Psilocybin mushrooms, aka “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms”, are mushrooms (fungi) that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. There are almost 200 known species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin or its derivative psilocin. Magic mushrooms have a long history of use in Central American spiritual and religious rituals and are one of the most popular recreational psychedelics in Canada and throughout the world. Magic mushrooms have been used in therapeutic settings to treat a variety of conditions and disorders including cluster headaches, OCD, anxiety, depression and addiction.
How can Magic Mushrooms (Shrooms) be consumed?
There are a few different ways you can consume magic mushrooms. Shrooms can be ingested in their whole form and they are usually dried. Drying them preserves them for a very long time. Depending on how they are stored, they can last as long as 1 to 2 years when dried. Light, temperature and air can all affect the shelf life of dried mushrooms and their potency. Some people enjoy the taste of magic mushrooms and other people don’t, it’s just a personal preference. An alternative and popular method of consuming shrooms is in capsule form. Shroom capsules are very convenient, already precisely dosed and don’t have any taste. Another method of consumption is to brew magic mushroom tea. Some people like to grind up their shrooms into a fine powder (using a coffee grinder) and then brew into a tasty hot chocolate or mix into Nutella or nut butters.
Some people like to grind up their shrooms into a fine powder (using a coffee grinder) and then brew into a tasty hot chocolate or mix into Nutella or nut butters.
What are the effects of shrooms? What can you expect after consuming Magic Mushrooms?
A typical trip (voyage) on a moderate dose of magic mushrooms (1 to 2.5 grams) includes increased intensity of emotional experiences, increased introspection, and altered psychological functioning in the form of “hypnagogic experiences” , which is a transitory state between wakefulness and sleep. Brain imaging studies show that a magic mushroom trip is neurologically similar to dreaming. Perceptual changes such as illusions, synesthesia, emotional shifts and a distorted sense of time are all characteristic of a magic mushroom trip as well. These effects are typically felt an hour or so after orally ingesting a dose (and last for around 4 to 6 hours).
First, you will begin to notice changes in your visual perception, such as halos around lights and objects, and geometric patterns when your eyes are closed. Your thoughts and emotions will also begin to change. It’s not uncommon to have a sense of openness to thoughts and feelings that you tend to avoid in your everyday life. A sense of wonder and delight with the world around you, the people in your life, and your thoughts is also quite common, along with a sense of peace and connection with the world.
You may experience strong emotions, both good and bad. Try not to resist these feelings, but rather let them run their course. Many who do report strong negative emotions also report a simultaneous sense of calm acceptance and detachment, especially if they remind themselves that the emotions are temporary.