Did you know that a 2020 study concluded that the use of psychedelics can help people accept traumatic experiences?
All the people are on the verge of
trying out psychedelics. Researchers have shown positive effects of LSD and
magic mushrooms on mental health. And, microdosing has quickly become a popular
approach to alternative medicine.
U.S. college students even preferred
psychedelics over alcohol during lockdown.
But, there are so many different
species of psychedelic mushrooms out there, so where should a novice start
learning more about them? Well, you've come to the right place.
Keep on reading for our breakdown of
the most popular magic mushroom types.
The
“Golden Teacher” of All Magic Mushroom Types: PsilocybeCubensis
Worldwide, Psilocybecubensis
mushrooms make up the bulk of the magic mushroom market.
The caps of these enchanted
mushrooms are traditionally found in the United States, Central America,
Southeast Asia, and the northern sections of South America. It can be as
enormous as 80 mm in diameter. When these mushrooms mature, their crowns become
"flatter."
When mature, Psilocybecubensis
mushrooms have closely spaced gills that become black. The hue of this magic
mushroom changes to a bluish-purple when the stem or cap is broken or removed.
PsilocybeSemilanceata
AKA Liberty Caps
Psilocybesemilanceata mushrooms are
notorious for their potency. They have broad, brown caps with a leathery
texture and often have curving stems.
These mushrooms have 15–27 thin
gills under their caps, and if the stem or cap is broken or removed, the gills
become blue very rapidly. There are several forests in Europe and North America
that are home to this kind of mushroom.
In 1799, a British family ate the
mushrooms they had picked in London's Green Park. They became the first people
on record to experience the effects of consuming liberty caps.
The use of liberty caps has been linked
to a variety of adverse effects. These include euphoria, increased empathy and
sociability, and even visual hallucinations. Mushroom Site calls them "one
of the 'friendlier' magic mushrooms," making them perfect for
first-timers.
Psilocybe
Mexicana
Psilocybemexicana is a mushroom that
has been consumed for generations by natives of Central and South America.
Psilocybemexicana mushrooms are
similar to the semilanceata species of magic mushrooms. They have a conical or
bell-shaped cap., with a diameter of 10-20 mm.
These enchanted mushrooms are
normally a beige color with blue or green undertones. But, they rapidly change
color if smashed.
PsilocybeCyanescens
AKA Wavy Caps
The wavy cap species, also known as
psilocybecyanescens, gets its name from the undulating curve of its cap. It
ranges from caramel to chestnut brown, and fades when dried. And, it thrives on
"woody detritus" like wood chips or mulch plant beds in gardens,
trails, and parks.
To further its global distribution,
the wavy cap "utilized the timber and mulch manufacturing sectors."
This explains why this kind of mushroom is most common in the Pacific
Northwest. It also is common in other regions of the world including Europe,
Asia, and New Zealand.
Wavy caps can be produced inside.
But, it's a difficult process, therefore most are either wild-harvested or
farmed in outdoor settings.
Like liberty caps, this form of
shroom is highly sought after. It's all due to its strength and the fact that
it contains "high psilocybin, extremely high psilocin, and a trace
quantity of baeocystin.
If you discover the appropriate one,
you may expect to feel peaceful and have insightful ideas.
PsilocybeAzurescens
AKA Flying Saucer Mushrooms
Flying saucer mushrooms are also
known as psilocybeazurescens. Blue runners, or blue angels, are significantly
more potent than liberty caps and wavy caps.
These fungi are "usually
considered as the most powerful wild mushroom that has been identified to
date." Since, they contain "three to four times more"
psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin than cubes or liberty caps.
The Oregon and California coasts are
both home to flying saucer mushrooms, so called for their wide, flat tops. Some
Boy Scouts supposedly discovered them in Oregon in 1979. But, they weren't
formally identified as such until 1996. The stem of these mushrooms bruises
blue when touched, thus the other names "blue runner" and "blue
angel."
Unlike the aforementioned species,
ingestion of a large quantity of flying saucer mushrooms might cause temporary
paralysis. You could be OK. However, if you anticipate this and settle in for a
bit, or if you simply take a smaller quantity.
PsilocybeBaeocystis
The thin, rippling top of the
conical Psilocybebaeocystis is typical of the strains cultivated in the Pacific
Northwest.
These mushrooms have a dark
greenish-brown cap with bright blue gills and a size range of 15mm to 55mm.
These enchanted mushrooms are distinguished by their white, curled, and
straight stems.
What
About Synthetic Hallucinogens
Substances classified as
hallucinogens alter one's view of the world around them. Both in chemical and
natural forms, they are ubiquitous (eg, psilocybin mushrooms, peyote).
These medicines are known to cause
hallucinations both visual and aural. As well as feelings of disconnection from
one's surroundings and one's own identity. In addition to mental disorientation
and physical incoordination, they may elevate blood pressure. Also, it can
elevate heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature.
For ages, spiritual ceremonies have
made use of hallucinogenic substances. These are the ones present in some
plants and mushrooms (or their preparations). Most hallucinogens are
categorized as alkaloids due to their nitrogen content. Chemically, several hallucinogens
resemble natural neurotransmitters (acetylcholine-, serotonin-, or
catecholamine-like). You should buy 4-ho-mipt online
if you're interested.
There is still much we don't know
about how hallucinogens function. But, studies have shown that they do at least
some of their damage.
They do so by temporarily blocking
or activating certain neurons' neurotransmitter activity. Also, they can attach
to their receptor sites.
The properties of natural
hallucinogens are mimicked in the laboratory by modifying phenethylamine. All
phenethylamines have a common molecular structure. It consists of a phenyl ring
fused to an amino group by way of an ethyl side chain (phenyl-ethyl-amine).
Exploring
Popular Varieties of Magic Mushrooms
If you're feeling overwhelmed,
that's completely normal.
There are so many
different magic mushroom types out there, but we hope that our guide has
shed some light on the key ones and what makes them special. Next, you'll want
to check out our lifestyle section for more tips and advice on psychedelics
and much more.
