With the recent legalization of psilocybin and other drugs in Oregon, we’re also seeing a growing interest in other states. It’s clear that magic mushrooms are here to stay, especially since many enthusiasts swear by their healing properties.

Please remember that the psilocybin mushroom spores sold by Fungushead are for microscopy and taxonomy research purposes only. We encourage people to look up their local laws and regulations before beginning any level of research into these compounds.

It’s believed that psychedelic mushrooms can provide therapeutic relief to those living with anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and severe depression. Studies have indicated that mushrooms containing psilocybin show little to no negative side effects when used responsibly making them an intriguing option for those individuals wanting to change from pharmaceuticals.

With more studies underway, scientists and enthusiasts alike hope to shed some light on the healing properties of psilocybin mushrooms.

One of the most popular shrooms (of the psilocybe cubensis variety) in demand today is the Golden Teacher mushroom. This well-known psychedelic mushroom strain contains the active elements psilocybin and psilocin.

The strain is aptly named for its iconic gold-capped appearance as well as its introspective and philosophical effects. The reported effects on the brain and body are unlike other psychedelic varieties, making it a firm favorite amongst many magic mushroom communities.

Golden Teachers have been reported to give a more guided, educative experience, rather than just a pure “trip,” as most experience with other varieties.

Why Psilocybin Is Sought After For Its Effects

Psilocybin is the main ingredient found in several types of psychoactive mushrooms, making it one of the most well-known natural psychedelic drugs. Throughout history, people have been ingesting this common hallucinogenic substance from various mushrooms grown in parts of Europe, South America, Mexico, and the United States.

This common hallucinogen works by activating serotonin receptors, most often in the prefrontal cortex. This particular part of the brain controls mood, cognition, and perception in individuals. It’s also important to note that hallucinogens work in other regions of the brain that regulate arousal and panic responses.

Contrary to popular belief, psilocybin doesn’t always cause active visual or auditory hallucinations. Instead, it distorts how some people perceive objects and people already in their environment.

Studies have revealed that such distortions and experiences may have positive lasting results for patients with various severe psychological disorders. These benefits explain why psilocybin-containing mushrooms are sought after for their effects.

Magical fungi, like the Golden Teacher mushroom, contain psilocybin and psilocin, two naturally occurring psychoactive ingredients. Psilocin is biologically active, whereas psilocybin is a psilocin prodrug. This means that it’s converted into psilocin when ingested via dephosphorylation.

Factors like the amount of ingested mushrooms, personal past experiences, and experience expectations can all impact the effects of psilocybin.

After the gut digests and absorbs these particular magic mushrooms, the body converts them to psilocin. The hallucinogenic effects of psilocin usually occur within 30 minutes of ingesting Golden Teacher mushrooms and can last 4 to 6 hours.

The experienced effects differ based on the factors mentioned above. In some individuals, the changes in sensory perception and thought patterns can last for several days, if not months. A clear understanding of the potential effects is essential to a positive experience when taking Golden Teacher mushrooms or their cousins.

Psilocybin is metabolized mostly in the liver. As it becomes converted to psilocin, it undergoes a first-pass effect, whereby its concentration is greatly reduced before it reaches systemic circulation.

Psilocin is broken down by the enzyme monoamine oxidase to produce several metabolites that can circulate in the blood plasma. Any psilocin not broken down by enzymes then forms a glucuronide—a biochemical mechanism animals use to eliminate toxic substances by linking them with glucuronic acid, which can then be excreted in the urine.

Based on studies using animals, about 50% of ingested psilocybin is absorbed through the stomach and intestine. Within 24 hours, about 65% of the absorbed psilocybin is excreted into the urine, and a further 15–20% is excreted in the bile and feces. It’s important to understand that although most of the remaining drug is eliminated in this way within 8 hours, it’s still detectable in the urine after 7 days.

In comparison to LSD on a weight-per-weight basis, Psilocybin is about 100 times less potent, with the physiological effects lasting almost half as long. Golden Teacher mushroom effects on the brain and body are a complicated and a fascinating look into how nature interacts within itself.