If you grew up in a rural area, chances are good that you spent a lot of time outside. And there’s a chance you’ve encountered one or more of the local common species of mushrooms at some point.
It’s never a good idea to pick and eat random mushrooms that you find growing in the wild. A lot of wild mushrooms can make you sick, and some can even be deadly. So the standard disclaimer applies: don’t try this at home.
But did you know that in almost every corner of the world, magic mushrooms can grow naturally in cow pastures- as long as there is adequate humidity. These types of hallucinogenic mushrooms, typically Psilobybe Cubensis, are by no means exclusive to cows. However, it is safe to say that these mushrooms prefer to grow where there is plenty of their main food source: partially digested plant matter from the above-mentioned animal.
But there is more to the history of this Magic Mushroom – it just might be associated with the development of human consciousness, civilization, and culture.
The Stoned Ape Theory
One of the most interesting things about Psilobybe Cubensis, is that they have been linked to the “stoned ape theory” – the idea that hallucinogenic mushrooms helped early man evolve into our current form.
It’s believed that early hominids consumed these psychedelic mushrooms initially as they tracked large herds of ruminant animals across the prairies.
However, the unexpected effects of these mushrooms may have helped our brains evolve into more rapidly over a short period of time. It’s also possible that psychedelic mushrooms played a key role in forming civilizations, since they have been well documented to cause an increase in consciousness and awareness.
One theory behind this, is that consuming psilocybin mushrooms allowed early humans to have the foresight to ‘see into the future’, and better understand their surroundings. This allowed them to understand the earth’s cycles, relate cause and effect, plant crops, prepare for the seasons ahead, create food stores for the winter, and take much better advantage of natural resources.
Since consuming psilocybin mushrooms in small doses also improves visual acuity, it’s very possible that this gave an advantage to those who consumed them.
Creating A Culture
Early humans likely also began to consume mushrooms as a ceremonial or religious practice. After eating hallucinogenic mushrooms and having visions, these early humans often created artwork in caves, and on rock formations. If fact, some of the earliest known cave drawings are of psychedelic mushrooms.
Stories about encounters with ‘otherworldly’ beings, and extraordinary events that occurred while on magic mushrooms likely became an important of early society.
