Psilocybin mushroom stewardship: A qualitative inquiry into practices and priorities of “underground” psilocybin mushroom practitioners
Journal of Psychedelic Studies February 5, 2025 Shannon Hughes, Lucia Terpak, Reilly Capps et al. 2 citations
Underground psilocybin mushroom practitioners in a western U.S. state, mostly white women aged 31–50 with extensive personal inner-directed work, guide others through sessions. Benefits include reduced depression, OCD, addiction symptoms, greater self-knowledge, reduced death anxiety, and increased joy. Practitioners screen out clients with severe trauma, personality disorders, or lacking social support; moving too quickly into high-dose sessions without preparation is a key risk. A direct personal relationship with mushrooms is seen as critical for safety. Policy priorities emphasize respectful reciprocity and equitable access. The findings suggest that mysticism, relationality, and holistic healing may be more central to outcomes than mystical-type experiences alone.