John Miller
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, have been used for centuries for spiritual, medicinal, and recreational purposes. They are known for their ability to alter perception, mood, and cognition. One common question surrounding their consumption is whether they need to be chewed. While chewing is a traditional and direct method, it is not the only way to consume magic mushrooms. This paragraph will explore the different approaches to ingesting magic mushrooms, including chewing, and provide an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to chew mushrooms | Chew them up and swallow them |
| Chew them into a mush before swallowing | |
| Nibble slowly with front teeth | |
| Chew for 5-10 seconds and spit out | |
| How to consume mushrooms | Eat them whole |
| Brew them into tea | |
| Mix with food | |
| Crush and stir into a drink | |
| Grind and steep in hot water | |
| Boil and strain | |
| Use a capsule | |
| Make an extract |
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What You'll Learn
- How to chew mushrooms without tasting them: Chew with front teeth, or hide taste with food/drinks?
- How to chew dried mushrooms: Grind, steep in hot water, then drink?
- How to avoid nausea when chewing mushrooms: Chew longer, or try tea or capsules?
- How to speed up effects of chewing mushrooms: Chew thoroughly, or take on an empty stomach?
- How to mask the taste of mushrooms: Crush and mix with orange juice, or eat with peanut butter?
How to chew mushrooms without tasting them: Chew with front teeth, or hide taste with food/drinks
There are several methods to consume mushrooms without tasting them. One way is to chew with your front teeth, minimising contact with your tongue, and then chasing with a strong-tasting drink like orange juice.
However, this method may still result in some taste, and there is also a risk of accidentally swallowing larger pieces of mushroom, which can affect how the drug is absorbed. For this reason, many people prefer to avoid chewing altogether and use alternative methods to consume mushrooms.
One popular method is to create mushroom tea, which allows users to bypass the need to ingest chitin, a compound in the cell walls that gives the mushroom structure and can cause nausea and stomach upset. To make mushroom tea, grind the mushrooms and place them in a tea ball or tea bag, then steep in hot water. This method reduces the bitter taste and also allows for faster absorption, as the psilocybin is quickly absorbed in liquid form.
Another method is to create mushroom capsules. This involves grinding the mushrooms into a fine powder and stuffing them into gel capsules, which can then be swallowed. This method eliminates the taste and potential nausea, and also allows for precise dosing. However, the effects may take longer to appear compared to other methods, as the capsules must pass through digestion first.
Mushrooms can also be infused into foods such as chocolates, brownies, cookies, or smoothies with fruits like bananas, pineapples, oranges, and mangoes. This method masks the taste and makes consumption more enjoyable, but it may take longer for the effects to be felt, as the mushrooms need to be fully digested.
Finally, a method known as Lemon Tek can be used, which involves grinding the mushrooms and mixing them with lemon or lime juice. This method can be unpleasant-tasting but is fast-acting, as the acid in the juice breaks down psilocybin into psilocin for rapid absorption.
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How to chew dried mushrooms: Grind, steep in hot water, then drink
Dried mushrooms are a great ingredient to stock in your kitchen. They have a long shelf life, pack a lot of flavour, and are a convenient way to add nutrients to your meals. Here's how you can prepare dried mushrooms by grinding them and steeping them in hot water:
Grinding Dried Mushrooms:
Before grinding, ensure you purchase your mushrooms from a reliable source or find a brand that you trust for quality. The cheaper varieties tend to have more grit, which can be difficult to remove. Once you have your mushrooms, there are a few ways to grind them:
- Mortar and Pestle: This is a traditional method to grind dried mushrooms, but it may not achieve a fine grind.
- Coffee Grinder: A coffee grinder can be used for small amounts of dried mushrooms, but it may not be suitable for larger amounts or harder varieties.
- Blender or Food Processor: For a fine powder, a powerful blender or food processor is recommended. This method is ideal for larger amounts or harder varieties of dried mushrooms.
Steep in Hot Water:
Once you have your ground mushrooms, you can steep them in hot water to create a mushroom tea. Here are the steps:
- Soak the ground mushrooms in hot water for about 30 minutes. You can also try room temperature water, which some people believe preserves more of the mushroom's flavour.
- After soaking, strain the mushrooms and reserve the liquid.
- The mushrooms and the soaking liquid can now be used in various dishes, such as soups, stews, sauces, pâtés, and gratins.
Additional Tips:
- Store dried mushrooms in a well-sealed container to extend their shelf life.
- If you don't like the taste of mushrooms, you can mix ground mushrooms with drinks like orange juice or tea.
- Grinding dried mushrooms into a powder allows you to add them to your meals without the distinct taste of fresh fungi while still benefiting from their nutritional content.
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How to avoid nausea when chewing mushrooms: Chew longer, or try tea or capsules
Nausea is one of the most common side effects of consuming psilocybin mushrooms. The good news is that there are several ways to reduce the chances of nausea occurring. Here are some tips to avoid nausea when consuming mushrooms:
Chew longer
Chewing raw or dried mushrooms increases the surface area, helping psilocybin break down faster. Chewing mushrooms for a longer duration can reduce the onset time and maximise exposure to chitinase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down chitin, a compound in mushrooms that can cause nausea. While chewing longer can be beneficial, it's important to note that the taste of raw mushrooms may be unpleasant for some people.
Try tea
Mushroom tea is an excellent alternative to reduce the chances of nausea. The preparation process involves grinding dried mushrooms into a fine powder, steeping them in hot water, and then straining the mixture. This method spares the body from the mechanical breakdown of chitin, making it easier on the stomach. Additionally, tea allows for the addition of flavours such as honey, ginger, or lemon to improve the taste.
Explore capsules
Capsules are another option to avoid nausea when consuming mushrooms. They provide a measured and convenient way to consume magic mushrooms, especially for those interested in precise dosing or microdosing. Capsules eliminate the need to taste raw mushrooms and offer a consistent experience.
It's important to remember that individual sensitivity plays a role in experiencing nausea. Choosing the right substance and dosage and consumption method that suits your preferences and comfort level is essential.
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How to speed up effects of chewing mushrooms: Chew thoroughly, or take on an empty stomach
When consuming magic mushrooms, or shrooms, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to speed up their effects. Firstly, it's important to understand that the time it takes for shrooms to kick in depends on several factors, including the method of consumption, dosage, individual metabolism, and whether you've eaten beforehand.
Chewing raw or dried shrooms is a traditional and direct way to consume psilocybin mushrooms. Chewing releases psilocybin, which is then absorbed through the oral mucosa and digestive system, leading to a faster onset of effects. Typically, the effects of chewing shrooms begin within 15 to 45 minutes. However, if consumed on a full stomach, it may take longer, sometimes even over an hour.
To speed up the effects of chewing mushrooms, here are two key considerations:
Chew Thoroughly
By chewing shrooms thoroughly, you increase the surface area of the mushrooms, helping psilocybin break down faster. This reduced onset time. It's recommended to really pulverize the mushrooms into a mush before swallowing. While it may be unpleasant, this method can significantly speed up the processing of mushrooms in your body. Additionally, chewing for a longer duration can maximize the breakdown of chitin, a compound in mushrooms that can cause nausea and stomach upset. The long mastication process can lead to little to no nausea and a quicker onset of effects compared to brief chewing.
Take on an Empty Stomach
Consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach can significantly speed up the onset of effects and intensify the experience. When taken without food, the active compounds are absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream, leading to a more immediate and profound psychedelic experience. On the other hand, consuming shrooms after eating will result in a milder and slower-onset high, which may be more desirable for those new to shrooms.
In conclusion, if you're looking to speed up the effects of chewing mushrooms, focus on chewing them thoroughly and consider taking them on an empty stomach. However, always exercise caution and ensure a safe and controlled experience when consuming magic mushrooms.
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How to mask the taste of mushrooms: Crush and mix with orange juice, or eat with peanut butter
Magic mushrooms, or psilocybin mushrooms, have been used for centuries for spiritual, medicinal, and recreational purposes. They are known for their ability to alter perception, mood, and cognition. While the traditional way to consume them is by chewing, there are several other methods, including making tea, capsules, edibles, and lemon tek.
Chewing raw or dried mushrooms can lead to an unpleasant, bitter taste, increased nausea, and inconsistent dosing. If you are looking for ways to mask the taste of mushrooms, here are two popular methods:
Crush and Mix with Orange Juice
The strong flavour of orange juice helps cover the potent mushroom flavour, especially the earthy, bitter taste of dried mushrooms. The citric acid in orange juice also breaks down psilocybin faster, leading to a shorter, more intense experience. This combination is known as "lemon tek", which uses sour fruit juice to improve the absorption rate of medications. While there is no scientific evidence, some users believe that orange juice creates a more intense psychedelic experience and reduces a bad trip.
Eat with Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is another effective way to mask the taste and texture of mushrooms. You can try powdered mushrooms with peanut butter on crackers or a waffle, or make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with whole mushrooms. For a sweeter option, add some honey. You can also try mushroom energy balls, which are a mixture of rolled oats, raisins, peanut butter, ground flax seeds, coconut flakes, cocoa powder, honey, cinnamon, vanilla powder, and finely chopped dried or fresh magic mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you don't have to chew mushrooms. While it is a traditional and direct way of consuming psilocybin mushrooms, there are alternative methods such as making tea, capsules, edibles, or lemon tek.
Chewing raw or dried mushrooms releases psilocybin, which is absorbed through the oral mucosa and digestive system. Chewing thoroughly increases the surface area, aiding faster breakdown and absorption of psilocybin. Effects typically begin within 15-45 minutes, but this can vary depending on metabolism and whether consumed on a full or empty stomach.
Mushrooms are known for their unpleasant, bitter taste, which some may find difficult to tolerate. Raw mushrooms can also cause increased nausea and inconsistent dosing due to the challenge of digesting raw fungal material.
