The history of using mushrooms began during Paleolithic times. Few – even anthropologists – to understand what impact had the mushrooms on the evolution of mankind. Fungi play a central role in the cultures of ancient Greece, India and Mesoamerica. Because of its enchanting nature, fungi have always evoked deep emotional responses: from adulation by those who understand them, to fear from those who do not understand. Fear of mushroom poisoning exists in every culture, sometimes reaching forms of phobia. The term 'mikofobiya' defines the fear and loathing of people and cultures in relation to fungi.
Examples of such crops are English and Irish. In contrast to mikofobnym, there mikofilichnye culture. They are located in Asia and Eastern Europe, these include Polish, Russian and Italian peoples. They have extensive experience in the use of mushrooms, more than a hundred names to describe their favorite species of fungi. Evidence of a very significant role of fungi in the mythology and – increasingly – in the culture should be considered as the emergence of a special science etnomikologii. Work of an American scientist, RG Wasson and his successors allow to reveal the value of fungi in many cultural and historical traditions. In particular, mushrooms often appear as a classifier, with which well-formed opposition such as "profane – sacred," "Female – Male", "water – the fire", etc. Continuing in the tradition of grassroots fluctuations against fungi belonging to the plant or animal life explain a number of mythological motifs associated with the metamorphosis of the mushroom (The origin of fungi from the stone, turning people into mushrooms, etc.).