There are many different types of mushroom to be found in nature; some are to be used in the kitchen,some that are not to be touched at all, and some that will send its consumer on a psychedelic trip to outer space. The impact certain kinds of psychedelic mushrooms have on the human body is legendary. Specific mushrooms have been found to impact the human brain in ways that are still being investigated. These “shrooms” appear to increase connectivity between disparate parts of the brain, and particularly, engage the prefrontal cortex. This creates distortions of perception while bringing underlying emotions to the forefront of the mind.

The intense and often hallucinatory nature of this high is known as a "trip". It can be quite the journey to go on, confronting you with powerful emotions and vivid visions. Users have even reported so called "ego deaths" - profound spiritual experiences of connecting with the universe. A lot of the experience depends not just on individual psychological circumstances, but on your surroundings as well. Be sure to start with small doses, in a safe, tranquil environment, and work your way up. Even a mild dose can make you more physically sensitive and far more emotionally sensitive.

WHAT IS PSILOCYBIN?

Why do "magic" mushrooms do this? What can science tell us about how these specimens influence the human mind? Analysing their chemical composition reveals compounds similar to the structure of serotonin, the neurotransmitter associated with happiness. Psilocybin appears to be the source of the psychedelic effects mushrooms are known for. Its presence in a mushroom can be identified by their golden-brownish colour, and in some cases, the bluish colour of their bruising.

WHAT IS PSILOCIN?

Psilocybin is a precursor to another chemical called psilocin. When psilocybin is ingested, it gets broken down by an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. This removes phosphate group chemicals such as phosphorus, oxygen, and hydrogen. The resulting chemical that enters the bloodstream is called psilocin. Studies have concluded that psilocin works by binding to serotonin-2A or 5-HT2A receptors that regulate mood. It is difficult to find this chemical in isolation, but those who have tried synthetic psilocin powder have reported profoundly powerful, earth-shattering trips.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PSILOCYBIN AND PSILOCIN

Although both of these compunds are just as powerful in terms of psychedelic effects, it is actually the psylocin that sends you tripping.The reason for this is that, when eating magic mushroom for example, the psilocybin in the shrooms will be broken down into psilocin. When psilocybin is administered in a manner that circumvents the digestive system, it becomes clear that psilocybin is just as strong as psilocin.

Another difference is their stability. Both psolicybin and psilocin occur naturally in magic mushrooms, but psilocin is unstable when at the surface. It quickly reacts to heat, oxygen and to touch, which causes it to degrade. This is recognizable by the shrooms showing bluish marks. Shrooms that are "bruised" in this manner are still just as potent as unbruised shrooms. This is because the psilocybin is still present, intact, and in a much higher dose than the trace amounts of psilocin.

GET STARTED

If you are prepared for some responsible experimentation, let's see the impact these natural chemicals will have on you. Zativo offers a range of products that deliver a dose of psilocybin, and even the means to grow your own magic mushrooms. If you are looking for the legendary high they bring, a good place to look is the underground growths or “sclerotia” of particular mushrooms. These hidden parts pack much of their famed psilocybin potency and are called "magic or psychedelic truffles". Magic truffles could be what you need for a smooth introduction, so check out the varieties available.

Give a man a mushroom and he'll trip for a day. Give a man a grow kit and he can continually replenish his own supply of psychoactive mushrooms for the foreseeable future. You don't need a lab at home to set up these self-sufficient grow kits. Many are available and ready for you to reap harvest with minimal maintenance. Supa Gro’s Extreme XL magic mushroom grow kits are for those looking to maximise their yield. Regular Mushroom grow kits have an easy setup for novice growers, but with plentiful mushrooms produced. And MushMush also promises high levels of psychedelic compounds in the shrooms that will eventually burst from their kits.

TRIP SAFELY

The interaction of these psychedelic chemicals in your brain will be intense. Experienced trippers don't need to be told to play carefully. If you're experimenting with mushrooms for the first time, soft, comfortable surroundings with minimal disturbances will be better. These magic mushrooms will expand your consciousness in a way advocated by so many. Take set & setting into account, an always make sure you have a friendly tripsitter nearby.

Joe Rogan was famously fascinated by a theory on human evolution; that our primate ancestors gained sentience partly through the accidental consumption of psychedelic mushrooms. While there may not be a whole lot of hard science supporting that one, magic mushrooms really do put the human brain through quite the experience. Medical researchers are taking magic mushrooms and their constituents seriously. We may learn more about their wonders in years to come. For now, have a safe and happy trip.