Factors That Affect the Duration of Shrooms to Work

Editor’s note: This article is for informational purposes only. The legal status of mushrooms containing psilocybin varies by state and county. Check your local laws before possessing or consuming shrooms in any form.

Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used by indigenous cultures for thousands of years. Known today also as psychedelic mushrooms, magic mushrooms, and most commonly just shrooms, these special fungi gained prominence and notoriety in them Unites States as part of the hippie counterculture in the sixties. 

While most of the prohibited drugs in that decade were used to attain a kind of euphoria or “high,” it was reported from the earliest stages that magic mushrooms provided psychological, spiritual, and emotional benefits as well. In recent years, an increasing number of scientific studies yielding evidence about the efficacy of mushrooms in treating anxiety, migraines, and treatment-resistant depression.

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What Makes a Mushroom a Shroom?

A hallucinogenic mushroom is any mushroom that contains psilocybin, and there are countless species and varieties of these. Shrooms’ hallucinogenic effect is not caused by the psilocybin itself, but by a substance called “psilocin” that is created when the body breaks down psilocybin. The most common species used recreationally is P. Cubensis, also known as “golden halo,” “cube,” and “gold cap.” It is most commonly found growing on cow dung in the southeastern United States. 

Consuming – How to and How Much

The most common way to ingest mushrooms is by eating them after they have been dehydrated (dried), but they can also be eaten fresh and wet, or brewed into tea. There are stories of restaurants in southeast Asia that serve shroom-laced pizzas to tourists, but there is also evidence that suggests that certain dairy products can interfere with the body’s processing of psilocybin. Some places sell capsules containing mushroom powder, and shrooms can also be cooked into edibles in the same way cannabis is. The most popular form of shroom edible is probably mushroom chocolate, the history of which dates back to the Aztecs. 

Ascertaining the optimal dose can be very tricky, the amount of psilocybin in mushrooms varies between the many varieties, and even between different batches of the same variety. 1.5 to 2.5 grams can be considered a typical dose. (10 grams of wet mushrooms are roughly equivalent to 1 dry gram) A microdose is approximately 0.25 grams. Anything above 3 grams is considered to be pretty strong. To get the effect to kick in more quickly, take on an empty stomach. In this case, you should start to feel the first effects within 30 minutes, and the full effects after an hour. A full stomach will slow the body’s absorption and processing of psilocybin. Dosages vary significantly by person, by species, and even by mushroom. Generally, higher doses are best reserved for safe and quiet environments. For parties, concerts, and public areas, stick to low doses.  

Note: If you are a newcomer to psychedelics, remember that you should not take more within an hour and a half because you don’t yet “feel it.” Doing so makes it very possible to end up in a much more intense (and possibly unpleasant) hallucinogenic experience. On a similar note, it is not advisable to take more because you feel that the initial dose is wearing off. You are unlikely to get that original feeling back, and you will just end up wasting your shrooms. 

A Word on Tolerance

While magic mushrooms can be a fun and enlightening experience, there may be a desire to ingest them several times a week, or even daily. Don’t do this. Tolerance to psychedelics like shrooms can develop rapidly with repeated use. The resistance the body builds in response to any psychedelic can last up to two weeks, meaning that in that time period any mushrooms taken will have less effect. Fortunately, the body’s tolerance to psilocybin diminishes relatively quickly. Long-time shroomheads usually recommend dosing no more often than twice a month. 

Shrooms and other Substances

Many people wish to incorporate other substances, legal and not so legal, into their magic mushroom experience. The desire for potentiators of psilocybin is the driving force here. The first point to note on this topic is caution. Mixing psychoactive drugs with other compounds can increase the risks of health problems, and such combinations should be carefully considered. This caution includes taking into account all medications and/or supplements that are being currently taken. The main substances that are known to cause a strong interaction with psilocybin mushrooms are Mono-Amine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). These medications, usually prescribed to treat depression, can inhibit the body’s ability to metabolize psilocybin and can lead to overly powerful experiences. The following is a list of the most common potentiators employed:

Alcohol: Known for its relaxing effects, alcohol can often take the edge and worry away from the onset of the psychedelic effects. But it is never a good idea to get drunk and take shrooms, in the same way it is never a good idea to get drunk and do anything. 

Nicotine: The widely reported enhancement of the hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin by nicotine is not a good reason to start smoking. If you must try this route, get some nicotine gum or something.

Cannabis: If legal in your area, marijuana will almost always intensify and lengthen the mushroom experience. 

Other Psychedelics: Be careful here. While combining mushrooms with a psychedelic like LSD can allow one to enjoy the best aspects of bott drugs, it is important to pay close attention to the amounts and sources.

Lastly, the Importance of Tuning In 

Remember, it is important to create or locate a safe and comfortable environment when using mushrooms, especially at higher doses. Many users swear by the effects that music can play a significant role in enhancing the psychedelic experience. While music by the Grateful Dead may be the most obvious choice, consider ambient music, world music, or even nature sounds to achieve the most enlightening one-with-the-universe experience. So have fun and be safe!