Psilocybe cubensis

The name Psilocybe is derived from the greek words psilos and kubè, which together mean ‘bald head’. The Mazatecs, a people in Mexico, call the mushroom Dishitjolerraja. The translation of this word is ‘holy manure mushroom’. Nowadays, we just call them magic mushrooms .

Psychedelics as medication?

In the 70’s, research on the effect of hallucinogenics as medication for psychological issues was booming. This ended, however, when people started using the drugs recreationally and they were dubbed illegal. Quite recently, however, research on this topic has restarted and positive results are found.

A single dose of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound of magic mushrooms, was found to relieve depression for up to 6 months. Moreover, the party drug ketamine helped depressed people for whom conventional medication was no longer effective. More research is needed for these drugs to be handed out by prescription, but the first results are promising.

Hallucinations or hunger?

Psilocybe cubensis is only one of many fungal species that produce psilocin. Why is it favorable for all these species to produce this hallucinogenic substance? Recently, researchers found an answer to this question. In humans, psilocin triggers hallucinations and it distorts reality. In insects, however, this chemical has a completely different effect: it alleviates hunger. As a result, the insects will not eat the mushroom. In this way P. cubensis protects itself against these predators.