EUGENE, Ore. — Psilocybin tea, wind chimes, and a tie-dye mattress wait for those who arrive at an office suite in Eugene to trip to magic mushrooms dispensary. Adults over 21 can stay in space for six hours and experience what many users describe as vivid geometric shapes, a loss of identity, and a sense of oneness with the universe.
A small number of these psychedelic mushroom “churches” have opened in recent months as Oregon and other states loosen restrictions on consciousness-altering substances. But the movement has been met with resistance from some police departments, who have raided locations and arrested operators.
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At a store called Fun Guyz, a rainbow shiitake adorns a tiny exterior and signs welcome passersby to “walk into a new reality.” The shop is one of 11 that operates in Canada and sells hallucinogenic mushrooms, which are illegal without authorization from Health Canada. Police have raided some stores and seized stock, but the locations always open again.
Darren Lyman, 43, says his co-op isn’t just selling mushrooms. He provides a support service to help clients navigate their experiences. That includes a conversation about the potential effects of psilocybin, a discussion of a person’s intentions and a consultation to decide how much of the drug to take. Lyman’s sessions cost $30, but the four grams of blue-streaked Penis Envy mushrooms he hands over for his customers are free.
Several dozen local sellers advertise mushrooms on Facebook Marketplace and offer more options online. They list mushrooms by color, name and place of origin, and range in price from $10 for a low dose to $200 for an ounce. Many also sell mycology kits to help people grow their own fungus, though they ask buyers to sign a contract promising they won’t eat the product.