EUGENE, Ore. — Wind chimes and tie-dye mattresses adorn a suite in an office building where adults over 21 gather for a trip on magic mushroom dispensary. A waitlist of more than 3,000 names stretches out the door at Epic Healing Eugene, America’s first licensed psilocybin service center. Proponents say a drug is a powerful tool for dealing with depression, PTSD, and end-of-life dread. It also can change the way people perceive their environment and produce hallucinations of repetitive geometric shapes, altered colors and a sense of oneness with the universe.

Unlocking the Potential: Exploring the World of Magic Mushroom Dispensaries

In Canada, where a growing number of users are experimenting with “micro-dosing” a small amount of the hallucinogenic compound psilocybin, shops peddling the mushrooms are popping up in cities like Toronto and Winnipeg. Their owners, who go by names like Fun Guyz, Shroom City and House of Mushrooms, offer a variety of mushroom strains and products. Some, including a popular infused drink that’s gaining a following in TikTok, are aimed at reducing anxiety or increasing relaxation.

While many of these stores — and the online platforms that connect buyers with growers — operate legally, some have run into trouble with police. In at least two cases, officers have raided a store and then seen it reopen days later. Health Canada warns that consuming magic mushrooms can cause a range of effects, from anxiety to twitchy muscles, and may be dangerous to people with heart conditions or other medical problems.