The Factors Behind the Increasing Demand for Magic Mushroom Delivery in Canada

Numerous dispensaries in Canada are making magic mushrooms accessible to their residents. In 2023, the emergence of nearly 24 physical stores and several shrooms online dispensaries offering magic mushroom delivery marked a significant milestone. 

Canadians are curious about the effects of magic mushrooms, from microdosing for productivity to therapeutic applications. Four out of five Canadians view psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, as a valid medical approach. This acceptance and interest underpin Canada’s growing “shroom boom” phenomenon.

Key Takeaways:

• The demand for magic mushrooms in Canada is due to their recreational effects and potential medical benefits.
• Sales and interest in shroom use have risen in both Vancouver and Toronto.
• Microdosing boosted the sales of mushrooms, mainly due to exploring the benefits of shrooms without experiencing a full psychedelic trip.

Shroom Boom – Magic Mushroom Dispensaries in Canada

Magic mushroom dispensaries in Vancouver are making buying magic mushrooms as simple as ordering coffee. An owner of a magic mushroom dispensary in Downtown Eastside notes increasing demand for psychedelic products. The owner anticipates several dozen such dispensaries by year-end where psilocybin products are offered for therapeutic benefits.

Aside from growing dispensaries in Vancouver, there are psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy trials. A senior lead of psychedelic programs explains that psychedelics like psilocybin can shift thinking patterns and enhance neuroplasticity. 

Patients commonly gain new insights and address repressed emotions with the guidance of licensed clinicians. It was also noted that micro-dosing has potential benefits.

Since the fall of 2022, Toronto has also witnessed a surge in mushroom dispensaries. In Ontario, these dispensaries are mostly chain stores, whereas in BC, they tend to maintain more independence. Toronto’s larger population and customer base drive higher profits, which makes franchising more enticing and feasible.

What Drives Increase in Shroom Delivery in Canada?

Recreational and Therapeutic Use  

Interest in shrooms is because customers enjoy their recreational use, which induces euphoric and spiritually connected effects. Medical research suggests psilocybin could help with anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Last year, Canada allocated $3 million to study psilocybin’s effectiveness in clinical research.

1. Filament Health, a company developing natural psychedelic drugs, focuses on creating products with precise doses. They offer capsules containing one, five, and 25 milligrams of psilocybin for clinical trials. 
2. A professor from UBC Okanagan believes psilocybin therapy could create new brain connections to help conditions like anxiety and depression.

Microdosing Trend

Microdosing gained traction between 2018 and 2020, with coverage in publications like the New York Times and Forbes. This unconventional practice has piqued the interest of many Canadians.

Microdosing mushrooms is gaining attention because it offers users the chance to consume mushrooms without experiencing potent hallucinogenic effects. This allows you to tap into the potential benefits of mushrooms to enhance your daily routines and overall well-being.

Take Mike Brodeur, for example, a professional hockey player who once relied on painkillers and antidepressants. Upon discovering the benefits of microdosing with psilocybin, he underwent a remarkable transformation. He reported newfound energy and focus, which profoundly impacted his life.

Medical Benefits of Magic Mushrooms

A study from Université Laval found that nearly 80% of Canadians support using psilocybin for existential distress. This survey of 2,800 people aimed to gauge public opinion on psilocybin-assisted therapy administered by healthcare professionals.

• Depressive and General Anxiety Symptoms

The active compound in shrooms interacts with serotonin receptors and helps with depression and anxiety by calming the brain’s hyperactivity in certain areas. It also affects brain flexibility, particularly by reducing excessive activity in the amygdala, a region linked to depression.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) moderate the increased sensitivity to negative emotions in depressed patients by acting on the amygdala. Psilocybin, on the other hand, increases amygdala activity in response to positive emotions. Psilocybin treatment can also address anhedonia. It is a symptom of depression characterized by a lack of pleasure.

• Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

Magic mushrooms could boost brain flexibility by increasing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels. Having a mystical experience while using shrooms can lead to lasting therapeutic effects. This shift in mindset is important for treating substance use disorder patients, as it can prompt behaviour change.

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Psilocybin shows promise as a complementary treatment alongside exposure-based therapies for conditions like PTSD. A single dose of psilocybin can enhance the speed and persistence of fear extinction, possibly by encouraging neuroplasticity in the hippocampus. It also modulates electrical activity in brain areas linked to emotional processing and internal awareness. 

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

At the neurotransmitter level, serotonin reuptake inhibitors stand out as the most supported pharmacotherapy for OCD. Given that psilocybin and other classic psychedelics affect the serotonin system, some argue that they might trigger similar cellular mechanisms. 

The primary action of psychedelic substances on serotonin receptors could lead to a secondary increase in glutamate. Glutamate dysregulation has garnered significant attention as a potential contributor to OCD’s pathophysiology and a target for treatment. 

• Pain

Psilocybin may manage chronic pain by activating the serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptor. This activation leads to various neurophysiological responses that disrupt functional connections in brain regions linked to chronic pain.

• End-of-Life Anxiety

A groundbreaking study conducted at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in 2016 revealed that a single dose of psilocybin provided relief from depression, anxiety, and hopelessness in cancer patients. In a follow-up study, 80% of these patients reported that the beneficial effects persisted after four and a half years. 

Explore Mushroom Products for Shroom Therapy & Microdosing

Product Category	Description	Benefit	Sample
Dried Mushrooms	Includes multiple strains from moderate to strongly potent versions.	Multiple consumption method; Potent	Golden Teacher Blue Meanies Penis Envy
Edibes – chocolate and gummies	Psilocybin-containing foods with predetermined dosages and mask the flavour of mushrooms.	Pre-dosed Palatable Multiple Options	Wonder Psilocybin Chocolate Bar;  Mastermind – Funghi Bar Original – 3000 mg
Drinks	Similar to edibles but in the form of beverages	Pre-dosed Palatable Easy to consume	Bright Future – Nootropic Energy Drink – Pure Boost – 100mg;  Magic Beans – VISIONARY BLEND (500mg)
Capsules	Capsules containing psilocybin and other medical mushrooms.	Pre-dosed For microdosing	Ground Sounds – Super Freak; Evoke – Medicinal Mushrooms – Microdose Capsules

Have Your First Shroom Delivered

Interest in magic mushrooms from online dispensaries like Zoomies Canada is surging in Canada. Especially in Ontario and Vancouver, there’s a noticeable uptick in mushroom delivery services. This increasing interest stems from various factors, like recreational use and microdosing. Studies showcasing these benefits will continue to increase, further driving up demand in the coming years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an economic impact due to the growing interest in shrooms?

Yes. The rise in interest could mean more businesses expanding and creating more jobs. It might also increase tourism, especially for people who can’t get mushrooms for medicine and come to Canada to try them. Like with cannabis, the popularity of shrooms could boost Canada’s economy by attracting investors to this new market.

What is the most common product Canadians buy in mushroom dispensaries?

There’s a lack of statistical data on the specific shroom products favoured by most Canadians. A glance at the product offerings in dispensaries suggests that dried shrooms lead the pack in terms of variety. This preference could be due to their versatility and affordability compared to other shroom products.

Is it possible for Canadians to order magic mushrooms from a dispensary located in Vancouver?

Several online Vancouver dispensaries serve customers across multiple provinces. To determine if a dispensary ships to your location, visit its website and check its shipping information. If this information is not available, contact its customer support for assistance.