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The need for people to expand their perception of reality is a tale as old as time. Magic mushrooms have been used extensively by ancient civilizations as portals to higher planes of existence. It is not a coincidence that people used mushrooms as parts of rituals and ceremonies: they knew that psychedelics should be treated with respect.
Respect to the power of psychoactive substances is rule #0 of taking magic mushrooms (or any other drug). A mushroom trip can lead you to a breakthrough moment of epiphany if approached with caution. In this article, we will share some handy mushroom trip tips to prepare you for an unforgettable experience with psilocybin truffles.
Psilocybin and psilocin are the main two psychedelic compounds found in magic mushrooms. These compounds literally are the “magic” part of magic mushrooms. Although psilocin is found in smaller amounts within the mushroom itself, it is what is mostly absorbed by our bodies. Other mildly psychoactive substances in shrooms like baeocystin play a role in your experience. However, it is psilocybin and psilocin that determine their potency.
Psilocybin and psilocin are known for activating certain serotonin receptors throughout the brain and body. They are what is scientifically called “partial or full agonists.” For example, our beloved THC is an antagonist to non-psychoactive CBD, meaning one negates the other.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is commonly associated with feelings of well-being and happiness. In reality, its actual function is much more complicated and involves numerous psychological processes. But since this isn’t a medical journal, it’s enough to say that psilocybin and psilocin have a similar chemical structure with serotonin and their effects usually involve a sense of contentment and comfort. Read more on the effects of magic mushrooms below!
If we had to explain the effects of tripping with shrooms to someone who has never done it, we would describe it as a mild LSD or acid trip. Much like the substances mentioned above, magic mushrooms will not cause hallucinations at average doses.
Think of the highest you’ve ever been with weed; that’s the feeling you’ll get when you consume a “normal” amount of shrooms. At this stage, you are far from losing your grip on reality, but things will certainly start spicing up: you will realize the shrooms are kicking in as you’ll slowly start to feel more light-headed. Intense euphoria and talkativeness will follow, while colours will look more saturated and “alive.” Seeing “patterns” and movement in still objects is a perfectly normal effect of shroom consumption.
At this point, it is important to observe your senses. Play your favourite song and listen to it: you’ll discover hidden dimensions and details, as your sense of hearing will become more acute. Eat your favorite food and notice how tastes change in your mouth. Close your eyes and be amazed at the intense mandala-like patterns unfolding before your very eyes.
The sensory overload that will hit you is just the precursor to the main bit of a shroom high. Novice users will notice a surprising flow of thoughts and words -or even productivity. Sentences will leave your mouth effortlessly, and you will experience a profound sense of clear-headedness. At this stage, let yourself be free and observe yourself without judgment.
We have talked about the effects of an average-dosage mushroom trip. But what exactly is a “normal” amount of psilocybin? As is the case with all substances, more experienced users will have built a tolerance and will require more to reach a potent effect. The guidelines below are a good indication for rookie and average shroomers that are now discovering the world of entheogens.
The quantity advice below are intent for Psilocybe Cubensis mushrooms only!
Newbies: The threshold dose (0.25 - 1gr)
On average, you will need about 0.25gr of dried psilocybin mushrooms to feel minimal effects. This is called the “threshold dose,” and it is a perfect way to control your actual intake. The trick here is to take this amount, see how you feel and then keep adding incrementally (max 1 gram for newbies). At this stage, you might experience some light effects or mild nausea. Don’t be alarmed, as it will pass within a few minutes.
Average: The standard dose (1gr - 3gr)
Generally speaking, 1-3 grams of psilocybin mushrooms is the sweet spot for most people. Again, each individual has a different body and experiences may vary depending on your sensitivity. If the threshold dosage did nothing for you, keep chewing more mushrooms (but stop at around 2 grams).
After you reach 1.5 grams, you will surely notice some of the most profound effects of mushroom tripping. Increased heart rate, visual distortion, and a potent cerebral buzz are typical. It is also normal to feel a deep sense of euphoria and contentment, as described above.
High: The shaman’s dose (3gr - 6gr)
It is not recommended to reach this step unless you have already delved with smaller doses. Anything above 3.5 grams is where the real psychedelic experience starts. In case you are not familiar with how your body functions under these circumstances, this can easily lead to a bad trip. Although mushroom overdoses are relatively safe and won’t lead to any permanent damage, they can ruin an evening. If you have ingested more mushrooms than you can handle, prepare for intense nausea and panic attacks.
The effects described above are what happens when you consume a low-to-average dose of shrooms. For most users, this is the perfect balance between entheogenic effects and staying in control. However, if you want to experiment with “flying higher,” you’ll need to be sure you are safe.
Not every person has the same tolerance level. Seriously, this phrase should be common sense for all psychoactive drugs. The first step towards an awesome mushroom trip should be to learn what works for you and you alone. Start small; see how you feel and increase the amount incrementally.
While it is possible, it is not wise to aim for a deep dive into the pits of your brain if you don’t know what you’ll find. Hallucinating is a life-altering experience, but, as we said in the beginning, it should be treated with respect. Therefore, finding the right dosage is our first mushroom trip tip (see the section above).
The legendary substance experimenter and writer Dr Timothy Leary used this phrase to describe the context for the use of psychedelics drugs. In his book "Programmed Communication During Experiences With DMT”. Leary describes the critical role that the user’s mindset (set) and environment (setting) play in a smooth psychedelic experience. In other words, set represents your mental state while setting represents the environment you are in. Dr Leary suggests that your mind should be clear of negative thoughts and that you should only consume psychedelics in an environment you feel comfortable in.
All psychoactive drugs have the potential to magnify your thoughts, whether they are negative or positive. So, if you feel stressful, panicked or fearful, psilocybin is not going to work as intended. It is essential to be around people you trust in a place you know. Like all psychedelics, psilocybin is merely the key that unlocks your subconscious. It is your job not to have any skeletons in the closet! So, make sure you are in an environment you feel comfortable, with people that you trust
The reason for this is two-fold. First of all, psilocybin gets absorbed quicker on an empty stomach. Second, you radically minimize the chances of feeling nauseous at the start of your trip. Four hours is the ideal minimum for the best effects. Avoid using shrooms if you’ve had a heavy meal in the day. On the other hand, it is a great idea to stock up on fruit juices and light snacks to consume during the trip.
This one should go without saying, but it’s definitely worth mentioning: do not, under any circumstances, combine a mushroom trip with other psychoactive drugs. Except for a mild weed strain to help you with possible nausea, all other drugs should be avoided.
As we said above, few things are as necessary before a mushroom trip as feeling comfortable with your surroundings and company. Same goes for your clothes as well: make sure you have dressed appropriately for your environment. A warm jumper is a must during summer festival nights, while your favourite snuggly pyjamas might be the best attire if you’re tripping at home. Also, if you’re planning on tripping outside, don’t wear anything that you’ll regret getting damaged beyond repair.
Much like a baby sitter, a trip sitter is a sober adult who oversees the whole trip from start to finish. This individual will make sure that nobody does anything stupid and will provide assistance to anyone who freaks out. In an ideal world, the trip-sitter will be experienced in the world of psychedelics, so they know what to do in emergency tripping situations.
Much like any substance in existence, magic mushrooms are not the solution to any of life’s problems. You are most welcome to use them as you see fit: having fun with your friends, watching a movie or just microdosing to enhance your everyday life. However, it is good to keep in mind that ancient civilizations have used entheogenic mushrooms as something much more powerful. Studies are showing that psilocybin mushrooms have therapeutic properties and can be an excellent solution for people suffering from disorders such as OCD, depression or PTSD. Treating magic mushrooms as medicine will help you develop a more meaningful relationship with it and understand their mind-expanding possibilities.
Upon ingesting, you should wait around 60 minutes to feel any effects. During this time, do not consume more than your intended dosage. Soon, a sensation of euphoria and emotional exuberance will flow through your body (provided you are already feeling well). It is essential to understand that everything you feel is acceptable. Do not judge yourself for it and embrace whatever feelings come your way. If a negative feeling persists, try to find a positive angle. Your mind can be controlled, and psilocybin can help you pilot it precisely the way you want. If you treat a mushroom trip like an introspection instead of just another drug (which is also completely fine), you will discover new ways of approaching solutions to problems in your life. Allow your mind to wander, but remain firmly in control when negative thoughts appear.
When the effects start wearing down after 3-5 hours, drink some fresh fruit juice, eat a light snack and let yourself rest. In the following day, you will likely feel light-headed, but the afterglow from your experience will also be notable. If you did everything correctly will notice a significant mood improvement and an overall more positive outlook towards life. Many of the studies we link to in this article, clearly state that psilocybin mushrooms have shown to reduce anxiety and depression. Even a single experience might be enough for the following months unlock parts of your brain you never knew existed.
Even though psilocybin mushrooms are a Schedule I drug by the DEA, they are not in any way addictive or harmful. Of course, you can overdose on psilocybin, but the worst-case scenario effects are heavy nausea, vomiting or dry heaving. Plainly speaking, you would need to eat a kilo of mushrooms at once to put your life at risk.
Also, it is tough for psilocybin mushrooms to make you lose your grip on reality. That being said, if you have a history of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, it is advisable not to use magic mushrooms. Although psilocybin is generally harmless, it can worsen mental conditions or trigger other disorders that might lie dormant in the brain. In any case, if you have reason to worry, ask your therapist before experimenting with psilocybin. However, psilocybin is the safest option among psychedelics, compared to LSD (acid).
Ultimately, your magic mushroom trip experience will be heavily influenced by what you want out of it. Do you want to have fun with your friends while camping in the woods? That’s fine. Do you want to trip while listening to your favourite artist? Also fine. Do you want to use them as a portal to access hidden dimensions of your mind? Psilocybin is your friend. As long as you treat it with respect and follow our magic mushroom trip tips, you will have a fantastic experience with magic truffles. Take a look at our selection of powerful magic truffles and start experiencing the awe-inspiring effects of psilocybin. Have fun and stay safe!
