Where Do Magic Mushrooms Grow? Facts About Psilocybe Mushrooms

What you will learn

• What you will learn
• Magic mushrooms (Psilocybe) grow worldwide but thrive in damp, cool environments.
• Since 1970, worldwide authorities have attempted to discourage the harvesting and use of psilocybe.
• The three most common Psilocybe varietals in the United States are P. cyanescens, P. allenii, and P. ovoideocystidiata.
• Underground, a mushroom's mycelium consists of a vast network of threads, but unlike roots, they do not bore into the roots of trees. Instead, they form symbiotic relationships with tree roots or decompose organic matter.

More than 2000 varieties of mushrooms exist in nature, but only 25 or so are commercially cultivated. Psilocybe mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are not among the varieties that are commercially cultivated due to their psychoactive properties and legal status.

Due to federal prohibitions on the possession, sale, and transfer of magic mushrooms, they are not grown at a commercial scale and instead are grown in small amounts at home or foraged from the wild.

They grow most dependably in the damp, chill Pacific Northwest of the United States. While they can be found in the “wild,” they are most often found on excess carbon deposits like wood chips near urban-proximate spaces.

What are Psilocybe Mushrooms?

Psilocybe mushrooms contain the active ingredient of psilocybin, a compound with psychedelic qualities if ingested.

The three most common Psilocybe varietals in the United States are P. cyanescens, P. allenii, and P. ovoideocystidiata.[1] They are relatively small, averaging only 2 to 3 inches in height.

They are often chestnut brown and turn a deep purplish-blue when crushed. This is due to the presence of purple spores within the fruiting body.

It’s thought that Psilocybe mushrooms originated in either the Pacific Northwest or Australia and spread worldwide. Humans are the most obvious culprit for their dispersion, but a theory worth exploring is that they colonized the global wood chip supply.[2]

Psilocin, the metabolite of psilocybin, has an affinity for serotonin receptors.[3] This improves a user’s sense of overall well-being, much like currently prescribed SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). Psilocybin and magic mushrooms are not usually associated with fatal overdoses, but they are not without risk. There is the potential for poisoning (especially if the wrong type of mushroom is taken) and psychological distress.

While trials are still underway, there is future potential for treating major depressive disorder, eating disorders, stress disorders, and substance use disorders.[4]

Dangers of Psychedelic Mushrooms

Shrooms may appear harmless since they grow naturally. But this is a misconception. There are some adverse effects of magic mushrooms, and some of these are serious.

Risk of Injuries and Accidents

Hallucinogenic mushrooms cause a person to lose touch with reality. They may disassociate completely, losing their sense of identity and their perception of time. This effect may cause a person to engage in risky behavior that they might not otherwise participate in.

In one survey of people who had taken magic mushrooms, eleven percent of them reported putting themselves or someone else in danger during the experience. [5] Serious accidents and injuries can and do happen while people are under the influence of psychoactive mushrooms.

Having a Bad Trip

Having a bad trip is more than just feeling sick after ingesting shrooms. It can have both short-term and long-term effects on your mental health. [6] A bad trip can cause:

• Extreme fear and anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Shaking and trembling
• Feeling like you’re going crazy
• Altered time perception
• Agitation
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting

Hallucinogen Persistent Perception Disorder (HPPD)

In most cases, a bad trip is temporary, lasting only one to two days. Sometimes, a person can develop a severe cognitive disorder known as hallucinogen persistent perception disorder, or HPPD. [7] This disorder causes some of the adverse effects of a bad trip, like flashbacks and uneasiness, for up to years after the experience.

Accidental Poisoning

There’s a low chance of toxicity or overdose associated with psychedelic drugs like magic mushrooms. The opportunity for accidental poisoning, though, might be much higher. Some poisonous mushrooms may resemble psychedelic mushrooms, so there’s a risk of misidentification and subsequent poisoning.

Drug Contamination

Drug lacing or contamination is becoming more common. This is a risky practice that combines fentanyl or other hazardous substances with street drugs like cocaine and heroin. As a result, some people end up overdosing and even dying from a dangerous drug interaction. Some experts suggest that magic mushrooms are not immune to this practice, since they’re often reduced to powder form or brewed into tea. [8]

A Legal Record

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has classified psychedelic mushrooms as a Schedule I controlled substance. [9] Drugs in Schedule I represent the most dangerous substances available and are associated with the highest forms of punishment under the law. Though a few states have legalized or decriminalized magic mushrooms, federal law remains unchanged.

Psilocybin’s Legal Complexities

Oregon and Washington, DC, decriminalized psilocybin in 2020, and Colorado followed suit in 2021. Some municipalities in California, Washington state, Michigan, and Massachusetts have also decriminalized it.[10]

But just because you live in an area that has decriminalized it doesn’t mean you couldn’t get in legal trouble for having it. For instance, you may live in Colorado, where psilocybin is decriminalized, but if you run afoul of federal authorities and it’s found in your possession, they could prosecute you for possession because it is still on the federal books.

For instance, if you live in Oakland, California, which has decriminalized psilocybin, but travel to Sacramento, California, you may still encounter issues with local authorities. You could be prosecuted under mandatory sentencing guidelines because it’s still on the state books.

How Does a Mushroom Grow?

All mushrooms, including psilocybes, are fungi. Fungi play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter in nature. They prefer fallen trees or any other material with a high carbon content. Fungi can also include yeasts, mildew, and mold, but the focus of this article is mushrooms.

Underneath the fruiting body of the mushroom is the mycelium. These gather the necessary materials to make the fruiting body. The fruiting body exists mainly to disperse spores. Spores get launched into the air and carried by the wind to a new colonizing location.

Underground, a mushroom’s mycelium consists of a vast network of threads that are similar to roots, which can form symbiotic relationships with plant roots. They can bore into the roots of trees below ground.

Mushrooms can exchange nutrients necessary for survival with the plant. Whereas parasites steal nutrients from a host, mushrooms exchange nutrients with the host. Hence, a symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship.

Where Do Magic Mushrooms Grow?

Magic mushrooms are found all around the world. While they’ve been seen on every continent (except Antarctica), they prefer to grow in temperate to tropical rainforests, where humidity is evenly distributed throughout the growing season.

Compared with savannahs, where the humidity can be concentrated in one or two “rainy” months and then absent for the rest of the year, Psilocybe mushrooms prefer a steady supply of water and nutrients.

The United States

While Psilocybe mushrooms have been found throughout the US, from the Northeast to the South to the West Coast, they are particularly concentrated in Northern California, Oregon, and Washington.

While they are relatively rare in the wild, they can be found in forest humus soils, near streams, and coastal dune grasses.[11] Psilocybe mushrooms are more abundant near urban areas. They prefer excess carbon in the form of mulch beds and wood chips.

The best time to find them is during autumn, after they have had the entire summer to soak up nutrients, as they attempt to disperse their spores before winter.

Australia

While only 2.7% of Australia’s total land area is rainforest, Psilocybe mushrooms have been found in Queensland and the island state of Tasmania.

They are generally found near the coast in areas of high humidity. There are rock paintings from 10,000 years ago, which some experts believe are evidence of psilocybin use by Aboriginal Australians.[12]

DNA sequences of a currently unknown fungus were discovered in the Northern Territories. It almost certainly produces psilocybin, yet is unknown to science.[13]

Are Magic Mushrooms Addictive?

The likelihood of developing psychological dependence on magic mushrooms is considered relatively low compared to other substances, though it is still possible. If magic mushrooms are dosed to alleviate something like brain fog, the user could associate magic mushrooms with mental clarity and form a psychological dependence. Addictions can be associated with any substance, including magic mushrooms.

Treatment For Addiction To Magic Mushrooms

What may have begun as recreational use or an attempt to experimentally self-medicate addiction could result in negative consequences. If you or a loved one has developed a dependence on magic mushrooms, treatment is available. From detox and inpatient programs to intensive outpatient programs and aftercare services, holistic interventions can help restore balance in your body and life. There are licensed addiction professionals at our drug rehab in New York who are ready to help craft a personalized treatment plan to get you back on the trajectory to recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions about Magic Mushrooms

Are Magic Mushrooms Safe?

At appropriate dosing levels, it certainly seems like magic mushrooms are safe, but more research needs to be done to determine this with certainty.

A recent study found an “acceptable level of risk” for healthy adults who dose psilocybin in a carefully monitored research environment.[14]

Humans have consumed magic mushrooms for thousands of years, but dosing at higher-than-appropriate levels could have unintended consequences.

While a pleasant, non-threatening experience is correlated with lower-level doses, higher doses are associated with generalized anxiety and panic attacks.[15]

Are Magic Mushrooms Bad for You?

Psilocybe mushrooms are not bad unless they are consumed in excessive quantities or if a dependence has formed on them.

Since they mainly affect serotonin receptors (mood state) rather than dopamine receptors (pleasure state), there is a low potential for physical addiction.

Depending on where you live, consult your doctor to determine if psilocybin treatment is right for you.

When are Magic Mushrooms in Season?

Psilocybe mushrooms grow from late spring through late autumn, but are easiest to harvest from September to October.

Depending on where you live, peak psilocybe season may vary slightly. The drier and warmer your climate, the shorter the harvest window will be. The cooler and damper your climate, the longer the harvest window.

Can You Take Magic Mushrooms for Anxiety?

One of the exciting possibilities for further research into psilocybin is for treating psychiatric disorders like anxiety.

Currently, there are no approved medical uses for Psilocybin, and it remains a Schedule I drug pending further research. If you live in a state like Oregon, which has licensed psilocybin service centers, you can get put on a waitlist to receive services.

If you don’t have a clinical diagnosis for anxiety, self-diagnosing is not recommended. You should consult with your doctor about any health concerns before taking psilocybin.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more