5. Infused Meals
Infusing psychedelic mushrooms into food is another growing trend in the culinary world. Some chefs and home cooks have begun to experiment with incorporating these mushrooms into their dishes as a way to create unique and mind-altering culinary experiences. The process of infusing psychedelic mushrooms into food is relatively straightforward, involving either grinding dried mushrooms into a fine powder or steeping fresh mushrooms in hot water before incorporating them into dishes.
The resulting dishes can range from savory to sweet and can be any type of food you want – making for an enjoyable consuming experience. If the taste of mushrooms is not for you, masking it through these different forms can be an excellent option.
6. Grow Your Own
Growing your own mushrooms is also an excellent option. The growing process can be daunting for beginners, which is why Third Wave helps you by providing guidance and the right equipment in their mushroom grow kits. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced cultivator, these growing kits are convenient and practical when beginning your mushroom growing journey.
Third Wave’s grow kits come with everything you need to grow mushrooms successfully – including a growth medium, mycelium, and step-by-step instructions. The cultivation process involves a three-phase process alongside a comprehensive mushroom-growing course to guide you through each step. Once you begin the process, you can forage your own mushrooms in as soon as 4-6 weeks.
Start growing
What to Know Before Buying Magic Mushrooms
Like anything we plan to put in our bodies, there are things you should know before consumption. If you are wondering how to navigate buying magic mushrooms to experiment with, we got you!
Keep reading for some things to keep in mind.
Be Aware of Scams
You should ask yourself if the website feels legitimate. Does the site describe the vendor’s quality control methods? Does it include “about” pages that feature a contact form or alternative methods of contact? Here, again, some advanced research pays off. Consider reading reviews from a number of forums or checking with contacts on Facebook groups. Don’t buy from Instagram or Facebook vendors unless they have a proper website!
Similarly, don’t be afraid to contact the vendor directly and ask for details about how they maintain quality control, the cleanliness protocol for their laboratory, whether they regularly plate their spores on agar to ensure clean prints, and germination rates (high germination rates are the goal, of course). A professional company will be more than happy to answer your questions and provide information. If they are slow to respond or vague about their processes, consider somewhere else before clicking “check out” on your shopping cart.
The same questions apply to purchasing mushrooms if you decide to go that route. What strains do they grow? What are the growing conditions? You should also ask what they use for substrate and what drying process they use for the mushrooms. A good vendor will be happy to answer these questions.
Understand the Legality of Psilocybin Mushrooms
If you plan to search for “spores for microscopy/research purposes” online when looking for spores to cultivate a Psilocybe species, you should consider if the request is a legal one.
The answer typically depends on the correct interpretation of your country’s law regarding psilocybin. If those laws mention only the compound (e.g., psilocybin or psilocin), spores are more likely to be considered legal than if the laws explicitly mention the genus and parts of the organism that are prohibited.
In some cases, intent also matters. For instance, while it may be perfectly legal to be in possession of spores in many countries, as soon as the spores are germinated, the resulting hyphae may be considered illegal by virtue of the fact that the mycelium produces psilocybin.
Many countries over the years have closed loopholes that previously enabled the sale of mushrooms as distinct from pure psilocybin or psilocin. Countries like the UK and the Netherlands, where fresh mushrooms were available in cafés and shops, have now rewritten the laws to cover the mushrooms themselves.
Thanks to the growing evidence on how beneficial psilocybin can be for a variety of health issues, changes in legislation may ultimately follow the same trajectory as THC, CBD, and other cannabis products. Until that time comes, though, you should understand the laws that prevail where you live. Here’s a quick overview of some of the current legislative rules:
US
In the United States, psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule 1 drugs [1], making possession of psilocybin-containing mushrooms illegal. Spores do not contain psilocybin or psilocin, which means they are legal to trade or sell in most US states. Spores are illegal in Georgia [2], Idaho [3], and California [4].
The sale of spores for the purpose of growing hallucinogenic mushrooms is illegal. The cultivation of hallucinogenic mushrooms is considered the manufacture of a Schedule 1 substance; therefore, it is illegal as soon as you germinate the spores.
In Louisiana, through the Louisiana State Act 159, growing, selling, or possessing Psilocybe spp. and Conocybe spp. are prohibited [5].
Decriminalization in the US
Decriminalization is not the same as legalization. Decriminalization is when something is no longer considered a crime and includes removing criminal penalties. In the context of psychoactives, such as cannabis or psilocybin, this simply means you can grow or be in possession of these substances for personal use without facing criminal penalties. Civil penalties, however, may still exist.
The US cities Denver, Colorado [6], Oakland, California [7], Santa Cruz, California [8], and Ann Arbor, Michigan [9] have decriminalized psilocybin and psilocin. Keep in mind the state of California criminalizes the sale of spores of Psilocybe spp.
The state of Oregon voted in an initiative on November 3, 2020 to legalize psilocybin for mental health treatment at licensed centers and decriminalize the possession of small amounts of all drugs [10]. Washington, D.C. passed an initiative to decriminalize the cultivation and possession of “entheogenic plants and fungi” on the same day[11].
In 2021, the City Councils of Somerville, Northampton, and Cambridge, Massachusetts [12] voted for decriminalization. California is currently in the process of reviewing bill SB-519, which would decriminalize many psychedelics, including psilocybin.
Canada
In Canada, both dry and fresh psilocybin-containing mushrooms are illegal. As in the US, purchasing spores with the intent to cultivate is illegal, but buying spores for research and collection purposes is allowed. Most mushroom spores in Canada are sold over the internet as spore prints or in spore syringes. Mushroom grow kits are legal and sold openly on the internet.
Psilocybin and psilocin are classified as Schedule III under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act [13] and illegal to possess, obtain, or produce without a prescription or license. Online dispensaries exist that openly sell microdoses to Canadian patients with medical prescriptions [14]. Police tolerate the activity, stating that they focus instead on pursuing harmful criminal drug activities.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands, psilocybin-containing fungi are legal as “magic truffles”. The outlawing of psychoactive mushrooms permits truffles, as they are mycelium, not “mushrooms”, through a legal loophole. Magic truffles are sold in smart shops throughout the country, and as of September 2019, they are fully taxed and legalized [15].
Both dry and fresh psychoactive mushrooms were available from Dutch cafés, but the possession of dried magic mushrooms was criminalized in 2005 and fresh mushrooms in 2008. Possession of minor amounts (less than 0.5g dried or 5g fresh) is allowed and will not lead to a criminal charge [16].
The UK
In the UK, psilocybin-containing fungi are listed as a Class A drug, making the possession, cultivation, use, and supply of psilocybin-containing mushrooms illegal. This includes both fresh and “prepared” mushrooms–e.g., mushrooms that have been dried, cooked, or made into a tea.
Before implementing the Drug Act 2005 [17], fresh mushrooms had been widely available, including sales in shops. Section 21 of the Act now makes these an illegal product.
Spores do not contain psilocybin and are therefore not regulated under the Act.
Australia
In Australia, psilocybin and psilocin are listed as Schedule 9 drugs, making the possession, cultivation, use, and supply of psilocybin-containing mushrooms illegal. Australia is geographically isolated, and access to spores is limited; therefore, importation is quite common. This is at the risk of the individual, as spores are classed as an illegal import.
At a federal level, Psilocybe spores are quarantine prohibited via the Australian Criminal Code Regulations 2002. The whole genus, Psilocybe, is listed in the Criminal Code Regulations 2002 Schedule 5E ‘Border Controlled Plants’, part 7 stating, “Any plant of the species Psilocybe”. This is entirely unambiguous. All parts of the organism are covered regardless of drug content.
Psilocybe spores are also customs prohibited through the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956. The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations Act 1956, schedule 4, part 214 states, “Psilocybine, including all fungi that contain psilocybine”. Any plants (or parts of plants, including seeds), fungi (or parts of fungi), and plant products that are prohibited under the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 that biosecurity officers find will be referred to the Australian Customs Service. Therefore, importation of any part of the plant, including parts that do not contain psilocybin, is deemed illegal.
Within Australia, the state laws are more ambiguous, and spores sit in a grey area because they do not contain any psilocybin or psilocin. Spores are often sourced through connecting with someone who knows someone. Many online forums and Facebook groups facilitate communication with those who trade or may be willing to sell spores.
