Can You Smoke Shrooms?

Interest in psilocybin mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, is on the rise as people explore their potential for improving mental health and inducing mystical experiences. While a lot of people are all ears about using them, one question pops up pretty commonly: Can you smoke shrooms?

Psilocybin mushrooms have been used for centuries, especially in indigenous cultures, in religious ceremonies, as a form of healing and to alter consciousness. As that type of curiosity shifts in this day and age, some are now asking whether smoking them could provide a fast and efficient way to access their psychedelic effects. In this, we’ll answer that question, discuss the science behind psilocybin mushrooms, as well as the best and safest ways to consume them.

We’ll also debunk some myths, discuss the common methods used to consume it, and give you an idea of the effects you may experience. So, here, we touch upon the world of magic mushrooms and why smoking them isn’t the right way to experience them.

Why Do People Ask, “Can You Smoke Shrooms?

Just like cannabis or tobacco, a common misconception is that psilocybin mushrooms could be smoked to feel their desired effects. This misconception is likely the result of many psychoactive substances being smoked. Cannabis, for example, is commonly smoked in order to receive its effects rapidly. And with this precedent, it’s reasonable that people would ask if the same approach applies to magic mushrooms.

But this is where things get tricky. Whereas it makes some sense to try smoking mushrooms, how psilocybin works in our body is not the same way cannabis or tobacco does. Psilocybin, the primary compound responsible for the psychedelic effects of magic mushrooms, is affected by the method of ingestion/absorption and body metabolism.

Understanding Psilocybin: The Active Compound in Magic Mushrooms

Before we get further into why smoking doesn’t work, it’s necessary to comprehend what psilocybin is and how it impacts the physique. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in more than 180 species of mushrooms. On ingesting Psychodelic Mushroom, the body breaks down psilocybin into psilocin, the compound that interacts with the brain’s serotonin receptors, producing altered states of consciousness, visual hallucinations, and intense emotional experiences.

Unfortunately, psilocybin is heat sensitive, and high temperatures can break it down and make it ineffective. And this is where smoking shrooms starts to have a problem. Once the mushrooms are subjected to the heat generated when smoked or burned, the psilocybin breaks down and it fails to deliver the effects that people generally seek.

Why Smoking Psilocybin Mushrooms Doesn’t Work

1. Heat Degrades Psilocybin: As we said before, heat is why smoking shrooms doesn’t provide the desired high. Psilocybin starts breaking down at about 150 °C (302 °F), so it’s well within the range of smoking temperature. That means by the time you inhale the smoke, most of the active compound has been already destroyed. So smoking the mushrooms just won’t give the psychedelic experience people crave.
2. Discomfort: Not only is smoking psilocybin mushrooms ineffective but it can also be an unpleasant experience. When burned, mushrooms produce a pungent and earthy smoke that can offend the lungs. Furthermore, smoking mushrooms would technically cause the compounds within them to not be absorbed into your system, so it would ultimately be an unpleasant experience overall due to coughing, throat irritation and general discomfort.
3. No Psychoactives: Because the psilocybin gets destroyed in smoking, there’s not much problem in terms of psychoactivitiy. This would mean that you might find yourself smoking mushrooms without realizing any of the effects, which would leave anyone looking for a bit of hallucination feeling frustrated and disappointed.

Alternative Ways to Consume Psilocybin Mushrooms

Smoking isn’t an efficient method of consuming magic mushrooms, however, there are multiple tried and tested ways of getting the magic of mushrooms into your system. Here are the most common ways to use psilocybin mushrooms:

1. Eating Raw or Dried Mushrooms

Eating them straight is the easiest way to ingest magic mushrooms. They can be eaten fresh (raw) or dried. When ingested, the psilocybin is absorbed through the digestive tract and converted by the liver into psilocin. This is a key process in the initiation of the psychedelic effects.

• Dosage: For a mild to moderate psychedelic experience, common dosages of dried mushrooms are around 1 to 3 grams, but it’s always best to start small, especially if you’re new to magic mushrooms.
• Onset: Effects appear within 20 minutes to 1 hour after consumption.
• Duration: Persists for 4–6 hours on average, peaking around 2–3 hours post-consumption.

2. How to Make Psilocybin Tea

If the raw flavor of mushrooms doesn’t sit well with you at all, brewing them into a tea is a terrific alternative. Plus, it can alleviate some of the nausea that can be induced from consuming mushrooms. Your brain can absorb the psilocybin, and the tea can hit you faster than eating them raw.

• How to brew mushroom tea: Just brew dried mushrooms in hot (not boiling) water. If you want, add ginger or honey to improve the flavor.

3. Psilocybin Mushroom Capsules

Capsules are a great option for individuals interested in consuming mushrooms in a more controlled and discreet manner. You can buy psilocybin mushroom capsules that come already made or you can make your own by grinding up dried mushrooms into a fine powder and filling capsules.

• Benefits:Capsules mean you don’t have to taste the mushrooms, and they deliver an even dose.

4. Psilocybin-Infused Edibles

One of the most common ways of consuming them is making edible products like magic mushrooms edibles. The most common edible forms is chocolate, since the sweet taste can hide the earthy flavor of the mushrooms. You could bake them into treats or melt chocolate and stir in the powdered mushrooms.

5. Microdose Psilocybin Mushrooms

Microdosing refers to consuming small, sub-perceptual doses of psilocybin to boost mood, creativity, or concentration, without having a full-on psychedelic experience. In recent years, it has become popular, especially for those who seek a lift in mental health or cognition.

• Typical Microdose: 0.1 – 0.3 grams of dried mushrooms (depending on individual and tolerance)

What to Expect: The Effects of Psilocybin Mushrooms

When eaten properly, psilocybin mushrooms can propel you into a very deep and raw experience. Here’s a closer look at the phases of a typical psilocybin trip:

• Onset (20 minutes to 1 hour): You may start to notice a small shift in perception—colors seeming more bright, sounds appearing deeper, more complex. There may even be mild euphoria or a sense of calm.
• At the Peak For (2 to 3 hours) Peak: In this phase, the psychedelic experience reaches its highest intensity. You may have many vivid visual hallucinations, deep philosophical insights and a transmuted sense of time and space. Emotions may also be heightened, and many people feel a strong connection to others or the universe.
• Come-down (4 to 6 hours): When the peak subsides, but you may still notice some effects, and possibly slight mood lift or connectedness for up to maybe a few hours The come-down is typically gradual and often leaves one feeling some clarity or peace of mind.

What Are the Risks Assoicated With Psilocybin Mushrooms?

Although psilocybin mushrooms are usually safe if you use them responsibly, they come with some dangers. These include:

• Bad Trips: Although rare, some will experience unpleasant or frightening hallucinations while on their trip. A bad trip can result in anxiety, confusion or a sensation of losing control. This is why it’s such a good idea to be in a safe, comfortable environment and to start with a small dose.
• Psychological Effects: Psilocybin can change your perception of reality, and for those with a tendency toward mental health conditions, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, it could evoke or exacerbate these conditions.
• Physical Side Effects: Psychedelics in general can cause nausea, dizziness, and vomiting when consumed, and this is especially true when taking magic mushrooms in the raw. Tea drinking or edible consumption might mitigate these effects.

Key Takeaways

• Smoking psilocybin mushrooms does not work because the heat destroys the active compound, psilocybin.
• The most effective ways to consume magic mushrooms are through eating them raw or dried, brewing them into tea, or taking capsules or edibles.
• Psilocybin mushrooms can produce powerful psychedelic experiences that can last several hours, but it’s important to start with a low dose, especially for beginners.
• Safety is key: Always consume mushrooms in a safe environment and with trusted individuals. Be mindful of your mental and physical health before embarking on a psychedelic experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

Therefore, the idea of smoking magic mushrooms sounds cool, but it will not be a practical method to experience its effects. Psilocybin is destroyed by heat, which is why chewing mushrooms doesn’t provide a psychedelic experience. Avoid, and instead, focus on safe and effective methods such as eating them, brewing them in tea, or consuming them in capsule or edible form.

Like any psychedelic, psilocybin mushrooms should be approached with respect and caution. Know the risks, start with a low dose and ensure you’re in a safe, nurturing space. If you adhere to these guidelines, you too will have a positive, eye-opening trip to mushroom land.