What you need to know about smoking magic mushrooms
To begin we want to be clear that this article is in no way condoning the use of psilocybin mushrooms. However, many of our readers may have a valid medical exemption and we feel it necessary to educate anyone who might find themselves wondering whether or not smoking them is safe, how it works, and whether or not it’s really worth it to use magic mushrooms in this less than conventional way.
Magic mushrooms then and now
Psychedelic mushrooms aka psilocybin mushrooms have become a popular staple for many users over this last decade or so, but federally in the United States and Canada they’ve been a restricted Schedule 1 substance. Still, millions of people have utilized shrooms for everything from recreational to medicine, with a big uptick in interest appearance during the pandemic, when many began consuming them as a way to cope with isolation.
New research indicates psilocybin which is the primary active component in magic mushrooms may have the potential for treating patients suffering from things like mental health and addiction, while other studies seem to suggest they could be truly beneficial for relieving pain and stiffness.
We’ve come a long way since the ’70s when shrooms became an illicit substance, and now in 2023, they’re decriminalized in several states and municipalities including Oregon, Colorado, DC, San Francisco, Seattle, Oakland, and some areas of Massachusetts. In Canada, there are already a handful of legal psilocybin stores, where medical patients with approved exemptions may purchase the psychedelic treatment, and there’s already talk of opening the doors for recreational users to partake, though no major changes have happened yet to usher in that new era.
Can you smoke magic mushrooms?
Yes, assuming the product is dry and cured as it should be even if you’re not planning on smoking it, it’s entirely possible and relatively easy to smoke psychedelic mushrooms. However, there is a trick to getting these babies to burn properly, just like there is with cannabis, and we’ll explain that further in a moment. It’s also important to recognize the reasons why so few consumers use them this way.
Should you smoke shrooms?
Ultimately, though it’s entirely possible to smoke magic mushrooms, and you might even feel some of the effects of the hallucinogen, it’s probably best to avoid this method for two reasons. The first is due to how exposing them to extreme levels of heat with a flame will break down the primary psychoactive compound psilocybin, and unlike THC in cannabis, this element is not activated by high temperatures.
The second reason most experts recommend against smoking mushrooms is the very real danger of exposure to a fungal infection, which could wreak havoc on the lungs.
Potential side effects of smoking psychedelic mushrooms
Smoking mushrooms isn’t typically considered a dangerous feat, but there are some side effects that should be considered like the way they often harbor mold and bacteria that could end up in your lungs. Some of the biggest adverse effects every user should know include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Throat irritation
- Lung infection
- Bad taste
How to smoke magic mushrooms
If you are still determined to try this new method, then it helps to know how to go about getting the job done, and you might be surprised to learn it’s an awful lot like smoking cannabis only without the same number of perks.
Step one – Get a pipe, bong, rolling paper, or another clean smoking device ready.
Step two – Measure out a dose that may range anywhere from 0.5 grams to 1 gram. Beginners may want to start smaller until they’re more comfortable with the effects.
Step three – Use a clean grinder to bust up the mushrooms.
Step four – Roll or pack the mushroom grind in your device.
Step five – Spark up the mushroom pieces and inhale.
It really is that easy!
