For centuries, magic mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes. Commonly considered sacred by many cultures around the world, ‘shrooms’ used to grow wild in different parts of the globe and had to be correctly picked and identified.
Nowadays, the access to magic mushrooms is fairly accessible and there is even the possibility of easily growing your own by purchasing a magic mushroom growkit.
Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, a substance produced and present in more than 200 mushroom species. Once you take magic mushrooms, the psilocybin in the mushrooms is quickly metabolised into psilocin, which acts on the receptors of serotonin in the brain that are responsible for, among other things, the regulation of motivation and mood.
The psilocybin content of magic mushrooms varies a lot, depending on strain, growth conditions, drying process (when the mushrooms are dried) and mushroom size. Also, cultivated magic mushrooms have shown a more stable content of psilocybin when compared with wild mushrooms.
Magic mushrooms can be taken fresh or dried. Since mushrooms are around 90% water, the dosage varies immensely between fresh and dried mushrooms. Roughly, 1 gram of dry mushrooms equals 10 grams of fresh mushrooms. Whenever the weight is given per dry weight and you need to figure out what will be the dosage in fresh mushrooms, you just need to multiply the dry weight by 10 (the same the other way around).
After figuring out the dosage, you need to choose the way you want to take your mushrooms.
Eating mushrooms
The taste of magic mushrooms is not that great. Actually, most people do not like it at all and feel nausea, vomit and stomach discomfort after consuming magic mushrooms. The stomach discomfort will be felt in the first hour or so, and it will soon wear out to allow you to enjoy the trip to its fullest.
An easy way to reduce these uncomfortable symptoms is to take the mushrooms on a empty stomach, which will avoid indigestion and ensure a uptake of all the active substances. Also, fasting for some hours before eating the mushrooms will ensure that the stomach will be calmer and will make the experience stronger and more enjoyable.
When eating the mushrooms whole, make sure that you chew them well. This will help your stomach break down the active substances present in the mushrooms. Since the taste is not that great, you can push it down with a glass of your favourite drink. Also, if you decide to chew the mushrooms, it may be preferable to choose dried mushrooms since it will require a smaller amount than fresh mushrooms, making it easier to deal with the taste.
Fresh or dried magic mushrooms can be an add on to food, which will help with the taste. You can prepare magic mushrooms, like any other edible mushroom, by making a shroom omelette, adding it to pizza or pasta sauce or making a mushroom soup.
It true that by heating up the mushrooms and mixing it with food, it might lead to weaker effects and a longer time for the active substance to be absorbed. However, for a lot of people this is the only and preferred way to take magic mushrooms.
Preparing mushrooms to drink
To use mushrooms in a way that you can drink it, there are several options: adding the mushrooms to a juice or smoothie, making tea, or to do lemon shots (thanks Third Monk staff for the recipe).
To add it to smoothies or juices, the magic mushrooms should be crushed into smaller pieces (either fresh or dried) and then you have 2 options: add the mushrooms to the blender where you are making a smoothie and pulse it 3 or 4 times, or just mix them well in your favourite juice. Some defend that the combination of mushrooms with dairy products is not advisable because calcium might interfere with psilocybin.
To make tea, heat up the water to a boiling point and add the mushrooms. Wait for the mushrooms to sink down and pay close attention to make sure the mushrooms DO NOT boil (it is best if you just put the fire out and let the mushrooms steep covered for at least 15 minutes). Shake the tea well with the mushrooms. The best result is when the mushrooms are all sunken (if you break down the mushrooms in little pieces they will sink faster). Drink the tea and, if you wish, eat the mushrooms.
Following the Third Monk recipe for lemon shots, you should grind your mushrooms into powder (so dried mushrooms is advised). Add the mushroom powder to 60 to 120 ml of lemon juice. Let it sit from 30 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The citric acid will help break the psilocybin into psilocin before it is consumed. Drink the shot and, if you want, eat the remaining mushrooms left in the cup.
Smoking
Dried mushrooms can also be smoked. It is not the most recommended way since there is a theory that carcinogens are absorbed into the lungs when smoking mushrooms. Also, smoking mushrooms will have a milder effect and you will need more quantity. The effect will be faster and it is compared to a good joint.
Independently of the way and dosage you choose, psilocybin is a powerful substances with a wide range of effects. So it is very important to read about the Dos and Don’ts when planning a mushroom trip.
Effects
The list of effects described by magic mushroom users is long. The effects listed below are meant as a guideline to what you can expect. They will rarely occur all at the same time, and, please do not forget, everyone has their own subjective and individual trip. However, with higher doses the effects are more likely to be stronger, last longer, and occur simultaneously.
Bodily effects:
- mild sedation
- bodily heaviness present specially during the first half of the trip
- tingling warm and soft sensations
- tactile enhancements
- nauseas – can be reduced with fasting before taking the mushrooms
- excessive yawning occurring simultaneously with watery eyes
- salivation and runny nose
- pupil dilation
- muscle contraction
- changes in the way gravity is felt
- euphoria with giggling and laughter
Visual effects, hallucinations and mind distortions:
- colour enhancement and shifting
- time distortion
- mixed senses – hear colours or see sounds
- closed eyes visuals with intense geometric patterns in 3 dimensions with morphing, sliding and rotating
- visual acuity enhancement – more described when taking lower doses
- perspective distortions
- feeling of dreaming while awake
- symmetrical texture repetition
- scenery sliding
- visual haze
- depth perception distortions
- better perspective of one’s role in life
- internal and external hallucinations
- entheogenic states of consciousness
Side and After effects
As previously mentioned, some of the most common side effects of taking magic mushrooms are nausea, vomiting and stomach discomfort, which can be reduced by fasting and the way chosen to take the mushrooms.
A bad trip might also happen. It is not so common and is mostly related with an inadequate state of mind and environment. If a bad trip happens, the best way to deal with it is to try and calm down by moving to a quiet and relaxed environment where you feel safe. Let your friends know that you are having a bad trip so they can help you. Do not panic and the feeling will eventually wear itself out.
After taking magic mushrooms and the trip is well over, there are some after effects. You may feel a bit tired the next day so, if you have the chance get a good night sleep after the trip, it is always a good idea.
A lot of people describe what they call an afterglow after tripping on magic mushrooms. These feelings can last for days and tend to include:
- enhanced mood
- renewed empathy and open-mindedness for others
- less fear and anxiety when dealing with emotionally difficult topics or memories
- feeling more secure to tackle challenging emotional experiences
- reduction of anxiety and depression
In a study conducted at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, 94% the participants who had only one dose of magic mushrooms, claimed that taking shrooms was one of the “Top 5 most meaningful experiences of their lives.” In another study, participants stated that they felt long lasting changes and a general openness and well-being within a year of having a magic mushroom trip.
Always treat magic mushrooms with due respect and they may bring you enlightenment and a life changing experience.