Availability of Websites Offering to Sell Psilocybin Spores and Psilocybin

Over a 25-month period starting in March 2003, researchers conducted eight Google searches using the term 'psilocybin spores' and scored the first 100 nonsponsored links from each search. Of the 800 links examined, 58% led to websites offering to sell psilocybin spores, and some sites also offered whole Psilocybe mushrooms. The authors did not verify whether the marketed products were genuine. The findings indicate that psilocybin and its spores are widely available for purchase online, which may facilitate illicit use of this potent psychoactive substance. Further studies are needed to determine whether advertised products are actually delivered.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This study assesses the availability of websites offering to sell psilocybin spores and psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen contained in Psilocybe mushrooms. Over a 25-month period beginning in March 2003, eight searches were conducted in Google using the term "psilocybin spores." In each search the first 100 nonsponsored links obtained were scored by two independent raters according to standardized criteria to determine whether they offered to sell psilocybin or psilocybin spores. No attempts were made to procure the products offered for sale in order to ascertain whether the marketed psilocybin was in fact "genuine" or "counterfeit." Of the 800 links examined, 58% led to websites offering to sell psilocybin spores. Additionally, evidence that whole Psilocybe mushrooms are offered for sale online was obtained. Psilocybin and psilocybin spores were found to be widely available for sale over the Internet. Online purchase of psilocybin may facilitate illicit use of this potent psychoactive substance. Additional studies are needed to assess whether websites offering to sell psilocybin and psilocybin spores actually deliver their products as advertised.