The Psilocybin Mushroom Pandemic
Journal of Psychedelic Drugs January 1, 1975 Steven H. Pollock 22 citations
A historical analysis from 1975 describes the widespread popular use of psilocybin mushrooms during the late 1960s and early 1970s, framing it as a 'pandemic' of recreational psychedelic consumption. The article examines the cultural and social factors that contributed to the rapid spread of psilocybin mushroom use, including their natural availability, ease of cultivation, and association with counterculture movements. It discusses the resulting public health concerns, legal responses, and the challenges faced by authorities in controlling access to these substances. The account emphasizes the scale and speed with which psilocybin mushroom use proliferated across different populations during this period.