In the Netherlands, magic mushrooms are legal in the form of truffles: we invite you to respect the laws of your country before embarking on any personal endeavor.
When it comes to psychedelics, safety is a frequently asked question. We often encounter enthusiasts who ask us, “Do you have any tips for taking shrooms safely?”.
The good news is that psilocybes are not dangerous. However, like any psychoactive substance, they can alter our perception or judgment. Knowing and understanding magic mushrooms is therefore the best way to avoid problems. So, how can you take psilocybin without fear?
What are Magic Mushrooms?
Psilocybes, or magic mushrooms, belong to a fungal family that contains a psychoactive substance called psilocybin. Sculptures, paintings, or engravings found in South America or Central Europe show that these mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in religious rituals and shamanic ceremonies around the world.
Psilocybin is a chemical compound that acts on the central nervous system by producing hallucinations, alterations in the perception of time or space, as well as changes in mood and sensory perceptions. These are the effects sought by consumers in search of psychedelic and spiritual experiences.
What does it look like?
It can be said that they are not always easy to identify and distinguish from some poisonous mushrooms! Indeed, magic mushrooms do not all have the same appearance, and it is always preferable to consult a specialist in mycology before consuming a mushroom found in the forest or in a field.
Among the most well-known, the top part of the mushroom, called the cap, is planted on a thin stem. This head, in the shape of a dome, is often darker than the rest of the specimen and ends in a kind of nipple. The color of the mushroom can range from beige to brown, or even adopt shades close to green. Some of them also have gills under the cap that contain violet spores.
What does it taste/smell like?
It’s not their gastronomic qualities that have made magic mushrooms or truffles so famous. In fact, they have a bitter and earthy taste, with a slightly rubbery texture. Their smell is a mixture of damp earth and dry mushrooms. It’s not bad… but it’s not good either!
Fortunately for taste buds, consuming magic mushrooms as part of an altered consciousness experience always involves a slight preparation to reduce the taste or smell: infusion, mixing with a fruit juice or a cooked dish.
Preparing Magic Mushrooms for Consumption
Taking magic mushrooms requires a good approach to minimize the risks of toxicity and undesirable side effects. To learn the best way to do this, it is wise to seek advice from a specialist.
The first step in cooking magic truffles or mushrooms is to dose the quantity. From one variety to another, the amount of psilocybin can vary considerably. To avoid intoxication or overdose, it is therefore better to cook specimens that are already known.
They can then be consumed raw or cooked. In either case, they must first be thoroughly rinsed with cold water to remove any dirt or impurities.
What are the Effects of Magic Mushrooms?
To understand how to consume magic mushrooms, it’s essential to get to know them well. Whether they come in the form of mushrooms or truffles, the effects are those of an intense psychedelic experience that alters the mind’s perceptions. Psilocybin acts on serotonin receptors in the brain.
The effects vary from person to person, depending on personal experiences or the phase of psychological preparation. However, visual and auditory hallucinations, feelings of euphoria and ecstasy, intensification of emotions and thoughts, and a loss of the sense of time and space are frequently reported.
Consumers describe a journey into the depths of their subconscious, with very intimate images. After this experience, psilocybin users report a better understanding of themselves and a stronger connection with nature or their fellow human beings.
In some cases, the effects of magic mushrooms can also be unpleasant, causing feelings of anxiety, paranoia, and confusion. However, this temporary alteration of the mind lasts an average of 5 to 6 hours, for a moderate dose of psilocybin.
In any case, it’s best to ingest magic mushrooms in a safe and comfortable environment, with trustworthy people, or under the supervision of a qualified professional.
Different Ways To Take Magic Truffles And Mushrooms
Magic mushrooms can be consumed in different ways. The mode of consumption essentially depends on personal preferences and desired results.
By eating it
Eating Magic Truffles or mushrooms raw is a popular choice for those who want to experience the full effects of psilocybin, the active compound responsible for the psychedelic experience. However, this option can be unpleasant due to the taste, and it also carries a higher risk of food poisoning, especially for beginners.
On the other hand, cooking the mushrooms provides a more controlled and enjoyable experience. Cooking masks the taste, reduces the risk of nausea, and slightly dampens the psychedelic effects, making it a gentler introduction to the experience. Steaming the mushrooms is a good option as it preserves the psilocybin effects while reducing the taste. They can also be sautéed as a side dish with pasta, ramen, or meat to make them more palatable.
It’s important to be mindful of the cooking temperature not to exceed 72.5°C to preserve the integrity of the psilocybin molecule.
By drinking it
For those who are sensitive to the taste, Magic Truffles can be consumed in liquid form. There are several fun ways to incorporate them into drinks and enjoy them. Mixing them with fruit juice, herbs, or soda can make the mushrooms easier to consume while adding essential vitamins.
Take Them With Tea or Mix With Juices
If you ask someone how to take mushrooms, the most likely answer will be the famous black tea with ginger and honey recipe, which is usually used during a psilocybin retreat. The truffles are infused for 20 minutes in 70°C water. Psilocybin tea alters the molecule very little, and the spicy and sweet flavors create a pleasant blend.
Another popular option is Lemon Tek, where the mushrooms are infused in lemon juice for 20 to 30 minutes, and the acid begins to break down the molecules. This beverage is reputed to speed up the onset of the psychedelic experience and intensify the sensations.
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Take Them As A Shroom Smoothie
For those who want to get more creative, Magic Mushroom smoothies offer endless possibilities. They can be mixed with various fruits like peaches, bananas, mangoes, pineapple, or even durian. The psilocybe’s fragrance can be a pleasant surprise when mixed with slightly sweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or yogurt.
By taking drops of liquid psilocybin
Taking drops of liquid psilocybin is a popular method offered by several shops, similar to CBD drops that can now be found everywhere. This is a liquid solution that contains extracts of magic mushrooms, often combined with other ingredients to improve taste or psychedelic effect.
These drops can be taken directly under the tongue or mixed with beverages for easier ingestion. However, they have the disadvantage of being sometimes difficult to dose and less natural than fresh mushrooms.
Shroom-Infused Chocolates and Other Sweets
Shroom-infused chocolates and other sweets are also becoming increasingly popular. Since the early 2000s, the Netherlands has become a major producer of space cakes. But obviously, cannabis is not the only substance that can be made into sweet treats. You can easily find many recipes for hot chocolate with psilocybin. A classic is simply to combine infused mushrooms with melted chocolate to prepare a warm and comforting drink in the heart of winter.
If you measure the quantities carefully, you can also make magic mushroom brownies, cookies, or tiramisu.
How to Safely Consume Magic Mushrooms?
Mixing : Is it dangerous to mix with other drugs?
Mixing magic mushrooms with other drugs is potentially dangerous. To avoid putting others or yourself in danger, consuming a psychedelic should always be done responsibly. Combining mushrooms with other psychoactive substances can be a practice with risks that may outweigh the benefits. In fact, unpredictable and dangerous effects can occur:
- Taking alcohol can increase the risks of nausea, vomiting, and dehydration.
- MDMA or cocaine can lead to undesirable effects such as seizures or an increase in blood pressure.
- Antidepressants such as fluoxetine may decrease the effectiveness of magic mushrooms, while monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can significantly increase the effects of magic mushrooms, potentially leading to psychotic episodes.
Mixing Shrooms with Other Foods
In most cases, mixing magic mushrooms with food is safe. However, some foods can affect the absorption and effectiveness of psilocybin.
For instance, consuming heavy or greasy foods such as burgers, pizzas, or fries a few hours before taking psilocybin can reduce its effectiveness. Therefore, it’s best to stick to light and healthy foods for at least four hours before any psychedelic experience.
Additionally, grapefruit, whether in fruit or juice form, can amplify the effects of psilocybin to uncontrollable levels. Just like grapefruit is discouraged with antidepressants, it’s best to avoid it in the days leading up to a psychedelic experience.
When Not to Consume Magic Mushrooms
There are five typical contraindications where it’s best to avoid using psychedelics:
- If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s strongly advised against consuming magic mushrooms since their effects on the fetus or the nursing baby are unknown.
- If you’re taking medication for depression, heart or kidney failure, or high blood pressure, it’s generally best to seek medical advice if you’re on any chronic treatment.
- If you have a personal or family history of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or dissociative disorder or if you’re prone to anxiety or paranoia.
- If you’re in an unsuitable environment such as being around people you don’t trust, feeling stressed, or exhausted.
- If you need to drive in the hours following the experience.
Furthermore, it’s best to avoid taking mushrooms at night since the experience is more likely to be distressing than during the day.
How often can you take shrooms?
It’s hard to say. Some enthusiasts consume them regularly. However, studies have suggested that repeated use of magic mushrooms could cause tolerance, which means increasing the magic truffles dosage to achieve the same effect.
For occasional users seeking a boost or a moment of self-discovery, one or two doses may suffice. In any case, it’s best to be cautious and limit consumption with a minimum interval of 4 to 6 months between doses.
Addiction
Can you get addicted?
According to studies on the subject, truffles or magic mushrooms do not create or only minimally create physical dependence, unlike more potent drugs such as heroin or cocaine.
However, frequent use can lead to a form of psychological dependence due to the desire to prolong or repeat their effects.
The law
Laws vary greatly by country. In most countries, the use, sale, or possession of psilocybin mushrooms is completely prohibited.
- United States: national law completely prohibits psilocybin mushrooms. However, some states (Oregon, Colorado, and California) allow their medical or recreational use.
- Netherlands: magic mushrooms are prohibited, but truffles are completely legal.
- Germany, Belgium, Russia, and Switzerland: magic mushrooms and truffles are prohibited for consumption, possession, and sale.
- France: they are prohibited in all forms, including picking them.
- Spain: it is legal to cultivate and possess magic mushrooms, but their sale is illegal.
What to do in an emergency:
In case of an emergency, the first thing to do is to remain calm.
If someone you know is experiencing severe symptoms such as high anxiety, hallucinations or convulsions, start by hydrating them and reassuring them. Then, call emergency services or a doctor. If possible, collect a sample of the mushrooms or truffles that were consumed and hand them over to the healthcare professionals in charge of the patient.
Frequently Asked Questions about taking magic mushrooms safely:
How to take shrooms for the first time?
The three basic rules for taking magic mushrooms for the first time are trust, preparation, and responsibility.
The ideal environment for a first psychedelic experience is a quiet place, with friends or professionals who have not consumed the product. Their presence will help to avoid reckless behavior or dangerous situations and reassure the consumer if they feel any form of anxiety. The key is not to do it under pressure or social mimicry.
Additionally, it’s best to rest and have a light meal without alcohol 1-2 hours before taking mushrooms to minimize the risk of adverse effects.
As with any new experience, there’s no shame in being cautious, or even deciding not to partake. In any case, one should think about their body and start with a small dose, which will always be better tolerated.
Are shrooms dangerous?
This is the big question. Magic mushrooms should be approached with caution and responsibility. While they can offer wonderful and profound experiences for most people, they’re not without risks.
In the most extreme cases, an overdose can lead to psychotic states and reckless behavior. Always research appropriate doses and take necessary precautions to minimize risk.
In this regard, psychedelic retreats have qualified staff that provides supervision and quality products, making for safer and more effective psychedelic journeys.
Can you die from eating shrooms?
It’s possible to die from consuming anything on earth, including magic mushrooms. Fortunately, this is rare.
In truth, the risks are related to accidents under the influence rather than direct ingestion. Under the influence of mushrooms, people can lose their sense of danger and do dangerous things or driving under the influence.
Can I smoke shrooms?
It’s better to avoid smoking shrooms because the combustion destroys a large portion of psilocybin, which is no longer effective. Furthermore, smoking mushrooms can cause respiratory tract irritations, nausea, or headaches.
Can you do shrooms two days in a row?
No, taking shrooms two days in a row can have different and unpredictable effects, even if the dose is the same. The body needs time to recover. In addition, taking them too frequently can increase the risk of developing a tolerance to shrooms and make their consumption less effective.
Does orange juice enhance mushroom trip?
There are rumors circulating about the potential effects of orange juice. Some people say it can enhance the trip. However, there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence to support this claim.
Should I eat before taking shrooms?
This is a common question: should I eat before or not? It’s recommended not to take magic mushrooms on a full stomach because it can hinder their absorption in the stomach. Therefore, it’s best to eat lightly before taking magic mushrooms, avoiding greasy or heavy foods.
How many grams of mushrooms should I take?
It varies. The dosage depends on weight, individual tolerance, and experience with psychedelics. It’s advisable to start with a light dose, usually between 0.5 and 1.5 grams for a first trip.
For more experienced individuals, it’s possible to increase the dose up to 3.5 grams or more. In this case, it’s always best to be accompanied by a trusted person.
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