''Panaeolus affinis'' is a species of psychoactive mushroom belonging to the genus ''

Panaeolus ''Panaeolus'' is a genus of small, black-spored, saprotrophic agarics. The word ''Panaeolus'' is Greek for "all variegated", alluding to the spotted gills of the mushrooms produced. Characteristics These fungi are mostly dung and grassland ...

'' and is classified under the order

Agaricales The Agaricales are an order (biology), order of fungi in the division (mycology), division Basidiomycota. As originally conceived, the order contained all the agarics (gilled mushrooms), but subsequent research has shown that not all agarics are ...

. Before the name of the species was changed in 1996, it was known as ''Copelandia affinis.'' The mushroom was first observed in 1980 by E. Horak. The mushroom contains the chemicals

psilocybin Psilocybin, also known as 4-phosphoryloxy-''N'',''N''-dimethyltryptamine (4-PO-DMT), is a natural product, naturally occurring tryptamine alkaloid and Investigational New Drug, investigational drug found in more than List of psilocybin mushroom ...

and

psilocin Psilocin, also known as 4-hydroxy-''N'',''N''-dimethyltryptamine (4-HO-DMT), is a substituted tryptamine alkaloid and a serotonergic psychedelic. It is present in most psychedelic mushrooms together with its phosphorylated counterpart psilocy ...

, which cause hallucinations and distorted perception of reality when ingested.

Drug use and ingestion

Although ''Panaeolus affinis'' is edible, it causes psychological effects if ingested due to the presence of the psilocybin. Because of this, it has been used by various cultures for shamanistic rituals and spiritual ceremonies, as well as recreationally to induce hallucination.

References

affinis Psychoactive fungi Fungus species {{Fungi-stub