Psychoactive Mushrooms / Psilocybin Mushrooms: Characteristics, Effects, and Legal Status

Psilocybin Mushrooms – The Influence of Psychedelics on the Mind and Body

Psychoactive mushrooms, hallucinogenic mushrooms, mushrooms with psychoactive effects – each of these names refers to a group of mushrooms containing psilocybin, which converts into psilocin after consumption. Over the years, there has been much controversy and myths surrounding them. Therefore, it’s worth exploring the real impact of “magic mushrooms” on the human body and mind.

What Are Psychedelic Mushrooms?

First, let’s consider what psychedelic mushrooms are. In short, they are mushrooms that contain psilocybin – a chemical compound responsible for psychoactive and psychedelic effects. Psilocybin itself is not biologically active, but after consumption by humans, it quickly converts into psilocin. Psilocin, in turn, has properties that alter states of consciousness, sometimes comparable to the effects of Ayahuasca, LSD, DMT, Sassafras, or mescaline.

Hallucinogenic mushrooms can induce – as the name suggests – visual and mental hallucinations. In addition to them, there are also euphoria, distorted sense of time, changes in perception of surroundings, as well as multiform spiritual experiences. Among the unwanted effects observed by psychedelic researchers are panic attacks or nausea.

Are Psilocybin Mushrooms Legal?

The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms varies depending on the country and concerns the possible criminalization of possession, sale, transport, or cultivation of psychedelics.

Countries where possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms is legal include:

Austria
Bahamas
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Jamaica
Nepal
Netherlands
Samoa

However, it should be noted that the legal status varies slightly in different countries. For example, in Jamaica, cultivation for personal use and consumption is legal, but sale is punishable.

And how about in our country? Are hallucinogenic mushrooms legal in Poland? According to the current law, both psilocybin and psilocin are listed as banned substances. However, there are no species of psilocybin mushrooms listed there, so the sale and possession of so-called grow kits are legal.

Grow Kits: Research and Collectors’ Sets

A grow kit is a unique product intended solely for research and collection purposes. The mycelium contained in the kits does not contain any illegal or prohibited substances.

Psychoactive mushroom grow kits consist of a special substrate and mycelium, which can be observed under a microscope. However, one should not allow the fruiting bodies to grow, as they contain chemical compounds that are prohibited in Poland.

You can purchase the following varieties of research kits:

Albino
B+
Ban Hua Thai
Cambodian
Golden Teacher
Mazatapec
McKennaii
Mexicana
MobyDick
PES Amazonian
PES Hawaii</ li>
Red Boy
Treasure Coast

How Does Psilocybin from Hallucinogenic Mushrooms Work?

As mentioned earlier, psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine; 4-PO-DMT) is a chemical compound banned in Poland. Similarly, the issue of illegality applies to its derivative, psilocin, which is produced as a result of metabolic transformation.

Both compounds have a similar structure to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and their use is associated with different states of consciousness, hallucinogenic effects, and “trips.” Scientists argue that these phenomena occur due to the substances’ interaction with serotonin (5-HT) receptors in the central nervous system.

There are over 180 species of mushrooms that contain the psilocybin substance. Alongside peyote (mescaline), psilocybin mushrooms have been known for hundreds of years to indigenous peoples, mainly in South America. They have been and are used during spiritual or religious rituals.

Indigenous peoples use hallucinogenic mushrooms in two ways: fresh or dried. The psilocybin contained in them is said to give them a bitter and unpleasant taste. Consumption during shamanic rituals produces effects for about 6 hours, with the peak occurring after about 1-2 hours.

How Do Psilocybin Mushrooms Affect the Body?

Researchers of psychoactive mushrooms usually focus on their characteristics similar to the hallucinogenic effects resulting from the use of mescaline, peyote, or LSD. The psychedelic phenomena in the body result from the reaction of brain receptors to the content of psilocybin.

In many indigenous cultures, microdosing of “magic” mushrooms is practiced. Hallucinogenic chemical compounds disrupt the normal function of serotonin in the brain, affecting the following factors:

Overall well-being.
Worldview.
Perception of external stimuli.
Changes or sharpening of senses.
Increased appetite.
Raised body temperature.
Increased libido and sexual activity.
Uncontrolled muscle movements.

There are also several physical effects that psilocybin’s contact with the human body can cause. These include muscle weakness, lack of coordination, nausea, or vomiting. It’s also important to highlight other psychoactive effects observed during hallucinogenic mushroom tests:

Intensified emotional sensations.
Disturbances in time perception, e.g., a feeling of time passing more slowly.
Mixed sensations about the surroundings, e.g., “seeing” sounds or “hearing” colors.
Spiritual and out-of-body experiences.
Increased relaxation, including a feeling of “detachment” from surroundings and environment.
Sleep problems, mainly insomnia.

During selected observations, “tripping” can also lead to so-called “bad trips”, or psychedelic effects that have a negative impact on the user. In such cases, there is increased fear, psychosis, paranoia, and even panic. Consuming too high doses of psilocybin can lead to terrifying visualizations, the memories of which may haunt the individual for life.

Psilocybin Mushrooms – The Most Well-Known Species

Among over 180 species, it’s worth describing those psilocybin mushrooms that are most widespread in the world. Here are a few of them:

Liberty Cap (Psilocybe semilanceata) – found on all continents except Asia, Africa, and Antarctica. In Poland, Liberty Caps have been found, mainly in mountainous areas (pastures used for sheep or cow grazing). They grow wild, usually in clumps of grass and moss, mainly on moist soil.
Mexican Liberty Cap (Psilocybe mexicana) – a hallucinogenic mushroom mainly found in Mexico and South American countries. It has great significance in Indian cultures, where it is consumed due to its psychoactive properties. It is coprophilous, meaning it grows in locations fertilized with animal feces.
Psilocybe cyanescens – the oldest sources (hieroglyphics) describe the use of this mushroom in the culture of ancient Egyptians. They may have been used by Egyptian priests during ceremonies and religious rituals. They grow in North America, Western and Central Europe, and New Zealand.</ li>
Psilocybe azurescens – a psilocybin mushroom with a cap shape resembling a flying saucer. It is one of the strongest “hallucinogens” from the family of Hymenogastraceae. It grows in North America, most commonly in Oregon.
Psilocybe cubensis – colloquially called the “Golden Teacher,” it is one of the most well-known hallucinogenic mushrooms. It occurs in the USA, Central America, and Southeast Asia. The maximum growth of fruit bodies occurs just before the hottest period of the year, around May and June.

Summary

When it comes to hallucinogenic mushrooms, the legal status concerning their cultivation, sale, and use is of utmost importance. It’s essential to keep this in mind to avoid breaking the law in the respective country. Psilocybin mushrooms can alter states of consciousness and, in cases of overdose, cause unpleasant and dangerous side effects. Therefore, in Poland, only collector grow kits are available, which are intended solely for scientific research.