We don’t really think a lot about mushrooms. We know that while some taste absolutely wonderful, many others are poisonous. But the most unique fungi of all are the magic kind, you know, the ones that take you on the most amazing psychedelic trips.
Based on their looks, magic mushrooms may not seem very magical, but looks can be very deceiving. In reality, it’s what the mushrooms contain that counts.
More than a hundred different kinds of mushrooms contain psychoactive compounds called psilocybin and psilocin. These shrooms trigger hallucinations, euphoria, and many different types of happy, trippy feelings and symptoms.
But there is so much more about magic mushrooms which we don’t know about. So stay tuned to find out about 5 fascinating facts about magic mushrooms you didn’t know before.
Lets go!
1. Magic mushrooms improve brain connectivity
While many people describe shroom’s effects as “brain melting”, the fact is that they are quite the opposite. The psilocybin found in magic mushrooms is a natural brain stimulant, and according to 2014 study can actually boost the brain’s connectivity.
This means that using magic mushrooms can actually help your brain function better, and can help people become more intelligent, aware, and analytical.
2. Magic Mushrooms have been around for a long time
Believe it or not, shrooms are not a recent invention. In fact, central Americans have been using them since even before Europeans ever came here. And since these beautiful plants thrive in subtropical environments, they were frequently used for medication and enjoyment as well.
But historians and researchers argue that magic mushrooms may have been used by humanity even 9000 years ago in the ancient Sahara. Many rock art markings have shown mushroom like figures being revered and held in high regard by people of all sorts. Even the Mayans and Aztecs loved the plant, making us think that our ancestors knew much more about mushrooms than we do today.
3. Researchers are very interested in the power of shrooms
In recent years, researchers have become extremely interested in the power and medicinal capabilities of magic mushrooms. Experiments are already underway to test psilocybin as a potential treatment against a large number of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, stress, and even PTSD and dementia.
Unfortunately, psilocybin is listed as a Schedule I substance, which makes it difficult to conduct research, even today.
4. There are many different kinds of mushrooms
As the one of the most dominant species on Earth, mushrooms can be found all over the world. They have spores instead of seeds, and we are breathing them in all the time.
According to some estimates, there are more than 1.5 million types of fungus. And today, we know that at least 144 species of mushrooms contain psychoactive properties, and more than
50 of these can be found in Latin America alone.
5. Shrooms kill fear
You read that right, magic mushrooms can kill fear. A 2013 study on mice found that when dosed with psilocybin, mice were less likely to freeze when they heard a noise which they associated with pain or fear.
Similarly, researchers feel that small doses of psilocybin can be effectively used to treat PTSD, and even open people up for new experiences. It’s no wonder so many people have such wild adventures after using shrooms.