The Historical Saga of Magic Mushrooms

Historical records trace the existence of Magic Mushrooms back to 9000 BC. These unique mushrooms boast over 200 different species and contain psilocybin, a substance known to induce hallucinogenic effects. These effects can include altered perception, visual and auditory hallucinations, and profound spiritual experiences. For thousands of years, these mushrooms have been used in spiritual ceremonies, rituals, and practices across diverse cultures and tribes. Many of these historical instances originate from North and South America.

Magic Mushrooms in Ancient Times

Various cultures have used natural psychedelics throughout history. Evidence from the Sahara Desert suggests that humans were using Psilocybe Cubensis more than 7000 years ago. Archaeological findings reveal the depiction of this psychoactive substance in prehistoric art across different regions. For instance, indigenous tribes of North Africa in the Sahara portrayed its use in their paintings from around 9000 BC. Similarly, the renowned Selva Pascuala mural rock painting in Spain, roughly 6000 years old, suggests the use of Psilocybe Hispanica in religious rituals. The influence of these substances on our cultural evolution, religion, art, societal norms, and daily life is increasingly apparent. This substance has unquestionably made a deep and lasting impact on our culture and society.

Historical Overview of Magic Magic Mushrooms Consumption

Historically,magic Magic Mushrooms usage spans a significant timeframe. The psychoactive substance that we are familiar with today has been used across various centuries, with diverse practices related to its use. Who could resist the gifts of nature? It’s time for Mushrooms Canada to delve into the historical journey that has led Magic Mushrooms to its current status.

Main Highlights

1. Dried Magic Mushrooms have been used for traditional rituals and spiritual healing for centuries. Today, they are used as a treatment for mental health disorders.
2. Magic Mushrooms became a hallmark of the hippie culture and played a significant role in the psychedelic revolution, encouraging its recreational use.
3. Key figures like Wasson, Sabina, and McKenna introduced psilocybin to the contemporary world.

Endorsing the Stoned Ape Theory

The Stoned Ape Hypothesis was brought forward by Terence McKenna, suggesting that psilocybin may have contributed to human evolution, especially in terms of cognitive development. Regardless of some criticisms, the intriguing nature of this theory is undeniable.

Ancient Civilizations and Sacred Ceremonies

In historical societies, the ceremonial use of Magic Mushrooms was depicted through symbols, artwork, and sculptures. Cultures like the Mayans and Aztecs used it to interact with otherworldly beings, including their gods. In the culturally rich Aztec society, it was referred to as “teonanácatl“, which translates to “the flesh of the gods”. The concept of a psychedelic journey was alien to them, causing them to regard it as a divine entity. Heading north to Siberia, Siberian shamans employed hallucinogenic Magic Mushrooms. They specifically used a hallucinogenic substance called “Amanita Muscaria” (Magic Mushrooms) for spiritual healing and traditional rituals, despite its poisonous nature. This practice was initiated nearly ten thousand years ago. In African tribal rituals, particularly within the tribes of Congo and Zimbabwe, cubes were utilized to communicate with ancestors, induce visions, and promote spiritual healing. These historical societies play a significant role in the contemporary use of psilocybin. Their reverence for this substance originated from its divine connotations and its ability to trigger mystical experiences.

Magic Mushrooms in Legends and Folklore

A number of stories, including those by Gordon Wasson, highlight the connection between Magic Mushrooms and the mystical world, accentuating its role in folklore and mythology as a medium for divine communication and enlightenment. In ancient India, the Soma — a ritualistic drink mentioned in the Vedas — was thought to induce altered states of consciousness. Scholars, including Wasson, speculate that it may have been made from psychoactive plants, especially fly agaric. Some even suggest that this ancient beverage might have contained a mix of different plants. Regardless of its origin, the psychedelic history suggests that Soma facilitated the appearance of sacred symbols during rituals, symbolizing a passage to higher wisdom or spiritual enlightenment.

The Contemporary Period

A Summary of the

Beginnings

Historical documents from the era before Columbus arrived in America reveal that Mayan and Aztec civilizations utilized psilocybin Magic Mushrooms. However, Spanish authorities in the 15th and 16th centuries deemed its usage as uncivilized and subsequently prohibited it. Despite the ban, shamans continued to secretly consume magic Magic Mushrooms, maintaining their cultural practices for over four centuries.

The Return of Psilocybin to the Western World

The 1950s saw psilocybin re-emerge in the Western world, thanks to the groundbreaking work of R. Gordon Wasson, Roger Heim, and Albert Hofmann. During a journey to Mexico, they managed to extract the two psychedelic compounds (psilocybin and psilocin) from the Magic Mushrooms sourced from the Mazatec tribe. Wasson later shared his experiences, applications, and insights about magic Magic Mushrooms in Life magazine. His articles and personal narratives helped recognize the substance as a potent hallucinogen. By the advent of the 1960s, the substance had become emblematic of the Hippie culture and was considered a conduit to spiritual enlightenment. However, its use also stirred considerable debate and triggered a shift in the recreational use of hallucinogenic substances.

Continued Evolution: Worldwide Prohibition

In 1971, psilocybin was classified as a Schedule 1 illegal drug by the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, alongside Lysergic Acid Diethylamide and N, N-Dimethyltryptamine. These substances were all considered to lack medicinal value and bear a high risk of misuse. This resulted in extensive criminalization in Western nations, including Canada and the U.S., thereby severely limiting the spiritual and therapeutic uses of the substance.

The Modern Resurgence of Psilocybin

Recently, a softening of the rigid laws governing psilocybin use has occurred, beginning with its decriminalization. This shift is in line with the UN’s permission for treaty member states to regulate the substance based on their own judgement. Simultaneously, a rising body of research and clinical trials related to psychedelics and consciousness robustly supports potential medical uses of psilocybin. A 2021 study examining the healing use of psychedelics suggests that the ban in 1970 significantly hindered further investigation. However, a preliminary study in 2004 sparked renewed interest in psilocybin, suggesting its potential use in neuropsychiatry, particularly for treating mental health conditions such as:

• Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
• Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Substance Abuse (Aiding in Recovery from Addiction)
• Alcohol Overuse and Drugs)

Media and Art’s Influence

The influence of psychedelic cubes has expanded so extensively that they are represented across various media platforms. The renewed interest in these substances is largely due to their depiction in diverse forms of art, media, and literature. Movies like “Fantastic Fungi” by Director Louie Schwartzberg, and documentaries examining their healing properties, have enriched the public’s understanding of their psychological and physiological effects. Michael Pollan, the author of “How to Change Your Mind,” has examined the use of psychedelics for mental health and spiritual development, which has revitalized their social and healing relevance.

Prominent Historical Advocates of Fungi

1. María Sabina: María Sabina, a Mazatec shaman and poet from Mexico, played a critical role in introducing cubes to the Western world. She permitted Wasson to experience her Magic Mushrooms rituals.
2. Gordon Wasson: Wasson, a writer, gained recognition for shedding light on the drug on a global scale. His detailed account of his encounters with Sabina contributed to a broader understanding of its local applications.
3. Terence McKenna: A strong advocate for psychedelics, McKenna was instrumental in emphasizing their cultural and philosophical significance. With his speeches, writings, and research, McKenna popularized the “Stoned Ape” theory, presenting it as a tool for cognitive improvement that shaped society.

The Journey – A Concise Overview

with TRD.

Prehistoric	Prehistoric use is portrayed through stone art discovered in the Sahara, Africa.
Ancient	Maya and Aztec cultures utilized teonanácatl in their religious and spiritual rituals.
16th Century	Its use was discouraged as it was associated with Indigenous beliefs.
18th Century	In 1799, the “intoxicating” effects of the drug were highlighted when four children accidentally ingested Psilocybe Semilanceata, emphasizing the potential risks of its use.
20th Century	The drug was brought to the Western world by Wasson and Sabina, sparking a psychedelic revolution among the hippies. The UN legalized the possession and consumption of the substance.
21st Century	Clinical trials to establish its medical value are		Health Canada has approved a Special Access Program for its use, as the demand for psilocybin therapy is on the rise.

The Emergence and Growth of the Psychedelic Era | Purchase Magic Mushrooms Online at Mushrooms Canada

The consistent use of cubes at Mushrooms Canada, backed by robust scientific research, will keep expanding until it achieves worldwide acceptance. The online Magic Mushrooms store of Mushrooms Canada is well-equipped to aid this revolution. Our extensive range of products entices customers, encouraging them to embark on the intriguing and therapeutic journey of psilocybin. Secure your favourite products from Zoomies today.

Commonly Asked Questions

No, Amanita Muscaria does not contain the active ingredients present in Psilocybe Cubensis. Instead, the psychoactive substances in fly agaric are muscimol and ibotenic acid. A prevalent theory suggests that Soma’s origin could be a mix of various psychoactive plants. Similarly, ayahuasca is a brew that alters consciousness. However, the only link between the two is the view of soma as an analogue of ayahuasca. It was examined for potential Magic Mushrooms poisoning after being classified as a toxic Magic Mushrooms. Today, it is recognized as the Psilocybe Mexicana.