One good example would be the classic book Alice Mushroom Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, a tale that revolves around a girl who literally falls down a rabbit hole and finds an entirely new world to explore.
Many people have argued that a psychedelic theme is evident in the story. Throughout the book, Alice ingests potions and eats pieces of a mushroom to change her physical state.
The Caterpillar’s Mushroom
The Caterpillar’s Mushroom (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is a hard-to-find, highly sought-after Chinese medicinal mushroom. It is primarily found in the Himalayas and Tibet, with only a few weeks of bloom a year.
As a traditional Chinese medicine, caterpillar fungus has been used for hundreds of years as a tonic to increase strength or to rejuvenate after injury. It is also used to treat tuberculosis, coughing, and anemia.
A recent study investigated the sustainability of the commercial caterpillar mushroom harvesting and trade in two counties in Southwest China. Local households engaged in mushroom collection (n = 157), traders, and regional caterpillar mushroom industry stakeholders were interviewed.
Results revealed that the harvest practices of communities involved in co-management schemes were more sustainable than those not. Moreover, a customary tenure system for mushroom collection was effective in avoiding competition among collectors. Nonetheless, narrow marketing channels and a non-grading system in trade negatively affected the local benefits from caterpillar mushroom harvesting and trading.
The Mushroom’s Symbolism
The Mushroom is a symbol of rapid growth and transformation. Its ability to take a dead area and turn it into something vibrant and full of life is considered an impressive feat of nature, which is why some cultures have long regarded them as symbols of good luck and longevity.
When you see mushrooms in your dreams, it can be a sign that you are experiencing changes in your life that are rapidly progressing. This could be a positive or negative situation, but either way it’s an indication that you are undergoing a change and should pay close attention to what is happening around you.
Mushrooms are also a symbol of fertility and can be found in many cultures as a dietary supplement. They are thought to bring wisdom and good health, which is why they are often used in healing and divination. They are also a powerful representation of the connection between heaven and earth and symbolize free-spiritedness, adventure, and transformation.
The Mushroom’s Effects
The mushroom is a psychedelic drug that binds to receptors in the brain. It contains the hallucinogenic molecule psilocybin, which is converted to the pharmacologically active psilocin.
The effects of mushrooms vary from one individual to another. This can make it difficult for people to decide whether or not a psychedelic trip is right for them.
For this reason, it is important to consult a medical professional before taking any psychedelic drugs. The effects of psychedelics can be mild or intense, and last for a few hours or more before disappearing completely.
While the fungi have been used as a psychedelic drug since centuries ago, they are still legally restricted in many countries around the world, especially in the United States. But as medical research continues to demonstrate that shrooms have therapeutic properties, there is growing advocacy to remove some of these restrictions.
The Mushroom’s Name
One of the most popular motifs in Alice in Wonderland is the mushroom. The mushroom is an icon of psychedelics and has been linked to Alice’s experiences in Wonderland through various sources.
For instance, in Jefferson Airplane’s psychedelic song White Rabbit the mushroom symbolizes a “journey to another world” and was used as a mascot for drug culture during the 1960s and 1970s. This was a very controversial interpretation of the book, which led to many critics and readers questioning Carroll’s intentions.
But in fact, there is no evidence that Lewis Carroll intentionally put a psychedelic mushroom in his story. In reality, the mushroom in Wonderland was simply a reprint from an earlier manuscript.
