Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are wild or cultivated mushrooms that contain the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. There are over 120,000 types of fungi worldwide and more than 200 species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin—the chemical that induces hallucinations. While psilocybin mushrooms in the wild can provide a ‘trippy’ experience, indoor-grown shrooms are bred to be more potent, causing users to see, hear, and feel things that are not real (hallucinations).

Psilocybin is the main psychoactive compound found in fresh and dried mushrooms responsible for hallucinogenic effects. As psilocybin undergoes metabolic conversion within the body, it transforms into psilocin and binds to serotonin receptors. Put simply, psilocybin and psilocin together are what make you trip and change your thoughts, mood, and perception.

There are over 200 types of psilocybin mushrooms worldwide. Here are some of the most popular magic mushroom types:

Here are 5 best ways to consume magic mushrooms:

1. Dried mushrooms – One of the best ways to take magic mushrooms is to simply consume them raw. Chew the shrooms thoroughly to help your stomach digest them more easily.

2. Shroom tea – Chop your desired amount of magic mushrooms and let it steep in hot water (below 70°C). Add 1-2 bags of your favourite tea and let the entire mixture steep for 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Shroom edibles – Magic mushrooms can be added to almost any food or beverage. Our favourites include pasta, pizza, and smoothies. If you have a sweet tooth, try making shroom chocolate or gummies.

4. Mushroom capsules – Grind up dried shrooms into a mushroom powder with a food processor or coffee grinder and add them to vegetable or gelatin capsules. This method is best for microdosing.

5. Lemon Tek – Grind magic mushrooms into a powder and mix with lemon juice for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can strain the shroom bits or leave it as is and drink the concoction. Lemon Tekking will bring on a faster onset and shorter mushroom trip.

On average, the onset of magic mushrooms can take between 30 and 120 minutes, depending on a few factors. This can include the mushroom dosage, mushroom strain, individual metabolic rate, amount of food in the stomach, and consumption method. If you don’t feel the shroom effects quickly enough, don’t get impatient and take more. Let the natural onset of psychedelic effects take place or you’ll find yourself headed towards a bad trip.

Magic mushroom trips can last anywhere between 3 and 6 hours, with the first 3 to 4 hours being the most intense. The duration of the whole experience will depend on your size, mushroom dose, and any other medications you may have taken. Remember to plan your day before taking psilocybin mushrooms and do not drive anywhere while tripping.

Depending on the trip you’re trying to achieve, the mushroom dosage you need can vary based on your body and tolerance.

Since everyone’s body and experience differ, psychedelic effects will vary depending on the strain and dosage. Not only that, you must also consider your weight, drug tolerance, body chemistry, stomach contents, and state of mind. All these factors can influence the onset and duration of effects.

Shroom effects may include:

Set, setting, and dose. You may have heard of the terms “set” and “setting.” Set refers to your mood, mindset, and inner beliefs, while setting refers to how comfortable you are in your surroundings or people around you. If you go into your mushroom trip with negative feelings, thoughts, or people, you’ll have a higher chance of experiencing a bad trip. Mind-altering substances will magnify any internal problems. Avoid bad shroom trips by being aware of when, where, and with whom you take magic mushrooms.
Additionally, the dose you take can also mean the difference between a good and a bad shroom trip. If you have a low tolerance and you take a higher dose, you may start to feel paranoid, anxious, scared, or overwhelmed.

For thousands of years, many cultures around the world have used magic mushrooms for their benefits. Here are some medicinal benefits of magic mushrooms in Canada:
1. Studies have shown psilocybin therapy can relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, OCD, and other mental health conditions.
2. Three controlled trials suggest magic mushrooms can manage anxiety and depression in cancer patients.
3. Magic mushrooms show promising success for smoking and alcohol addiction in an open-label pilot study.
4. Psilocybin mushrooms may help with preventing and treating cluster headaches, based on a case series of 53 self-medicating patients and survey study of 496 individuals.
5. Psilocybin therapy may increase brain connectivity and brain-wave patterns in depressed patients.
6. Magic mushrooms may increase neuronal outgrowth and neuroplasticity (learning, memory, and recovery).