Damon Mcknight
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are fungi that contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin. They are psychedelic drugs, which means they alter a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions, and can cause hallucinations. Magic mushrooms look similar to ordinary mushrooms, but also resemble poisonous mushrooms, which can be deadly. In Australia, the most common types of magic mushrooms are golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps. Psilocybe cubensis, also known as a golden top, is the most well-known psilocybin mushroom due to its wide distribution and ease of cultivation. Another variety found in Australia is Psilocybe subaeruginosa, which was first described in 1927 by Australian mycologist John Burton Cleland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Golden tops, blue meanies, liberty caps, shrooms, mushies |
| Scientific name | Psilocybe cubensis |
| Other names | Psilocybe subaeruginosa, Stropharia cubensis |
| Cap diameter | 12-50 mm |
| Cap shape | Conical to conic-convex with slightly inrolled edges when young, becomes convex, often slightly upturned, sub-gibbous, or sometimes with a small acute umbo |
| Cap texture | Slightly tacky |
| Veil remnants | May be present at the margin when young |
| Colour | Golden (cap), blue-green (reaction when fruitbodies are damaged or handled) |
| Active compounds | Psilocybin, psilocin |
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What You'll Learn
Common types: golden tops, blue meanies, liberty caps
Golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps are some of the most common types of magic mushrooms in Australia. It is important to distinguish these mushrooms from poisonous look-alikes, as consuming the wrong type can be deadly or lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and convulsions.
Golden tops, or Psilocybe cubensis, are one of the most common types of magic mushrooms in Australia. Other species commonly referred to as "gold tops" include Psilocybe aucklandiae, Psilocybe tasmaniana, and Psilocybe angulospora.
Blue meanies get their name from the way the mushrooms bruise blue when crushed. In New Zealand, Psilocybe weraroa is a pale blue species that is sometimes referred to as blue meanies.
Liberty caps, or Psilocybe semilanceata, are one of the most widely distributed and potent psilocybin mushrooms in nature. They have a distinctive conical to bell-shaped cap, up to 2.5 cm in diameter, with a small nipple-like protrusion on top. The caps are yellow to brown when moist and fade to a lighter colour as they mature. The gills are initially cream-coloured but turn purple to black as the spores mature.
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Psilocybe cubensis: golden tops, cubes, gold caps
Psilocybe cubensis, commonly known as the magic mushroom, shroom, golden halo, cube, or gold cap, is a species of psilocybin mushroom of moderate potency. It is the best-known psilocybin mushroom due to its wide distribution and ease of cultivation. The species was first described in 1906 as Stropharia cubensis by American mycologist Franklin Sumner Earle in Cuba. In Australia, they are commonly known as gold tops, golden tops or gold caps. Globally, they are also referred to as cubes, cubies, boomers, or golden teachers.
Psilocybe cubensis is found on cow (and occasionally horse) dung, sugar cane mulch or rich pasture soil. In Asia, the species grows on water buffalo dung. In Australia, the species grows between northern Queensland and southern New South Wales. They are the largest of all psychedelic mushrooms and are identified by their umbrella-shaped caps, which are often a light golden colour, darker brown in the middle, and have a white ring around the perimeter. The caps can range from about 1.5 to 8 centimetres and are smooth and bruise a navy blue colour.
Terence and Dennis McKenna made P. cubensis famous when they published the Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower's Guide in the 1970s. They deduced new methods for growing psilocybin mushrooms and highlighted the ease of cultivating P. cubensis. The potency of cultivated specimens can vary widely per flush (harvest). Jeremy Bigwood and M.W. Beug showed that psilocybin levels varied unpredictably but were similar on the first and last flushes. Psilocin, however, was typically absent in the first two flushes but peaked by the fourth, making it the most potent.
Psilocybe cubensis is part of the fungus family Hymenogastraceae and contains the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. It is one of an estimated 20-30 species of magic mushrooms in Australia, some native and some introduced.
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Psilocybe subaeruginosa: blueing member of the genus Psilocybe
Psilocybe subaeruginosa is a species of agaric fungus in the Hymenogastraceae family. It is a blueing member of the genus Psilocybe, first described in 1927 by Australian mycologist John Burton Cleland. The species name refers to the blueing reaction when the fruitbodies are damaged or handled—the feminine Latin adjective aeruginosa describes copper rust, which is verdigris or blue-green.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa is native to Australia and New Zealand. It grows from wood debris in Australian native forests, pine plantations, and occasionally on dung. It is common in the southern parts of Australia from April to August and is also found in Australian native and Eucalyptus forests. It is recorded as present in New Zealand, with DNA sequencing indicating the presence of P. allenii and P. cyanescens as well.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa contains the psychoactive compounds psilocin and psilocybin. Psilocybin has been isolated from this species in yields ranging from 0.06% to 1.93%, while psilocin is estimated to be present at less than 1% of the psilocybin content. Psilocybe subaeruginosa is known to produce psilocybin, a psychedelic compound with effects similar to LSD. Psilocybin is converted in the body to psilocin, which possesses psychoactive properties.
Psilocybe subaeruginosa has been the subject of various studies, including genome sequencing to understand its tetrapolar mating and gene duplications in the psilocybin pathway. The species has a tetrapolar mating system, with compatibility controlled by specific genetic loci. The cap of Psilocybe subaeruginosa averages 12-50 mm in diameter, with slightly inrolled edges when young, becoming slightly upturned as it matures.
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Similarities to poisonous mushrooms
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are psychedelic drugs that can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They are also known as golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps. They look much like ordinary mushrooms and are similar to poisonous mushrooms that can cause severe illness and even death.
There are no home tests to distinguish between edible and poisonous mushrooms. It is recommended that people only eat mushrooms purchased from a reputable source, such as a supermarket or greengrocer. Magic mushrooms can cause hallucinations and other psychological effects, but some poisonous mushrooms look very similar and can be mistaken for them.
The Golden Top (Psilocybe subaeruginosa) is a well-known species of magic mushroom. It resembles some Galerina mushrooms, which are potentially lethal. Many poisonous mushrooms, such as the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), cause gastrointestinal illness. About 9 out of 10 fungi-related fatalities are caused by this mushroom. Other mushrooms with similar effects include Galerina, Lepiota, and Conocybe species.
The Yellow-Staining Mushroom (Agaricus xanthodermus) is the most common cause of wild mushroom poisoning in Australia. It resembles edible mushrooms and grows in lawns and gardens. When damaged, the cap and stem stain yellow, then brown, and it emits a chemical odour. Poisoning from this mushroom can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Some species of Galerina bear a striking resemblance to Psilocybe, increasing the possibility of accidental ingestion. These Galerinas contain similar toxins to the deadly Amanitas. There is a fine line between ingesting a hallucinogenic dose and a toxic dose for many hallucinatory mushrooms.
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Effects: altered thinking, time perception, emotions, hallucinations
In Australia, there are an estimated 20–30 species of magic mushrooms, some native and some introduced. Psilocybe cubensis, also known as a golden top, and Psilocybe subaeruginosa are among the native species. These mushrooms produce psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound with effects similar to LSD.
Altered Thinking
Psilocybin can cause distorted thinking and visual alteration and distortion, such as seeing halos of light and vivid colours. It can also lead to derealization, or the feeling that surroundings are not real, and depersonalization, a dream-like sense of being disengaged from one's surroundings.
Time Perception
Psilocybin can distort an individual's perception of time, causing it to slow down. This distortion is believed to be caused by the modulation of 5-HT2A receptor activities, which is also associated with schizophrenia.
Emotions
Magic mushrooms can evoke intense emotions, both positive and negative. Feelings of euphoria, connectedness, and awe are common. However, they can also lead to anxiety, panic, and even anxiety disorders.
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are a well-known effect of psilocybin. These hallucinations can be frightening and disturbing, and in some cases, individuals may experience flashbacks of their hallucinations for weeks to years after ingestion. This is known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder and is considered rare.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, look much like ordinary mushrooms. The most common types in Australia are called golden tops, blue meanies, and liberty caps. They can also come as dried material in capsules.
Yes, there are an estimated 20-30 species of magic mushrooms in Australia, some native and some introduced. Psilocybe cubensis, also known as a golden top, is the most well-known psilocybin mushroom due to its wide distribution and ease of cultivation. Psilocybe subaeruginosa is another species of magic mushroom found in Australia and New Zealand.
Shrooms are psychedelic drugs, which can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They can cause hallucinations, changes in consciousness and perception, euphoria, and feelings of wellbeing.
No, Australian federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, or selling magic mushrooms. Possession or use can result in a fine of up to $3,000 and, in rare cases, jail time.
