The 'Magic' of Certain Mushrooms.
25th November 2021
The Liberty Cap or Psilocybe semilanceata to use its scientific name is a mushroom that grows in suitable habitats in northern Europe and the Pacific Northwest of the USA.
The psychoactive effects of this mushroom have been known for a couple of hundred years but the compounds that were responsible for these effects were only identified in scientific terms in 1958 by the Swiss scientist Albert Hoffman who also more famously synthesised LSD.
It is also known as a ‘Magic Mushroom’ because it contains this psychoactive compound, Psilocybin. This term originates from the ‘Hippie’ days of the 1970’s when these mushrooms were picked and eaten after drying, the resultant feelings of contentment, social happiness and even euphoria made them very popular. In addition there was the added bonus of hallucinations and a general detachment from reality that you could experience - if you like that sort of thing! However, (as a serious warning), some people endured a bad experience after consuming them, irregular breathing and heartbeat, psychotic states, seizures, increased blood pressure and temporary vision impairment. I suppose you never know what effects these psychoactive compounds will have on you until after you consume them – the experience for each individual is very unpredictable.
Up until 2005 before the law was changed it was legal to pick these mushrooms but illegal to possess them after they were dried or ‘prepared’ - this was on the assumption that if you possessed the dried and prepared mushrooms then you intended to use or supply them for recreational drug use – which was illegal. The law in 2005 was extrapolated to include ‘fresh Liberty Caps’ so from then it was and still is illegal to possess these mushrooms in any form and they now fall under the UK Class A drug category, alongside the more infamous, Cocaine, Heroin and LSD etc. For a lengthy psychedelic experience that can last between three and six hours, the average adult only needs a moderate amount, between 1 and 2.5 grams – just a few of these little mushrooms. Over the last two weeks Susan and I have seen quite large amounts during our photographic endeavours. However, unless looked for they remain discreetly hidden in their grassy environment and on reflection that is probably the safest place for them.
Finally I must add a very serious caveat – (never pick and eat any mushroom or plant unless you are one hundred percent sure of its identity).
The psychoactive effects of this mushroom have been known for a couple of hundred years but the compounds that were responsible for these effects were only identified in scientific terms in 1958 by the Swiss scientist Albert Hoffman who also more famously synthesised LSD.
It is also known as a ‘Magic Mushroom’ because it contains this psychoactive compound, Psilocybin. This term originates from the ‘Hippie’ days of the 1970’s when these mushrooms were picked and eaten after drying, the resultant feelings of contentment, social happiness and even euphoria made them very popular. In addition there was the added bonus of hallucinations and a general detachment from reality that you could experience - if you like that sort of thing! However, (as a serious warning), some people endured a bad experience after consuming them, irregular breathing and heartbeat, psychotic states, seizures, increased blood pressure and temporary vision impairment. I suppose you never know what effects these psychoactive compounds will have on you until after you consume them – the experience for each individual is very unpredictable.
Up until 2005 before the law was changed it was legal to pick these mushrooms but illegal to possess them after they were dried or ‘prepared’ - this was on the assumption that if you possessed the dried and prepared mushrooms then you intended to use or supply them for recreational drug use – which was illegal. The law in 2005 was extrapolated to include ‘fresh Liberty Caps’ so from then it was and still is illegal to possess these mushrooms in any form and they now fall under the UK Class A drug category, alongside the more infamous, Cocaine, Heroin and LSD etc. For a lengthy psychedelic experience that can last between three and six hours, the average adult only needs a moderate amount, between 1 and 2.5 grams – just a few of these little mushrooms. Over the last two weeks Susan and I have seen quite large amounts during our photographic endeavours. However, unless looked for they remain discreetly hidden in their grassy environment and on reflection that is probably the safest place for them.
Finally I must add a very serious caveat – (never pick and eat any mushroom or plant unless you are one hundred percent sure of its identity).