modern psychonauts often speak of "packing for the trip", by which is meant a loading of information into the brain prior to "departure", for example, by reading a philosophical writing or watching natural history or science documentaries in the days immediately prior to a planned experience. Experienced users find that there are ways of adjusting their environment to enhance their trip.

There have been calls for medical investigation of the use of psilocybin-containing mushrooms for the treatment of chronic cluster headaches, following numerous anecdotal reports of benefits.^[3]

Physical

Physical effects are all related to how many mushrooms are consumed. Low doses exhibit effects along the lines of feelings of relaxation or peace and a feeling of heaviness of lightness. Higher doses cause numerous effects like a feeling of coldness in some users, numbness of the mouth and adjacent features, nausea, weakness in the limbs (making locomotion difficult), excessive yawning which usually occurs during the come-up, swollen features, pupil dilation, and stiffness in points of the body, often the result of the users staying in awkward positions because of their inability to accurately judge the flow of time.

Sensory

As with many hallucinogens, the sensory effects are the most dramatic of the experience. Most general doses cause a noticeable enhancement and contrasting of worldly colors, surfaces that seem to ripple or shimmer, and some visual hallucinations.^[1] Heavy experiences cause complex open and closed eye visuals, objects that warp, morph, or change solid colors (juxtaposed with the free-flowing and changing colors of LSD), a sense of melding into the environment, trails, and auditory hallucinations. Intriguingly, some users speak about the feeling of their senses overlapping or synesthesia. A rather interesting genetic trait (which occurs in 1 in every 23 individuals), it causes, for example, a visualization of color upon hearing a particular sound.

Hearing is a commonly cited as being experienced to a fuller degree. Music is frequently more powerful than normal (often attributed to marijuana, but other substances as well), compelling a feeling of being in the music. Unusual designs, such as wood grain, flow like rivers and finer details are noticed more sharply. Textures, like skin or a soft fur rug, can be stimulating to some users.

Emotional

Feelings of euphoric bliss, relaxation, peace, wonder, anxiety, or fear have all been reported.^[4] A childlike sense of intrigue about the world on common doses are contrasted with cosmic revelations and perceptions of a "higher power" on large amounts. Some users may experience intense episodes of hilarity.^[1] Heavier trips carry the increased possibility of a surreal event known as ego death, whereby the user loses the sense of boundaries between their self and the environment, creating a sort of perceived universal unity. Also, anxiety and paranoia are possible and if they become severe enough they could culminate into a bad trip. However, this can be easily offset by being in a comfortable set and setting.

Psychological

Mushrooms cause the mind to conduct itself in an unusual manner. Abstract thoughts develop and are often difficult to explain to others correctly. A more-thorough thought pattern becomes apparent, climaxing in deep philosophical or introspective silence. Complex personal issues may be taken on full force by more experienced users, helping them arrive at a conclusion and make an appropriate change to their lifestyle. During this process, a user may also gain a new perspective on a thought they've held for years. The mind seems to flow more easily from idea to idea, making such things as improvisation perceptually easier. The natural filters of the mind are bypassed, causing a large increase in mental stimulation and creativity. Time dilation has been reported, with minutes and seconds taking an unusually large amount of time to pass. There may also be some indecisiveness in deciding what to do or get.

Some people find that they experience stimulation of the verbal faculties (such as speech and singing) and experiment speaking only with vowels or consonants, which could be considered a mild form of glossolalia. Click consonants may also prove to be stimulating.

Dosage

Dosage of psilocybin mushrooms depends on the total psilocybin and psilocin content of the mushrooms, which varies significantly both between species and within the same species, but is typically around 0.5-2% of the dried weight of the mushroom. A typical dose of the rather common species, Psilocybe cubensis, is approximately 1 to 3 grams, corresponding with 10 to 30 milligrams psilocybin and psilocin, while about 3 to 5 grams dried material or 30 to 50 milligrams of psilocybin/psilocin is considered a heavy dose. Mushrooms are approximately 90% water and dosages for fresh mushrooms are accordingly about 10 times higher, i.e. 10 to 50 grams fresh material.

Legal status

In many countries, psilocybin-containing mushrooms are illegal. In the Netherlands, however, fresh mushrooms can be obtained in "smart shops" which specialise in ethnobotanicals. Dried mushrooms, however, are considered a "preparation" and thus remain illegal in all countries. Nonetheless, there is an active international trade both in mushrooms and in spores, which can be grown in sterile medium (see Drug policy of the Netherlands).

Fly Agaric is not a controlled substance in most countries.

Canada

Mushroom spore kits are legal and are sold openly in stores as the spores themselves are not illegal. However, production, sale and possession of psilocybin mushrooms is illegal.

A large batch of the *Psilocybe semilanceata* (*Liberty Cap*) variety.

Japan

Before 2002, psilocybin mushrooms were widely available in Japan, often sold in mail-order shop, online vendor and "smart shops" similar to those of the Netherlands. In June 2002, Japan Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry added psilocybin mushrooms to Schedule Narcotics (similar to U.S. Schedule I of Controlled Substances Act) of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drug Control Law (similar to U.S. Controlled Substances Act). Use, production, trafficking, growing, possession, botanizing of psilocybin mushrooms is now illegal in Japan. However, muscimol-containing mushrooms such as Amanita muscaria are still not controlled in Japan, probably due to its notorious difficulty in obtaining a psychedelic experience.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, psilocybin mushrooms are class A drugs, putting them in the highest class of illicit compounds along with heroin and LSD. They do not have to be prepared in any way for possession to be illegal.

Republic of Ireland

Until 31 January, 2006, unprepared psilocybin mushrooms were legal in the Republic of Ireland. On that date they were made illegal by a ministerial order. This decision was partly based on the death of well-known Dubliner Colm Hodkinson, age 33, at a Halloween party on 30th October 2005, who died after jumping off of a balcony after consuming legally purchased magic mushrooms.^[5]

United Kingdom

As of 18 July 2005, both dried and "prepared" (that is, made into a tea) psilocybin mushrooms were made illegal in the United Kingdom. Prior to this date, fresh mushrooms were widely available (even in city centre shops), but Clause 21 of the Drugs Bill 2005 made fresh psychedelic mushrooms ("fungi containing psilocin"), a Class A drug. However, mushrooms spores are not illegal, due to the fact they do not carry psilocin until they are cultivated.

United States of America

In the United States, possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is illegal because they contain the Schedule I drugs psilocin and psilocybin. Spores, however, which do not contain psychoactive chemicals, are only explicitly illegal in California, Idaho, and Georgia. In the state of Florida, fresh or unprepared psilocybin mushrooms that grow wild are legal to possess.

In all states, except possibly New Mexico, growing psilocybin-containing mushrooms from spores is considered manufacture of a controlled substance. In New Mexico, on June 15, 2005, the New Mexico appeals court ruled that growing psilocybin mushrooms for personal use is not manufacture of a controlled substance.^[6]

Drug trade

Production

It is not difficult to cultivate Psilocybe mushrooms (esp. Psilocybe cubensis). The legal availability of spores and mycelium varies by country and state. Most of the other supplies needed for mushroom cultivation (mason jars, potting supplements, rye, brown rice flour) are easily obtained. One can also purchase kits through the mail or Internet that include everything one needs for personal growing. These grow kits are often used by amateur growers, with varying rates of success and yields; contamination of the supplies is a common problem.

Trafficking

Because mushrooms can be grown indoors (namely Psilocybe cubensis and Panaeolus cyanescens), they are generally grown within the same national borders as they are sold. There have been few high-profile cases of mushroom producers and traffickers being caught or prosecuted.

While mushrooms may be distributed by organized crime, more often they are moved by informal affiliations of acquaintances and fellow users, and do not often travel long distances. They are sold in plastic bags containing either whole dried or powdered, sometimes crushed, fungi, and are generally sold by weight. They are sometimes incorporated into chocolate or baked into brownies, cakes, or muffins.

The potency of mushrooms can vary greatly depending on the growing conditions, and buyers of this and any other drug run the risk of ingesting a poisonous, mis-identified species, or being cheated by substitutions or cutting of the mushrooms with other, non-psychedelic varieties, or by non-psychedelic varieties laced with other psychedelics, most often LSD.

Identification

Caution: There exist many highly toxic mushrooms which can be easily confused with similar-looking edible species. Do not rely on Wikipedia alone when identifying mushrooms for consumption.

While growing psychedelic mushrooms in a controlled environment is generally considered easier and safer than searching for them in the wild, such mushrooms can be found in places like farms, parks, and stables.

Amanita muscaria

Amanita muscaria can be easily confused by the layperson with Amanita pantherina as well as other toxic Amanitas. Misidentified Amanitas are the cause of 95% of fatal mushroom poisonings. For this reason, extreme caution should be used when attempting to identify an Amanita muscaria for ingestion.

Recreational use of these mushrooms is limited in spite of the fact that they are legal to buy/sell in most areas. Most users only eat the mushrooms once or twice due to their unpleasant side effects and the tendency for a recreational user to try too much causing very harsh side effects. Light doses (1 – 3 grams dried) are described to be similar to alcohol and a very 'social buzz'. Higher doses (9+ grams dried) have been described as having the flu along with delirium usually accompanied with vomiting and stomach discomfort.

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c Cynthia Kuhn, Scott Swartzwelder, and Wilkie Wilson. Hallucinogens (pg. 83) from Buzzed: The Straight Facts about the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy (W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 1998 & 2003). ISBN 0-393-32493-1.
^ Recipes from erowid.org. Retrieved on 2006-09-17.
^ Hallucinogens from clusterbusters.com. Retrieved date unknown.
^ Mushroom effects from erowid.org. Retrieved on 2006-09-23.
^ Man jumped to death after taking magic mushrooms from the Irish Examiner. Retrieved date unknown.
^ Growing hallucinogenic mushrooms not illegal, state appeals court rules from the Free New Mexican. Retrieved date unknown.

References

R. Gordon Wasson, The Wondrous Mushroom: Mycolatry in Mesoamerica
Alvaro Estrada, Maria Sabina: Her Life and Chants
Terence McKenna, Food of the Gods
Ole Högberg, Flugsvampen och människan. Section concerning the berserker myth is published online [1] (In Swedish and PDF format) ISBN 91-7203-555-2

External links

The Shroomery Detailed information about psychedelic mushrooms including identification, cultivation and spores, psychedelic images, trip reports, a dosage calculator, and an active community.
Psilocybe mushrooms from The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Substances (1998) ISBN 0-349-11127-8
The Vaults of Erowid - Psilocybin Mushrooms
Mycotopia Information on Ayahuasca, Psilocybe Mushrooms, Cactis and Cannabis, including research, legislation, media coverage, bibliography and lots of links
TCCWiki A free collaborative drug information project that anyone can edit
The Good Drugs Guide - The Good Drugs Guide - Mushrooms
Terence McKenna Psychedelics in the Age of Intelligent Machines.
Shroom safety tips A community dedicated to safe drug use.
The Shroom Gallery An open-minded community put together to showcase pictures of exotic, psilocybin and other types of mushrooms.
Mushplanet Everything you need to know about cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms.
Psilocybin Mushrooms All about psilocybin mushrooms.
Zauberpilz.com- Comprehensive Psilocybe Mushroom Information
020magazine.com London - London's love of mushrooms
How UK's love of mushrooms grew
Illegal in UK as of 18 July 2005
Illegal in Ireland as of 31 Jan 2006
EMCDDA Thematic Paper: Hallucinogenic mushrooms - an emerging trend case study , June 26, 2006
Magic Mushrooms news page - Alcohol and Drugs History Society

[buzzed-1] Cynthia Kuhn, Scott Swartzwelder, and Wilkie Wilson. Hallucinogens (pg. 83) from Buzzed: The Straight Facts about the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy (W.W. Norton & Company Inc., 1998 & 2003). ISBN 0-393-32493-1.

[2] Recipes from erowid.org. Retrieved on 2006-09-17.

[3] Hallucinogens from clusterbusters.com. Retrieved date unknown.

[4] Mushroom effects from erowid.org. Retrieved on 2006-09-23.

[5] Man jumped to death after taking magic mushrooms from the Irish Examiner. Retrieved date unknown.

[6] Growing hallucinogenic mushrooms not illegal, state appeals court rules from the Free New Mexican. Retrieved date unknown.

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