Buying mushrooms, whether for recreational or medicinal purposes, is becoming as easy as picking up a coffee at Vancouver’s first unlicensed pot cafes. Thanks to a combination of demand, evolving research and small changes in federal drug policy, storefronts advertising psilocybin-laden fungus are popping up across Canada, with at least three mushroom dispensaries open in the city. Go here https://northcoastremedies.com/magic-mushrooms-vancouver/

Dana Larsen’s shop in Osborne Village has a gray exterior, but the mosaic of psychedelia inside is hard to miss. It’s filled with paintings of Incan gods spewing fire and lightning and shelves stocked with hemp lip balm and stoner-centric comic books. It’s been in business for a year, and Larsen plans to open another location.

Shroom Seekers’ Guide: Navigating Vancouver’s Magic Mushroom Scene

Mushrooms contain a hallucinogenic compound called psilocybin, which the medical community has been testing for its therapeutic properties in treating mental health conditions and end-of-life distress. The substance is classified as a Schedule III drug, meaning it can only be sold or consumed legally under strict supervision by a doctor.

There are a number of different kinds of mushrooms that contain psilocybin, but each variety has varying effects. Taking two or more mushrooms of a particular type can cause a “bad trip,” which could be terrifying and lead to paranoia, panic attacks, fears of death, and anxiety. It’s also dangerous to take magic mushrooms with alcohol or other drugs such as over-the-counter or prescription medications.

A recent study found that the mushroom Psilocybe baeocyst can reduce anxiety and depression among people with schizophrenia. It’s also been used for a range of conditions including anxiety, pain and psychotic disorders.