Australia’s first legal collection of native “magic” mushrooms could provide medical options to treat severe depression, alcohol and drug addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the fear experienced at the end of terminally ill people’s lives.
University of Queensland mycologist and evolutionary biologist Dr Alistair McTaggart has been given approval to collect and catalogue psilocybin mushrooms found growing in cow manure and leaf litter on damp forest floors after rain.
The federal government is investing a total of $15 million in grants to support Australian-led research into the use of mushrooms, ecstasy and ketamine to combat illnesses such as PTSD, major depressive disorders, addiction and eating disorders.
“Psychedelic mushrooms are taking off, everyone’s talking about them,” Dr McTaggart said.
“In America the USDA [United States Department of Agriculture] has fast tracked psilocybin treatment. It’s considered a breakthrough therapy,” Dr McTaggart said.
“With COVID-19 right now, I think there’s never been a better time to start looking for therapies for mental health.”
Trip into the unknown
Globally, 200 species of mushroom produce psilocybin — a natural psychoactive compound with hallucinogenic effects similar to LSD.
But little is known about the 20-30 species of psychedelic mushrooms in Australia, with Dr McTaggart’s research to investigate whether they are native, edible, poisonous or adaptable for medicinal use.
Some, like the golden top mushroom, or Psilocybe cubensis — that is commonly found growing in cow pats — may originate from overseas.
At The University of Queensland, the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation project will investigate the DNA of the mushrooms and their psychoactive properties.
Dr McTaggart is keen to tap into the knowledge of citizen scientists who photograph fungi and collaborate with researchers interested in cultivating promising genetic strains to tailor-make specific medical treatments.
In Australia, it is illegal to cultivate, possess, use or supply psychedelic mushrooms.
But, like medicinal marijuana, Dr McTaggart said that would change, in line with other countries. ABC News