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Magic mushrooms – fungi that contain naturally occurring psychedelic ingredients – have been used since ancient times.
They are depicted in cave paintings in Algeria and Spain, the most famous example dating from 4,700BC, which shows mushrooms merging with a human form.
In the 16th century, their use was documented when they were described as the “flesh of the gods”.
In 1958, Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann isolated and identified the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin.
Psilocybin from magic mushrooms is converted in the body to psilocin. This compound – which is also found in magic mushrooms – is similar to serotonin, the neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood, perception and cognition.
Psilocin binds to and activates serotonin receptors in the brain involved in sensory perception. This disrupts normal brain communication and leads to psychedelic effects.
Psychedelics – defined as drugs that produce changes in perception, mood and cognitive processes – also include LSD, ayahuasca and Ecstasy (MDMA).