Magic mushrooms

Psilocybe cubensis grows worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, including Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. The mushroom prefers moist, fertile soils and contains the psychoactive substance psilocybin, which is currently being investigated as an active ingredient in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression. Credit: Felix Blei, Leibniz-HKI

Mushrooms evolved psychedelics twice – a rare case of convergent evolution

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An international study has found that two types of mushrooms have independently evolved different biochemical pathways for producing psilocybin – the psychoactive substance currently being studied as a treatment for drug-resistant depression.
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