Psilocybe - Coots and Coots of all kinds

Psilocybe - what is it?

Psilocybe it's kind of mushrooms relatives Hymenogastraceae, in the mushroom row (Agaricales). These mushrooms are particularly known for the presence of psychoactive substances: psilocybin i psilocin, which induce perceptual changes and psychedelic experiences. Many species of this genus have applications in traditional rituals and are currently being studied for potential use in psychiatric therapy.

Characteristics of Psilocybe fungi

  1. Hat:
    • Small or medium, shaped like a bell or hemisphere.
    • The color changes from golden brown to dark brown, often turning blue in areas of damage (a sign of psilocybin).
  2. Core:
    • Slender, fibrous, sometimes hollow inside.
    • In some cases with a ring.
  3. Tinsel:
    • Bright in young specimens, later purplish-brown with white edges.
  4. Spores:
    • Purple-brown in color, ellipsoidal or almond-shaped, with a distinctive shape.

Classification and occurrence

  • Type: Psilocybe.
  • Family: Hymenogastraceae.
  • Government: Agaricales.
  • Kingdom: Fungi.

Psilocybe mushrooms are found all over the world:

  • In the tropics and subtropics (e.g., South America, South Asia).
  • In temperate climate zones (e.g. Europe, North America).

They are particularly associated with soils rich in organic matter, decaying wood and animal manure.

Examples of Psilocybe species

  1. Psilocybe cubensis - The best-known species, often cultivated, easy to recognize.
  2. Psilocybe semilanceata (Lanceolate baldcypress) - Occurs in Europe, including Poland, in moist meadows.
  3. Psilocybe cyanescens - Strongly psychoactive, it grows mainly in North America.

Sources and rules

  1. Sources:
    • Guzmán, G. (2005). "Species diversity of the genus Psilocybe„. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms.
    • Stamets, P. (1996). Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World. This Speed Press.
    • Carhart-Harris, R. L. et al. (2016). "Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: An open-label feasibility study." The Lancet Psychiatry.
  2. Rules:
    • Psilocybe is a genus of fungi in the Hymenogastraceae family, known for its psychoactive properties resulting from the presence of psilocybin.
    • Psylocybin and psilocin are alkaloids that act on serotonin receptors to induce changes in perception, mood and consciousness.
    • Psilocybe mushrooms play a key role in indigenous cultures and in modern research into the treatment of mental disorders.

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