BUFFALO, N.Y. — Magic Mushroom’s Psilocybin has seen an uptick around the world, including here in Western New York, especially since the pandemic.

"There's what we’re calling the Psychedelic Renaissance or psychedelic resurgence. There’s a lot of interest in psychedelics again, especially for therapeutic use," said Daniel Kruger, research associate professor and research scientist at the University at Buffalo.

In the last month, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Buffalo seized approximately $165,000 worth of Psilocybin. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Buffalo Field Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized approximately $165,000 worth of Psilocybin last month
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection saw 15 seizures with a little over 20 pounds of Psilocybin in a roughly 30 day period
  • Although Psilocybin is not addictive, with more than 130 people dying from opioid-related drug overdoses a day, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the increase in drug busts brings concern

“Over basically a 30 day time period, we saw 15 seizures with a little over 20 pounds of Psilocybin,” said Jeffery Toth, public affairs Liaison for the Buffalo Field Office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

But what does Psilocybin do and why are Americans seemingly so interested in it?

“It activates a certain receptor in our brain related to seratonin,” said Kruger. “People tend to have differences in their perceptions of time and space, often times visuals or hallucinations.”

All hallucinogens vary in time frames, with LSD lasting for roughly 10 to 12 hours and Psilocybin typically holding effect for around 6 hours.

"Psilocybin, it’s not toxic; you can’t overdose, you don't get addicted to it, but it does have very powerful effects that people might not be prepared for,” said Kruger.

But it is an illegal narcotic for a reason. 

“When it’s an unregulated commodity, you don't really know exactly what it is you’re getting. You don’t know what could be mixed with it, you don't know the impact it could have on you,” said Toth.

“If people are taking other kinds of drugs, you know any kind of pills, definitely test them because there are a lot of contaminants like fentanyl and xylazine,” Kruger said. 

With more than 130 people dying from opioid-related drug overdoses a day, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the increase in drug busts brings concern.

“Psilocybin is probably pretty low in terms of possible damage or impact either to individuals or society,” said Kruger. “Even marijuana or cannabis, now it's legal for adult use in New York State, but you have people who might be selling other things that aren’t really that great for you.” 

“Some of these things could be lethal doses. You just don’t know,” Toth said.