Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are a popular hallucinogenic substance that contains the psychedelic compound psilocybin. These mushrooms have been used for centuries by different cultures for spiritual, religious, and recreational purposes. However, it is important to note that in the United Kingdom, the possession, sale, and cultivation of magic mushrooms are illegal under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Despite the legal restrictions, there are still ways in which individuals can procure magic mushrooms in the UK. **One option is to search for wild mushrooms** in certain areas of the country. It is essential to have a good understanding of different species and the required identification skills to ensure you are picking the right mushrooms.
Consuming magic mushrooms can have potential risks such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, confusion, and even more serious risks such as hallucinations or psychotic episodes. It is important to approach magic mushrooms with caution and understand the potential risks before consuming them.
One 2016 study in which subjects were given psilocybin reported a statistically significant decrease in depressive symptoms up to three months post-trip in patients who hadn t been helped by traditional treatments. Unlike Liberty Cap or Psilocybe semilanceata the mushroom variety that grows wild in the UK , the cubensis strain is easy to cultivate in terrariums, and its low water content means it remains fresh for up to seven to 10 days.
It is essential to have a good understanding of different species and the required identification skills to ensure you are picking the right mushrooms. However, this approach comes with significant risks, as misidentifying mushrooms can lead to poisoning or ingestion of toxic substances. Another option is to explore the underground market.
High times in magic mushroom business - and it's perfectly legal
The Aztecs dubbed them "the flesh of the gods", Siberian shamans used them to enlighten their path to the spirit world, and they were the preserve of hippies and the pioneers of the psychedelic movement in the 1960s. But now magic mushrooms are at the centre of a new - and legal - retail boom.
On the Portobello Road, in Notting Hill, west London, a stall opened for business in August, openly advertising varieties of psychedelic fungi and growing kits for sale. Psyche Deli, the company behind it, now runs two similar market stalls elsewhere and supplies more than 30 shops across the country. The company estimates that its turnover and that of its competitors in London is running at 50kg (134lb) a week, the equivalent of 5,000 individual doses or five-hour "trips".
"We sell to all types - doctors, architects, lawyers, even the odd policeman," said Chris Territt, one of the directors of Psyche Deli, which operates out of a refrigerated storeroom in Dalston, north London. "In our opinion it's only a matter of time before the fad becomes mainstream."
The consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms is probably as old as human society. In Algeria, 7,000-year-old drawings of "round headed" figures holding mushroom-like objects have been found daubed on rocks on a plateau high above the Sahara.
But the existence of the modern trade owes less to history and more to a curious loophole in British law.
When the directors of Psyche Deli decided to test the market for Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms in Britain, they were unsure how far the authorities would allow them to go.
Although psilocin and psilocybin, the psychoactive constituents of the mushrooms, are considered class A drugs under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, the gathering and possession of fresh mushrooms has never been an offence in Britain. However, the courts have ruled that mushrooms that have been dried or "altered by the hand of man" do constitute a class A drug, as might mushrooms that have been frozen and packaged for sale.
Nevertheless, when the company checked with the Home Office last March it received a letter from a licensing officer saying it was "not illegal to sell or give away a freshly picked mushroom" or mushroom growing kits.
Psyche Deli promptly placed an order for mushrooms and terrariums with growers in Holland. It is not the only company thriving thanks to Britain's new-found fondness for fungi. Amolon, a Birmingham-based operation, has a burgeoning delivery and mail-order business that supplies customers across the country, while the Shroomshop, a collective of 20 UK growers, sends mushrooms direct to head-shops in the Midlands.
At Psyche Deli's Portobello Road stall, the queues confirm the broad appeal of mushrooms. Sarah, 35, who works in information technology, had not used magic mushrooms since she was a student in her twenties until she found the stall.
"They had four different varieties," she said. "I asked them what the mildest one was and they recommended the Mexicans. Within 15 minutes I started to get this warm, tingly feeling. Within half an hour the market had become this vibrant and colourful place."
Sarah, who declined to give her last name for fear of shocking her work colleagues, now visits the stall every weekend. A confirmed "shroomer", her fungus of choice is a gnarled truffle the colour and texture of congealed muesli known as the Philosopher's Stone.
Like many operators, Psyche Deli is careful not to promote the mushrooms as hallucinogens, saying they are being sold for "ornamental" and "research purposes" only. The stall also carries a prominent sign prohibiting the sale of mushrooms to under-18s.
On the advice of the Medicines Control Agency, the Camden Mushroom Company has been told it cannot distribute information about the mushrooms because they are not qualified herbalists. However, they are allowed to respond to questions from customers and, asked to describe the effects of the various strains on sale, the young men behind the stall will happily provide the mushroom equivalent of wine notes.
Although the effects of psilocybin can vary, from feelings of euphoria and excitement to mild or strong visual hallucinations, for most people mushroom munching appears to be a pleasant experience.
Alex Levine, 26, a sales professional, has been using psilocybin mushrooms on and off for two years with no apparent ill-effects. "I tend to do them with a group of friends before I get out clubbing," he said. "With LSD or ecstasy you definitely feel as though you've done some damage, but with mushrooms you feel right as rain afterwards. It's just an all-round positive experience."
But others tell a different story. Chris, 40, a songwriter from west London, who is used to other recreational drugs, decided to try 10g (0.32oz) of the Mexicans but found it was more than he could handle.
"I dropped them at home with my wife at 7pm. By 8pm the room was pulsating and I had to lie down. I felt I was no longer in control."
Concerned by the lack of regulation and the growth in mail-order deliveries from Holland, Shroomshop has proposed that British retailers and distributors adopt a voluntary "safe sale" protocol.
This would require them to inform purchasers about unpleasant side effects such as anxiety and paranoia, restrict sales to over 17s, and impose maximum dosages of 35g a person.
Many retailers, worried about their uncertain legal position, have already adopted similar measures. Dave Clayton-Wright, the manager of Planet Bong, a shop in Leamington Spa specialising in drug-related paraphernalia, began offering mushrooms as a novelty to selected customers earlier this year.
"We have a little chat with each person beforehand to make sure they understand what they are doing and know what the law says," he said. "The response has been amazing. We're seeing the same groups of shroomers every week."
However, drug policy experts argue that it is unrealistic to expect the market to regulate itself and that the current laws should be reformed. "The idea that fresh mushrooms are legal but if they're prepared in a mug of tea then it's punishable with 14 years in prison is patently absurd," said Steve Rolls, a spokesman for drugs policy thinktank Transform.
"The Home Office should reduce the controls and issue proper regulations to ensure they're only sold to adults and that customers are given correct dosage and health information."
Fungal four
The most popular mushroom sold on stalls and by mail-order is Stropharia cubensis. Unlike Liberty Cap or Psilocybe semilanceata (the mushroom variety that grows wild in the UK), the cubensis strain is easy to cultivate in terrariums, and its low water content means it remains fresh for up to seven to 10 days.
The fungus is sold in four common varieties:
A variety of shapes and sizes but with a white stem and a tan-orange cap. As with all varieties of cubensis, the stem on contact with the air turns a bluish colour because of its psilocybin content. A 10 gram dose will result in a 'trip' of four to six hours -giggly and sociable, with colourful visuals
Level Beginner
Cost £10 for 10g
Same tan orange-tan cap and blue-hued stem as the Mexican variety, but generally slightly larger in size; they also give a slightly stronger, slightly more hallucinogenic trip
Level Intermediate
Cost £10 for 10g
Mainly imported from the Netherlands, they have longer, thicker stalk and a green hue to the cap. The overall experience is 'trippier' than either the Mexican or Colombian strains, with visuals that are more colourful and intense
Level Expert
Cost £12.50 for 10g
Philosopher's Stone
A truffle, rather than a toadstool, this grows in the roots of a normal mushroom, and has a higher percentage of psilocybin by weight. Resembling congealed muesli, it tastes like slightly bitter walnut and produces a more physical and euphoric buzz
Level Connoisseur
Cost £15 for 10g
Most aspiring fast moving consumer products have a “backstory” and hallucinogens are no different. In the House of Commons, Mr Blunt told the powerful (and well rehearsed) story of their renaissance. It’s not so much rags to riches as overdose to cure. Magic mushrooms and LSD first exploded into American counterculture in the middle of the last century. Scientists immediately recognised their potential to unlock the secrets of the mind, but their efforts were cut short when, in 1971, President Richard Nixon declared drug use to be “public enemy number one”, effectively banning research and marking the start of the war on drugs. Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign followed a decade later. Mr Blunt sees drug prohibition as one of the “greatest policy failures of the last 50 years”. It’s a cause he says he decided to champion while he was David Cameron’s prisons minister, having seen the number of Brits incarcerated for relatively minor drug-related offences rise enormously. “The issue is absolutely massive,” he laments. “People aren’t dying of drugs, they’re dying of drug policy.” When Mr Blunt formed the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group in 2019, its main goal was to reform the regulations around cannabis – now a legal industry worth billions in its own right (of which more later). Since then, the group has flipped to focus on the right for patients suffering from depression and other mental illnesses to access psilocybin.
**Online platforms and dark web marketplaces** may offer the opportunity to purchase magic mushrooms from sellers. However, engaging in these activities is also illegal and involves certain risks, such as potential scams, legal consequences, and the possibility of purchasing unsafe or contaminated mushrooms. It is vital to exercise caution and research extensively before considering this route. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin and its potential to treat mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. This has led to various clinical trials taking place around the world. **Participation in clinical trials** could offer individuals the opportunity to access psilocybin in a controlled and legal manner. However, availability may be limited, and strict inclusion criteria usually apply. It is worth noting that the legal framework surrounding magic mushrooms may evolve in the future. In some countries, such as Portugal and the Netherlands, the possession and consumption of these mushrooms have been decriminalized or tolerated to some extent. **Advocacy groups** are working to raise awareness about the potential benefits of psilocybin and to push for changes in legislation regarding the use of magic mushrooms. In conclusion, while the possession, sale, and cultivation of magic mushrooms are illegal in the UK, there are still ways individuals can procure them. However, these options come with significant risks, such as legal consequences and potential harm from misidentifying or obtaining contaminated mushrooms. It is important to stay informed about the legal and safety considerations surrounding magic mushrooms and to explore legal alternatives, such as participating in clinical trials, to access psilocybin in a controlled and responsible manner..
Reviews for "The Healing Potential of Magic Mushrooms in UK Alternative Medicine"
1. Sarah - 2 stars:
I was highly disappointed with the purchase of magic mushrooms I made from this website. Not only did they take almost twice as long as promised to arrive, but the quality was extremely poor. The mushrooms were dried out and seemed to have lost most of their potency. I followed the instructions provided, but even after consuming a significant amount, I hardly experienced any effects. Overall, it was a waste of money and time, and I would not recommend using this service.
2. John - 1 star:
I had a terrible experience with this website when trying to procure magic mushrooms in the UK. Firstly, their customer service was unresponsive and did not provide me with any updates on my order. Secondly, when the package finally arrived, the content was completely crushed, making it unusable. I tried contacting the customer support team to get a refund or a replacement, but they never responded. It was a total scam, and I feel ripped off. Do not trust this website for purchasing any magic mushrooms.
3. Emma - 2 stars:
I decided to give this website a try to buy magic mushrooms, but it was a disappointing experience. The website promised discreet packaging, but my package arrived with a label clearly indicating the contents. This lack of privacy was concerning. Moreover, the price was quite high compared to other sources I've used before, and the quality of the mushrooms was mediocre at best. I regret my decision to use this service and would advise others to find more reliable alternatives.