Exploring The World Of Mushroom Trips

Magic mushrooms, or shrooms, are a type of fungus that contains psychoactive compounds. They are naturally occurring and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. The key ingredient in magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which is converted into psilocin in the body. Psilocin is the chemical with psychoactive properties. The strength of magic mushrooms varies depending on their freshness, the season, and where they grow. It's hard to know how strong mushrooms are, and they can be unpredictable and risky, especially at high doses or in unsafe settings. People consume magic mushrooms in several ways, including eating them raw or dried, adding them to food or smoothies, or brewing them into tea. The effects of magic mushrooms typically last around 4 to 6 hours but can vary depending on individual factors such as metabolism and dosage. While magic mushrooms are not considered physically addictive, they can cause psychological dependence and tolerance can develop quickly. It is important to approach the use of magic mushrooms with caution due to the potential risks involved, including the possibility of consuming poisonous mushrooms and experiencing negative side effects.

Methods of consumption: raw, dried, tea, chocolate, capsules, etc

People consume magic mushrooms in various ways, and the effects can vary depending on the method of consumption, the individual's mood, personality, expectations, surroundings, and dose. It is important to note that the active ingredients in magic mushrooms, psilocybin and psilocin, are hallucinogens that can cause similar effects to LSD. The effects can last up to five hours, and it is illegal to produce, sell, and possess magic mushrooms in some countries.

One common way to consume magic mushrooms is by eating them raw. They can be fresh or dried, and some people mix them with food to mask their bitter taste. However, it is crucial to accurately identify the mushroom species, as many poisonous mushrooms closely resemble magic mushrooms, posing a significant health risk.

Another popular method of consumption is brewing magic mushrooms into a tea. This method involves infusing the mushrooms in hot water, which can help to extract their active compounds. Tea may be gentler on the stomach compared to other methods of consumption, but it is still important to exercise caution and be aware of potential side effects.

Some people also choose to consume magic mushrooms in chocolate or capsule form. Chocolate can help mask the bitter taste of the mushrooms, making them easier to consume. Capsules, on the other hand, offer a more discreet and convenient way to ingest the mushrooms, as they can be easily swallowed with water.

Regardless of the consumption method, it is essential to be mindful of the potential risks associated with magic mushrooms. The effects can vary widely, and individuals may experience hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nausea, and distorted senses of time, place, and reality. Additionally, it is crucial to be in a safe and comfortable environment and avoid mixing magic mushrooms with other substances, including medications, as this can lead to unpredictable and dangerous consequences.

Dosage: microdosing, low dose, heroic dose, etc

Dosage depends on the person. Dr Russell Newcombe, a harm reduction researcher, gives an "average rule of thumb" for a strong trip: one to two grams of dried mushrooms per 50 pounds of body weight. This means two to three grams covers most people. According to Newcombe, a heroic or excessive dose is anything above three to seven grams, and for some people, this means up to 15 grams or more.

The term "heroic dose" was coined by Terence McKenna, a famous proponent of magic mushrooms, and refers to doses of five grams of the more potent Psilocybe Cubensis species. At 1% psilocybin content, five grams will contain about 50 mg of psilocybin. At this dose, there is not much to do but lie down somewhere comfortable and let the experience wash over you. Taking a dose this large is rare, and it is not advisable to take even close to this dose without significant experience and an ultra-safe, comfortable setting.

At the other end of the scale is microdosing, which involves taking a sub-perceptual dose of mushrooms (around 0.1 to 0.9 grams) to reap the positive benefits without experiencing a full trip. There is no single, clearly recognized definition of microdosing for any psychedelic drug, but one definition is approximately 1/5 to 1/20 of a recreational dose. For a medium-strength dose of psilocybin (2 to 3 grams of dried mushrooms), a microdose is typically around 0.3 grams.

The Stamets Protocol (microdosing for five days in a row, then taking two days off, and repeating) and the Fadiman Protocol (microdosing one day, then taking two days off, and repeating) are the most prolific. It's important to remember that if you feel any psychedelic effects, it's not a microdose, and you should reduce your dosage.

In between microdoses and heroic doses are standard doses of psilocybin, which typically range from 20 to 35 mg. An eighth-ounce (3.5 grams) of dried mushrooms will have around 35 mg psilocybin content, and will likely lead to a full-blown psychedelic experience.

Setting: at home, in nature, etc

Setting: At Home

Mushrooms are not only versatile in cooking but also nutritious and delicious, providing a myriad of known medicinal benefits. They can be grown at home, and the experience is magical. The most common type of mushroom, Agaricus bisporus, is considered safe for most people to eat. Many other varieties of mushrooms can be grown at home, including cremini, enoki, maitake, portobello, oyster, shiitake, and white button mushrooms. Each type has specific growing needs. For example, white button mushrooms must be grown on composted manure, shiitakes on wood or hardwood sawdust, and oyster mushrooms on straw.

The first step is to pick the right mushroom for you. Do you want specific health benefits, a new cycle for your compost, or do you just want to see if you can grow something? Oyster mushrooms are welcoming to beginners, while shiitake mushrooms can be pickier about their substrate of choice but have a cult following for their flavor. The spawn, or beginning fungus, is typically purchased, but mushrooms can be spawned from your spores for a more DIY touch. Once you have your spawning colonizers selected, you must give them a home.

The most effective substrates are wood pellets, straw, pasteurized manure (cow or horse), and coco coir. All species of fungi share the need for their substrates to be near field capacity—the amount of water the substrate can hold against the force of gravity. It is critical to sterilize the substrate before inoculation since the presence of pathogenic bacteria and molds can quickly inhibit mushroom growth. The easiest method is the "bucket technique," which involves using a heavy-duty 5-gallon bucket with a locking lid, a large cooking pot, water, and your substrate.

Keep the substrate cool and moist to ensure timely success. High-temperature storage locations can dry out your substrate, and too-low temperatures can encourage the growth of mold. When growing mushrooms, your greatest enemy is over-complication. Keep it simple, and you will do great. To harvest your mature mushroom, gently pinch the bottom of the stem near the substrate. Carefully twist and pull just enough to pluck it from the mycelium. Take a clean blade and cut off the very bottom, where there will be bits of the substrate.

Setting: In Nature

Mushrooms are the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies of fungi, typically produced above ground on soil or another food source. They spread their spores in vast quantities, which are carried away into the air to seed new fungal colonies. They are used extensively in cooking, in many cuisines (notably Chinese, Korean, European, and Japanese). Humans have valued them as food since antiquity. Most mushrooms sold in supermarkets have been commercially grown on mushroom farms.

Some mushrooms are used in folk medicine. In a few countries, extracts such as polysaccharide-K, schizophyllan, polysaccharide peptide, or lentinan are government-registered adjuvant cancer therapies, but clinical evidence for efficacy and safety in humans has not been confirmed. Although some mushroom species or their extracts may be consumed for therapeutic effects, some regulatory agencies, such as the US Food and Drug Administration, regard such use as a dietary supplement, which does not have government approval or common clinical use as a prescription drug.

Some mushrooms contain psychoactive compounds such as muscimol, which can cause CNS depressant and sedative-hypnotic effects, as well as dissociation and delirium in high doses. Psychedelic mushrooms have been receiving considerable attention as a promising treatment for mental health conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and end-of-life anxiety among the terminally ill.

Trip sitter: who to have with you

A trip sitter is a sober person who accompanies one or more people going through a psychedelic experience. They are responsible for providing a calm and supportive presence, protecting the tripper from potential dangers, and acting as the link to reality. The trip sitter should remain entirely sober and alert, ready to react to any potential problems and help people through challenging experiences.

When deciding on a trip sitter, it is important to choose someone you trust. Ideally, they should be non-intrusive, non-judgmental, and able to allow the person who ingested the psychedelic to fully experience their trip. A good trip sitter does not impose their own views or attempt to guide the experience in a particular direction. Instead, they are simply along for the ride, ready to step in if necessary.

Before the trip, it is important to have a conversation with the trip sitter about expectations, intentions, and boundaries. Discuss the location where the experience will take place and whether anyone else will be there. It is also helpful to talk about the tripper's intentions for taking mushrooms and any fears or worries they might have. During the trip, the sitter may provide food and water, transportation, and general support. They are also responsible for preventing the tripper from taking part in activities that could harm them, such as driving a car or walking outside.

In the case of an emergency, the trip sitter is the point person to determine the best course of action. If you believe the tripper has eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Contact the relevant poison control centre immediately.

Risks: poisonous mushrooms, bad trips, etc

Consuming mushrooms for their psychoactive effects is risky for several reasons. Firstly, there is a risk of accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms, which can have severe and even deadly consequences. Mushroom poisoning can cause minor gastrointestinal illness, with severe cases requiring medical attention. Some poisonous mushrooms can cause violent illness or even death. For example, the majority of mushroom-related deaths are caused by species in the genus Amanita, such as the Destroying Angel (A. virosa) and the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides). Mistaken identification is often the cause of Amanita poisoning, with survivors reporting that they had mistakenly ingested these mushrooms instead of edible species like the Shaggy Mane. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately identify mushrooms before consumption to avoid poisoning.

Another risk associated with consuming psychoactive mushrooms is the possibility of a "bad trip". A bad trip refers to an adverse psychological reaction to the effects of psychedelics, which can include intense anxiety, confusion, agitation, paranoia, and psychosis. The risk of a bad trip may be increased by higher doses of psilocybin, the hallucinogenic substance found in "magic mushrooms", or by pre-existing feelings of anxiety. The set and setting of substance use can also influence a person's response, and a lack of proper preparation and environment can exacerbate the negative experience. While most studies on bad trips focus on their negative aspects, some researchers suggest that they may have potential for psychological healing and can lead to insights or turning points in life. Nonetheless, the only way to eliminate the risk of a bad trip is to refrain from consuming psychoactive mushrooms.

In addition to the risks of poisoning and bad trips, consuming psychoactive mushrooms can also lead to impaired judgment and distorted senses, making activities like driving dangerous. Furthermore, regular use of magic mushrooms may lead to tolerance, cross-tolerance with other drugs, and the potential for disturbing hallucinations, anxiety, and panic. While current research suggests that psilocybin is not addictive, more studies are needed to fully understand its effects and potential risks.

Overall, it is important to approach the consumption of psychoactive mushrooms with caution due to the potential risks involved. Proper identification of mushroom species, responsible dosing, and creating a safe and supportive environment can help mitigate some of these risks. However, it is essential to recognize that consuming psychoactive mushrooms is not without dangers, and seeking professional guidance or alternative therapeutic approaches may be more advisable for those seeking psychological benefits or healing.

Frequently asked questions