Neil deGrasse Tyson Discusses Psilocybin Mushroom Secrets On Podcast

Neil deGrasse Tyson joined a comedian and ecologist last week as co-host of the science podcast StarTalk Radio to discuss the “wonderful world of mushrooms” – with a selective focus on psilocybin mushrooms. The astrophysicist was obviously interested in learning more, with a small group of co-hosts asking key questions about psilocybin, the mushroom kingdom, and mycology in general.

“Can mushrooms take over your mind? StarTalk Radio asked in a tweet. “In this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen explore the strange world of mushrooms with Fun Guy mushroom expert and ecologist Merlin Sheldrake. Could Inactive Spores Survive Space? Who discovered that mushrooms can affect us psychologically? You will learn about the origins of the Imperial Mushroom classification and the uses of psychedelic mushrooms. Can psilocybin be synthesized? “

“This will be a mushroom-themed Cosmic Queries session,” said Tyson. “We will find out where they are from, what they do and why, and most importantly, what their relationship with people is.” Tyson published his podcast discussions as Cosmic Queries: StarTalk’s Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We Are Going last March, co-authored with James Trefil.

Joining Tyson was Sheldrake, who quoted the ethnobotanist and former High Times regular Terence McKenna (1946-2000) on the prehistoric use of psychedelic mushrooms – which may even lead to decisive discoveries and inventions for mankind.

Tyson, curious as always, began to ask strange questions, like whether or not wild animals in the wild devour mushrooms, since they are relatively easy to find in certain states and other parts of the world. “Do you think mushrooms were part of early animal nutrition?” Tyson wondered. “Yeah, sure,” said Sheldrake. “I mean, I don’t see why animals should neglect these nutritious, delicious organisms that grow up within reach.”

“Would an animal that is not human knowingly eat a mushroom that has psychedelic properties?” Tyson asked.

Sheldrake explained that cicadas – something Tyson admitted last April – can actually produce psilocybin and other drugs when infected with fungus. So there is always the slim possibility that he has unwittingly consumed psilocybin. As background information, Massospora mushrooms produce either psilocybin or an amphetamine-like compound found in khat leaves, West Virginia University plant pathologist Matthew Kasson reported on June 22 at an ASM Microbe 2019 meeting.

Then Sheldrake mentioned that psychedelic experiences may have resulted in an innovative state of mind that over time led to the discovery of fire and myriad other discoveries.

“So would you recommend everyone do it?” Tyson asked, apparently hinting at how important psychedelics could actually be.

“No, I wouldn’t do that,” Sheldrake said.

“Why – if it made you smarter, or more insightful, and done your own job – then why don’t you have an over-the-counter pharmacy?” Tyson pressed.

Does Neil deGrasse Tyson believe in cannabis and psychedelics?

Tyson does not use cannabis (or at least not recently), nor is he most likely to use psychedelics. However, Tyson was heavily influenced by the late Carl Sagan, who secretly defended the medicinal and beneficial effects of cannabis.

When it comes to cannabis legalization, however, Tyson is a clear advocate of cannabis freedom. In a 2017 interview with the Washington Post, Tyson said there was “no reason” that cannabis should be illegal.

Probably as a joke, Tyson said people shouldn’t smoke weed in space unless they wanted to die in a fire explosion. To light a flame on a spaceship would be very stupid as they are filled with rich oxygen for fuel combustion. Even vaping on a spaceship can be very unwise.

But in 2018, Elon defended Musk without hesitation for smoking a blunt at The Joe Rogan Experience. “Leave the man alone. Get him high when he wants to get high, ”Tyson said during a casual interview with celebrity news website TMZ.