Introduction
Don't be fooled by the small size of these magic mushrooms, because we assure you that they pack a punch. With an average psilocybin content of 2%, these tiny mushrooms are highly prized by psychonauts and freethinkers.
WHAT ARE LIBERTY CAPS?
Psilocybe semilanceata, also known as Liberty Caps, is a species of psychedelic mushroom that contains the hallucinogenic compounds psilocybin and psilocin. They are the most widespread, powerful, and easy-to-find magic mushrooms in nature.
Some common names for Psilocybe semilanceata are: Liberty Caps, Blue Leg, Meditationspilz, Magic Mushrooms, Narrenschwamm, Paddlestool, Pixie Caps, Psilo, Schwammerl, Shrooms, Witch Cap, or Zwergenhut.
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| LIBERTY CAPS Mushroom |
ETYMOLOGY
Psilocybe could be translated as "bald head". The word has its origin in the ancient Greek term "psilos", which means bald or smooth; and the medieval Greek word "kubê", head. It is a reference to the smooth surface of the cap of many species of mushrooms.
The word "semilanceata" originates from Latin and can be broken down into "semi", which means half, and lanceata, which refers to the shape of a spear. Many of these liberty caps actually resemble small, albeit unsharpened, spears, so the terminology is pretty apt.
PSYCHEDELIC CONSUMPTION
Mushrooms have been consumed for their psychoactive and spiritual properties since ancient times, but the first record of consumption of liberty caps, in particular, dates back to 1799. According to pharmacist August Everard Brande, a London family experienced symptoms such as dilated pupils, hallucinations, and Spontaneous laughter every time they ate a certain type of mushroom they picked in Green Park. Brande was able to determine that they were actually eating liberty caps thanks to James Sowerby's book of color illustrations of English mushrooms and fungi, published in 1803.
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| LIBERTY CAPS Mushroom |
Since then, various studies have been carried out to discover more about the compounds of this fungus capable of altering our mental state. In 1985, a study by Dutch chemist Tjakko Stijve and his partner Thom Kuyper, a microbiologist at Wageningen University, concluded that liberty caps had a significant concentration of psilocybin, around 1.7%.
A Finnish study in 1987 analyzed the potency of liberty caps over time. Psilocybin levels were found to only decrease slightly over the years, with it being detected in liberty caps over 100 years old!
In 1993, the German chemist Jochen Gartz carried out another study on liberty caps where an average concentration of 1% psilocybin was measured. However, some specimens analyzed had registered maximums of 2.37%, setting a record for the concentration of psilocybin in any species of mushroom.
The results of all these studies show that liberty caps are not only the most potent type of magic mushroom in nature, but also contain very stable levels of psilocybin.
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
Liberty caps can be found in many regions, from North America to Europe, but occur most often in Great Britain and Ireland. In North America, they are mostly found in the Pacific Northwest region.
Liberty caps are a species of mushroom that grows in fields, meadows, and pastures, but can also do well in other conditions. Sometimes they arise alone and sometimes in groups, and can often be seen growing near animal droppings or around freshly fertilized grass. The mushroom feeds on decaying plant matter and prefers cool, moist places.
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| LIBERTY CAPS Mushroom |
LEGAL STATUS
The legality of this hallucinogenic mushroom varies by region, but in most parts of the world it is completely illegal. In Europe, the cultivation and possession of magic mushrooms is only decriminalized in the Czech Republic and Spain. In the United States, magic mushrooms are a Category 1 narcotic, meaning they have no recognized medicinal benefits. Unlike the disparity in cannabis legislation in each state, magic mushrooms are prohibited throughout the country.
Magic mushrooms are perfectly legal in Brazil and socially accepted in other regions of South America. They are even legal in some parts of the Middle East. Bali was a well-known magic mushroom paradise until they were recently banned in much of the country. But despite the new legislation, there are still areas in Bali where it is legal to sell and consume mushrooms.
IDENTIFICATION GUIDE
The liberty caps show a very characteristic hat. It is about 2.5cm in diameter and conical in shape. Its color varies from yellow to brown, which takes on lighter shades as the mushroom matures, and the caps become covered with grooves when they get wet. Liberty caps are often identified by the small bump at the top of the hat, reminiscent of a nipple. The pores inside the hat, something that is very important to pay attention to, should have a dark purple color.
The stems are 4 to 10cm tall and 2 to 3mm in diameter. The feet are usually wavy and of a color similar to that of the hat, although sometimes it can be slightly lighter and with bluish tones at the base. The pores are smooth, ellipsoidal in shape and measure between 11.5-14.5 by 7-9μm.
There are a few species of mushrooms that look very similar to Psilocybe semilanceata, but they can actually be quite dangerous to ingest. We are talking about Mycena, Inocybe or Nolanea, among others. All of them can be easily distinguished by the color of their pores.
That is why it is essential to know what you need to analyze. When you go out on the hunt for the magic mushroom, you certainly have to know the fundamental factors for its identification. If you want to be absolutely sure that you don't make mistakes, the safest alternative would be to buy your mushrooms or spores through a reputable dealer.
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