Comprehensive Guide To Psychedelic Mushrooms
Psychedelic mushrooms, long associated with counterculture movements and spiritual rituals, are increasingly becoming the subject of serious scientific study for their therapeutic potential. Researchers are finding evidence that certain compounds in these mushrooms, particularly psilocybin, can treat a range of mental health issues, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and addiction. Yet, despite this growing body of evidence, the legality of psychedelic mushrooms remains a contentious issue. Let’s explore how psychedelic mushrooms could potentially be prescribed by doctors, their legal status, the role of Big Pharma, microdosing, and a list of various types of psychedelic mushrooms.
The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Mushrooms
Psilocybin, the active compound in many psychedelic mushrooms, interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, promoting changes in perception, mood, and cognition. In clinical studies, controlled doses of psilocybin have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, anxiety in terminally ill patients, and even reduce the cravings associated with substance use disorders.
Given these promising results, there is a growing push to make psilocybin-assisted therapy legally available to patients. Rather than recreational use, advocates argue that doctors should prescribe psilocybin under controlled conditions, guiding patients through the experience in a safe environment to maximize the therapeutic benefits.
The Legality of Psychedelic Mushrooms
Currently, the legality of psychedelic mushrooms varies dramatically by country and even by region within certain countries. In the United States, psychedelic mushrooms are classified as a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning they are considered to have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” However, cities like Denver, Oakland, and Santa Cruz have decriminalized psilocybin, meaning local law enforcement no longer prioritizes arrests for possession or use. States like Oregon have taken it a step further, legalizing the supervised use of psilocybin in therapeutic settings.
In Canada, psilocybin is illegal, but there are exemptions for research and compassionate use cases for terminally ill patients. Countries such as Brazil and Jamaica have no laws prohibiting the use of psychedelic mushrooms, allowing a more open exploration of their medical potential.
In the UK, psychedelic mushrooms, specifically those containing psilocybin, are classified as a Class A drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, meaning their production, possession, or supply is illegal and carries severe penalties, including up to seven years imprisonment for possession and life imprisonment for supply. Psilocybin mushrooms were initially legal in their fresh form until 2005, when a change in the law made both dried and fresh mushrooms illegal. Despite growing research into psilocybin’s therapeutic potential, there has been little movement toward legalization or decriminalization in the UK. However, some advocacy groups and researchers are pushing for the government to reconsider its stance, particularly in light of emerging evidence supporting psilocybin’s effectiveness in treating mental health conditions like depression and PTSD.
Big Pharma and the Psychedelic Renaissance
As the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin become more apparent, Big Pharma has shown increasing interest. Some pharmaceutical companies are now investing in research and development to produce synthetic versions of psilocybin that can be regulated and prescribed more easily. This raises concerns about the commercialization of a natural substance that indigenous cultures have used for centuries.
Moreover, critics argue that Big Pharma may push synthetic psilocybin over natural mushrooms to maintain control over the market and profit from patentable versions of the compound. For patients, this could mean higher costs and limited access to natural, affordable options.
Microdosing: A Trend with Therapeutic Potential
One of the most popular trends associated with psychedelic mushrooms is microdosing, where users take very small amounts of psilocybin regularly, often every few days. Unlike full doses that lead to intense psychedelic experiences, microdoses are sub-perceptual and intended to improve mood, creativity, focus, and productivity.
Although most evidence supporting microdosing is anecdotal, some preliminary studies suggest that it may indeed have cognitive and emotional benefits, particularly for people suffering from depression and anxiety. However, as of now, doctors cannot legally prescribe psilocybin for microdosing in most countries due to its Schedule I status.
Types of Psychedelic Mushrooms
Several species of mushrooms contain psilocybin and other psychoactive compounds. Below is a list of some of the most common types of psychedelic mushrooms and their descriptions:
- Psilocybe cubensis:
One of the most widely known and cultivated species, P. cubensis contains high levels of psilocybin. It is easy to grow, making it popular among home cultivators. It has a gold-brown cap and is often referred to as “Golden Teacher” due to its purported spiritual insights. - Psilocybe semilanceata (Liberty Caps):
Found in grassy fields, especially in Europe, Liberty Caps are among the most potent species. Their name comes from the shape of their cap, which resembles a liberty cap or Phrygian cap. They are smaller than P. cubensis but pack a stronger punch in terms of psilocybin content. - Psilocybe azurescens:
Known for being one of the most potent species, P. azurescens is native to the Pacific Northwest in the U.S. It contains a very high concentration of psilocybin and can produce powerful hallucinations and profound introspective experiences. - Psilocybe cyanescens (Wavy Caps):
Distinguished by its wavy-edged caps, this species is also highly potent and commonly found in Europe and North America. It often grows on wood chips and mulched garden beds. - Psilocybe tampanensis (Magic Truffles):
This species is unique because it forms sclerotia, a type of underground truffle that contains psilocybin. These “magic truffles” are legal in some countries, such as the Netherlands, where psilocybin mushrooms are banned. They are known for producing milder, more manageable psychedelic experiences. - Psilocybe baeocystis:
Found in the Pacific Northwest, this species has a distinctive, olive-brown cap and is known for its unusually high content of both psilocybin and baeocystin, another psychoactive compound. The effects are often described as deeply introspective. - Gymnopilus luteofolius (Laughing Gym):
A brightly colored mushroom, ranging from orange to yellow, Gymnopilus luteofolius can be found growing on decaying wood. The psychoactive effects are mild compared to other species, often leading to bouts of laughter, hence its nickname. - Inocybe aeruginascens:
This small, rare species is native to Europe and contains both psilocybin and aeruginascin, which may contribute to the unique character of its psychoactive effects. It is known for producing mild visual hallucinations and a sense of euphoria.
Conclusion: Should Psychedelic Mushrooms Be Prescribed?
The potential for psychedelic mushrooms to treat mental health disorders is becoming increasingly clear. As more research demonstrates their safety and efficacy, it is likely that psilocybin-assisted therapy will become more widely available, with doctors able to prescribe controlled doses in therapeutic settings. However, the question of legality remains a major hurdle, particularly as Big Pharma enters the picture and governments struggle with how to regulate natural psychedelics.
As we move into a new era of mental health treatment, it’s crucial that we balance innovation with accessibility, ensuring that everyone who could benefit from psilocybin has access, whether through full doses in therapy or microdoses for day-to-day mental well-being. For now, though, anyone interested in psychedelic mushrooms must navigate a complex and rapidly changing legal red tape.
Renata, the editor of DisabledEntrepreneur.uk, DisabilityUK.org, and DisabilityUK.co.uk, has battled obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) for over 30 years, with her symptoms intensifying in recent years despite receiving CBT, ERP therapy, and counseling. Although she continues to manage her condition with medication, her experience reflects the limitations of conventional treatments for OCD. Instead of being fed drugs that only benefit the pockets of the pharmaceutical companies, Renata would like to try something that possibly could improve her quality of life. As an advocate for alternative therapies and a forward-thinking voice in the disability community, Renata would be among the first to try psychedelic therapies if they were legalized in the UK, offering hope for relief where traditional approaches have fallen short.
Further Reading
- List of Psilocybin Mushroom Species (And Other Psychoactive Fungi) – Tripsitter
- Psychoactive Trials Group | King’s College London (kcl.ac.uk)
- Centre for Psychedelic Research | Research groups | Imperial College London
- New Psychedelics and Mental Health Research Centre Officially Opens (nihr.ac.uk)
- New NHS partnership to accelerate psychedelic research for mental health (psychedelichealth.co.uk)
- Psychedelics – how modern neuroscience research is leading to new treatments for brain disorders – Imperial Medicine Blog
- https://disabledentrepreneur.uk/psychedelic
