Amid the rainbow fungus paintings and hemp lip balms of Canada’s biggest cities, stores called Fun Guyz, Shroom City and House of Mush display giant mushrooms atop their storefronts. Inside, customers sign waivers and show a government-issued ID before they purchase a $10 bag of edible mushrooms and a $70 kit for growing their own magic mushrooms. URL https://magicmushroomsdispensary.ca/

The psilocybin mushroom industry is booming in Oregon and elsewhere, fueled by rising demand for psychoactive drugs that have long been stigmatized. It’s not just the hippie nostalgia at play: Psilocybin, the chemical in magic mushrooms, has shown promise as a treatment for depression and addiction, and voters in places like Denver and Oakland have started to relax laws against possession of the psychedelic plant.

Legalization and Decriminalization: The Changing Status of Magic Mushrooms

But psilocybin is a powerful drug with potential for psychological addiction, and many people who try it have unpleasant experiences. To avoid a bad trip, a first-time user should start with a microdose — a low dose of the mushrooms that is less likely to produce hallucinogenic effects. A typical microdose is about 0.5 grams.

At Epic Healing Eugene, which opened in June and is America’s first licensed psilocybin service center, employees help people prepare for their trip by screening them for mental health issues and teaching them what to expect. Then they sit with them during the six hours or so they take a small amount of psilocybin and offer support and encouragement. They might play soothing music, talk to them about their lives or tell them stories.