David Connell
Key Takeaways
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in over 200 species of mushrooms, commonly referred to as “magic mushrooms.” Historically, psilocybin has been used for centuries in indigenous rituals and healing ceremonies, particularly by the Mazatec people in Mexico. These cultures revered the mushrooms’ ability to induce profound spiritual experiences and facilitate communication with deities.
In terms of effects, psilocybin produces altered states of consciousness, including visual and auditory hallucinations, enhanced introspection, and a sense of connection with the universe. Users often report experiencing deep emotional insights, increased empathy, and a lasting sense of well-being. In recent years, scientific research has begun to uncover its potential therapeutic benefits, particularly for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD.(1)
What is Mushroom Tea?
Shroom tea, or psilocybin mushroom tea, is a beverage made by steeping magic mushrooms in hot water, often with additional herbs, spices, or sweeteners to improve the taste. This method of consumption has historical roots in various indigenous cultures, particularly in Central and South America, where magic mushrooms have been used in spiritual and healing ceremonies for centuries. Most notably, the Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico, have traditionally prepared and consumed mushroom tea during their healing ceremonies, known as “veladas.”(2)
Benefits of Drinking Psilocybin Tea
The preparation of psilocybin as tea may help reduce nausea and digestive discomfort often associated with eating raw mushrooms. The tea may also provide a more palatable and gentler onset of psilocybin’s effects. This method of ingestion has gained popularity in modern psychedelic use for both recreational and therapeutic purposes, as it allows for a somewhat controlled and slightly faster absorption of psilocybin into the body.(3)
Preparing for Your Magic Mushroom Tea Experience
Whether eating dried magic mushrooms or steeping them to make tea, preparation for the experience is critical, before consuming any psychedelic, especially one as powerful as psilocybin, take time to read up on the substance, prepare yourself both mentally and physically, and ensure your set and setting (meaning your internal mindset and your external environment) are well situated to have the most positive experience possible.
Choosing the Right Mushrooms
Before you begin making shroom tea, you first need to choose which strain of psilocybe you’re going to use. While there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of psilocybin strains to choose from, it may be a good idea to pick something easy to find, which has relatively predictable experience and is readily identifiable. For this use case, we suggest starting with Golden Teachers.(4)
The Golden Teacher strain of psilocybin mushrooms is among the most popular and recognizable varieties. To identify Golden Teachers, look for the following characteristics:(4)
For safety reasons, sourcing your shrooms from the wild is not recommended. Always exercise caution and consult reliable sources or experts when foraging for wild mushrooms, as many toxic species can resemble psilocybin mushrooms.
Instead, we suggest that you go through a reputable, and reliable source for your mushrooms. This could be someone you know, or depending on your location, a mushroom dispensary, or smartshop. In some U.S. states like Colorado, the adult use of psilocybin, including gifting has been legalized, making sourcing your shrooms much easier and potentially safer.
Setting Intentions For the Experience
Intentional use is a critical part of the psilocybin experience. In this context, your intention is what you wish to get from your trip, such as support in coping with loss, the inner strength to leave an unhealthy relationship or other priorities. This practice helps to focus the mind and align your thoughts with a specific goal, whether for healing, self-discovery, or spiritual growth.(5)
Psilocybin, like many psychedelics, can amplify emotions and perceptions, making it important to have a clear intention to guide the journey. Without one, the experience can feel overwhelming or aimless. By consciously setting an intention, you create a mental framework that allows for deeper insight and reflection, turning the tea ceremony into a more purposeful and transformative moment.(5) Despite this recommendation, also be mindful of not placing too much expectation on your trip to be aligned with your intention. As many users will report, psilocybin tends to guide us to places we need to evaluate, whether we want to or not. Learn to go with the flow and try to remove resistance.
Creating a Safe and Comfortable Environment
Creating a safe and comfortable environment for a psilocybin trip is essential to ensure a positive and supportive experience. A peaceful setting reduces the chances of anxiety or discomfort and allows you to focus on the insights and emotions that may arise. Here are some tips for setting up an ideal environment:(6)
These tips help create an environment that fosters relaxation, reflection, and emotional safety while minimizing potential stressors.
Easy Magic Mushroom Tea Recipe
Psilocybin tea is a simple, effective way to consume magic mushrooms that may reduce nausea and make the experience smoother on the stomach. This recipe highlights easy-to-find ingredients and offers tips to enhance both flavor and potency, allowing for a more enjoyable and thoughtful experience.
List of Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Magic Mushroom Tea
01
Grind the mushrooms: Use a coffee grinder or finely chop the dried psilocybin mushrooms into small pieces. This helps to release the psilocybin more effectively during brewing.
02
Boil the water: Bring two cups of water to a gentle boil. Avoid overheating the water once it starts boiling, as excessive heat may degrade the psilocybin.
03
Add the lemon juice: Pour a tablespoon of lemon juice into the boiling water. The acidity of the lemon juice helps speed up the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin, leading to a faster onset and smoother experience.
04
Steep the mushrooms: Place the ground mushrooms into the boiling water, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the mushrooms steep for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This ensures that psilocybin is extracted into the tea.
05
Add your tea bag and flavorings: During the last 5 minutes of steeping, add your tea bag of choice and any additional flavorings, like ginger or cinnamon. This helps mask the earthy mushroom taste and reduces nausea.
06
Strain the tea: After steeping, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove mushroom pieces. This step can make the tea easier to digest and prevent stomach discomfort.
07
Sweeten and serve: Add honey or another sweetener to taste, and enjoy your tea while it’s warm. The warmth of the tea can be soothing, and the honey helps balance out any remaining bitterness.
Dosage and Safety Tips
When consuming psilocybin tea, it’s important to understand the appropriate dosage for your experience level to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. The intensity of your experience will vary depending on factors like weight, tolerance, and the setting.
Here are some general guidelines as laid out by the non-profit harm reduction and education organization the Erowid Foundation:(7)
Tips for a Positive Experience
Potential Psilocybin Risks and How to Mitigate Them
While psilocybin is generally safe, it’s important to understand the potential risks and how to manage them. Awareness of these can help mitigate any challenges during the experience.(9)
Common Side Effects
Nausea: A common side effect during the onset of psilocybin. Drinking tea instead of eating raw mushrooms may reduce this, and adding ginger can further alleviate discomfort.(9)
Anxiety: Psilocybin can bring up deep emotions, which may cause temporary anxiety or unease. Staying calm, practicing deep breathing, or talking to your tripsitter can help.(9)
Dizziness or lightheadedness: Some users may feel lightheaded, particularly if they haven’t eaten. Keep snacks or juice handy to stabilize your blood sugar.(9)
Contraindications
How to Recognize and Navigate a Challenging Experience
Sometimes, psilocybin can bring up difficult emotions or memories, leading to what’s commonly referred to as a “bad trip.” However, these challenging moments can be navigated with the right approach:
Psilocybin tea offers a gentler, more palatable way to explore the profound effects of magic mushrooms. By practicing harm reduction, setting a clear intention, and creating a safe, supportive environment, you can make the most of this sacred experience. Whether you’re looking to heal, reflect, or gain new insights, the process of preparing and drinking psilocybin tea can be a meaningful ritual in itself. Just remember to respect the power of psilocybin and approach the experience with mindfulness and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources
1. Goel, D. B., & Zilate, S. (2022). Potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin: A systematic review. Cureus, 14(10). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30214
2. George, D. R., Hanson, R., Wilkinson, D., & Garcia-Romeu, A. (2021). Ancient Roots of Today’s Emerging Renaissance in Psychedelic Medicine. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 46(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-021-09749-y
3. Vamanu, E., Dinu, L. D., Pelinescu, D. R., & Gatea, F. (2021). Therapeutic Properties of Edible Mushrooms and Herbal Teas in Gut Microbiota Modulation. Microorganisms, 9(6), 1262. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9061262
4. Bathje, G. J., Majeski, E., & Kudowor, M. (2022). Psychedelic integration: An analysis of the concept and its practice. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.824077
5. Hartogsohn, I. (2017). Constructing drug effects: A history of set and setting. Drug Science, Policy and Law, 3, 205032451668332. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050324516683325
6. Erowid Psilocybin Mushroom Vault : Dosage. (n.d.). Erowid.org. https://erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_dose.shtml
7. Kopra, E. I., Ferris, J. A., Winstock, A. R., Young, A. H., & Rucker, J. J. (2022). Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of magic mushrooms. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36(8), 026988112210840. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811221084063
8. Palmer, M., & Maynard, O. M. (2022). Are you tripping comfortably? Investigating the relationship between harm reduction and the psychedelic experience. Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-022-00662-0
9. Kopra, E. I., Ferris, J. A., Winstock, A. R., Young, A. H., & Rucker, J. J. (2022). Adverse experiences resulting in emergency medical treatment seeking following the use of magic mushrooms. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36(8), 026988112210840. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811221084063
10. Aragam, G. (2022, March 22). Medical Contraindications to “Classic” Psychedelic Use. Psychedelics.ucsf.edu. https://psychedelics.ucsf.edu/blog/medical-contraindications-to-classic-psychedelic-use
11. Barrett, F. S., Bradstreet, M. P., Leoutsakos, J.-M. S., Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2016). The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(12), 1279–1295. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116678781
12. Erowid Psilocybin Mushroom Vault: Tea Preparation. (2015). Erowid.org. https://erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_prep2.shtml
13. Vamanu, E., Dinu, L. D., Pelinescu, D. R., & Gatea, F. (2021). Therapeutic Properties of Edible Mushrooms and Herbal Teas in Gut Microbiota Modulation. Microorganisms, 9(6), 1262. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9061262
Psychedelics.com Team
Stephanie Karzon
James Conway
