17 Interesting Facts About Magic Mushrooms

Psilocybin mushrooms or magic mushrooms are a type of fungi, which contains psychoactive compounds called psilocybin and psilocin. These mushrooms have a long history of use in Mesoamerica in religious and spiritual rituals. In the United States and Europe, Magic Mushrooms are considered one of the most popular recreational psychedelics. Here are some interesting facts about magic mushrooms:Magic Mushrooms
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1. Bald Head!

The scientific name for magic mushroom, Psilocybe cubensis translates to “bald head.” It is quite apt for this little white and brown mushroom and befits the fungus’s mild-mannered appearance.
Source: livescience.com

2. A Wide Spectrum of Habitat!

Psilocybe mexicana

Magic mushrooms grow naturally in various habitats ranging from grasses and gardens to rotting woods and animal faeces.
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3. Street Names

Psilocybes popularly known as magic mushrooms are also known by many street names like mushies, shrooms, liberty cap, boomers, etc.
Source: eypdas.org.uk

4. An Old Companion of Humans!

Psilocybe Mushrooms statues
Psilocybe Mushrooms statues

Archaeological evidence from the Sahara desert suggests that humans have been tripping on hallucinogenic mushrooms for more than 7,000 years. Extensive use of Magic Mushrooms has also been reported in the Mayan and Aztec cultures of Mesoamerica, namely in Mexico and Guatemala.
Source: thethirdwave.co, Image: wikimedia.org

5. Shroom Tea!

Mushroom tea
Mushroom tea

Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh or dry. It can also be brewed as a tea.
Source: uk.reuters.com, Image: wikimedia.org

6. Ritualistic Use!

Magic mushrooms were widely used in Central America during religious ceremonies. According to a theory, the Mesolithic rock paintings in Algeria of Tassili n’ Ajjer are a depiction of mushrooms used in various rituals. The Aztec called magic mushrooms “flesh of gods” or teonanacatl.
Source: telegraph.co.uk

7. Lots of Variety!

Psilocybe allenii

Around 200 species of mushrooms can be classified as magical meaning having common ingredient psilocybin, which is responsible for its mind-altering effects.
Source: telegraph.co.uk.com, Image: wikimedia.org

8. The Christmas Connection!

Magic Mushrooms Christmas Connection

According to a theory, magic mushrooms might be behind Christmas cheers. The theory says that Siberian shamans used to gift hallucinogenic mushrooms every winter to the region’s tribesmen.
Source: telegraph.co.uk, GIF: gfycat.com

9. Have Magic Mushrooms and Be Open-Minded!

Researchers suggest that one trip on mushroom may have lasting positive and psychological effect on the user’s personality. It can make an individual more open-minded.
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10. Potential Medical Use

Research suggests that magic mushrooms might be helpful in overcoming nicotine addiction. Additionally, some other researchers suggest that psychedelic mushrooms can help treat anxiety, OCD, headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorders.
Source: telegraph.co.uk

11. Help Overcome Smoking Addiction!

smoking

Some studies suggest that psilocybin may help people overcome their addiction to smoking cigarettes.
Source: promega.com, Image: Flickr

12. Have Magic Mushrooms and Start Dreaming!

Magic Mushrooms And Dreams

A typical trip on magic mushroom leads you to a sort of transitory state between sleep and wakefulness, commonly described as a waking dream state. Some studies suggest that a mushroom trip is neurologically similar to dreaming.
Source: thethirdwave.co, GIF: giphy.com

13. No Physical Addiction!

Though magic mushrooms are psychologically addictive, researchers suggest that they aren’t physically addictive.
Source: telegraph.co.uk

14. Mystical Effects!

Magic Mushrooms Effects

A study at John Hopkins University shows that test subjects had the most significant spiritual experience of their life after taking magic mushrooms.
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15. It’s Illegal!

Psilocybin mushrooms have been classified as Schedule I dug in the United States that means it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use, which makes it illegal.
Source: huffingtonpost.com

16. Bleeding Brain!

There are myths that magic mushrooms cause stomach bleeding, brain bleeding, and kidney failure. There is no evidence that magic mushrooms are responsible for any of these.
Source: thethirdwave.co

17. What? Magic Mushrooms Are Poisonous!

Well, it depends how you define ‘poisonous.’ If you categorize a substance as poisonous that alters your state of consciousness, induces an intoxicated state, and brings some physiological changes, then not only magic mushrooms, but every single drug is poisonous. Studies suggest that magic mushrooms cause no major health effects.
Source: thethirdwave.co