Psilocybin
 Psilocybin  (drug, psychedelic)   | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Interest of | R. Gordon Wasson |
| A naturally occurring psychedelic with effects similar to LSD. | |
Psilocybin is a drug which is naturally produced in over 200 different species of mushrooms.
Effects
The drug produces a psychedelic intoxication similar to those of LSD, lasting for a number of hours. It has minimal physical effects on the body.
Therapeutic value
The drug has been found to have beneficial effects on mental health.[1] Researchers from investigators at the University of Alabama at Birmingham published research in 2017 that suggested that psilocybin use was associated with a decreased likelihood of antisocial criminal behavior.[2]
Exposure
In 1953, Gordon Wasson, a New York banker, experienced a "mushroom velada" — a psychoactive ritual in Oaxaca, Mexico. This lead to a 1957 article on the ceremony in Life magazine. Albert Hoffman analysed samples taken by Wasson and in 1958 isolated psilocybin.[3]
Legal status
The legal status of mushrooms containing psilocybin varies. In 2019, Denver legalised them after a narrow referendum.[4]
References
- ↑ http://naturalnews.com/2016-12-13-medical-scientists-stunned-as-magic-mushroom-treatment-found-to-heal-mental-illness-yet-it-remains-illegal.html
- ↑ http://www.uab.edu/news/innovation/item/8802-study-suggests-psychedelic-drugs-could-reduce-criminal-behavior
- ↑ https://greencamp.com/magic-mushrooms
- ↑ https://therooster.com/blog/mushroom-denver-decriminalized
