The History of Magic Mushrooms
“Pine talks to oak, oak talks to birch. Birch whispers to crow, who passes it on to grey owl. Deer comes along, hears what’s what from bear. Bear heard it all from the mushrooms, whose network goes to the root of things.” – Baba Yaga, Meeting Baba Yaga (Foxfire, Wolfskin and other stories of Shapeshifting Women by Sharon Blackie)
Mushrooms truly are a wonder of this world and us humans being the curious creatures we are, have become fascinated by them in all their shapes and sizes. Mushrooms have been consumed far before history could be recorded; and I imagine that some readers will know someone who is either obsessed with mushroom aesthetic (yes mushrooms have their place in fashion and décor) or loves nothing better than spending long days foraging and identifying mushrooms. Mushrooms come in such an abundance of varieties and names from the gruesome Dead Man’s Fingers, to the rather quaintly named Chicken of the Woods; it is quite easy to see why the appeal stretches from small children to their elderly counterparts. Mushrooms are well known to be just as dangerous as they are delicious and as much as I’d love to discuss recipes, let us instead explore a brief history of magic mushrooms and psychedelia together.
Spreading Roots
There are over 200 types of magic mushrooms in the world, now that is a lot of magic mushrooms! If you’re not familiar with the nature of magic mushrooms, you’re probably wondering what makes a magic mushroom, magic? The key to this mind altering/expanding little group of fungi is its grouping. They are commonly known as Psilocybin mushrooms but belong to a grouping of mushrooms called polyphyletic mushrooms. This group are enriched with psychedelic component’s such as psilocybin, psilocin, and baeocystin. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to mushrooms. They are one of the most complicated organisms in this world and there are over 15,000 species in the UK alone, so you can imagine this replicated all over the world.
First Trips
There are findings that suggest that our ancestors were using magic mushrooms from an early date of 9000BC, and magic mushrooms have their place in myths and folktales from all over the world. The Fly Agaric is one of the most known species of magic mushroom, thanks to its vivid red and white colours and its images being used in countless Christmas cards and winter scenes made popular in the Victorian era. Fly agaric mushrooms are also thought to have an inspiration in the jolly old man of Christmas himself. Mushrooms have had their place in natural medicine for their healing properties, but certain cultures also believed that the mushroom could help benefit the mind too. The Fly Agaric is a mushroom associated with ritual practices all over the world with many stories being intertwined with local customs and myth.
Ritual practices included the preparation and consumption of the mushroom to induce states of consciousness that would allow the user(s) to enter a higher state of being. For over 4,000 years the fly agaric was used in a drink called ‘Soma’ this was a ritual where those taking part would drink the urine of others who were taking part in the ritual. That just sounds extremely unpleasant to me, but it said that it was safer to do so that way. However, it wasn’t the only way magic mushrooms could be consumed. Some Celtic druids and Shamans are said to have fasted for three days before consuming the flesh. They said that to consume the flesh was to put them in direct contact with their gods. Since I’ve never eaten the flesh myself, who am to argue?
My personal favourite origin story of the fly agaric is from a tribal group from the Kamchatka Peninsula on the coast of the Bering Sea in Siberia. Big Raven, the first shaman and ancestor of the human race was out one day walking near the ocean. There he came across a whale, Big Raven desperately wanted to return the whale to the ocean, but he was not strong enough. He prayed to his god, Vihiyinin (Existence) for help and in return his prayers were answered in the form of rain. The rain was made from the spit of Big Raven’s god and became fly agaric mushrooms once the spittle hit the ground. Big Raven then consumed the mushrooms and found the strength within himself to move the whale back to the ocean. Big Raven was so overcome at his abilities due to the mushrooms that he nurtured the mushroom to grow for his kinsfolk to benefit also. There are many ways to consider this story, but there is the common theme of expanding the mind and escapism/personal improvement through consumption that is present throughout most tales involving magic mushrooms and seems to be one of the common factors that keeps our curious minds interested in this topic time and time again.
Time Warp.
Let us now make a leap through time, because unfortunately I’m running out of time. There are so many fascinating aspects on this subject I could write about but there just isn’t time to fit them all in!
Now we’re looking at the 1900’s, more specifically the 1950’s and a man called R. Gordon Wasson. Wasson went travelling with the specific intent to study our fascinating fungi friends and whilst he was travelling through Mexico in 1955, he sought to seek a magical ceremony. This ceremony was performed by an indigenous shaman from the Mazatec who live in the Oaxaca region of southern Mexico. Wasson on went on to write an article on this experience for ‘Life’ magazine. The whole article is very interesting and contains language that shows Wasson was aware that he was truly experiencing a delight and right of passage not usually observed by the white man. He also makes mention of how respectful the ceremony is and how that the mushrooms are revered, I’ll provide a link to a copy of the original at the end of the article.
“From the many mushroom celebrations that I have now witnessed, nine in all, it is clear to me that at least in the Mixeteco country the congregation is indispensable to the rite. Since the congregation, in order to participate, must be brought up in the tradition, any white persons should be greatly outnumbered by the Indians.”
This article brought about the possibility and the interests of the general public and scientists alike, so much so that Timothy Leary, a research graduate from Berkely University with a PhD psychology decided that he would research Psilocybin further. He was able to do this with the assistance of the already employed at Havard, Richard Alpert.
Study Time
The research of Psylocibin started in America at a time where LSD and psylocibin were legal and therefore the trials for the ‘Harvard Psilocybin Project’ were able to start immediately, much to the delight of the two leading professors. Their study was to investigate the effects of psylocibin on the human consciousness and record their effects in real time. Some of the effcts of psylocibin are said to be:
Euphoria
Peacefulness
Spiritual awakening
Whilst these three above seem wonderful, it is also worth mentioning that effects can also include:
Confusion
Frightening hallucinations
Each experience will be individual to the user and no two experiences are the same. I will be including some information at the end of this article about where to find help or information regarding the legality/effects of psylocibin.
The study led by the two researchers unfortunately ended abruptly after other academics became concerned by the ethics of the study and the safety of the trial participants. This sadly led the outcast of the two researchers from the academic community, but this did not end their careers and the two became prominent names in the world of mushrooms and the subcultures that came along with the fungi’s…see what I did there?
Up to Speed
So now in the twentieth century, the human race seems to have finally caught up with our ancient counterparts in the idea that magic mushrooms, or more specifically that psylocibin can be an effective medicine. Perhaps you’ve heard of the term micro-dosing? Micro-dosing is where the patient ingests a minimal amount of the drug, this is to gain the benefits from its physiological effects but whilst minimising undesirable side effects.
There are now studies taking place across the world into the effects of using mushrooms to treat depression amongst other mental health conditions and early-stage studies have seemingly promising results. A study in the UK by the University of Oxford saw a trial with 59 participants and it is reported that all 59 participants saw comparable reductions in their symptoms. However, whilst this is wonderful news, it is still early stages in terms of the research being rolled out so here in the UK we are unlikely to see this being used in therapy for a long time. There is still much work to be done. Professor Nutt has been quoted on the subject:
“Despite so much interest in the subject, we still don’t have any agreed scientific consensus on what microdosing is – like what constitutes a ‘micro’ dose, how often someone would take it, and even if there may be potential health effects”
This has been a lot to take in right? The topic of mushrooms is much like its special system of mycelium, vast and expansive networks hidden underneath the surface. These networks vary from being too small to see, to ones that cover acres of land. One thing connecting to each other, leading from one thing to the next. It appears the more we uncover the benefits of nature’s healing, the more we uncover about ourselves as people in the process. To me it is no wonder humankind has been engaged with the complicated organism that is the mushroom. So, next time you’re out walking in nature, stop and take some time to have little mooch about, to have a little rummage on the forest floor, to have look at the sides of trees, or you could stop and listen and see if the network tells you anything….
Disclaimer:
Magic Mushrooms are illegal in the UK
“The 2005 Drugs Act amended the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to clarify that both fresh and prepared (e.g. dried or stewed) magic mushrooms containing psilocin or psilocybin (such as the liberty cap) are Class A drugs. This means it’s illegal to have this type of magic mushroom for yourself, to give away or to sell.”
This is some advice from one mycophile to another and vital advice at that.
The saying goes that:
“There are bold foragers, there are old foragers… but there are no old, bold foragers”
So, again, the SAFETY ADVICE is:
* NEVER EAT ANY MUSHROOM (or anything) IF YOU ARE NOT 100% SURE OF ITS IDENTITY FOR YOURSELF – “if in doubt, throw it out”
* CHECK EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN YOUR COLLECTION – rogue ones may sneak into even the most experienced forager’s basket as often visually similar poisonous varieties grow closely with edibles. Be vigilant and never get complacent.
Links:
https://files.shroomery.org/attachments/5978613-WassonLifeMagazineArticleonPsilocybeMushroomsPDF.pdf
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/fungi-and-lichens/fly-agaric/
Written by M.R.Smith
M.R.Smith is a poet/writer who loves all things folklore, magic and anything that is considered strange or unusal. She is currently working on a novel inspired by Welsh folklore.
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