The mushroom grows in grassland habitats, especially wetter areas. But unlike P. cubensis, the fungus does not grow directly on dung; rather, it is a saprobic species that feeds off decaying grass roots. It is widely distributed in the temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in Europe, and has been reported occasionally in temperate areas of the Southern Hemisphere as well. The earliest reliable history of P. semilanceata intoxication dates back to 1799 in London, and in the 1960s the mushroom was the first European species confirmed to contain psilocybin. Most Psilocybe species will bruise a variety of shades of blue or blue-green when damaged, but in the case of P. semilanceata, they only tend to bruise a small amount at the base of their stem.
However, heat can degrade psilocybin, so it’s important to avoid high temperatures when preparing them this way. If you don’t plan to use the mushrooms later, drying them is a common method for long-term storage. Once dried, liberty caps are more potent per gram than their fresh counterparts because water weight has been removed. Psilocybin mushrooms, including liberty caps, have been studied for their ability to help people overcome addiction. Some research suggests that psilocybin can disrupt unhealthy thought patterns, making it easier for individuals to break free from addictions like smoking, alcohol, or drugs. However, Conocybe mushrooms are typically more fragile, and their caps are bell-shaped, without the distinctive pointed tip of liberty caps.
If fresh, the cap color is pale to dark brown, sometimes with a green or blue tinge. Moist caps contain a translucent covering called a pellicle, which can be carefully peeled away. When dried, the pellicle disappears, and the cap becomes white to gray with a darker black bottom edge. Albert Hoffman, the chemist who discovered LSD, was the first to extract psilocybin from a sample of Mexican magic mushrooms in the late 1950s.
These wild mushrooms have captured the imagination of those seeking psilocybe semilanceata habitat altered states of consciousness for centuries. This species has been studied several times, and there’s quite a bit of data on psilocybin levels. Different samples have provided various results ranging from 0.2 to 2.37% psilocybin in dried mushrooms. The higher end of this scale puts this species above cubensis strains such as Tidal Wave in terms of potency. Hofmann and Heim worked with Gordon Wasson (a famous ethnomycologist) to find and identify the Liberty Cap mushroom.
If you live in areas where they are known to grow, fields, meadows, and lawns are the best places to look for Liberty Caps, especially if livestock have been present. Psilocybe semilanceata is found amongst grass growing in rich soil in temperate meadows. The mushrooms are often scattered, but in rich soil can be found in dense groups, mainly when growing in fields near farmyards, or well-manured pastures. Liberty Caps are spread by animals and humans, either by foot traffic or dung. Although it does not typically grow directly on the dug, it is often found in pastures that have been fertilized with sheep, cow, or horse manure.
However, now it can be found in many areas, and if you know where to look, big harvests can be had. Liberty Caps can be found growing in several different countries. They are highly prevalent across Europe and the United Kingdom but can also be found in North America and Canada. They prefer a cooler climate and are much more prominent in Northern regions. However, they can often be found in the south, providing the conditions are suitable for growth.
In 2009, P. similanceata became the type species of the genus Psilocybe – the species that defines the genus – after a reassessment of both Deconica and Psilocybe. Psilocybe was nearly renamed, but due to the legal implications, the blue bruising species retained the name Psilocybe. Like Psilocybe cubensis, Liberty Caps grow in fields and pastures, but prefer the cold of temperate climates.
P. semilanceata is also abundant in North America, including Canada and the Pacific Northwest, and can be found in southern Europe in high-altitude regions. P. semilanceata can be found either growing solitarily or in clusters in grasslands, such as meadows, pastures, and lawns. Although they tend not to grow directly on dung, P. semilanceata favor growth in pastures fertilized with manure and are often found growing near sheep or cow dung.
Since psilocybin is the active psychoactive compound in the Liberty Cap mushroom, they are illegal to possess, consume, and sell. These shrooms grow in the wild across Europe and parts of Canada and the United States, but getting caught with them is a criminal offense. In many places, psilocybin is classified alongside substances such as cocaine and heroin, which means possessing them carries the same penalties.
The surface will also feel sticky due to a thin, transparent film which can be peeled from the surface. Its name comes from its resemblance to the liberty pole; a symbol of freedom originating in the Roman Empire. We like to imagine that Nature is in on the joke and reminding us of our fundamental right to explore consciousness.
8 de enero de 2024
Publicado en: Sober living