62 Fun Facts About Psilocybin

Do you like your information in bits and your shrooms in bites? Here is a light read for you to enjoy. Sit back, relax, and dive into this list, which blends science, culture, and fun tidbits to make psilocybin fascinating and engaging for all readers!

Scientific Facts About Psilocybin

Let’s start with 15 science facts about psilocybin to whet your appetite.

Introduction to Psilocybin

1. Psilocybin’s chemical name is 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (4-PO-DMT).
2. Psilocybin is a member of the tryptamine class of classical psychedelics.
3. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound present in over 200 mushroom species found on almost every continent worldwide.
4. When ingested, the body metabolizes psilocybin into psilocin, the active compound that produces its psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects on the brain.
5. Psilocybin and psilocin are highly water-soluble; therefore, once you consume them by mouth, the compounds are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach wall.

Effects and Experiences with Psilocybin

6. Psilocybin primarily stimulates the brain’s serotonin receptors, especially 5-HT2A, which play a critical role in mood, perception, and cognition.
7. Psilocybin can induce altered states of consciousness and vivid visual and auditory experiences. These include sensory synesthesia, feelings of expansiveness, oneness and connection with others and the universe, heightened emotions, transcendence of space and time, ego dissolution, mystical experiences, altered cognition, introspection, and insightfulness.
8. Psilocybin can also cause side effects such as panic attacks, anxiety, confusion, paranoia, dysphoria, irrational and reckless behavior, impaired concentration and focus, disordered thinking, dizziness, disorientation, restlessness, muscle weakness, nausea or vomiting, light sensitivity, pupil dilation, flashbacks, and headaches.

Psilocybin and Brain Activity

9. Functional MRI scans show psilocybin reduces activity in the brain’s default mode network (DMN). Lower DMN activity during psilocybin use correlates with an improvement in depression symptoms.
10. Functional MRI studies reveal “hyper-connectivity” in the brain during psilocybin trips. Regions that do not normally connect begin to communicate more freely, creating unique patterns of neural connectivity and integration.
11. Psilocybin can lead to feelings of ego dissolution, where individuals feel a loss of self-identity, experience a state of selflessness, and merge with the universe. 

Psilocybin Therapy and Potential Benefits

12. Research shows a single psilocybin dose can alleviate symptoms of major depressive disorder for several weeks or even months.
13. Researchers are exploring psilocybin therapy for treating addiction to substances like nicotine, alcohol, and even opioids with encouraging results.
14. Psilocybin therapy is most effective when combined with professional guidance and integration sessions.
15. Psilocybin reduces activity in the amygdala, the brain’s center for fear and emotion, making it easier to process and release trauma.

Practical Facts About Psilocybin

“Dried psilocybin has a shelf life of one to two years or longer, depending on storage conditions.”

— Katharine Chan, MSc, BSc, PMP

Here are eight facts about psilocybin mushroom storage and preparation:

1. Psilocybin mushrooms should be thoroughly dried using a dehydrator or in a dry, ventilated area after harvesting. This process prevents mold and bacterial growth and ensures a longer shelf life.
2. You should store psilocybin mushrooms in airtight containers to protect dried mushrooms from moisture and oxygen.
3. Exposure to heat, light, or moisture degrades psilocybin potency. Store mushrooms in a cool, dark place, ideally at a consistent room temperature below 70°F.
4. Dried psilocybin has a shelf life of one to two years or longer.
5. Fresh psilocybin mushrooms last several weeks to a couple of months, depending on refrigeration.
6. Psilocybin and capsules last about one to two years or longer.
7. For long-term storage, vacuum-sealing dried mushrooms is an excellent way to prevent air and moisture exposure, preserving potency over time.
8. Do not freeze psilocybin mushrooms as it can form ice crystals and degrade the compounds.

Therapeutic Facts About Psilocybin

“Psilocybin has a low potential for addiction or physiological dependence.”

— Katharine Chan, MSc, BSc, PMP

Let’s explore the role of psilocybin in treating mental health disorders.

1. Psilocybin therapy involves preparation, guided sessions, and integration, emphasizing emotional safety and processing of the experience.
2. Psilocybin has a low potential for addiction or physiological dependence. Overdosing on psilocybin mushrooms is rare but can lead to psychological distress.
3. Research suggests psilocybin may alleviate cluster headaches, a rare and extremely painful neurological condition.
4. Curated music playlists during psilocybin-assisted therapy sessions can enhance emotional release and deepen the therapeutic process.
5. Mystical experiences induced by psilocybin correlate strongly with long-term well-being and life satisfaction improvements.
6. Psilocybin increases “openness,” a personality trait linked to curiosity, creativity, and appreciation for new experiences.
7. Psilocybin helps people break free from repetitive, negative thought patterns by altering their self-perception.
8. A study shows psilocybin can boost the efficacy of estrogen hormone replacement therapy, which has a profound benefit for menopausal women.
9. Psilocybin can significantly reduce the fear of death, particularly in terminally ill patients facing end-of-life anxiety.
10. Researchers are looking at how psilocybin therapy may play in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
11. Psilocybin mushrooms offer a natural, organic alternative to synthetic psychiatric medications for some mental health conditions.
12. Psilocybin-assisted therapy often leaves participants feeling greater gratitude, self-compassion, and an improved outlook on life. It may help individuals overcome codependency issues.
13. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, neuroplasticity, and psychological benefits, researchers are studying psilocybin in the treatment of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease (PTLD).
14. Psilocybin may have a promising therapeutic role for those living with OCD, as it can help reduce obsessions, rumination, and unwanted thoughts.
15. Researchers are currently studying psilocybin for numerous conditions; many need healthy volunteers. You can participate in a psilocybin clinical trial by visiting https://clinicaltrials.gov/.

Historical Facts About Psilocybin

“The Aztecs referred to psilocybin mushrooms as teonanácatl, which translates to “god’s flesh.” This terminology highlights their spiritual importance.”

— Katharine Chan, MSc, BSc, PMP

Let’s dive into these facts about psilocybin, its background, and its complicated history.

1. Indigenous people have used psilocybin mushrooms in spiritual practices for thousands of years.
2. Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, including the Aztecs and Maya, used psilocybin mushrooms in sacred rituals to connect with the divine.
3. The Aztecs referred to psilocybin mushrooms as teonanácatl, which translates to “god’s flesh.” This terminology highlights their spiritual importance.
4. During colonization in the 1500s, Spanish missionaries condemned the indigenous use of psilocybin mushrooms, deeming it heretical and incompatible with Christianity.
5. In 1958, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, who also discovered LSD, isolated and synthesized psilocybin and psilocin for the first time.
6. María Sabina, a Mazatec sabia, introduced psilocybin ceremonies to R. Gordon Wasson, who brought this knowledge to the Western world.
7. R. Gordon Wasson’s 1957 article Seeking the Magic Mushroom in Life magazine introduced psilocybin to mainstream Western culture.
8. Psychologist Timothy Leary championed psilocybin research in the 1960s, sparking both fascination and controversy during the psychedelic revolution.
9. Psilocybin was criminalized and classified as a Schedule I substance in the United States in 1970 under the Controlled Substances Act, halting scientific research for decades.
10. Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert supervised the Marsh Chapel Experiment (“Good Friday Experiment”) in 1962. This double-blind study examined psilocybin’s ability to induce mystical experiences in a controlled, religiously themed environment.
11. Oregon’s passage of Ballot Measure 109 in November 2020 legalized psilocybin therapy under regulated conditions, a historic step in psychedelic medicine.
12. In 2022, Colorado passed the Natural Medicine Health Act (proposition 122), which decriminalized the growth, possession, transport, and personal use for adults over the age of 21 for five psychoactive plants and fungi, including psilocybin.
13. Psilocybin is legal in the Bahamas, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Nepal, Netherlands (as truffles), and Samoa.

Lesser Known Facts

“The Tassili mushroom figures were ancient cave art discovered in Algeria, dated 7,000–9,000 years old, and depict imagery resembling psilocybin mushrooms and their ritualistic use.”

— Katharine Chan, MSc, BSc, PMP

1. Some researchers propose that psychedelics played a direct role in human evolution, potentially shaping aspects of our communication, creativity, and social and cognitive development. These substances may have significantly influenced humanity’s trajectory, helping shape our unique abilities and cultural advancements.
2. Chronic microdosing on psilocybin may increase your risk of heart damage as research associates the activation of the serotonin 5-HT2B receptor with the cause of valvular heart disease.
3. Psilocybin mushrooms can grow naturally in surprising places, from forests and grasslands to suburban lawns and urban parks. 
4. It is possible to grow your own psilocybin mushrooms at home.
5. Common psilocybin mushroom species have evocative slangs like Liberty Caps, Mushies, Golden Tops, and Blue Meanies. 
6. Visual effects during psilocybin trips include vivid colors, shifting patterns, and the sensation of objects “breathing” or pulsating.
7. Psilocybe tampanensis is a rare mushroom species called “philosopher’s stones” because it provokes deep introspection and existential insights.
8. Many psilocybin users describe a profound connection to nature, feeling as though they are part of a larger ecosystem.
9. A typical psilocybin trip lasts 3–6 hours, but its impact can feel timeless and transformative to the participant.
10. Terence McKenna coined the term “heroic dose” to describe 5 grams of dried mushrooms that often produce intense, life-changing experiences.
11. The Tassili mushroom figures were ancient cave art discovered in Algeria, dated 7,000–9,000 years old, and depict imagery resembling psilocybin mushrooms and their ritualistic use.

References

Therapeutic Facts About Psilocybin

Jacobs, E. (2020). A Potential Role for Psilocybin in the Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 4(2), 77–87. https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2020.00128.

Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center Staff. (2023d, February 6). Lyme Disease.Johns Hopkins Medicine Lyme Disease Research Center. https://www.hopkinslyme.org/lyme-disease/.

Jones, M. (2023). Summer Interdisciplinary Research Symposium: The Potential Role of Psychedelic Therapy in Alzheimer’s Dementia. ValpoScholar (Valparaiso University). https://scholar.valpo.edu/sires/171/.

Rybaczyk, L. A., Bashaw, M. J., Pathak, D. R., Moody, S. M., Gilders, R. M., & Holzschu, D. L. (2005). An Overlooked Connection: Serotonergic Mediation of Estrogen-Related Physiology and Pathology. BMC Women’s Health, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-5-12.

Swift, T. C., Belser, A. B., Agin-Liebes, G., Devenot, N., Terrana, S., Friedman, H. L., Guss, J., Bossis, A. P., & Ross, S. (2017). Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 57(5), 488–519. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167817715966.

Historical Facts of Psilocybin

American Chemical Society Staff. (2017, October 2). Molecule of the Week Archive: Psilocybin. American Chemical Society (ACS). https://www.acs.org/molecule-of-the-week/archive/p/psilocybin.html.

Busby, M. (2022, September 2). ‘Flesh of the Gods’: The Trippy History of Magic Mushrooms. VICE. https://www.vice.com/en/article/magic-mushrooms-history/.

Carod-Artal, F. J. (2015, February). Hallucinogenic Drugs in Pre-Columbian Mesoamerican Cultures. Neurología (English Edition), 30(1), 42–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nrleng.2011.07.010.

Nichols, D. E. (2020). Psilocybin: From Ancient Magic to Modern Medicine. The Journal of Antibiotics, 73(10), 679–686. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41429-020-0311-8.

The President and Fellows of Harvard College. (2024). Timothy Leary (1920-1996): The Effects of Psychotropic Drugs. Harvard University: Department of Psychology. https://psychology.fas.harvard.edu/people/timothy-leary.

Wikipedia Contributors. (2024c, May 3). María Sabina. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%C3%ADa_Sabina.

Wikipedia Contributors. (2024g, October 13). R. Gordon Wasson. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Gordon_Wasson.

Wikipedia Contributors. (2024j, November 18). Marsh Chapel Experiment. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_Chapel_Experiment.

Lesser Known Facts

Alcohol and Drug Foundation Staff. (2024, November 28). Psilocybin ( Magic Mushrooms).  Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF). https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/psilocybin/.

DeAngelo, A. (2024, February 1). The Magic of Growing Your Own Psilocybin Mushrooms. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewdeangelo/2024/01/31/the–magic-of-growing-your-own-psilocybin-mushrooms/.

McElroy, C. (2024, May 31). Psilocybe tampanensis: The Philosopher’s Stone Mushroom. Tripsitter. https://tripsitter.com/magic-mushrooms/species/psilocybe-tampanensis/

Arce, J. M. R., & Winkelman, M. J. (2021). Psychedelics, Sociality, and Human Evolution. Frontiers in Psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.729425.

Weiss, S. (2024, March 1). The Heroic Dose: Navigating Powerful Mushroom Journeys. DoubleBlind Mag. https://doubleblindmag.com/heroic-dose/.

Wikipedia Contributors. (2024a, April 19). Tassili Mushroom Figure. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tassili_Mushroom_Figure.