Psychedelic Mushrooms: The Magical World of Psilocybin Mushrooms, History and Current Research
Psychedelic mushrooms, more precisely mushrooms containing psychoactive substances such as psilocybin and psilocin, are a fascinating phenomenon that humanity has been using for thousands of years. From the rituals of ancient civilizations to modern scientific research -- psychedelic mushrooms have a rich history and open up new possibilities for exploring human consciousness and psyche.
How do psychedelic mushrooms work?
The main substances responsible for changes in perception after consuming psychedelic mushrooms are psilocybin and psilocin. After ingestion, psilocybin is converted in the body to active psilocin, which affects serotonin receptors in the brain. This process leads to changes in perception, which may include visual and auditory hallucinations, changes in the perception of time and space, or strong emotional experiences. Effects usually occur within 15-60 minutes and last 4-6 hours. Studies on the effects of psilocybin on the brain suggest that this substance has the potential to change connections between brain regions, which may help with therapeutic applications.
History of use
The first evidence of the use of psychedelic mushrooms comes from prehistoric Africa, where cave paintings depicting figures with mushrooms dating back to 6,000 BC were found. In pre-Columbian America, psychedelic mushrooms played a key role in religious and healing rituals, especially among the Aztecs, who called them "teonanácatl" or "divine flesh". The Aztecs believed that mushrooms allowed them to connect with the divine and spiritual world. The importance of psychedelic mushrooms for these cultures is also evidenced by numerous stone mushroom figurines found in Central America.
In Europe, psychedelic mushrooms became popular only in the 1950s, when American banker R. Gordon Wasson described his experience with the ritual use of liberty caps in Mexico. This discovery attracted the attention of scientists, artists, and the hippie movement, and led to extensive research on psychedelic substances.
Therapeutic potential
In recent years, psilocybin has become the subject of scientific research for its potential to help people with anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders. A study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry found that psilocybin can help people with depression achieve long-term mood improvement. Research conducted at Johns Hopkins University also showed that psilocybin can help patients with terminal illnesses reduce anxiety and fear of death by allowing them to view life from a different perspective. 
What types of liberty caps grow in the Czech Republic?
The most common type of psychedelic mushroom in the Czech Republic is the liberty cap (Psilocybe semilanceata), which is recognizable by its pointed cap. This species usually grows in damp meadows and pastures. Another species is the wavy cap (Psilocybe cyanescens), whose fruiting bodies turn blue when touched, which is a result of the oxidation of psilocybin. This species is often found in forest soils or in parks with moist wood mulch. Both of these species require specific conditions for growth, and it is necessary to have certain knowledge about their environment to safely identify them.
If you want to learn more about how to find and recognize liberty caps in nature, check out our article How to find and recognize liberty caps?
Safety and risks
Psychedelic mushrooms do not create physical dependence, which is one of their advantages compared to many other psychoactive substances. However, when used incorrectly, they can cause disorientation and amplify the current mental state, which can lead to a so-called "bad trip" -- an unpleasant experience associated with anxiety and fear. Therefore, it is recommended that mushrooms be consumed in a safe environment and ideally with a guide.
If you are interested in what state can be experienced on psychedelic mushrooms and how to avoid unpleasant experiences, check out our article What state will I experience on mushrooms and how to avoid, or what to do during a bad trip?
Changes in legislation and current perspective
Psychedelic mushrooms are coming to the forefront of interest around the world thanks to research into their therapeutic potential. Some countries, such as the Netherlands, allow the legal sale of so-called "magic truffles", which contain psilocybin, while in other countries psychedelic mushrooms are strictly prohibited. The United States and Canada have even begun to allow limited therapeutic access to psilocybin in controlled clinical conditions.
In the United States, some states have moved further -- for example, Oregon and Colorado have allowed the use of psilocybin as part of licensed therapeutic programs, with Oregon introducing the first legal program in 2023. Other cities, such as Denver or Oakland, have decriminalized the possession of psilocybin, which means that there are no penalties for its personal use.
In Canada, psilocybin is legal only for selected therapeutic cases. The Canadian Ministry of Health allows individual exceptions for patients in terminal stages or for therapists working in experimental treatment programs. This approach, however, is still limited, and psychedelic mushrooms are not legally available to most of the population.
This article is focused on education and provides an overview of the significance and potential of psychedelic mushrooms in various areas. Psychedelic mushrooms represent a fascinating area of research with significant historical roots and future applications in medicine, and therefore research into their properties and effects remains a current topic.
