Sarah Brown
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogens that can alter a person's sense of reality and affect their judgment. They are illegal in many places and can be dangerous. If you choose to take them, it is important to do so responsibly and safely. This includes researching the correct type of mushroom and dose, planning your trip, and being in the right frame of mind. Magic mushrooms can be eaten raw or dried, cooked, or brewed into a tea. They can also be mixed with food or made into a lemon tek for a more intense experience. The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin between 15 and 60 minutes after dosing and can last up to 12 hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to take mushrooms | Fun, spiritual, educational, creative thinking, enhanced sensations, relaxation, improved mental health |
| Risks | Illegal, unpredictable experiences, nausea, anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, death |
| Methods of consumption | Raw, dried, brewed in tea, cooked, blended with food, lemon tek, microdosing |
| Dosage | 1-2 grams of dried mushrooms, but varies by strain |
| Time to take effect | 15-120 minutes, depending on strain, dose, metabolic rate, food intake |
| Duration of effects | 4-12 hours, depending on dose |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a safe, peaceful place
When taking magic mushrooms, it's important to choose a safe, peaceful place to ensure a positive experience. Here are some things to consider when selecting a location:
Familiarity and Comfort
Opt for a familiar and comfortable setting, such as your home or a private outdoor space. Being in a familiar environment will help you feel grounded and secure during your trip. It also reduces the chances of getting lost or encountering unfamiliar people or situations that may overwhelm you while under the influence of mushrooms.
Safety and Security
Ensure that your chosen location is safe and secure. If you're at home, make sure you're with people you trust and feel comfortable around. If you decide to go outdoors, find an open space where you can feel free and unconstrained. You might want to bring a blanket, some pillows, and perhaps earphones or headphones to listen to music and create a sense of familiarity and comfort.
Social Setting
Consider whether you want to be alone or with friends during your experience. Some people prefer solo trips as they offer more opportunities for quiet reflection and introspection. However, having a trusted, sober friend or a designated trip sitter present can help prevent negative experiences and provide support if needed.
Environmental Factors
The physical environment can greatly impact your experience. Choose a clean and uncluttered space with easy access to a toilet. If you're indoors, have soft pillows and blankets around for optimal comfort. You can also set up a stereo system and play music to enhance your experience. Alternatively, if you're outdoors, find a spacious area that allows you to move around and fully absorb the effects of the mushrooms.
Remember, there is no right or wrong place to consume mushrooms. The key is to feel comfortable and secure in your chosen setting, allowing you to create a safe and positive experience.
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Understand the risks
While the use of magic mushrooms rarely results in life-threatening symptoms, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with their consumption.
The biggest risk of taking magic mushrooms is accidentally consuming poisonous mushrooms. Several types of poisonous mushrooms closely resemble psilocybin mushrooms, and even professionals sometimes mistake these mushroom types. Poisonous mushrooms can make you severely ill and can even be fatal. If you are not 100% sure that the mushrooms you have are psilocybin, do not take them. If you believe you or someone else may have eaten a poisonous mushroom, do not wait for symptoms to occur. Contact your local poisons information centre. If the person has collapsed, stopped breathing, is having a fit, or is suffering an anaphylactic reaction, immediately call an ambulance.
Another risk of taking magic mushrooms is experiencing a "bad trip". A bad trip may be frightening and may include paranoia, loss of boundaries, a distorted sense of self, and anxiety. Impaired judgment during a bad trip may lead to risk-taking behaviour, which may then lead to traumatic injuries or even death. The risk of a bad trip may increase if a person takes higher doses of psilocybin or has feelings of anxiety before taking it. The risk of a bad trip can be reduced by controlling the amount of mushroom consumed and the environment in which they are taken. Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends, and in a safe, calm, quiet, and relaxed environment can contribute to a positive experience.
Taking magic mushrooms can also lead to short-term mental and physical effects. Magic mushrooms may cause heightened emotions and senses, and people may feel happy, creative, and insightful. They may also experience a distorted sense of time, place, and reality. However, in some cases, the short-term effects of magic mushrooms may be negative. Some people who take psilocybin may experience persistent, distressing alterations to how they see the world, known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder. This condition is rare, but people with this disorder may experience flashbacks, reliving a previous experience or a traumatic recall of an intensely upsetting experience.
It is important to note that magic mushrooms are illegal in most places and should not be consumed. They are also unregulated, and there is a risk that mushrooms bought illegally may be mixed with other dangerous substances.
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Prepare for the experience
Psychedelic experiences benefit from knowledgeable and careful planning. It doesn't need to be over-the-top, but a little prep can make a trip absolutely wonderful. It is important to have a positive mindset and to be in a safe, comfortable environment. It is not advisable to take mushrooms when in a bad mood or in an unsafe, uncomfortable place. Having a sober friend around to watch over you, especially someone who has taken mushrooms before, can be beneficial. If you have never taken mushrooms before, it is recommended to start with a small dose of one gram or less. If you have eaten within a few hours before dosing, the effects may be slower to come on. This is why some people choose to fast for 4-12 hours before taking mushrooms.
It is also important to know your family history and to avoid mushrooms if there are incidences of schizophrenia or early-onset mental illness in your family. You will likely experience dissolution of the ego, or ego death, which will challenge your senses of self and identity, your connection to reality, and your place in the world. Mushroom trips are often reported to leave you feeling one with everything and connected to all of existence. It can get weird, so just hang in there. Remember you're tripping, and just go with it. Don't fight the journey, just let it happen.
Prepare everything you'll need, like water, a place to use the restroom, music, and more. Some people like to have a notebook and markers to make notes about the journey. Having a music playlist is a must for many—think tunes from the ’60s or songs you enjoy when high. TV or movies can also be great when on mushrooms. If that appeals, pick out a film with good vibes that you’ve already seen. Art, gorgeous fabric, or wallpaper are also great to stare at. Some people will only trip out in nature. Depending on where you are, it can be hard to control your environment—be ready for random hikers walking by. Also, make sure you’re in a familiar place where you won’t get lost and that you have outdoor essentials and plenty of water.
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Consume with food or drink
Consuming magic mushrooms with food or drink is a popular way to mask their bitter taste. They can be eaten raw or dried and mixed into various dishes, such as chocolate or lemon tek. However, it's important to note that consuming mushrooms on a full stomach can delay the absorption and intensify the effects. Therefore, it is recommended to have a small, nutritious meal one to two hours before consuming mushrooms.
Chocolate
Mushrooms can be mixed with chocolate to create a tasty treat. This method can be a pleasant way to consume mushrooms, but it's important to be mindful of the delayed effects, as the high may be more intense and last longer.
Tea
Brewing mushrooms into tea is a popular method that improves the taste and bypasses ingesting chitin, a compound in mushroom cell walls that can cause nausea and stomach upset. Tea may also be slightly more tasty than consuming the mushrooms directly. However, it's important to note that the effects of tea may be milder than other methods, and the onset of effects may be delayed compared to consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach.
Lemon Tek
Lemon tek is a method that utilizes lemon juice or its citric acid to convert psilocybin into psilocin before consumption, resulting in a rapid and potent uptake. This method can be too intense for some, but others may find the high more potent and enjoyable. It is recommended to start with a lower dose when trying this method for the first time. Finely grind the mushrooms, cover them with lemon juice, and let the mixture sit for around 20 minutes before consuming it.
Food and Drink Considerations
When consuming mushrooms with food or drink, it's important to consider the potential delay in onset and the intensity of effects. Consuming mushrooms on an empty stomach can significantly speed up the onset of effects and intensify the experience, as the compounds are absorbed more quickly into the bloodstream. However, this can also increase the risk of nausea and abdominal pain. Therefore, it is generally recommended to have a small meal beforehand to reduce the risk of side effects. Additionally, chewing the mushrooms thoroughly can increase the speed at which they are processed by the body.
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Identify the correct mushrooms
Identifying the correct mushrooms is a challenging task, as there are over 200 species of magic mushrooms, and many of them look very similar. It is imperative to identify the correct mushrooms because consuming the wrong type can be extremely harmful or even fatal. Here are some tips to help you identify the correct mushrooms:
- Know your source: It is essential to obtain mushrooms from a trusted and knowledgeable source. Dealing with someone you feel safe with and who understands the product they are selling is crucial.
- Visual identification: While challenging, it is possible to identify some features that distinguish magic mushrooms from other varieties. Magic mushrooms typically have a distinctive appearance, with a slimy or shiny cap, a slender stem, and gills under the cap. The colour can vary, but they are often brownish or golden. However, visual identification alone is not sufficient, as some poisonous mushrooms may resemble magic mushrooms.
- Testing services: To ensure safety, it is highly recommended to utilise drug-checking services. These services can analyse the composition and strength of your mushrooms, screening for potential contaminants and providing information about potential effects. Test strips are also an option, but they only indicate the presence of specific drugs in the sample.
- Understand the effects: Educating yourself about the typical effects of magic mushrooms can help you distinguish them from other mushrooms. Magic mushrooms often cause nausea, excessive yawning, hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nervousness, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
- Timing: The timing of the effects can also be indicative. Typically, the initial effects of magic mushrooms are felt within 20 to 40 minutes of ingestion, with the peak effects lasting around 2 to 3 hours.
Remember, the only way to completely avoid the risks associated with misidentifying mushrooms is to refrain from consuming them. The identification process can be complex and inaccurate, so it is essential to prioritise your safety and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Magic mushrooms are mushrooms that contain psilocybin and psilocin, substances that can cause hallucinations.
People typically eat mushrooms raw or dried, or mix them into food such as chocolate. They can also be brewed into tea or injected/snorted in powdered form.
The effects of mushrooms typically begin 15-60 minutes after consumption and can last 4-12 hours. Effects include hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia, nausea, and a distorted sense of time, place, and reality.
Yes, using hallucinogens is always risky. Mushrooms can cause terrifying thoughts, intense paranoia, panic attacks, and flashbacks. In rare cases, a large dose can lead to death or long-term mental health conditions.
Yes, it is important to identify the correct type of mushroom, plan your trip in advance, and be in the right frame of mind. Avoid taking mushrooms alone, mixing with other drugs, or driving under the influence.
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