MONTREAL—For years, shops that specialize in selling magic mushrooms have popped up in back alleys and storefronts across Canada. But in recent months, they’ve been slapped with raids by police forces eager to enforce archaic drug laws. It’s a familiar pattern—and a sign that, as with the legalization of cannabis, there is strong demand for these hallucinogenic drugs.

Magic montreal shrooms are psychedelic, and they contain psilocybin and psilocin, which cause people to experience altered states of consciousness. They can lead to seeing, hearing or feeling things that aren’t there and may bring on anxiety, fear, nausea, muscle twitches and elevated heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, if you take too much, it can be dangerous or even life-threatening.

“Fungi Delights: Exploring the Mushroom Scene in Montreal

But many Canadians are finding psilocybin-containing mushrooms, which are often called “psychedelic truffles,” helpful in treating a wide range of mental health problems. A growing body of research suggests that psilocybin can treat depression, anxiety and addiction, among other disorders. And last year, Health Canada made it easier for doctors to prescribe mushroom-based psilocybin psychotherapy to patients with mental illness.

The tiny store I visited in Montreal was filled with returning customers who seemed excited to purchase a variety of mushrooms, including sealed fungi that can be cooked and eaten. It also sold a selection of mushroom-infused gummies, teas and drinks. The TikTok-famous Psychedelic Water, which Insider tried and found relaxing, contains 500 milligrams to 4 grams of psilocybin per bottle.