➢ The science of psychedelics and the science of psilocybin is undeniably fascinating.
While our focus here at Qualityspores.store – as the name implies – are mushroom spores, understanding the psilocybin compound present in mature fungi is an important part of expanding one’s knowledge on the topic.
The Science of Psilocybin and How Magic Mushrooms Work
In today’s post, we’re going to examine several important areas of what one might call magic mushroom science and about the science of psilocybin, as represented in a Ted talk about suffering and about the science of magic mushrooms.
Here’s what you’ll learn about the different fungi types:
- What scientists who study mushrooms are called
- How magic mushrooms affect your brain
- The difference between psilocybin and psilocin
- Medicinal mushroom science and how magic mushrooms are playing an increasingly critical role, and how psilocybin mushrooms work for therapeutic purposes
- Why microscopists at a professional or hobby level study magic mushroom spores
- How anyone can study magic mushroom spores legally from home
Let’s begin with the basics:
What is a Mushroom Scientist Called?
A mushroom scientist is called a mycologist. The study of mushrooms, or fungi, is called mycology.
Let’s take a moment to break down the word: the -logy portion simply refers to an area of study, as you no doubt already know. (Actually, the root of the word is the Greek logia which meant “to speak” or “to tell”).
The first part of the word, myco, simply means mushroom, or fungus.
Mycologists Study Fungi Types
Therefore, a mycologist is one who studies fungi types. Mycology is considered a branch of biology (the study of life), and has many areas of study within it.
For example, some mycologists focus on how fungi can be used for medicinal purposes, or for therapeutic purposes in the case of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. They’re studying magic mushrooms as medicine. Other mycologists study how fungi can be used as a way of eliminating waste, such as plastic products, in an area of research called mycoremediation.
Mycology is a fascinating field of study, but perhaps the most interesting part of this science concerns psychedelic mushrooms.
The Science of Psychedelics: How Shrooms Affect Your Brain and Medicinal Mushroom Spores
When a person consumes magic mushrooms originating from medicinal mushroom spores, either in a jurisdiction where doing so is legal or as part of regulated psilocybin assisted therapy, the psilocybin in the mushrooms eventually reaches the bloodstream where it is delivered to the brain. The brain then converts the psilocybin into a compound called psilocin, which we will discuss in more detail momentarily.
The effects of magic mushrooms can greatly vary depending on the dosage. A typical psychoactive dose of 2-3 grams dried can result in visual distortions, sensory distortions, feelings of empathy, feelings of “oneness” with the world, and other emotional changes. Psilocybin is increasingly being used as part of therapeutic applications as it has been shown in a variety of studies to have a positive impact on patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and other mental and emotional conditions.
What’s the Difference Between Psilocybin and Psilocin?
Psilocybin vs. Psilocin Substances
Psilocybin (the main ingredient in psychedelic magic mushrooms) and psilocin are related compounds, but very different. The psilocin molecule is actually what the brain converts psilocybin into, and is the compound responsible for the effects of a magic mushroom trip—not psilocybin itself.
Psilocin shares the same legal status as psilocybin in many countries; that is to say, it’s also illegal. Since the psilocin compound can only be naturally created through a biological process, it isn’t present in psychedelic mushrooms. This means that it’s less available in the wild, making study of this particular compound more difficult.
How Do Magic Mushrooms Work For Therapeutic Purposes In The Science of Psychedelics?
Magic mushrooms as medicine is not a new concept—far from it. Humans have been using psilocybin mushrooms for millennia as part of religious rituals, spiritual practices, and, yes, for their healing properties.
This, of course, prompts the obvious question: are psilocybin mushrooms relevant to medicinal mushroom science applications in the science of psychedelics?
According to modern research into magic mushroom science, the answer is a resounding yes. Psychedelics and psilocybin therapy have been making major waves in the news, with little sign of stopping.
Amateur or Professional Microscopy Taxonomy and Mycology Research: The Benefit of Studying Psilocybin Mushroom Spores
The taxonomical and research opportunities made available through the study of psilocybin mushroom spores, which contain no psilocybin themselves and are thus legal, spores are the progenitors of mature, psilocybin-containing fungi.
Liquid Culture Mushrooms Coming From Liquid Culture Syringes
The best way to understand the mature fungi is to understand the spores and liquid culture psilocybe is from studying the liquid culture syringe, where they’re coming from. Mushroom fungi are the progenitors of the fruiting bodies we so lovingly refer to as mushrooms.
Mushroom spores under the microscope can offer a glimpse into the formative stages of the mature fungi, which is an important part of psilocybin research. Microscopy is also a great way to build taxonomical skills (i.e., the ability to identify a specimen). Since psilocybin mushrooms are available in so many different strains, they can present a true challenge for at-home scientists.
How to Study Magic Mushroom Spores Legally in Your Home Lab
If you’d like to learn more about studying magic mushroom spores, the first thing to understand is that doing so is completely legal throughout most of the United States. With the exception of California, Georgia, and Idaho, magic mushroom spores can be freely bought, sold, and possessed for the purpose of study—usually microscopy.