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Magic mushrooms are used as a tool for self-growth, as well as treating legitimate medical conditions — such as depression, PTSD, existential anxiety, cluster headaches, and more.

Medical research on magic mushrooms has shown a lot of promise over the last few decades, and longstanding laws around the use of magic mushrooms are being revisited.

In this guide, you'll learn everything you need to know about magic mushrooms — from start to finish.

What Are Magic Mushrooms?

"Magic mushroom" is an all-encompassing term for any species of fungi with psychoactive or hallucinogenic effects. They're one of the most common psychoactive substances on earth.

There are over 200 different species of magic mushrooms — which can be found growing on every continent on earth except Antarctica.

Magic mushrooms contain two psychoactive alkaloids — psilocybin and psilocin. These alkaloids have the ability to interact with the serotonin receptors (5HT2A) — producing changes in the way we perceive sensory information (sound, vision, and touch).

Aside from changing sensory perception, magic mushrooms have a strong spiritual component. They're used as a tool for self-discovery and spiritual experience. They've been used as a sacrament in virtually every region of the world in which they can be found — including South America, North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia.

Medical research on magic mushrooms has seen a lot of breakthroughs in the last three years too. Magic mushrooms have been shown to offer substantial benefits in treating addiction, depression, anxiety, cluster headaches, and much more.

Magic Mushrooms: Specs & Technical Details

Active Ingredients Psilocybin & Psilocin
Level of Risk Low
Street Names Magic Mushrooms, Mushies, Shrooms
Most Common Side Effects Anxiety, Digestive Upset
Duration of Effects 4 – 6 Hours
Legality Illegal or Decriminalized

What Is Psilocybe cubensis?

Psilocybe cubensis is a species of fungi that produces the psychedelic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. The species contains hundreds of genetic variants (strains) that have been discovered and isolated or created through cross-cultivation in an artificial growing environment.

When ingested, this species is capable of producing profound changes in consciousness, including altered perception, euphoria, and mystical or spiritual experiences that allow users to "look inside themselves." These qualities are being studied for their effectiveness in therapy for a variety of mental illnesses, addictions, and traumas.

Psilocybe cubensis Mushrooms

Psilocybe cubensis has been found growing in a variety of different climates and environments in over 30 different countries. It can be found growing in the depths of the Amazon Rainforest, the Gulf Coast of the United States, Mexico, Asia, and even Australia and New Zealand.

This is a pan-tropical fungi species that prefers warm, humid environments. However, it's extremely tolerant in terms of environmental conditions — growing at both low and high altitudes, in wet and dry climates, and on a variety of different substrates.

The use of Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms for spiritual, cultural, and medicinal use has been documented for thousands of years. The use of this mushroom continues today for its psychoactive effects as well as its potential therapeutic benefits.

Research into Psilocybe cubensis and other psilocybin-containing mushrooms is growing. However, it's important to note that psilocybin — and thus Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms — are still illegal in many countries.

However, the spores of this species aren't banned (in most places), and several different genetic samples are widely available for purchase online.

The History of Psilocybe cubensis

Psilocybe cubensis was first discovered in Cuba in 1906. Its psychedelic properties were later identified by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann and American mycologist Robert Gordan Wasson in the 1950s.

The popularity of magic mushrooms grew rapidly in the 1960s, but a change in drug policy in 1971 halted research into their medical benefits.

In recent years, the potential benefits of psychedelics have been rediscovered, leading to a renewed interest in their therapeutic use.

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