Dealing With Mushrooms: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to deal mushrooms

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi that spread spores and create new mushrooms. They are usually found in dark, damp patches of grass and can be seen as an interesting, natural addition or a complete eyesore. Some mushrooms contain psilocybin and psilocin, substances that can cause hallucinations, and are referred to as magic mushrooms. When dealing with magic mushrooms, it is important to be in the right frame of mind and to have a buddy who is not tripping to ensure safety. To eliminate mushrooms from your lawn, you can use fungicides, horticultural vinegar, or baking soda.

anspore

How to safely consume magic mushrooms

Consuming magic mushrooms can be a fun, spiritual, or educational experience, but it's important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety. Here are some guidelines on how to safely consume magic mushrooms:

Know Your Mushrooms:

Understand the risks associated with magic mushrooms. Some mushrooms contain psilocybin and psilocin, substances that can induce hallucinations and distort your sense of time, place, and reality. The effects can vary from mild trips with feelings of drowsiness or relaxation to intense hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, and nervousness. The length and intensity of each trip depend on the mushroom's potency, the dosage, and individual factors such as mood, personality, and expectations.

Prepare Your Mindset:

Ensure you are in the right frame of mind before consuming magic mushrooms. Avoid using hallucinogens as a coping mechanism for problems or if you are experiencing symptoms of mental health issues like depression or anxiety. Hallucinogens may interact with mental health medications and trigger symptoms of mental health conditions, including psychosis. It's crucial to prioritize safety and maintain good relationships with family and friends.

Choose a Safe Environment:

Select a peaceful and safe place to consume magic mushrooms. Plan your trip by choosing a calm environment, preferably with a trusted friend who is sober and can help you navigate any challenging experiences. Most trips last 8-12 hours, so ensure you have a comfortable and controlled setting.

Dosage and Consumption:

Proper dosing is critical for a safe and enjoyable experience. Understand how much psilocybin is appropriate for you, considering factors like body weight, experience with psychedelics, and desired intensity and duration of effects. Consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach will intensify and accelerate the onset of effects, while consuming them after a meal will result in a milder and slower-onset high. You can eat them whole, mix them with food to mask their bitter taste, or brew them into tea. Additionally, combining mushrooms with lemon juice or other acids converts psilocybin to psilocin, resulting in faster and stronger effects.

Avoid Mixing Substances:

Stick to consuming only magic mushrooms and avoid mixing them with other substances like cannabis or alcohol. Mixing substances can lead to unpredictable and potentially dangerous experiences. It can also impair your judgment and coordination, making activities like driving extremely unsafe.

Understand the Risks:

Recognize that consuming magic mushrooms comes with inherent risks. There is a possibility of a ""bad trip,"" which can include terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, or flashbacks that may occur days or months after the initial experience. Additionally, consuming extremely large doses of magic mushrooms can, in rare cases, lead to severe side effects and even death.

Remember, it is essential to make informed decisions about consuming magic mushrooms. Always purchase from a trusted source, and if you have any concerns or pre-existing health conditions, consult with a healthcare professional before proceeding.

anspore

How to identify and avoid poisonous mushrooms

It is important to be able to identify poisonous mushrooms to avoid any mishaps. There are some general guidelines to follow to avoid poisonous mushrooms. Firstly, avoid mushrooms with any red on the cap, stem, or pores as these are toxic. Secondly, if a mushroom stains blue when cut in half, it is poisonous. Milkcaps, which exude a milky substance from their gills, are mostly toxic.

Amanita mushrooms are some of the most poisonous mushrooms and should be avoided. They can be identified by their white gills and dry, umbrella caps. They often grow from a bulbous structure called a volva, which can be hidden by leaf litter, so it is important to check the base of the mushroom. They also have a distinct ring just below the cap, which is the same colour as the stem. The majority of Amanita mushrooms are red, orange, yellow, white, or grey.

Some other mushrooms to avoid are jack-o-lanterns, which are poisonous and often mistaken for chanterelles. False morels are also very poisonous due to a chemical called gyromitrin.

It is important to correctly identify mushrooms before consuming them and to avoid wild mushrooms unless you are an expert.

anspore

How to get rid of mushrooms in your lawn

Mushrooms thrive in damp, dark places, so one way to prevent them from growing is to ensure your yard is well-lit and free of standing water. You can also try planting mushrooms' natural predators, such as slugs and snails, in your garden. Mushrooms are the fruit of fungi, and they spread by dropping spores into the air to reproduce. The spores can lie dormant in the soil for a long time, so it's important to act quickly when you see mushrooms sprouting.

  • Mow over them with your lawnmower, then pick up the pieces and dispose of them properly.
  • Rake them away after mowing.
  • Pick them and throw them away, wearing gloves to avoid touching any poisonous mushrooms.
  • Use a fungicide to kill the mushrooms. Be careful when using chemicals, especially if you have pets or children.
  • If you have excess thatch in your lawn, dethatch it. Thatch absorbs moisture and acts as mushroom bait.
  • Aerate your lawn to improve drainage and decrease moisture.
  • If your lawn has standing water or remains damp for long periods, your soil may be compacted. Improve drainage by removing old tree stumps and keeping the area well-raked.
  • Avoid overwatering your lawn and minimize debris such as leaves and pet waste.
  • Trim back branches on nearby trees and shrubs to decrease shade in problem areas.

anspore

How to prevent mushrooms from growing in your lawn

Mushrooms are the reproductive part of fungi that live in the soil. They are considered unsightly, especially if you are preparing to sell your property. Some mushrooms are edible, while others are toxic, which can be problematic if young children and pets play on your lawn.

  • Improve drainage and dry out the soil: Poor drainage leads to overly wet conditions, resulting in lawn diseases and mushroom growth. You can fix poorly draining spots in your yard, clean garden debris, and trim growth to let more sunlight into the area.
  • Remove decaying organic matter: Mushrooms feed on decaying organic matter such as grass clippings, leaves, twigs, animal waste, buried wood, and tree stumps. By removing these food sources, you can hinder mushroom growth.
  • Dethatch your lawn: Mushrooms thrive in dead grass that is thick with thatch and covered in leaves. Keeping your lawn de-thatched and free of dead grass, weeds, and moss can make it less favourable for mushroom growth.
  • Use natural remedies: Horticultural vinegar can be used to kill mushrooms, but it should be applied with precision as it can harm surrounding plants. Baking soda can also be effective in large quantities as it adjusts the soil's pH, making it less conducive to mushroom growth.
  • Pull out mushrooms from the base: Plucking mushrooms before they release their spores can help reduce their ability to disperse and spread. However, this will not eliminate the underlying mycelium, the underground network of fungus threads.
  • Use commercial fungicides: While fungicides will only kill the fruiting part of the fungi, they can be useful in conjunction with preventative measures.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively prevent and manage mushroom growth in your lawn.

anspore

How to distinguish magic mushrooms from regular mushrooms

Magic mushrooms, also known as psilocybin mushrooms, are naturally occurring psychedelic drugs that can affect all the senses, altering a person's thinking, sense of time, and emotions. They are often sought after for their hallucinogenic effects. While magic mushrooms may look similar to ordinary mushrooms, there are ways to distinguish them from regular mushrooms.

One of the most reliable methods of identification is through spore prints. To make a spore print, start by selecting a mature mushroom with a fully opened cap. Remove the stem so that the mushroom lies flat, and place it gills-down on a piece of tin foil. Cover it and wait for at least six hours. When checking the spores, look for a purplish colour ranging from dark purple to almost black. If the spore is any colour other than white, it may be toxic and should be discarded.

Another key feature of magic mushrooms is their blue bruising. While not all magic mushrooms exhibit this characteristic, it can be a good indicator of psychedelic mushrooms. Additionally, the habitat in which magic mushrooms are found can aid in identification. They tend to thrive in moist climates with ample shade, such as prairie fields, mossy forests, and places with overgrown grass. They may also be found growing in compost, on dead trees, or other plants, sometimes in circular patterns known as "fairy rings." Magic mushrooms can also be found near human habitation, close to damp wood chips.

It is important to note that magic mushrooms resemble some types of poisonous mushrooms, so proper identification is crucial. If you are unsure about the type of mushroom, it is best to avoid consuming it. Additionally, the consumption of magic mushrooms may lead to severe legal consequences in certain places, such as the United States, where they are classified as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Mushrooms: Veggies or Not?

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

Mushrooms thrive in moist, humid, and shady conditions and grow off decaying organic waste material. To prevent mushrooms from growing, fix your lawn's poor drainage, remove decaying organic matter, and trim surrounding trees and bushes to let more sunlight into your lawn area.

It is important to be in the right frame of mind and environment when taking mushrooms. Choose a safe, peaceful place to hang out, and be sure to use mushrooms with someone who is sober and can take care of you if you have a bad trip.

Avoid climbing on things, looking in the mirror, or having sex with anyone other than a familiar partner. These activities can have unexpected results. Also, refrain from driving, as your judgment and coordination may be impaired.

Pull or dig the mushrooms out of the ground, being careful to place them in a tightly sealed plastic bag to prevent spores from becoming airborne. Then, mix a few drops of dish detergent and water in a spray bottle and spray the area where you removed the mushrooms. Alternatively, use horticultural vinegar diluted with water.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment