I thought I had heard it all in 59 years...I was WRONG! Something new came to me this evening, I had to share..... Has anyone, ever, heard of this? Collecting mushrooms that grow on cow dung, and eating them to get high? Yes, you read that right! I was told this evening that a certain group of "MORONS" up north of AshFork Arizona, go around collecting ( harvesting if you will) mushrooms that grow on the 'cow flop' accumulated in the area, specifically near the cattle tanks! Now I may be wrong, and it won't be new to me at this point, BUT, isn't that pretty stupid? In my estimation, those itty bitty 'shrooms, are poisonous!??? Yes? No? Someone, PLEASE enlighten me on this one!? Now this may sound a bit harsh, but I hope they take a trip and NEVER come back!
Psilocybin mushrooms They've been used for centuries in Latin America in religious ceremonies much like the Peyote cactus is used in the United States. I went with some people who were picking some and they did harvest them off cow flops. Easy to identify because they bruise a bright purple color when picked. They didn't strike me as stupid but rather very peaceful people. Not druggies by any stretch of the imagination. I can't speak of everyone who uses them though.
I've heard a thing or two about psilocybin mushrooms over the years... And by the way "true psilocybin mushrooms are non-toxic, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a branch of the Center for Disease Control, rated psilocybin less toxic than aspirin.<sup id="cite_ref-Facts_10-1" class="reference">[11]</sup>[12" I lived in a communal style house for a while way back in the day...In the early 70's someone I knew was arrested for possession of them, and they had to let him go, as there was no law on the books against having a bag full of mushrooms that came off cow poop back then... lol!
I love them. Best natural hallucinogenic ever! Much better than peyote and safer than acid. One of these day, I plan on taking up recreational drugs and drinking again and when I do, I'll head straight for the cow****!
I'm with you, Dragonfly, and think they're probably a waste of good sanity (just like the crap I used to do).
You ladies eating those mushrooms gotta be real careful to clean all the brown stuff off the stems. .... that stuff will grow hair on your chest!
I can't get over the cow poop part myself! If this was a part of some Native American thing, I'd never have mentioned it, as I know a handful of them here in Arizona...BUT these "people" are ding dongs! I'd be willing to bet they'd smoke tires, if they could keep them lit! I did a tad bit of research and found they are not addictive, but from what I read, a lot of people have had some very bad times with them and depending on the person, some have never fully recovered from the first time. Evidently there are some really varied effects, and depending on one's mindset ( or lack thereof) it can be a nightmare. Some say they have been doing them for years and on occasion they may have some bade effects, but on the whole they say nothing bad happens...Those that did have problems seem to have some serious issues even after years later. I suppose it's like a bad trip, and it screws some people up.... As a kid, I flipped those cow patties over to find scorpions! Shows you my warped mental condition!
I suspect that some people can be allergic to some proteins in the shrooms, so they could really end up in a mental institution, or with some serious damage...just like from ecstasy pills. Other danger is accidental suicide or homicide because of the bad trip, seeing dragons, monsters, think they can fly, etc...I just don't like hallucinogenic or other type of mind or emotions altering crap...
I've seen the reaction from a trip. They're pretty prevalent here, DF. Kinda' shocked me that you'd never heard of them.
Hmmmm...and look at this now... Study: Alcohol more lethal than heroin, cocaine | Raw Story Soooo...I better switch to LSD now...or shrooms!...
Likewise, I knew a guy back in the day who drank a 32oz. Big Gulp cup of some extremely potent mushroom tea. I can't remember how many mushrooms were extracted to make the tea though. He definitely, drank waaaay more than he needed for the intended effect.
I'm sure that government regulation will follow. Not something I would try, but I say if it tickles you and you aren't operating a crane or automobile- knock yourself out.
Government regulation of Psilocybin mushrooms ('Magic Mushrooms', AKA 'Shrooms', AKA teónanácatl in the original Aztec) is already here - and has been for quite a long time. Psilocybin is a Schedule I (no medical use) controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act of 1980. Possession or use of psychotropic mushrooms is a crime and under state law in most states. Oh, and all mushrooms grow on decaying organic matter - rotting wood, leaves, lawn debris and compost (of all types, including manure) provide the nutrients these amazing flora need. Remember that the next time you chow down on a 'shroom and Swiss burger .