The name “Liberty Cap” seems appropriate, certainly regarding the states of mind that a strong psilocybin experience can conjure, not to mention the resulting philosophies. But the name has a different, but no less revolutionary, origin. P. semilanceata takes its common name from the Phrygian cap, also known as the “Liberty Cap,” which it resembles.
The color of these caps is affected by the moisture level around them. This property is called hygrophanous (having a change in color due to changes in moisture). The dark brown color of these bite-sized delicacies is often a sign that they’re dried, but sometimes they take on a lighter chestnut shade when moist. Psilocybe, the genus name, means ‘smooth head’ – a reference to the silkily mooth, scaleless surface of caps of these grassland mushrooms. The specific epitet semilanceata comes from semi- meaning ‘half’and -lanceata which means ‘spear-shaped’.
Why are they called liberty caps?
When the doctor arrived, the family’s symptoms were coming and going. A phenomenon they experienced was a series of evidence accumulation, in which they would have intense symptoms and then return to normal but with their old symptoms. The family has a drug addiction, except for the 8-year-old Edward.
Toxicity, Safety & Side Effects
Semi- refers to half and -lanceata means spear-shaped; this is in reference to the appearance of the spear-like shape of the mushroom. However, some areas have decriminalized or allowed regulated use, such as Oregon in the U.S. and certain cities like Denver and Oakland. In the Netherlands, while the mushrooms are illegal, “magic truffles,” which also contain psilocybin, are legally sold.
Drying and Eating Them
Samples from Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Serbia, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States were tested. The results showed that this species has a rough average of 1.0% psilocybin in dry weight 3. People from all over the world were traveling to visit Maria Sabina to have a mystical experience with psilocybin. During the 1960s, psilocybe semilanceata habitat people realized the potential psychedelic effects of the Liberty Cap mushroom. Of course, its hallucinogenic qualities were known before this, but until the 60s, the wider public didn’t know about this small psychedelic field mushroom. The humble Liberty Cap (Psilocybe semilanceata) is one of the planet’s most potent psilocybin-containing mushroom species.
- Its psychoactive properties and cultural relevance continue to intrigue researchers and enthusiasts.
- Conocybe species, particularly Conocybe tenera, are small brown mushrooms that can resemble liberty caps at first glance.
- The scientific name for these mushrooms is psilocybe semilanceata.
- The cap is quite distinctive, with a pronounced papilla on top of a tall and slender cap.
- Psilocybe semilanceata is very difficult to cultivate, so the primary way of obtaining mushrooms of the species is to forage for them.
Remember, if you choose to microdose magic mushrooms of any kind, make sure you do so in a controlled environment the first few times to see how your body reacts. They’re far more potent than your average Psilocybe cubensis mushroom, and relatively minute amounts can produce strong psychedelic effects. By weight, Liberty Cap mushrooms are much more potent than any cubensis shroom — even strains such as Penis Envy and Tidal Wave. These shrooms are small and light in color, with a distinct nipple on the top of their conical cap.
If you’re interested in growing your own mushrooms, you may choose an easier-to-grow species, such as P. cubensis, for which more cultivating information is available. Young P. semilanceata have light gray gills, but these turn dark purple and brown as the mushrooms mature. Though commonly known as liberty caps, the official name is Psilocybe semilanceata (Fr.) P.Kumm.