{"id":226988,"date":"2025-02-11T18:04:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T17:04:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wholecelium.com\/?p=226988"},"modified":"2025-02-11T18:04:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T17:04:03","slug":"did-this-popular-magic-mushroom-originate-in-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wholecelium.com\/ro\/blog\/did-this-popular-magic-mushroom-originate-in-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Did This Popular Magic Mushroom Originate In Africa?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Historically, the study of mushrooms (Mycology) <\/em>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.<\/em> This is because in many parts of the world psilocybin mushrooms are illegal. Luckily this is beginning to change, as the powers-that-be<\/em> are slowly learning of the vast therapeutic potential<\/a> that psilocybin holds.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With all this in mind, it makes sense that even Psilocybe<\/em> cubensis \u2014 <\/em>the most popular psychedelic mushroom \u2014 has remained mysterious in its origins. However, the case is about to be blown wide open, <\/em>by a newly published study asserting that the \u2018Mexican mushroom\u2019 may actually have originated in Africa.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did the P.<\/em> cubensis <\/em>Originate in Africa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The study, not yet peer-reviewed, but published in bioRxiv<\/a>, <\/em>suggests that an ancestor of P.<\/em> cubensis <\/em>could have come from Africa before spreading across the globe.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Psilocybe cubensis (via Creative Commons)<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

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

“We estimate they diverged [from a common ancestor] around 1.5 million years ago,”<\/em> Dentinger explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“So, by comparison, they are roughly the same relatedness as chimps and bonobos are to each other\u2026<\/em>“<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Knowing the closest wild relative of P. cubensis provides information on its origin and evolution.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Dentinger and his colleagues hypothesize that if this newly discovered species could be bred with P. cubensis, <\/em>its hybrid progeny could be used in the development of new psilocybin therapies.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So How Did The Psilocybe cubensis<\/em> Conquer The World?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, just incase you are not familiar with the golden child of of the psychedelic mushroom world, here\u2019s a little refresher:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psilocybe<\/em> cubensis <\/em>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)<\/em> is that P. cubensis<\/em> grows both widely and easily. As well as being prevalent in tropical and subtropical climates, P. cubensis<\/em> is known to be the easiest magic mushroom to grow at home, especially for beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A P. cubensis grow kit (via Wholecelium)<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unlike some species, P. cubensis<\/em> 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! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This quality was brought to light in the 1970s by brothers (and psychonauts)<\/em>, Terence<\/a> and Dennis Mckenna when they released \u2018Psilocybin: The Magic Mushroom Grower\u2019s Guide\u2019 (essential reading for shroom fans)<\/em> following their return from the Amazon rainforest. The brother\u2019s endorsement of these golden shrooms as easy-growers cemented their fame.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Many Strains of P. cubensis<\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Many different strains can be bred from the P. cubensis, <\/em>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!) <\/em>strains of P. cubensis <\/em>knocking about. Five worth noting are: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Golden Teacher<\/a>: <\/strong>so named for its beautiful golden hue, and the philosophical insights gained\u00a0 from taking it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

B+:<\/strong> this strain is big and strong, needing relatively little care when cultivating at home, making it a favourite for growers. Gives moderate and warm visual\/spiritual trips.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mckennaii: <\/strong>named, of course, after Terence Mckenna, this is on the stronger scale for P.cubensis.<\/em> Known to produce deep, self exploratory trips and strong visuals.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mazatapec:<\/strong> these shrooms are known to grow a little slower, but are worth the wait, delivering a spiritual high.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ecuadorian: <\/strong>these hardy mushrooms grew tough in the highlands of Ecuador\u2014 their original home. They are loved by psychonauts as they gift a very spiritual high, focusing on the mind rather than the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Migration of the Gold Cap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Psilocybe<\/em> mushrooms, a group which includes many species of psychedelic mushrooms with gills, first emerged around 67 million years ago.<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is likely that a common ancestor of P. cubensis<\/em> and P. ochraceocentrata <\/em>evolved alongside large herbivores (shrooms love dung!) <\/em>in East Africa as long as as 1.8 million years ago, the study suggests.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

This period was when our own ancient ancestors Homo<\/em> erectus <\/em>began to migrate out of Africa and into Eurasia, alongside bovids.\u00a0Mushroom 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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via Unsplash<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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

Previously, based on the research by Mexican mycologist Gast\u00f3n Guzm\u00e1n<\/a>, it had been thought\u00a0 that P. cubensis <\/em>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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the moment, these are just theories. Where exactly<\/em> the two mushroom species and their common ancestor came from originally is still, currently, a topic of speculation, according to Dr. Detinger.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We are also pursuing population genetic studies to try and pinpoint the origin and spread of P. cubensis,”<\/em> he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n