How does the experience of dried mushrooms stack up against other psychedelic substances?

Have you heard about dried shrooms and thought about trying them out? Dried shrooms are among the most sought-after psychedelics in today’s market. However, you might be unsure whether they are the right choice for you. 

First-time users often find it challenging to decide which psychedelic substance to begin with. This guide will clarify how dried mushrooms distinguish themselves from other psychedelic substances, and why they could be an excellent choice for your initial psychedelic experience.

Key Points to Remember:

• Psilocybe’s active compound is extensively studied for mental health due to its safety, low potential for misuse, and brief effects.
• The most common form is dehydrated Psilocybe, which retains potency and extends shelf life.
• Psilocybin triggers the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, leading to heightened perception, vivid imagery, complex hallucinations, and time distortions.

Psilocybin Mushrooms: An Exploration of Psychedelic Fungi

Psilocybin mushrooms contain the psychoactive substances, psilocybin and psilocin, responsible for the hallucinogenic effects users experience. The best-known species—Psilocybe cubensis—has a light brown cap with dark spots and a distinctive shape. Several other species in the Psilocybe genus also produce these compounds.

We strongly advise against picking shrooms due to the existence of certain toxic mushrooms that mimic Psilocybe’s appearance and contain harmful toxins.

In the past, many mushrooms played a central role in Central American spiritual rituals. Presently, their potential for treating mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, is under investigation.

Preparation and Preservation: The Dried Form

Dried Psilocybe is the most commonly available form. Dehydration is key to preserving potency and extending shelf life. Fresh mushrooms are usually dried using a food dehydrator or simply left on a wire rack in a cool, dry area. 

This process is crucial for removing excess

Drying magic mushrooms helps to prevent the growth of mould and the degradation of their active compounds, thus preserving their use for the future.

Follow this step-by-step guide to successfully dry and store magic mushrooms:

1. Use a suitable food dehydrator or wire rack to thoroughly dry the mushrooms.
2. Keep the mushrooms in airtight containers to maintain their potency and protect them from excess moisture.
3. Store them in a cool, dry place to ensure the preservation of their psychoactive properties.
4. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight to prevent degradation.
5. Regularly inspect for mould or dark spots which are indications of spoilage.

Comparing Psilocybe Cubensis with Other Psychedelics

In addition to dried mushroom products, there are other types of psychedelic products available online. These vary in their effects on the body and can be consumed in several ways. Some of these substances are considered classic hallucinogens, similar to psilocybin.

Grasping Your Body’s Response: What Happens?

The operational mechanisms of each substance are theoretical and based on observed outcomes. These theories provide a glimpse into how these substances may generate their effects, but they do not offer an absolute understanding of the underlying processes involved.

• Psilocybin: Easily stimulates the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, resulting in enhanced perception, elaborate imagery, complex hallucinations, and temporal distortions. It also induces changes in thalamic gating and elevates prefrontal cortex activity.
• DMT: Its interaction with serotonin receptors is only a fraction of its overall impact, the entirety of which remains ambiguous. Although the serotonin receptor is vital, it cannot fully account for all the effects of DMT.
• LSD: It functions in the serotonergic system in the Dorsal Raphe, acting as a partial agonist on the 5-HT2A receptor and a full agonist on the 5-HT1A receptor.
• MDMA: It instigates an immediate feeling of happiness by enhancing the release of dopamine and serotonin.
• Ketamine: Its exact mode of action remains indeterminate. Its antidepressant effect may be caused by blocking NMDA receptors on neurons, although selective inhibition of NMDA receptors on GABAergic interneurons and suppression of AMPA receptors may also contribute.

What Can Psychedelic Mushrooms Do to You?

The mental and physical reactions can vary significantly based on dosage, environment, and the user’s mental condition. Typical experiences associated with the use of psychedelic mushrooms include:

• Visual and Auditory Hallucinations: Users may visualize patterns, colors, and shapes that do not exist in the real world.
• Distorted Sense of Time: Time may appear to either slow down or speed up.
• Altered Perception: Sensory experiences can be intensified or distorted.
• Emotional Fluctuations: A wide range of emotions, from happiness to anxiety.
• Spiritual Revelations: Encounters of a spiritual or mystical nature.
• Physical Effects: These can include an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, or feelings of nausea.

When used responsibly, this substance is considered safe. However, without proper preparation, some users may have uncomfortable experiences. Experienced users might find larger doses beneficial, but beginners consuming high quantities may experience a “bad trip.”

Controlling your experience with this substance is straightforward. Choose a calm, quiet place and have a sober “trip guide” to assist you. 

A Preferred Choice Over Other Substances

Due to their long shelf life and easy dosage, dried shrooms are often the preferred choice for medical professionals. They offer a shorter and more manageable intensity, making them suitable for novices to psychedelic therapy. They are more natural than other synthetic hallucinogens, barring DMT.

Comparing the benefits of different compounds can be challenging, as many clinical trials show similar results, especially between LSD and psilocybin. The most extensively studied psychedelic for mental health issues is psilocybin, primarily due to its excellent safety record, low risk of addiction, and brief perceptual trips.

Health Advantages

• This organic compound can help to reduce “cognitive rigidity,” minimize self-defeating thoughts, and encourage self-compassion. 
• A study in 2022 found that a single 25 mg dose lessened depression scores in individuals with treatment-resistant depression. A 2023 study reported significant and enduring reductions in depressive symptoms with the combined use of regulated substances and psychotherapy.
• A 2022 clinical trial showed that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy significantly cut down the number of heavy drinking days over eight months compared to a placebo.
• A 2017 study published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse revealed that two to three doses combined with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) enabled 10 out of 15 participants to quit smoking for a year.
• A 2022 pilot study published in Biological Psychiatry found that after a single dose of shroom with psychotherapy, four out of five anorexic patients reported an improvement in their eating disorder symptoms. Two of them also noted a reduction in anxiety.
1. Preparation Phase: This initial stage may involve one or more sessions, each lasting between 1-6 hours, with a facilitator. During these sessions, your concerns will be addressed, your goals will be defined, and your expectations will be clearly outlined. The aim is to build trust and create a safe environment.
2. Dosing Phase: This phase endures for 5-8 hours. During this period, you will lie down with an eye mask on, while listening to a pre-set playlist. A therapist will accompany you throughout the entire experience.
3. Integration Phase: This final stage includes follow-up meetings designed to help you understand and internalize your experience. These sessions, spread over a number of meetings, each extend for several hours.

Is it more economical to buy shroom products compared to other substances?

When compared to LSD products, dried mushrooms are considerably cheaper. For example, 3.5 grams typically cost around $20. In contrast, the cost of LSD in gel tabs varies dependent on the dosage. For instance, six tabs with a strength of 100 micrograms each might cost somewhere in the region of $90.