Did This Popular Magic Mushroom Originate In Africa?

Historically, the study of mushrooms (Mycology) has been far less extensive than that of plants or animals. And, when it comes to mushrooms of the psychedelic variety, it has been even less so. This is because in many parts of the world psilocybin mushrooms are illegal. Luckily this is beginning to change, as the os que serão are slowly learning of the vast therapeutic potential that psilocybin holds. 

With all this in mind, it makes sense that even Psilocibo cubensis — the most popular psychedelic mushroom — has remained mysterious in its origins. However, the case is about to be blown wide open, by a newly published study asserting that the ‘Mexican mushroom’ may actually have originated in Africa. 

Did the P. cubensis Originate in Africa?

The study, not yet peer-reviewed, but published in bioRxiv, suggests that an ancestor of P. cubensis could have come from Africa before spreading across the globe. 

While collecting samples in Zimbabwe and South Africa, researchers discovered a specimen new to Western science. While it looked like the P. cubensis, when its genetic blueprint was compared to the renowned shroom, it was found to be distinct. 

Study co-author Bryn Dentinger, the mycology curator at the Natural History Museum of Utah, stated that the new species (provisionally named Psilocybe ochraceocentrata), is the closest relative to P. cubensis discovered in the wild so far.

“We estimate they diverged [from a common ancestor] around 1.5 million years ago,” Dentinger explained.

“So, by comparison, they are roughly the same relatedness as chimps and bonobos are to each other…“

“Knowing the closest wild relative of P. cubensis provides information on its origin and evolution.”

Dr. Dentinger and his colleagues hypothesize that if this newly discovered species could be bred with P. cubensis, its hybrid progeny could be used in the development of new psilocybin therapies. 

So How Did The Psilocibo cubensis Conquer The World?

Firstly, just incase you are not familiar with the golden child of of the psychedelic mushroom world, here’s a little refresher:

Psilocibo cubensis is a species of magic mushroom famed for its golden cap, which can grow up to an impressive 10cm in diameter. The main reason for their ubiquity (apart from their psychedelic powers) is that P. cubensis grows both widely and easily. As well as being prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates, P. cubensis is known to be the easiest magic mushroom to grow at home, especially for beginners.

Unlike some species, P. cubensis are robust and adaptable, undisturbed by small fluctuations in their environment that might deter more sensitive shrooms. Like we said, perfect for beginners who may still be honing their technique!

This quality was brought to light in the 1970s by brothers (and psychonauts), Terence and Dennis Mckenna when they released ‘Psilocybin: The Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide’ (essential reading for shroom fans) após o seu regresso da floresta tropical amazónica. O endosso do irmão a estes cogumelos dourados como cultivadores fáceis consolidou a sua fama. 

The Many Strains of P. cubensis

Many different strains can be bred from the P. cubensis, meaning that those with an urge to experiment with creating their own hybrid psychedelic treats favor them too. There are numerous known (and certainly unknown!) strains of P. cubensis knocking about. Five worth noting are: 

Professor de Ouro: so named for its beautiful golden hue, and the philosophical insights gained  from taking it. 

B+: Esta variedade é grande e forte, necessitando de relativamente poucos cuidados no cultivo em casa, o que a torna uma das favoritas dos cultivadores. Proporciona viagens visuais/espirituais moderadas e quentes. 

Mckennaii: named, of course, after Terence Mckenna, this is on the stronger scale for P.cubensis. Conhecido por produzir viagens profundas, auto exploratórias e visuais fortes. 

Mazatapec: these shrooms are known to grow a little slower, but are worth the wait, delivering a spiritual high. 

Equatoriano: these hardy mushrooms grew tough in the highlands of Ecuador— their original home. They are loved by psychonauts as they gift a very spiritual high, focusing on the mind rather than the body. 

The Migration of the Gold Cap

Psilocibo mushrooms, a group which includes many species of psychedelic mushrooms with gills, first emerged around 67 million years ago.  

It is likely that a common ancestor of P. cubensis e P. ochraceocentrata evolved alongside large herbivores (shrooms love dung!) in East Africa as long as as 1.8 million years ago, the study suggests. 

“Bovids [cloven-hoofed grazing mammals] in particular were abundant and transforming the landscape to create and maintain grasslands and savannas in parts of Africa,” Dr Dentinger said.

This period was when our own ancient ancestors Homo erectus began to migrate out of Africa and into Eurasia, alongside bovids. Mushroom spores hitching a ride in bovid poo or on hoofs could explain how the common ancestral Psilocybe species migrated and then diverged in Africa and Asia. 

Broad ecological modelling for the study theorized that between 2.55 million and 710,000 years ago the P. cubensis could have been found in Africa, Asia, The Americas and Australasia.

Previously, based on the research by Mexican mycologist Gastón Guzmán, it had been thought  that P. cubensis were brought to the Americas by Europeans in around 1500. However, this new study suggests that the psychedelic mushroom could have arrived long before European settlers, when bison migration waves began around 190,000 years ago. 

At the moment, these are just theories. Where exatamente the two mushroom species and their common ancestor came from originally is still, currently, a topic of speculation, according to Dr. Detinger. 

“We are also pursuing population genetic studies to try and pinpoint the origin and spread of P. cubensis,” he added.

The Takeaway: Did This Popular Magic Mushroom Originate In Africa?

• Researchers have discovered the closest wild relative to the most popular magic mushroom, the Psilocibo cubensis. 
• It has been given the preliminary name Psilocibo ochraceocentrata.
• The two mushroom species shared a common ancestor 1.5 million years ago and likely originated in Africa. 
• The researchers propose further investigation to try and pinpoint the definitive origin, history, and migratory pattern of the Psilocibo cubensis.