Shrooms – Magic Mushroom Dosing and Effects Explained

Shrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, have garnered a considerable amount of interest. 

From the Liberty Cap to the Golden Top — you can find magic mushrooms almost anywhere in the world. Hunted for their psychedelic effects and medicinal potential, both the public and scientific community have a renewed interest in the power of magical mushrooms, more commonly referred to as shrooms. 

These little fun-guys (pun intended) have a powerful impact on the body and lead to a bad “trip” if improperly dosed. 

That said, those who’ve had a successful experience with the drug describe an intense outpouring of incredible thoughts and vivid imagery that circulate their consciousness. 

Despite how you feel about hallucinogenic shrooms, we wanted to provide a reference to give you all the information you’ll need about them and how to dose them safely! 

What Are Shrooms? – Magic Mushrooms Explained

Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a member of the psilocybe cubensis family of mushrooms. These magic mushrooms can be found in the wild or cultivated and contain a naturally-occurring hallucinogenic and psychoactive compound known as psilocybin, a psychedelic and hallucinogen. 

Classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States, a Schedule III in Canada (high risk for misuse) and a potent hallucinogen, it currently has no accepted medical uses in the United States. However, some cultures have been known to use mushrooms for centuries, and medical research is beginning to open up to explore its potential. 

Currently, researchers may have discovered a connection linking mushrooms and depression together. 

Western audiences, such as Gwyneth Paltrow’s staffers, have used psychedelic mushrooms to go on spiritual retreats. Their objectives ranged from self-exploratory to improving mental health, with some simply wanting to just feel more creative. 

They are prepared by being dried out, then eaten by themselves, or being mixed with food or drink. Magic mushrooms are known by many names, with the most popular ones being shrooms, blue meanies and mushies. 

The term itself is a generic one that references any type of fungi that contains the chemical compound psilocybin. When it gets digested into psilocin — it produces an altered state of consciousness and psychedelic experiences. 

What Are The Effects of Shrooms?

Shrooms are a hallucinogenic drug and can cause you to see, feel, and hear things that seem real, but aren’t. The overall effects of mushrooms will vary depending on several factors, but it’s believed one of the biggest impacts is one’s environment and headspace.

Magic Mushrooms have a long history of being associated with self-discovery and spiritual experiences— leaving many to believe that naturally occurring drugs like weed and mushrooms are sacred, enabling people to attain a high sense of spirituality. 

Many take magic mushrooms to connect with their inner self, move past trauma and establish a deeper connection with the universe. Almost everybody who’s had a positive experience with shrooms will say that they’ve changed for the better as a result of doing them.

But why is this the case?  

Now, we know the compounds in mushrooms give users a mind-melting feeling, but according to research, it does the opposite; it technically boosts the connectivity in the brain. Fifteen volunteers were asked to undergo brain scans using an fMRI machine after ingesting a dose of mushrooms and a placebo.

The brain scans showed that the brain synchronized activity in areas that aren’t usually connected while under the influence of shrooms. 

So mushrooms actually work by providing the brain with new connections it’s never made before. Scientists believe that these new connections help treat PTSD, trauma and depression by providing their users with new perspectives.

However, like anything in life, we have to take the good with the bad.

While shrooms can induce positive change in your personality and trauma, they are known to cause yawning, drowsiness, yawning, feelings of euphoria, nervousness, paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis.

Hallucinogens can also risk triggering emotional or mental issues or influencing accidents while under the influence. The actual amount of psilocybin in any variety of magic mushrooms or shrooms is unknown. Many of them vary greatly in their psychoactive constitution, making it nearly impossible to determine the length and intensity of a trip. Users should consider several factors to determine the effects, including age, weight, dosage, emotional state, personality, and environment. 

With so many varieties of shrooms and magic mushrooms available, the “strain” itself can have a wide variety of effects. Some can be more mild and reflective, while others could take you for a wild ride if you’re not well prepared!

Popular strains of mushrooms can include Mexican Cubensis, Golden Teachers, and Mazatapec Mushrooms.  No matter the strain, psychedelic mushrooms can all have the following effects:

Physical effects:

• Drowsiness
• Headaches
• Dilated pupils
• Increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure
• Nausea
• Muscle Weakness
• Lack of coordination

Mental effects:

• Euphoria
• Hallucinations
• Distorted sense of place, reality, and time
• Spiritual experience
• Personality change
• Paranoia
• Panic

How to Dose Shrooms 

When it comes to dosing shrooms, there is no set dose in terms of amount –  it is determined by weight in grams. It’s important to note that different strains have varying levels of psilocybin, and each mushroom will have different amounts in it, which is why it’s strongly recommended to start small and go slow.  

Start small

You’re most likely to have a good experience in a clinical setting with low doses. Studies have found that users who take small doses are more likely to see long-lasting changes in behaviour and attitude than those who started with high doses. 

For beginners, we recommend starting with 0.5 to 0.8 grams

For intermediate users, we recommend 1.6 grams to 3.2 grams

For experienced users, we advise you to stick to a maximum of 4.8 grams. 

It may be wise to start with a dose lower than 50% of what you usually take if you’re new to a particular strain or don’t know the potency as different strains have different potencies. Although weight can impact how much you should take, it doesn’t vary by much.

Try Edibles

Not too keen on the taste of dried mushrooms or just unsure of how much to dose? Luckily, there’s an option for you. Just like cannabis, users can also take shrooms in a more palatable, tastier edible form. 

With mushshroom edibles such as chocolate bars and mushroom teas being made available, dosing and consuming magic mushrooms has never been easier or safer.

Edibles make the dosing process much simpler as they’re specific about how much psilocybin is actually in each product, ensuring that you get the experience that you’re looking for each and every time. 

Of course, proper dosing guidelines still apply. If you’re a beginner, practice safe dosing by starting small – less than a gram to a gram and slowly move your way up. Magic mushrooms can last as long as cannabis edibles with much more harrowing results, so it’s best not to overdo it. 

Final Thoughts on Shrooms

Magic Mushrooms have a long history of use and with that, a lot of documented experiences — good and bad. The potential therapeutic benefits currently being studied by the scientific and medicinal communities are worth noting, and its recreational and spiritual aspects are worthy of respect. 

This includes using it with caution and using it wisely. Preferably in a peaceful environment with a few close friends, you can trust to guide you and make sure you’re safe.