Emily Johnson
Psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, are psychedelic drugs that occur naturally and are consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. While the effects of psilocybin are dose-dependent and vary from person to person, it's nearly impossible to die from a magic mushroom overdose. However, the risk of contamination or the presence of other dangerous substances is a significant concern. As such, it is crucial to identify whether a mushroom contains psilocybin before consumption. One common method is to pinch the mushroom when it's not fully dried and look for any blue bruising, a distinctive feature of Psilocybe mushrooms. However, it's important to note that not all blue-bruising mushrooms are safe, and proper identification using field guides, spore prints, and expert consultation is essential to avoid toxic and poisonous look-alikes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Chestnut brown |
| Bruising | Blue |
| Spore print colour | Purple-brown |
| Gills | Present |
| Legality | Illegal in most places, but decriminalised in Oregon, Colorado, and certain locations in Washington state, California, Michigan, and Massachusetts |
| Safety | Do not consume unless you are absolutely certain of the mushroom's identity; spore print is a crucial step in confirmation |
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What You'll Learn
Pinch the mushroom to check for blue bruising
Pinching a mushroom to check for blue bruising is a commonly suggested method to identify psilocybin mushrooms. However, it is important to note that this method is not infallible, and other types of mushrooms, including poisonous ones, can also display this type of bruising. Therefore, it is crucial to use multiple means of identification to avoid consuming toxic substances.
When a mushroom is damaged, such as by pinching, it can cause bruising due to the exposure of psilocybin to oxygen, resulting in oxidation that turns the mushroom bluish. This bruising is often subtle but visible within minutes to hours. While this characteristic can be a good indicator of psychedelic mushrooms, it is not sufficient on its own to confirm their presence.
To properly identify psilocybin mushrooms, it is recommended to examine their growth pattern and habitat, colour, texture, and the presence of a partial veil or annulus. Additionally, spore prints can be a highly reliable method of identification. By placing the mushroom cap gill-side down on half white and half black paper or foil, covering it, and waiting for 6-12 hours, you can observe the spore print colour. Psilocybe species typically produce purple-brown to dark purplish-black spore prints, while poisonous lookalikes may have spore prints in different colours, such as rusty brown or orange-brown.
It is essential to exercise caution when foraging for magic mushrooms due to the potential presence of toxic doppelgangers that closely resemble psilocybin species. Consulting field guides, spore prints, and expert communities is crucial for accurate identification. Additionally, it is important to be aware of local laws and legal consequences associated with the possession and use of psilocybin mushrooms.
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Check for gills and purple-brown spore prints
When it comes to identifying psilocybin mushrooms, spore prints are one of the most powerful tools you can use to stay safe. Many toxic lookalikes exist in the wild, some of which are deadly, so relying on appearance alone is not enough.
To make a spore print, start by choosing a mature mushroom with a fully opened cap. Carefully remove the stem to allow the cap to sit flat. Place the cap gill-side down on half white and half black paper (or on foil if you want to preserve the spores). Cover the cap with a glass, bowl, or container to prevent drafts from disturbing the spores. Leave it undisturbed for 6–12 hours, then gently lift the cap to reveal the spore print left behind.
True Psilocybe species typically produce purple-brown to dark purple-black spore prints. The gills in magic mushrooms will usually be dark purple or black. Conversely, if you encounter mushrooms with white or pale gills, you should avoid them as these are indicative of poisonous mushrooms. The gills in Psilocybe mushrooms may be closely packed together and attached to the stem or slightly hanging below it. They are thin papery structures attached to the underside of the cap and are a means of spore dispersal.
It is important to note that some poisonous mushrooms closely resemble psilocybin species in shape and colour. A quick spore print can reveal a completely different spore colour, signalling that the mushroom is unsafe. Therefore, a spore print is a crucial step in confirming whether a mushroom is safe to consume.
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Use a test kit to detect psilocybin
Using a test kit is a popular way to detect psilocybin in mushrooms. The most common type of test kit is the Psilocybin QTest Kit, which can be used at home. This test kit is designed to measure the potency of psilocybin in dried mushrooms. It is important to note that this test kit will not work with fresh mushrooms. To use this kit, you will need to finely chop and homogenize about 0.15 grams of dried mushroom material. Once the mushroom material is evenly ground, add it to the solvent reagent included in the test kit. This step ensures that the psilocybin compounds are dissolved and ready for testing. After preparing your sample, add 1 ml of the extraction solution to the detection vial provided in the kit.
The next step is to incubate the vial in hot water. This step is crucial as it helps activate the reagents, allowing for an accurate measurement of psilocybin potency. Once the reaction is complete, you can compare the colour intensity in your detection vial with the provided colour chart. The Psilocybin QTest Kit has been validated as a reliable method for measuring psilocybin content, providing users with an easy-to-use and scientifically backed solution.
It is important to note that some mushrooms containing psilocybin do not regularly bruise blue, so the absence of blue bruising does not necessarily mean the mushrooms are safe. Another factor to consider is that mushrooms may contain other chemicals that can cause false positive results. Therefore, it is recommended to use a lab analysis service if possible. However, if that is not available, test kits like the Psilocybin QTest Kit can be a useful alternative.
Other types of test kits include the NarcoCheck ID-Test Psilocin & Psilocybin, which is based on a wet chemical reaction. This test involves introducing a small quantity of the substance to be identified into the test, and the granules in the ampoule will change colour. The colour can then be compared to the colour chart in the instructions leaflet. Additionally, ELISA kits designed for psilocybin analysis are also commercially available. These kits utilize antibodies specific to psilocybin or its metabolites, allowing for detection and measurement of the compound in a sample.
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Consult field guides, spore prints, and expert communities
When it comes to identifying psilocybin mushrooms, it is important to consult field guides, spore prints, and expert communities to ensure safety and accuracy.
Field Guides
Field guides are essential tools when foraging for psilocybin mushrooms. It is crucial to have extensive knowledge of the various mushroom species, their characteristics, and potential toxic lookalikes. Reputable field guides, such as Paul Stamets' reference book, can provide detailed information on identifying psilocybin mushrooms in different parts of the world. These guides can help distinguish true Psilocybe species from their poisonous doppelgangers, which can have striking similarities in appearance.
Spore Prints
Creating spore prints is a powerful technique for identifying psilocybin mushrooms. Spore prints reveal the colour of a mushroom's spores, which is critical for distinguishing Psilocybe species from harmful imposters. To create a spore print, place the mushroom cap, gill-side down, on half white and half black paper or foil. Cover it with a glass, bowl, or container to prevent drafts, and leave it undisturbed for 6-12 hours. Lift the cap gently to reveal the spore print: true Psilocybe species typically produce purple-brown to dark purplish-black spore prints, while toxic lookalikes like Galerina and Cortinarius species often have rust-brown or orange-brown spores.
Expert Communities
Consulting expert communities is crucial when identifying psilocybin mushrooms. Online communities and forums provide a platform to seek assistance from knowledgeable individuals. By sharing pictures and descriptions, experts can help identify mushroom species and provide guidance on safe practices. These communities emphasise the importance of 100% confirmation before ingesting any mushroom, prioritising safety above all else. Additionally, experts can offer insights into the legal aspects of psilocybin mushrooms, which vary across different locations.
In summary, utilising field guides, spore prints, and expert communities is vital when identifying psilocybin mushrooms. By combining knowledge, practical techniques, and expert advice, individuals can enhance their ability to distinguish psilocybin mushrooms accurately and safely. Remember, consuming mushrooms without proper identification can be life-threatening, so it is always safer to purchase spore kits from reliable sources and grow mushrooms in controlled conditions.
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Use the iNaturalist app to identify mushrooms from photos
While no app is entirely reliable for identifying mushrooms, iNaturalist is a free app that can be useful for identifying mushrooms from photos. It has a large database of wildlife observations, including mushrooms, and its algorithm is relatively good at narrowing things down to genus or family.
Here's a step-by-step guide to using the iNaturalist app to identify mushrooms from photos:
Step 1: Create an Account
If you don't already have an iNaturalist account, you can create one for free through the website or smartphone app.
Step 2: Take Photos
When you find a mushroom that you want to identify, take at least three photos: one of the mushroom in its habitat, one close-up of the cap, and one close-up of the stem and gills. Try to ensure that your photos are in focus and show as much detail as possible.
Additionally, make notes of any other details that you observe but couldn't capture in your photos. For example, note the type of substrate it's growing on (e.g., wood or ground), the nearest trees, whether it's clustered with other mushrooms, and any distinctive smells or textures.
Step 3: Upload Photos
Open the iNaturalist app on your smartphone and upload the photos you took. If you're using a camera, you can upload the photos to the iNaturalist website on your computer.
Step 4: Provide Details
Add as much information as you can about the mushroom, such as its colour, size, and any other distinguishing features. If you have a guess at the identification, you can enter it, but it's okay to leave it blank if you're unsure.
Step 5: Wait for Confirmation
Once you've uploaded your photos and details, wait for other users to confirm the identification. Multiple users need to agree on the identification for it to become a confirmed data point.
It's important to remember that iNaturalist identifications should be treated as suggestions rather than 100% accurate IDs. Sometimes, it may be necessary to collect the mushroom and examine it further, such as by making a spore print, to confirm its identity.
Additionally, while the Seek app by iNaturalist can identify various plants, animals, and fungi, some users have questioned its accuracy for mushroom identification.
In conclusion, while iNaturalist can be a helpful tool for mushroom identification, it should be used alongside other resources, such as traditional ID books, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of mushroom species.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, are generally chestnut brown and look much like ordinary mushrooms. The best simple way to check if a mushroom contains psilocybin is to pinch it when it is not fully dried and look for any blue bruising. If the mushrooms are already dry, you can still inspect them for blue bruising marks. However, this method is not foolproof, as some poisonous mushrooms also look similar to psilocybin mushrooms or bruise blue.
Psilocybin mushrooms are classified as a Schedule I controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), meaning they are considered dangerous and highly addictive. While it is nearly impossible to overdose on magic mushrooms, there is a risk of contamination or "lacing" with other dangerous substances, such as opioid drugs. Consuming psilocybin mushrooms can also lead to severe legal consequences in most places.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic that can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. It can cause hallucinations, and users may experience flashbacks involving previous magic mushroom experiences, which can be disturbing.
Foraging for psilocybin mushrooms can be dangerous due to the risk of misidentification. It is important to consult field guides, spore prints, and expert communities to confirm the species before consuming any wild mushrooms. Utilizing online communities and identification sites can also help with identification. Growing magic mushrooms at home using kits is generally safer than foraging.
