Who were the Druids, and did they use magic mushrooms?

The Druids are an ancient Western European pagan culture that engaged in many mysterious practices, most of which are now lost to time. Most of our records about them come from the conquering forces of the Romans, so we must take these reports with a grain of salt.

One of the many questions about the Druids that persists is, did they use psychedelic mushrooms? In short, we don’t know. But we can investigate and make some informed assumptions. Here, we’re doing just that—and exploring what relationship, if any, the ancient Druids had with psychoactive fungi.

Who were the Druids?

The Druids are a mysterious class of people from classical antiquity. Little is known about them, and plenty of myth is interwoven with a dearth of facts. Julius Caesar is the source of much modern knowledge surrounding the Druids, although the veracity of his accounts are uncertain.

Druids were deeply embedded in the spiritual and legal systems of their societies. They conducted religious ceremonies, mediated disputes, and held great sway over the ruling elite. Their training was extensive, sometimes lasting up to twenty years, as they had to memorize vast amounts of lore in oral tradition. This secrecy has contributed to their enduring mystery. If members of the community disobeyed the edicts of the Druids, it is said they would be barred from sacrifice, which was considered a great humiliation.

One of the most controversial aspects of Druidic tradition is their use of sacrifices. Ancient Roman accounts claim that Druids performed human and animal sacrifices to appease their gods, though modern scholars debate the extent of these practices. Some believe these claims were Roman propaganda, meant to justify their conquest of Celtic lands. Regardless, it is widely accepted that sacrifice and ritual offerings were key aspects of Druidic spirituality.

Where were they found?

The Druids thrived in the Celtic world, which encompassed a vast area of Western Europe. Their influence extended across:

• Gaul (modern-day France, Belgium, and parts of Germany)
• Britannia (England and Wales)
• Hibernia (Ireland)
• Caledonia (Scotland)

Druids are particularly associated with sacred groves, often deep within oak forests, which were considered sacred spaces for their rituals and teachings. Ancient writers such as Pliny the Elder and Tacitus suggest that the Isle of Anglesey (Mona) in Wales was one of their strongholds, a site the Romans targeted during their suppression of the Druids.

Have they disappeared?

The Druids were largely suppressed by the Romans after the conquest of Gaul and Britannia. Emperor Claudius is believed to have outlawed Druidic practices in the 1st century CE, while later Christianization erased or absorbed much of their traditions. However, some elements of Druidic spirituality persisted through folklore, mythology, and later neo-Druidic movements in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Today, modern Druidry exists as a spiritual and cultural movement. While it is very different from its ancient counterpart, it draws inspiration from Celtic mythology, reverence for nature, and early pagan traditions.

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Did the Druids use psychedelic mushrooms?

The use of entheogens—hallucinogenic plants and fungi—in ancient religious practices is well-documented in many cultures. But did the Druids use psychedelic mushrooms?

While direct evidence is lacking, some scholars and ethnomycologists suggest that certain mushrooms may have played a role in Celtic religious ceremonies. There are two primary candidates.

Amanita muscaria (fly agaric)

The famous Amanita muscaria mushroom is well-known for its striking red and white cap. This classic toadstool has long captured the imagination of modern and ancient Europeans alike, and for good reason. Containing muscimol and ibotenic acid, it is capable of inducing altered states of consciousness, including visions and euphoria.

Due to these effects, it has a well-documented history of usage among certain cultures from across Northern Europe, America, and Asia. It is also speculated that it was used by Celtic peoples. Although direct evidence is lacking, several factors suggest this could be plausible.

First, adjacent cultures that still exist today would have been using this fungus at the time. Second, the oak tree, which was sacred to the Druids, often shares its habitat with Amanita muscaria, which could suggest a natural association. Further, it is known from accounts that Druids entered trance-like states similar to those of shamans, and while these can be attained without psychoactive plants and fungi, their use can be surmised.

Psilocybe semilanceata (liberty cap)

Likewise, it is also considered that Druids may have used liberty caps for ritual purposes, too. As with Amanita muscaria, there is no direct evidence linking Druids to the use of these psilocybin-containing mushrooms, but it is not improbable.

First, these mushrooms are common in the grassy meadows that would have abounded in Britain, Ireland, and continental Europe at the time, meaning that the Druids would most certainly have come across them. Combined with the visionary aspects of their culture, it seems at least possible that they could have used these mushrooms to aid in their spiritual quests.

Indirect evidence of mushroom use

Although no written records from the Druids mention psychedelic fungi, the oral nature of their tradition means such knowledge could have been passed down without being recorded. Additionally, Celtic myths and folklore are rich with tales of otherworldly experiences, mystical transformations, and shamanic journeys—imagery that aligns with psychedelic experiences.

For instance:

• The Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh myths, frequently references enchanted feasts and visionary states.
• The Irish druids (Draíodhs) were known to enter trances and perform prophecy.
• Sacred wells, trees, and stones were believed to be portals to the Otherworld—a belief often mirrored in psychedelic-induced experiences.

While speculative, the presence of these fungi in Celtic lands, combined with their hallucinogenic effects, suggests that they may have been used in Druidic rituals for divination, healing, or spiritual journeys.

What if the Druids didn’t use mushrooms?

While the circumstantial evidence is compelling, there is no definitive proof that Amanita muscaria or Psilocybe semilanceata was used by the Druids. Arguments against this theory include:

• Lack of archaeological evidence: No physical traces of fly agaric or liberty cap use have been found in Celtic ritual sites.
• No direct mentions in historical texts: Classical sources describing Druids do not mention mushroom use, though they do discuss trance states and prophecy.
• Possible alternative methods: The Druids could have used fasting, drumming, rhythmic chanting, or sensory deprivation to induce altered states, rather than psychedelics.
• Possible harm: With fly agaric specifically, the toxic nature of the mushroom also comes into question. Though it is not highly toxic when prepared correctly, improperly prepared fly agaric is very poisonous.

That said, the absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, especially given the secrecy surrounding Druidic practices.

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Druidic culture: Still alive today

The Druids remain one of history’s great mysteries. Were they keepers of sacred knowledge now lost to time, a misrepresented indigenous people—or both? While we lack concrete proof of psychedelic mushroom use, the environment, myths, and spiritual practices of the Celts—and adjacent cultures—suggest it is at least a possibility.

In the Celtic world, Druidry and entheogenic exploration are experiencing a revival, as people seek to reconnect with the ancient wisdom of nature. Whether through ritual, meditation, or even psychedelics, the Druidic spirit of reverence for the land and the unseen world lives on.

Max Sargent

Max has been writing for over a decade, and has come into cannabis and psychedelic journalism in the last few years. Writing for companies such as Zamnesia, Royal Queen Seeds, Cannaconnection, Gorilla Seeds, MushMagic and more, he has experience in a broad spectrum of the industry.

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