Dana Larsen’s Magic Mushroom Dispensary

The gray exterior of Dana Larsen’s magic mushrooms dispensary canada , Manitoba, belies a mosaic of psychedelia. The storefront is decorated with paintings of Incan gods spewing fire and lightning, and the shelves are lined with hemp lip balms and stoner-centric comic books. But despite being openly advertising and selling mushrooms, Larsen operates illegally.

The Healing Garden: Nurturing Magic Mushroom Dispensaries

Across Canada, dispensaries like this one are popping up in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and more — even though psilocybin is a Schedule 3 drug that’s illegal to possess without a prescription. That’s because psychedelic drugs like magic mushrooms change the way the brain works, making people hallucinate and experience altered perceptions. Those changes can lead to fear, anxiety, nausea and muscle twitches. They can also trigger mental health issues or be used in combination with other drugs.

Psilocybin is a hallucinogen that’s similar to LSD, MDMA and mescaline. It’s believed to influence serotonin in the brain, creating feelings of euphoria and connection, while also distorting time and space. The drug’s effects can take up to six hours to reach their peak.

The federal regulator, Health Canada, warns that taking magic mushrooms can cause a person to see, hear or feel things that aren’t real. It’s recommended to have a safe environment, trusted friends and a clear head when using the drug. It’s also not recommended to use psilocybin with alcohol or certain psychiatric medications, as the interaction could cause an unpredictable and dangerous experience called polydrug use.