How to Store Magic Mushrooms?

If you’re a fan of magic mushrooms, you’re probably curious about how to store them. The truth is, you can easily freeze or dry them to save them for later. It may take some trial and error, but it is possible. You can preserve your magic mushrooms by vacuum-sealing them. This method is not only useful for long-term storage, but it also makes them more shelf-stable.

If you have a large stash of mushrooms, you may want to store them in several different bags. Mylar bags are a great alternative to glass jars. They protect your mushrooms from light and moisture and are easy to use. A vacuum sealer will remove air from the bag and seal it completely. Plastic bags are another good option for long-term storage. These are inexpensive and can protect your mushrooms for years.

What are Magic Mushrooms?

Psilocybin-containing mushrooms sometimes referred to as magic mushrooms, are a class of fungi that are hallucinogenic. When ingested, psilocybin is changed by the body into psilocin, which gives mushrooms their psychedelic properties. These side effects can include changed perception, an altered sense of time, visual and aural hallucinations, and more.

Magic mushrooms have recently been investigated for their possible therapeutic effects in treating ailments, including depression and anxiety. Magic mushrooms have long been employed in traditional spiritual and medicinal traditions.

Magic mushrooms should be kept in a cold, dry location to maintain power. Temperatures between 35 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit are good for storage (2-6 degrees Celsius). They can be kept in a refrigerator as well, but it’s crucial to do so in an airtight container to stop moisture from accumulating and leading to spoiling.

Fresh mushrooms should be placed in a plastic bag, covered in a paper towel, and kept in the refrigerator. In an airtight container, dried mushrooms can be kept in a cold, dry location like a cupboard or pantry. Additionally, it is advisable to keep them away from the light because it can cause the hallucinogenic ingredients in mushrooms to decay.

Also to be noted is the fact that many nations and states forbid the possession of psilocybin mushrooms. Before attempting to store psilocybin mushrooms, confirming their legal status in your country or state is crucial.

What is the Correct Method of Freezing Magic Mushrooms?

You should properly clean and dry magic mushrooms before freezing them. When completely dry, you may put them in a plastic bag or other airtight container and freeze them. Be careful that when you freeze mushrooms, part of their power may be lost, and they might not be as potent when you thaw and eat them. The texture of the mushrooms might also change as a result of freezing.

This technique preserves the natural flavor of the magic mushroom without sacrificing its nutritional value. Although freezing is one of the easiest ways to store magic mushrooms, it also has drawbacks.

Freezing also reduces the vitamin content of the mushroom. Additionally, the texture is less smooth. It’s not a good idea to store magic mushrooms in the freezer unless you have a reason to do so.

How to Defrost Magic Mushroom?

Magic mushrooms can be removed from the freezer and kept in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to defrost. This will let them defrost gradually and help keep their texture and potency. Alternatively, you might soak the frozen mushrooms in cool water while keeping them in a sealed plastic bag. Make sure you replace the water every 30 minutes until they are completely defrosted. Magic mushrooms should not be microwaved to defrost because doing so can alter their texture and reduce efficacy.

How to Include Magic Mushroom in the Diet?

You can use magic mushrooms in your diet in some ways:

Still, in their original form, mushrooms can be chopped or ground and used for meals like soups, stews, and pasta sauces.
Dried mushrooms can be utilized just like fresh mushrooms by reconstituting them in warm water for 20 to 30 minutes.

Mushroom powder: Dried mushrooms should be finely ground to create a mushroom powder. This powder may be used in smoothies, soups, and other foods as a seasoning.
Magic mushroom pills are available from some businesses and can be used as a dietary supplement.
Tea made from mushrooms: Dried magic mushrooms can be steeped in boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes to produce tea.

It is significant to remember that magic mushrooms are typically regarded as a controlled substance, meaning that they may be illegal to possess, sell, or consume. Before eating magic mushrooms, seek medical advice from a qualified individual and confirm that doing so is permitted where you live.

What is the Right Method of Cooking Magic Mushrooms?

Depending on the outcome desired, cooking magic mushrooms can be done in a variety of ways:

Sautéing: For fresh mushrooms, this technique works best. For a tasty side dish, slice the mushrooms and sauté them in butter or oil with some garlic and herbs.

Grilling: For a smokey, savory dinner, marinate the mushrooms in oil, herbs, and spices before grilling them.
Stir-frying: For dried mushrooms, this technique works well. Rehydrate them in warm water, drain them, and stir-fry them with your preferred protein and vegetables.
Baking: For a crunchy, delicious snack, toss fresh or dried mushrooms with oil, herbs, and spices before baking them.

Soup: To add flavor and nutritional value to soups, broths, and stews, add dried or fresh mushrooms.

Does Magic Mushrooms Release Dopamine?

Psilocybin, a psychoactive substance found in magic mushrooms and other psilocybin mushrooms, gives them their psychedelic effects. Serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters that psilocybin is hypothesized to impact in the brain.

The neurotransmitter serotonin regulates mood, anxiety, and other cognitive processes. It is thought that psilocybin raises serotonin levels in particular brain parts, affecting how people perceive and feel.

A neurotransmitter called dopamine is involved in motivation, pleasure, and reward. According to certain research, psilocybin may boost dopamine release in particular brain regions, which may factor in the euphoria and sense of well-being that some people report experiencing while using magic mushrooms.

To pinpoint the precise mechanisms of action of psilocybin, additional research is required to understand the effects of magic mushrooms on dopamine and other neurotransmitters.

How to Identify Magic Mushrooms are Gone Bad?

Magic mushrooms may have gone bad and shouldn’t be taken if they exhibit any of the following symptoms:

Discoloration: The meat of fresh mushrooms should be firm and white. They should be thrown out if they have gone yellow, brown, or black since they are probably spoilt.
Slimy texture: When fresh, mushrooms should be dry and solid to the touch. They should be thrown away if they have a dirty or damp feeling.

Unpleasant odor: Fresh mushrooms ought to have a light, earthy aroma. They should be thrown away if they smell strongly of something sour or rotten.
Bruising: There shouldn’t be any obvious bruises or discolorations on fresh mushrooms. They are probably spoiled and ought to be thrown away if they have dark patches or color changes.
Mold: There shouldn’t be any fungus or apparent mold forming on fresh mushrooms. They should be thrown away if they have white, blue, or green stains since they have likely gone bad.

The color of dried magic mushrooms should be brownish and free of fungus and mold. They have probably deteriorated if they are grey or black in hue.

It is significant to remember that magic mushrooms are typically regarded as a controlled substance, meaning that they may be illegal to possess, sell, or consume. Before ingesting magic mushrooms, please consult a physician to ensure it’s legal.

What are the Harmful Effects of Consuming Spoiled Magic Mushrooms?

Magic mushroom consumption can be risky and have several negative side effects. Consuming rotten magic mushrooms may have several negative effects, including:

Food poisoning: Contaminated mushrooms may contain dangerous germs like Salmonella and E. coli, which can result in symptoms of food poisoning, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.
Some people may experience an allergic reaction to mushrooms, resulting in symptoms including hives, itching, and breathing difficulties.
Psychedelic side effects include hallucinations, confusion, and paranoid ideas. Consuming rotten magic mushrooms might result in these unexpected and potentially harmful psychedelic side effects.

Toxicity: Some mushroom species contain toxins that, when taken, can result in major health issues such as liver and kidney damage, seizures, and even death.
Consuming spoilt magic mushrooms can result in a loss of power, making the effects of the mushrooms less potent or nonexistent altogether.

Reference: Morphological and chemical analysis of magic mushrooms in Japan

Analyses of the morphology and toxicology of hallucinogenic mushrooms that are now available in Japan were conducted. According to a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the mushrooms had three-dimensional microstructures. Observing distinctive tissues such as basidiomycetes, spores, cystidia, and basidia was successful in conjunction with an optical microscope and SEM. Methanol was used to extract the hallucinogenic alkaloids, which were then identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a UV detector tuned to 220 nm.

Conclusion

To store your magic mushrooms properly, you must know how to keep them safe. Ideally, you should avoid exposing them to sunlight and moisture. This is because these factors will affect the potency of the fungi. It is important to store your dried magic mushrooms in mason jars or another airtight container to keep them from rotting and losing their power.

The most effective way to preserve your magic mushrooms is to use a vacuum sealer. Several companies make a device that can be used to vacuum-seal your magic mushrooms. Using a vacuum-sealed bag can greatly increase the shelf life of your dried shrooms. In addition to the vacuum-sealed bag, you can freeze your dried magic mushrooms. This will extend their shelf life to more than six months.