Usos recreativos, medicinales y etnobotánicos de hongos alucinógenos: una revisión
Érika A. Chillogallo–torres, Marcos D. Calle‐morán, Karen P. Cando–andrade, Álex R. Morocho-Malla, E. Noemí Luzuriaga-Rodríguez
Multidisciplinary Collaborative Journal July 1, 2026 DOI: 10.70881/mcj/v4/n3/164 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 60 |
| Population | Scientific papers in Spanish and English on hallucinogenic mushrooms |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Ethnobotany Hallucinogen Recreational drug Traditional medicine Tourism Ethnology |
| Key findings | Hallucinogenic mushrooms have recreational, medicinal, and ethnobotanical uses across cultures, with psilocybin showing therapeutic potential for several mental health conditions. |
Abstract
This research involved a literature review on the recreational, Western medicinal and ethnobotanical uses of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Search engines such as PubMed and Google Scholar, among others, and Boolean operators were used. A total of 60 scientific papers in both Spanish and English were analyzed. Since the 11th century, Japan has recorded the consumption of the butterfly mushroom, Panaeolus papilionaceus, known for its hallucinogenic effects. In Mexico, the water baby mushroom, Psilocybe aztecorum, is commercially available, demonstrating its recreational use. In the United States, variability in the levels of alkaloid substances such as psilocybin and psilocin, among others, affects the recreational experience. The fly agaric mushroom, Amanita muscaria, although risky, is also used recreationally. In Ecuador, the use of the North American variegated mushroom, Panaeolus antillanum, has been reported in the Galapagos Islands. Psilocybin shows benefits in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, addictions, and has anti-inflammatory effects. Furthermore, the ritual use of hallucinogenic mushrooms in Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Asia, and other countries reinforces their historical and cultural significance. These findings highlight not only its cultural and recreational value, but also its capacity to offer new perspectives in psychological and pharmacological medicine