Posted in:

Magic Mushrooms: 5 Facts About Psilocybin

© by Getty images

Mushrooms are some of the oldest plants to exist on our planet, and although many of them look like most other white and brown fungus, different mushrooms have unique qualities. Magic mushrooms for instance, have specifically potent psychoactive properties. From hillbilly magic mushrooms to the many other types there are, people have preferences as to which ones suit them better. In case you didn’t know, there are more than 150 species of mushrooms out there, and each brings about different symptoms, from euphoria to hallucinations. There are many more interesting facts about mushrooms, but today, we are going to focus on psilocybin. 

1. They Can Be Grown at Home

For those who have started their thought about where to get them, you should know that you can grow them right at home since this gives you control over your produce. However, you’ll need to do some research on whether or not it is legal in your country. In the event they are legal, you can start by buying a growth kit online, and once you plant them, remember to water them regularly. You should know that in the event you decide to go down this route, you should practice extreme caution in terms of growing and consuming them because the impact can be potent. Therefore, it is important that you take full responsibility for your experiences and actions. 

2. Slows Down Brain Activity

How magic mushrooms affect us varies greatly from person to person, but a lot of people experience increased stimuli, and some get a sensation that everything is in slow motion. Psilocybin binds to receptors for the neurotransmitter serotonin, and it has been reported that it alters brain communication and results in increased synchronicity. For some people, the information transfer, like the thalamus, reports decreased activity. When these areas slow down, the thalamus allows for easy transfer of information through the brain, as it is like the gatekeeper that controls and limits connections.

3. They Are Legal In Several Countries

Magic mushrooms may be illegal in many countries, but there are several other countries where you are allowed to enjoy psilocybin mushrooms. In countries where it is legal, you can not only consume and grow them but also purchase them. For instance, in Holland, you can purchase magic truffles, which is the pre-stage of mushroom development. Other countries like Jamaica and the Czech Republic allow you to grow psychedelic mushrooms.

4. It Could Change You

Certain things can alter someone’s personality, and magic mushrooms make the list as being one of those things. A study done in 2011 shows that people who use psychedelics have shown to be open to new adventures and new experiences. Individuals who display this type of outlook end up more creative and have their interest in art peaked, as they tend to resonate with emotions and value novelty. The trips these individuals go through end up being quite profound and lead to an outpour of connectedness and joy.  

5. Magic Mushrooms Are A Schedule 1 Drug

If you are a resident of the United States, you probably know that there are strict policies about magic mushrooms because they have a very strong potential for abuse. They are under schedule 1, along with heroin and cocaine, even though it might seem a bit inaccurate to categorize them under one umbrella. Because of this, the Drug Enforcement Administration takes these mushrooms as having no medical usage and, therefore, acknowledges them as illegal drugs. 

Conclusion

While it is true that psilocybin mushrooms are helpful in the sense that they do help solve traumatic emotions, there is still a lot we don’t know about how they affect your brain. Although we do know that they affect your emotions and trigger different responses, these conclusions are not fact-based, and it is difficult to know fully about the effects the drug has on its users.