Just like at the grocery store, mushrooms of the ‘magic’ variety come in many different shapes, colours, and sizes. The most common is Psilocybe cubensis, also known as “cubes”, “golden tops”, or simply “magic mushrooms.”

There are over 180 different species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin, the compound that makes these fungi magic. Psilocybin can comprise up to 2% of the overall weight of a dried mushroom and is named after the largest group of psychedelic mushrooms, the Psilocybe genus. The compounds were originally researched, synthesized and named by Albert Hofmann, better known as the ‘inventor’ of LSD or “acid.”

Species of magic mushrooms

The original chemistry conducted by Albert Hofmann used samples of Ps. mexicana, a magic mushroom bought from the Amazon rainforest. This particular species has a history spanning millennia, used as a sacred tool by the Nahuatl people — better known as the Aztecs. To them, it was called teonanacatl, or “flesh of the Gods.” They were consumed fresh or dried, sometimes mixed into honey or chocolate for ceremonies or feasts.

With magic mushrooms growing wild on nearly every continent, histories like these are suspected and evidenced around the world. Druidic peoples from Ireland are said to have used the “liberty cap”, or Ps. semilanceata — a species common throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They also consumed an entirely different type of magic mushroom, the iconic red and white-speckled “fly agaric” or Amanita muscaria, that shares the same northern range.

The latter — enshrined in pop-culture as the mushroom from the Mario series — can cause hallucinations and stupor but does not contain psilocybin. It contains an unrelated, psychoactive chemical that may be neurotoxic under certain conditions; these “magic mushrooms” should be avoided at all costs, except under the watchful eye of trained guides.

The many strains of Psilocybe cubensis

It wasn’t until the mid-1970s that Ps. cubensis began to amass its enduring fame. Before this time, most of the mushrooms that helped to power the counter-culture movement of the 1960s were harvested from the wild. Species like Ps. cyanescens and Ps. allenii grew readily from the wood-chips that covered flower-beds and paths within the parks of San Fransisco. 

The publication of Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide by the McKenna brothers in 1976 brought magic mushrooms — Ps. cubensis, specifically — indoors and readily cultivated in bulk. Much like cannabis, this move provoked selective breeding and the creation of unique strains and cultivars of cubensis. While the evidence isn’t yet there to support it, many claim that strains have their own distinct personality that can influence your psychedelic trip.

Strains or species, they’re all magic mushrooms

It’s relatively easy to tell species from strains: species will have “binomial” (two-part) names of Greek or Latin origin (Psilocybe cubensis, for example), while strains often have light-hearted or descriptive names like ‘Golden Teacher’ or ‘Penis Envy’. In most cases, “shrooms are shrooms” and contain psilocybin nonetheless, in relatively consistent quantities. 

As always, proceed with caution and moderate doses whenever you’re trying a new batch, strain, or species.

There aren’t very many psychedelic compounds that can be simply harvested from nature and eaten, with no further preparation. However, this usually requires months of study in the identification of mushrooms and may come with an increased risk of nausea and discomfort.

Most people encounter magic mushrooms in a bag, dried and ready to munch. While this method will definitely get you to where you want to go, there are some alternative ways to prepare mushrooms, which may change certain aspects of your psilocybin experience.

How to prepare magic mushrooms

One big thing to keep in mind is that your stomach has a massive influence over your trip, no matter how you prepare your magic mushrooms. An empty stomach (no solid food for 4-8 hours) can result in a very fast onset and intense experience, compared to eating a large meal just before the mushrooms. Some snacks or a light meal is usually suggested in the hours before eating magic mushrooms, but not required. Be sure to have some calories on-hand for “trip food” in case you get hungry.

Eat ‘em

The obvious first choice when it comes to magic mushrooms is to simply eat them. The downside is that they’re not very palatable, especially for someone who doesn’t like the flavour. The actual mushroom mass – other than the roughly 2% psilocybin by weight – may also contain some compounds that could contribute to nausea at the beginning of your psilocybin experience.

Make a mushroom tea

Psilocybin is incredibly soluble in water, unlike the oil-based and resinous extracts of cannabis. This means that the active ingredients can easily be removed from magic mushrooms with water alone. Conveniently, psilocybin also seems to be relatively stable below 100°C – the maximum temperature of boiling water.

To maximize potency, mushrooms should only be in boiling/simmering water for up to 15 minutes. This is more than enough time to complete a near-total extraction of psilocybin. The process is faster if the pieces are smaller – grinding or breaking up your mushrooms helps. Just ensure that you have a strainer that’s capable of removing the small chunks, unless you don’t mind them in your tea.

Once the psilocybin is extracted into a tea, you can add any flavourings you find appealing to make the brew most palatable. Savoury stocks like chicken or beef can almost completely mask the mushroom flavour, and ginger is helpful if you’re prone to nausea. Your favourite tea can also contribute to the start of your psilocybin experience, by promoting a calm and relaxed state of mind.

Note: Be careful mixing any other substances with psilocybin; including caffeine, cannabis, alcohol, and even lemon juice.

The “Lemon Tek”

Adding lemon – or other acidic substances like citrus or tomato – can significantly change your experience with psilocybin. While the mechanism is uncertain, it is suspected that psilocybin may be broken into psilocin under acidic conditions. For whatever reason, this produces a very intense trip that often also has a shorter duration. This method should only be considered by those with prior experience with psychedelics.

Magic mushrooms are very safe among recreational drugs when taken responsibly and in moderation. According to Adam Winstock, founder of the Global Drug Survey and consultant addiction psychiatrist, “magic mushrooms are one of the safest drugs in the world.” 

Compared to users of MDMA, LSD or cocaine; users of magic mushrooms were five times less likely to require medical attention. However, there are a few fringe cases that may create some complications when psilocybin is involved. Read on if you’re wondering “is there any reason why I can’t take magic mushrooms?”

Who can’t take magic mushrooms

A psychedelic trip is purely temporary, with no known effects on the structure or health of the brain. The only semi-permanent, physical effect on the brain is the creation of tolerance to serotonergic compounds after a psilocybin trip. If a similar dose is taken within 10 to 14 days of the first trip, a significantly reduced experience is to be expected.

• If you’ve taken magic mushrooms or other serotonergic hallucinogens (LSD, DMT) in the last 10 to 14 days, it may be best to wait. If you choose to trip again, begin with an average dose – it’s impossible to estimate an accurate, higher dose to compensate for tolerance

Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin are known as “serotonergic” or “classic” hallucinogens, chemicals that directly alter the creation, action, or elimination of the neurotransmitter serotonin. While it seems counter-intuitive, anecdotes suggest that SSRIs — Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors — inhibit the effects of psilocybin.

• If you are taking SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, TCAs or other serotonergic drugs, it is best to avoid magic mushrooms unless under the supervision of a trained therapist

Depending on the preparation method, mushrooms can also interact with acids like lemon juice and potentiators like Syrian Rue. Extra research and caution is suggested before combining Psilocybin with any other substance, even alcohol or cannabis.

• If you’re new to magic mushrooms, avoid mixing them with any other compound. Alcohol and cannabis can have intensely strong synergies with psilocybin; even things as innocuous as lemon juice can potentiate the experience

For the uninitiated, average to large doses of magic mushrooms and related compounds produce entirely new effects: a “psychedelic trip” and distortions of perception, time and space. For many, this may be their first adventure into an unknown reality, a step outside the cognition to which they’ve become accustomed.

• If you, or your family, have a history of mental illness — especially any form of psychosis — it is best to avoid psychedelics entirely. The significant shift in perspective and reality caused by magic mushrooms may provoke an initial psychotic episode. If you choose to proceed nonetheless, it should be under the guidance of a trained medical professional

These restrictions and considerations are not only for magic mushrooms, they also apply largely to nearly all recreational substances. The best tool for harm-reduction is education; while psychedelics are generally considered as safe to the vast majority of people, it’s imperative to understand potential risks before exploring.