Magic Mushrooms

            
             The dozen of species of psilocybin or "Magic Mushrooms" belonging to the genus's: psilocybe, panaeolus, and copelandia. The effects of their ingestion resemble a shorter LSD trip, producing significant physical, visual, and perceptual changes.
             Practically all of the psilocybin containing mushrooms are small, brown or tan mushrooms easily mistakable for any number of non-psychoactive, inedible, or poisonous mushrooms in the wild. This makes them difficult, and potentially hazardous, to identify. The primary distinguishable feature of most psilocybin containing mushrooms is that they bruise blue when handled.
             Although psilocybin is the main psychoactive ingredient found in the fungus, a smaller but more potent compound, called psilocin, also packs a good part of mushrooms' psychedelic punch. Psilocybin and psilocin are noteworthy in that their molecular structures are very similar to chemicals present in the human brain. Research shows that psilocybin is converted in the body to psilocin before triggering its mind-altering effects. Psilocin differs from the human neurotransmitter serotonin by only one hydroxy molecule. Their shape is so similar that they are able to fool and infiltrate parts of the brain which process information using serotonergic synapses. Psilocin is the "Rolls-Royce" of psychedelics.
             Even though psilocybin-containing mushrooms are a popular recreational drug, estimating the use of hallucinogenic mushroom use is difficult. Mortality from hallucinogenic mushrooms is very rare.
             Psilocybin containing mushrooms grow wild across the United States and in many countries around the world. In the United States, hallucinogenic mushrooms are typically found growing in cow manure during periods of moist weather. There are also several species, which are easily cultivated with a fairly simple and inexpensive setup. Most recreationally used mushrooms are cultivated rather than picked wild.