Psilocybe semilanceata, or liberty caps, are a species of mushroom that are found in the wild throughout much of the world. Although they may seem like typical mushrooms, they contain a powerful psychedelic compound called psilocybin.
What Is Psilocybe Semilanceata?
Psilocybe semilanceata, commonly known as the liberty cap, is a psilocybin or “magic” mushroom that contains the psychoactive compound psilocybin, psilocin and baeocystin. It is both one of the most widely distributed psilocybin mushrooms in nature, and one of the most potent.
What’s Psilocybin?
Psilocybin, the most well-known naturally occurring psychedelic, is a psychoactive compound that is produced by more than 200 species of mushrooms. It’s found in the small, wavy-capped Psilocybe semilanceata, or “liberty cap,” a mushroom that often grows in meadows and pastures. When psilocybin is taken, it is converted into psilocin, which is responsible for the mushroom’s psychoactive effects.
History of Psilocybe Semilanceata
In 1799, a British family became the first recorded instance of Psilocybe semilanceata intoxication after preparing a supper with mushrooms they had picked in London’s Green Park. According to chemist Augustus Everard Brande, the father and his four children exhibited typical signs of mushroom ingestion, including pupil dilation, spontaneous laughter, and delirium. Later they were studied by Albert Hoffman, who would later go on to synthesize LSD.
Psilocybe Semilanceata: Apperance and Identification
Liberty caps (Psilocybe semilanceata) are the only magic mushrooms that grow in abundance in the wild in Britain, Ireland, France, Germany and other European countries. They have a very distinctive shape, with a small conical cap that is ap. to 1 in across, on a stipe of 1.5-6 inche slong. The cap is reddish brown to yellow brown. Liberty caps are generally found in meadows and pastures, often in those grazed by sheep. This is because their spores grow on the dung of these animals. The top of the cap may have dark blue or purple stains when bruised or damaged. They are odorless, and their taste is farinaceous.
Dangers of Misidentification
Although liberty caps they are not particularly noticeable, they can be easily mistaken for other types of mushrooms. One such mushroom is Cortinarius rubellus, also known as the deadly webcap. The deadly webcap is a poisonous mushroom that closely resembles the liberty cap. Both mushrooms have thin stems and light brown caps, but the webcap has a distinctly red hue. Unfortunately, this color difference is not always noticeable, and the webcap has been known to cause fatalities in people who mistake it for the liberty cap.
Psilocybe Semilanceata Potency
Liberty caps are considered to be among the most potent psilocybin fungus, containing up to 1% psilocybin, although the amount can vary from 0.2% to maximum 2.37%. Beocystin concentration equals around 0.37%. Psilocybe semilanceata is a “moderately active to extremely potent” hallucinogenic mushroom, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, which classifies it as a moderately active to extremely powerful psychedelic (meaning the overall percentage of mind-altering chemicals is usually between 0.25% and greater than 2%). Only three mushrooms were more powerful than 12 different species: P. azurescens, P. baeocystis, and P. bohemica in a 12-species comparison.
Psilocybe Semilanceata Distribution
Liberty caps are a type of mushroom that can be found in fields and meadows across Europe and North America. They are found typically in the areas of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe in particular), although they can grow in the areas of the Southern Hemisphere as well.
Habitat
They typically grow in areas with high grass or moss coverage, as this provides the perfect environment for their spores to spread. Liberty caps are often found near horse pastures or cow fields, as the manure from these animals helps to fertilize the soil and encourage mushroom growth. However, unlike Psilocybe Cubensis, liberty caps do not grow directly on dung, because it is a saprobic species. It means that liberty caps prefer to grow on decaying matter, like dead grasses.
Effects of Consuming Psilocybe Semilanceata
Although it is not the most powerful psilocybin mushroom, the liberty cap is still a highly potent psychedelic and should be treated with caution. The effects of consuming liberty caps can vary depending on the individual. Some people report feeling more energized and alert, while others feel relaxed and happy. Some people also report experiencing changes in perception, such as enhanced colors and sounds. The effects typically last for several hours, and there is a risk of overdosing if too many are consumed. Liberty caps are often used recreationally, but they can also have negative side effects, such as anxiety and paranoia.
Psilocybe Semilanceata as a Hallucinogenic
The effects from eating these mushrooms are often described as being somewhat similar to those of DMT or Ayahuasca, although less intense in comparison and with a longer duration.The main difference between these two types of psychedelics is that the effects of psilocybin mushrooms are more relaxing and chillsome, while Ayahuasca induces more visions and stomach discomfort. Psilocybin mushrooms are usually taken orally by eating raw mushrooms or drinking tea made out of dried mushrooms.
Psilocybe Semilanceata Legality Issue and Controversy
Liberty caps are a type of mushroom that contains the psychoactive compound psilocybin. Psilocybin is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States, which means that it is illegal to produce, sell, or possess. Liberty caps are not specifically mentioned in the Controlled Substances Act, but they are considered to be psychedelic mushrooms and are therefore subject to the same restrictions. In other words, even though liberty caps might be legal in some countries, it is still illegal to possess them in the United States.
Should Psilocybe Semilanceata Be Legal?
Some people believe that magic mushrooms should be legal because they can have positive effects on people’s mental health. Psilocybin has proved to be a valuable therapeutic tool in the treatment of mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, and there is a growing movement to decriminalize psychedelics in the United States. Liberty caps are just one example of the many types of psychedelic mushrooms that are out there. More research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of magic mushrooms before a definitive answer can be reached.
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