AKA:

Mushrooms, Liberty Caps, Shrooms, Mushies, Psilocin, "Mexicans" - Stropharia Cubensis Mexican, "Philosophers Stone, Truffle" - Psilocybe Tampanensis, and others.

SOURCE:

Some grow wild in the UK while others are being cultivated for personal use or on a commercial basis. Increasingly being sold via shops and market stalls.

APPEARANCE:

Varies according to type of mushroom, and the state of the mushroom. Accurate identification requires a good mushroom field guide, or a very reliable shop.

COST:

Free if picked. £10-15 for 10g if bought commercially.

QUALITY:

Variable; mushrooms vary in strength. In addition, there is a risk of picking the wrong mushrooms, which may be toxic. Different shop-bough varieties are more predictable in strength and quality, provided both grower and shop are competent.

METHODS OF USE:

Mushrooms can be eaten raw, but are more often dried, made into drinks or eaten with food.

EFFECTS:

Hallucinogenic, similar to LSD. Effects start working between 30 to 60 minutes, and last for 5 to 7 hours. Many users experience some nausea.

HEALTH IMPLICATIONS:

Can cause lasting psychological impact in sensitive individuals. There is also a serious risk of poisoning, possibly fatal, where poisonous mushrooms are taken in error.

LEGAL STATUS:

Since June 2005 the possession of mushrooms containing psilocyn or psilocybin has been an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 as ammended by the Drugs Act 2005. Previously, it had been lawful to possess and supply fresh, non-prepared mushrooms but following the enactment of the Drugs Act 2005 all forms of the mushroom are now Class A drugs.

Exemptions exist for those who may inadvertently have them growing on their land.

These legal extensions do not apply to mushrooms which do not contain psilocyn or psilocybin, most notably Fly Agaric mushrooms.

OTHER INFORMATION:

The use of hallucinogenic mushrooms in the UK had become increasingly widespread, as growers imported cultivated mushrooms from Holland and exploited the legal status of non-prepared mushrooms. However, following changes to the legislation, it is likely that this will spell the end of the mushroom fest in the United Kingdom.