Do’s and Dont’s – A Guide on How To Prepare for a Magic Mushroom Trip

Magic mushrooms are a wonder of nature and considered sacred across the globe by many different cultures. They have been used for centuries for shamanic and entheogen purposes.

Recently, the medicinal use of mushrooms has experienced a boost, and even though further research is needed, several studies show the potential of psilocybin (and other psychedelics) in the treatment of a series of ailments, especially those related with depression and brain activity.

Many users describe the long term effects of a single mushroom trip as having very positive effects, resulting in overall benefits in mood and creativity, while helping to deal with feelings and fears normally associated with depression.

Magic mushrooms are a powerful source of imagination and inspiration for mind expanding thought and realisation. Shrooms provide the ability to create an upgraded version of yourself - ‘You 2.0’ with enhanced creativity, better mood, more openness to the feelings others, dealing with your own feelings and overcoming difficult personal problems. The list goes on and on.

However, there are some recommendations to be taken into consideration when planning a magic mushroom trip, to ensure that you really get a wonderful experience, especially if it is your first mushroom trip.

The to DO list:

• Choose a relaxed environment. Busy places can sometimes cause an information overload. A calm place where you feel comfortable is usually the best way to go. It is commonly suggested the best trips are spent admiring the wonders of nature.
• Make sure you are tripping with someone that you like and trust. It is advisable, especially when it’s the first trip, to have a ‘trip-sitter’, a sober friend that you trust and will help you if needed or if you feel the trip is going sideways.
• Dosage the mushrooms correctly. Always start with a small dose. Every person reacts different to different substances and starting small will allow you to feel what a mushroom trip involves. This is especially important if you’re a first timer.
• You should fast some hours prior to taking the mushrooms. If you plan your trip for the next day you can use the sleeping hours as fasting time as well.
• Clear your agenda for the next 24 hours (if possible, if not, at least 10). Your head should be free and you should not have any work, study or family tasks to be done.
• If you feel that you will want a intense trip wait for around 90 minutes after taking the mushrooms and only then take more if you really feel that you want a stronger effect.
• Have an open mind to the mushroom experience. Be calm and certain that whatever happens, everything will be ok. Stay open to your feelings and ideas throughout the experience. This is more than half way to enjoying a magnificent trip.
• Let yourself relax into the experience without any specific goals apart from being in the trip itself and let your mind wrap in the amazing thoughts and visuals.
• If you are an artist, put your materials easily available so you can use them when you feel creativity flowing. The same way, if you are a writer, you might want to record or write your thoughts.
• If you feel that the trip is not going a good way and start to feel your are entering a bad trip, speak to your friends.

The NOT to DO list:

• If you are having second thoughts about tripping, do not take magic mushrooms. The mental frame of mind is as important as choosing a safe environment and trustworthy trip-sitter/company.
• Do not take magic mushrooms when you have a known mental condition.
• Do not take magic mushrooms if you are pregnant.
• Never take magic mushrooms if you are using prescription drugs, especially MAO-Inhibitors or other psychoactive substances.
• Avoid the use of magic mushroom as a party drug. Experienced users might pull it off but, taking magic mushrooms in a crowded party might not turn out so good.
• Avoid taking magic mushrooms when you’re alone, especially if it is your first time.
• Do not take any other drugs when taking magic mushrooms, especially if it is your first time. When mixing shrooms with other drugs, especially alcohol, the dangers of a bad trip and self-injury are significantly higher.

When the trip is over, if you feel a bit disappointed about getting back to your normal self, just think about the experience you had and you will realise that much of the openness and freedom you felt during the trip is still with you.

There is a lot of talk about magic mushrooms and how they can be dangerous. So, lets clear some issues and bring down some myths:

• The toxicity of psilocybin and psilocin is extremely low. The amount that would have to be taken to lead to death is hundred thousands higher than the amount taken to actually have a trip. So, death from toxicity is a non issue.
• Overdose literally means “taking a higher dose than intended” and does not imply death or any lasting physical harm. However, when the amount taken is too high the user will feel not good physically and, sometimes, also not mentally. The overdosing might lead to nausea, vomiting and sometimes panic attacks but, it will not kill you.
• You will never become a schizophrenic from magic mushroom use UNLESS you have already pre-existing mental conditions, in which case the use of magic mushrooms is not advisable.
• Even users who have described having a bad trip report that ultimately they had in fact positive outcomes from the mushroom experience.
• Although you can find news about people who really put themselves in danger when taking magic mushrooms, a study released in 2017 confirms that magic mushrooms are the safest recreational drug. From the 12.000 subjects in the study that took magic mushrooms, only 0,2% required medical attention, a much lower % than the ones taking LSD.
• Psilocybin is non addictive. However, with regular use the body will adjust and the effects will be less effective.

Now you know how to prepare yourself and your surroundings. What to do and what not to do.  

Open yourself up and embrace the marvellous experience that magic mushrooms can bring you.