The psychoactive effects of so-called “magic” mushrooms have been exploited by Native Americans for millennia. They are now being evaluated for possible use in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions. The presentation will address the historical aspects of the circuitous path from folk fantasy to pharmaceutical to include the discovery of LSD and its promotion by Timothy Leary in the 1970’s augmented by information relevant to fungi in general and psilocybin mushrooms in particular.
Pre-registration is required
$10 NHSM Members
$15 NHSM Non-Members
Have questions? Email Bronwyn – bstrong@marylandnature.org
Presented by William Needham, the president of the Mycological Association of Washington with extensive field and practical experience with fungi. He is also a Master Naturalist in Maryland. After a 30-year career in submarines, he was a corrosion engineer for the Department of Defense for an additional 16 years. His educational background includes degrees in science from MIT and engineering from Duke. He is active with several hiking and nature groups in the area.
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