Mushrooms have become phenomenally popular in recent years, and with legislation catching up, they’re becoming increasingly more accepted. If you have taken an interest in mushrooms, whether it be microdosing or attending a mushroom retreat, then you might wonder how best to consume them.
Since the traditional form factor of magic mushrooms is this bone-dry crisp, it seems logical to assume that you might be able to grind it up and smoke it. After all, there are plenty of other plant medicines that have versatile consumption methods. If you’re asking, “Can you smoke shrooms?” you wouldn’t be the first.
Before we can give an exact yes or no answer to this question, we should first examine how the body processes psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. Then, we’ll get to the brass tacks of whether you should spark up a shroom doobie, or stick to the old-fashioned method of eating dried shrooms.
How Does Psilocybin Work?
Psilocybin is the superstar compound found in magic mushrooms. Think of it as the raw material waiting to unleash its full potential. While psilocybin is interesting, it’s not the one responsible for that awe-inspiring trip. It’s like a key waiting for the right lock. The real magic happens when psilocybin meets an enzyme called alkaline phosphatase. This enzyme is like the keymaker, transforming psilocybin into psilocin.
Psilocin is the compound that takes you on a wild ride through your own consciousness. Once psilocin is on the scene, your brain activity increases, and your senses begin to alter. Psilocin has a special affinity for serotonin receptors, and serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in regulating mood, emotions, and perception.
When psilocin and serotonin receptors start their dance, your perceptions can shift, colors might become more vivid, and the boundaries between you and the world around you may blur. Some people even report feeling a deep sense of connection with the universe. This altered state of consciousness is what we call a “trip.” It can be wildly exhilarating, incredibly introspective, or a mix of both. The intensity and nature of your trip can vary from person to person.
What Happens When You Smoke Shrooms
Let’s relate this concept to cannabis. Eating raw cannabis doesn’t do much by way of getting you high. You have to spark a flame to decarboxylate the herb, which activates the raw THCa and turns it into the active ingredient–THC.
Now, in this comparison, you might be thinking that psilocybin behaves like THCa, requiring some kind of heat to turn it into psilocin. While that seems logical, it’s actually the opposite reaction. Just as eating raw weed doesn’t turn THCa into THC, smoking shrooms doesn’t turn psilocybin into psilocin. To engage the alkaline phosphatase, psilocybin needs to be digested. That is when the enzyme can break down the cell walls of the psilocybin and convert it to psilocin, sending you on an epic journey.
Can You Smoke Shrooms and Get High
To more clearly answer this question, the answer is a resounding no. In fact, smoking shrooms not only wouldn’t get you high, but it might have some less-than-pleasant side effects. And since the point of consuming mushrooms is to get high (or reap the multitude of benefits), it would also be a waste of good fungi.
Side Effects of Smoking Shrooms
There are really no benefits to smoking shrooms, and doing so can result in: nausea, headache, dizziness, sore throat, and possible exposure to mold. You do not want to consume mold in any capacity, let alone combust it and inhale it straight into your lungs.
How to Smoke Shrooms
Again, we certainly advise against smoking magic mushrooms. Yet, if you are hell-bent on doing so, smoking shrooms is much like smoking weed or any other herbal mixture. Grind the shrooms, remove any hard bits, and roll them into a joint or put them into a bowl or bong. If they are properly dried, they should
The Best Ways to Take Shrooms
Despite smoking shrooms not working out, there are tons of ways to consume shrooms that are arguably much more enjoyable. Here are the top ways to get your dose in a pleasant format.
Dried or Encapsulated
This is the OG method, tried and true. Simply dry out your shrooms until they’re nice and crispy, then either chomp down on them or put them in a capsule for easy ingestion. It’s straightforward and doesn’t require any fancy equipment.
Lemon Tek Method
For those seeking a quicker onset and a potentially more intense trip, the Lemon Tek method is the way to go. It involves soaking your dried shrooms in lemon juice, which kickstarts the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin. This can lead to a faster and more potent experience.
Brewed Into Tea
If you’re not keen on chewing, brewing shroom tea is a popular alternative. It’s easy on the stomach and can result in a smoother, more controlled trip. Plus, you can add flavors like ginger or honey to make it a tastier experience.
Baked Into Foods
If you’re feeling a bit culinary, why not incorporate your shrooms into a recipe? From brownies to pasta sauces, there’s a wide range of dishes you can experiment with. Just be sure to evenly distribute the shrooms to ensure a consistent dosage.
Mushroom Chocolates
For those with a sweet tooth, mushroom chocolates are a delightful option. They mask the earthy taste of shrooms and offer a convenient, discrete way to consume them. Plus, they’re easy to dose and carry around.
Keep On Shroomin’
So, can you smoke shrooms? Sure, but why would you want to? You won’t get high, wasting your precious stash, and likely end up feeling sick. So, if you’re going to adventure with magic mushrooms, we hope you heed our advice and skip the incineration. And as always, obey your local laws, stay safe, and have fun out there exploring consciousness.
