How To Grow Magic Mushrooms Easily (Step-by-step Guide) (2024)

Magic mushrooms are becoming increasingly popular in recent times. The benefits, such as improved mental health and increased positivity, give a nice feel. However, specific side effects, such as hallucinations, numbness, and vomiting, can also be associated with magic mushrooms. Let’s look into some ways to grow magic mushrooms.

What is Psilocybin Mushroom?

Psilocybin mushrooms, often known as magic mushrooms or Shrooms, are either wild or farmed mushrooms that contain psilocybin, which when consumed, converts to psilocin [1]. This substance stimulates serotonin receptors in the brain, resulting in psychedelic experiences known as a trip or a high.

Humans have used magic mushrooms for thousands of years. Researchers discovered that the mushroom was considered sacred after researching the artwork and customs of historical cultures, which included eight thousand-year-old rock paintings in Tassili, Algeria, and Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Maya and the Aztecs.

Magic mushrooms have immense benefits. A study conducted by John Hopkins Medicine in 2020 revealed that just two doses of psilocybin mushrooms generated immediate and substantial decreases in symptoms of depression. However, some of the reported side effects of the mushroom include nausea, vomiting, euphoria, muscle weakness or relaxation, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. Like other psychedelic substances, the effects of psychedelic mushrooms vary greatly amongst users.

Contrary to popular opinion, magic mushrooms are not addictive. They have even been shown to assist people in overcoming other addictions. Another John Hopkins study discovered that a single dose of shrooms was enough to help smokers quit smoking even when nothing else worked. More studies with smaller samples studies have shown positive results in the use of psilocybin in treatment-resistant depression, OCD symptoms, as well as anxiety and depression associated with advanced-stage cancer.

Despite these recent revelations of the benefits of consuming Psilocybin mushrooms, they are classified as Schedule 1 Substances under the Controlled Substances Act, which means they are prohibited in most regions. However, although psilocybin is banned in many countries, its online market is expanding. Psilocybin is also gaining scientific interest, with researchers investigating its usage as a therapy for depression. Microdosing psychedelic fungi as a medicinal treatment have also gained acceptance in recent years.

Where do Magic mushrooms grow?

Psilocybin mushrooms are widespread and may grow in practically any environment. Environments that can support the natural growth of magic mushrooms include tropical or subtropical regions, grassy environments, and associated forest areas. Magic mushrooms can also adapt to any environment, from dark spaces to sunny grasslands and fields. However, they prefer to grow around dead tree stumps or on decomposing wood.

How To Grow Magic Mushrooms At Home

A sure way to get quality magic mushrooms and have a steady source of Psilocybin is by learning how to grow magic mushrooms at home. Growing magic mushrooms is simple and uncomplicated — except that it is technically prohibited in most nations, even in locations where decriminalization efforts have succeeded.

A crucial component of mushroom cultivation is understanding where mushrooms grow naturally, recreating their preferred climate, and imitating the substrate (their food supply). Mushrooms, unlike other plants, do not require as much sunshine for growth and feeding. Hence, the best place to grow them is in a dark area, as darkness maintains moisture, which their spores utilize to reproduce. Mushrooms, like all fungi, thrive in damp environments; therefore, they require damp and humid growing substrates, such as compost or manure. The best temperature for cultivating magic mushrooms is 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24C). Keep them away from cool breezes and dry air, which can stunt their growth.

Magic Mushroom growth requires starch, sugar, lipids, nitrogen, protein, and lignin. Compost made from straw and manure can help them get the necessary nutrients. If you lack these things, you can substitute corn, peat moss, and sand. They can also extract important nutrients from the wood of logs or sawdust.

You should start seeing the first few mushrooms appear in 7- 14 days. The entire process takes 3-6 weeks, and at the end, you will have a batch ready for consumption. Before you begin harvesting, sterilize your equipment to avoid contamination. The mushrooms may be taken out easily by wearing some gloves, pinching them between your fingers, and giving them a tiny twist. They should come out instantly. They’re quite sensitive, and if you touch them, they’ll turn a dark hue for a few hours, which is normal.

Don’t discard the container after you’ve removed all of the mushrooms. In just a couple of days, you may have a brand-new crop of mushrooms.

Related Articles: Magic Mushroom Dosage: How much is Right for you

What Do I Need To Grow Magic Mushrooms?

Not everything in the world is needed to grow magic mushrooms at home. A mushroom growing kit is one of the simplest ways to grow mushrooms. Many mushroom species, both culinary and hallucinogenic, have growing kits available. A spore syringe, substrate, and a grow bag are typically included – theoretically, everything you need to complete the growth process. Some packages even include mycelium (the main body of the fungus).

One drawback of growing mushrooms from a kit is that you can never be sure of what you’ll get. Most mushroom growing kits are of poor quality, and the spore quality is unknown. Therefore, it’s best to get a recommendation from a knowledgeable grower before purchasing.

If you prefer to do it yourself rather than buy a magic mushroom-growing kit containing spores, you only need a few simple supplies. The advantage is that you only need to buy this set-up once. This will be far less expensive than purchasing a magic mushroom grow kit or shrooms from a street dealer or darknet merchant. Some of the items include:

● Magic mushroom spores

● Glass jars — go for the wide-mouth jars (½ pint or 1 pint)

● An incubator — you can buy an incubator or make your own

● A fruiting chamber — you can buy one or make your own

● Substrate — vermiculite & brown rice flour

● Filtered or distilled water — tap water will contaminate your inoculum

● Perlite — for water retention

● A spray bottle or can — for keeping your substrate moist

● 70% Isopropyl alcohol cleaning solution

● Nitrile gloves — for sterility

● Tinfoil

● Measuring cup

● Large mixing bowl

● A pressure cooker or Instant Pot

● Thermometer

A step-by-step guide to the growing process of magic mushroom

There are several stages to the mushroom growing process: Preparation, inoculation, incubation, harvesting, drying and storing.

Step 1: Preparation

First, prepare the mushroom substrate. This stage entails providing the fungus with a simple food source as they construct its mycelial network. There are several substrate formulations, but the easiest is PF Tek. [4]

Mix ingredients in a large bowl. Vermiculite, brown rice flour, and water make up 2:2:1. Then, leave 3 cm (1 inch) from the top of each jar when filling with a substrate for dry vermiculite.

After filling jars with the substrate, seal them. Cover the jars with tin foil. This keeps them sanitary and prevents water from entering jars during pressure cooking. Also, sterilize them with a pressure cooker to prepare for inoculation.

Step 2: Inoculation

This step involves adding mushroom spores to their developing habitat. The idea is to add minimal spores to each jar without other pollutants. Keeping the space clean and sterile is key during this period.

Before inoculation, seal a spare room or bathroom. Spray aerosol disinfectant in the room and clean the surface you’ll be working on with isopropyl alcohol. Ensure you wear gloves, a mask, and clean clothes. Close vents to restrict air circulation during the inoculation. Make a “glove box” to reduce air exposure.

Step 3: Incubation

After inoculating your substrate with mushroom spores, you must create perfect growing conditions. During this stage, Psilocybe cubensis prefers:

• >80% humidity

• 20–28°C (68–82°F)

• Darkness

• Poor airflow

If you don’t have a dark, warm (but not hot) place to put your substrate jars, you’ll need to get an incubator. You can also create your incubators. Usually, it’s not that complicated. Fill an opaque container (a paint bucket works nicely) with your inoculated jars and store them somewhere warm.

Step 4: Fruiting

After colonizing your jars, start fruiting. This involves creating the optimal environment for the mycelium to grow mushrooms.

Fruiting conditions are:

• >80% humidity

• 10–20°C (50–68°F)

• Low-light (indirect light)

• Moderate airflow

Fruiting chambers can be purchased; however, creating a fruiting chamber is preferable. The primary technique is employing a clear container with ventilation and high humidity.

How to make a PF Tek fruiting chamber:

• Drill holes in a large clear container to enhance ventilation.

• Wipe the container with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry.

• Fill the container’s bottom 3 cm (1 inch) with perlite, then add filtered or distilled water. Drain excess water before continuing.

• Place the mycelium either in the jars with the lids off or on a jar lid in the fruiting chamber.

• Check on your mushrooms daily. Use the lid to fan air into the container.

• Spray perlite with distilled water to keep it moist. Avoid directly spraying cakes. If cake water pools, bacteria can proliferate.

Step 5: Harvesting & Drying

Now, it’s time to reap! Observe mushrooms for fruits. Fruits appear first as white lumps, then “pins.” After 5-12 days, harvest the mushrooms. When mushrooms are ready to harvest, pinch them off at the root. They should separate easily. Only choose ripe mushrooms. You may need to harvest mushrooms daily until they’re done.

How To Store Psilocybin Mushrooms

Knowing how to store mushrooms is just as important as knowing how to grow them.

For long-term storage, dry the mushrooms first. Drying mushrooms is a great way to extend their shelf life without compromising their taste or nutritional value and only slightly sacrificing their texture. Fully dried mushrooms have no liquid left, and they lose weight and size.

The easiest way to dry them is using a dehydrator or leaving them on paper for a few days with a fan blowing them.

If stored in a cold, dark, dry environment, dried psilocybin mushrooms are potent for two to three years. They’ll last forever if frozen.

Legality Associated With Psilocybin Mushrooms

The legal standing of psilocybin mushrooms differs from country to country. There is considerable ambiguity surrounding the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms under many different national, state, and provincial drug laws. There is also a strong element of selective enforcement in some locations since psilocybin and psilocin are considered illegal to possess without a license as narcotics. Yet, mushrooms themselves are not included in these laws.

Following the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances from 1971, psilocybin and psilocin have been assigned to the Schedule I category of controlled substances [5]. Drugs classified as being in Schedule I are regarded as either having a significant potential for misuse or not having any acknowledged medicinal applications. The United Nations has not yet agreed to regulate psilocybin mushrooms. However, many nations have some form of psilocybin mushroom regulation or outright ban. For example, the US Psychotropic Substances Act, the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, and the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The legal status of Psilocybe spores is even more ambiguous. Psilocybe spores contain neither psilocybin nor psilocin, and as a result, it is not illegal to sell or possess them in many jurisdictions. However, many jurisdictions will prosecute under broader laws prohibiting items that are used in drug manufacture. The purchase and possession of psilocybin mushroom spores are expressly outlawed in a select number of jurisdictions, including the states of California, Georgia, and Idaho in the United States. Although growing psilocybin mushrooms have been ruled not to qualify as “manufacturing” a controlled substance by some nations, the cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms is still considered to be the manufacture of drugs in most jurisdictions, and those who are caught doing so face severe penalties.

Psilocybin Mushrooms are slowly but surely making their way to the mainstream. There is a rising movement for the decriminalization and total acceptance of Magic mushrooms [6]. Hence, there is a lot of clamoring for legislation and laws to include and legalize magic mushrooms, especially in illegal places.

Magic mushrooms have a high potential to get the much-needed approval it deserves. Scientists, medical researchers, and organizations are digging deep into the benefits associated with them. In addition, people share convincing claims about its effectiveness and efficiency. With such an uprising always comes a massive groundbreaking milestone.

Homegrown Magic mushroom is the first step to self-sufficiency, healing, and transformation. However, balance and proper consumption are indispensable. The skills acquired from learning how to grow and nurture magic mushrooms can be applied at home to growing other vital medicinal and beneficial plants. However, it is also essential to