Shrooms Canada, which sells a variety of mushroom varieties to people who wish to experience their mind-altering properties in the comfort of their own homes, is one of many online retailers offering mushrooms to a growing group of Canadians. The websites offer a safe, secure way to access the mind-expanding drug legally within Canada’s legal framework. These websites require customers to show proof of age before shipping a product, and offer lab-tested mushrooms that ensure they contain psilocybin (info from Health Canada).

Kagan says he’s seen a lot of interest in magic mushrooms among people suffering mental health problems including anxiety, depression and addiction. A growing body of research suggests that psilocybin, which occurs naturally in certain mushroom species1, can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat these disorders. This approach is called psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Shrooms Across the Border: Understanding Shroom Culture in Canada

While the fungi are not yet officially recognized by Health Canada as a medication, some doctors are prescribing them for treatment. There is also growing interest in using magic mushrooms for other therapeutic purposes, including pain relief and PTSD. This is known as “microdosing” — low-dose self-medication of the mushrooms to help deal with problems such as anxiety or chronic stress.

In recent months, police raided shops in Vancouver, Toronto and Hamilton that openly sell shrooms. But nothing much ever comes of these raids, and stores with names like Fun Guyz and Shroomyz continue to open in cities across the country. Their colourful storefronts beckon customers with paintings of rainbow fungus.