magic mushroom

American  

noun

1. a mushroom, Psilocybe mexicana, of Mexico and the southwestern U.S., containing the hallucinogen psilocybin.

---

magic mushroom British  

noun

1. informal any of various types of fungi that contain a hallucinogenic substance, esp Psilocybe mexicana, which contains psilocybin

---

Etymology

Origin of magic mushroom

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

But the mushrooms used in coffees, like lion's mane, are a different species to magic mushrooms and aren't psychoactive.

From BBC

“Mushrooms are having their moment across many layers of society,” said Paul Stamets, one of today’s most well-known mycologists, who recently had a new species of magic mushroom named after him.

From Seattle Times

The pilot program would have let 5,000 patients suffering from mental illnesses including post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety to consume magic mushrooms under a therapist’s supervision.

From Seattle Times

At times, “Yellowjackets” seems to suggest that what the teens are experiencing in the woods is a combination of preexisting mental health issues, stress, starvation, dehydration and Misty’s Trapper Keeper full of magic mushrooms.

From Los Angeles Times

“Fantastic Fungi” spends plenty of time on the potential of seemingly magic mushrooms, and can wax a bit too aggressively about fungi’s future.

From Washington Post