To Start

What are Magic Mushrooms?

Mushrooms, such as psilocybin cubensis, contain psilocybin, the compound responsible for their psychedelic effects. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin. At high doses, this psilocin interacts with the brain by suppressing serotonin receptors and inducing the psychedelic experience. Higher levels of psilocybin result in stronger effects. At lower doses, many people find benefits to their wellbeing, without the psychedelic effects. Additionally, our products may include other mushrooms like cordyceps, which offer health benefits but do not contain psilocybin.

How do they work?

The Science of Psilocybin

Many fungi and plants, like magic mushrooms, contain compounds with various benefits for humans. Psilocybin is the active ingredient in magic mushrooms that produces their psychedelic effect. Psilocybin is a psychedelic tryptamine that resembles serotonin, a mood stabilizer. This then binds to serotonin receptors in the brain, suppressing filtering mechanisms and allowing different information to reach consciousness, resulting in new ways of thinking, and at sufficient dosage – hallucinogenic effects and altered perception.

By blocking serotonin receptors, psilocybin facilitates communication between normally unconnected regions of the brain, potentially rewiring it. This rewiring has the potential to disrupt unhealthy thought patterns associated with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and addiction.

Moreover, psilocybin slows down activity in the default mode network (DMN), promoting a sense of presence in the moment. The DMN is responsible for rumination and worrying about the past and future, aligning with our brand slogan “empower the present.”

Communication between brain networks in people given psilocybin or a nonpsychedelic compound . Communication between brain networks in people given psilocybin (right) or a non-psychedelic compound (left)

Know your dose

Dosing Guide

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for determining what dosage to begin with. However, almost everyone recommends starting with mushrooms slowly and gradually. This has the advantage of allowing you to truly understand how the experience affects you at various dosages while also allowing you to gradually increase your dosage.

Micro
25 – 500mg

Low
500mg – 1.5g

Medium
1.5 – 3g

Large
3 – 5g

Getting Started

Picking Your Dose

Dosing magic mushrooms is both straightforward and complex. Starting with a low dosage is recommended to avoid negative experiences and understand individual reactions. However, accurately recommending dosages is challenging due to the unique and indescribable nature of each person’s experience. Factors like potency variation, diet, tolerance, and strain further affect dosing. Dosage guides typically use milligrams (mg) and grams (g), with 1 gram equal to 1000 milligrams (mg).

Micro

This is a small dose that will still have noticeable effects. These effects won’t be full-blown psychedelic visuals, rather an enhancement of the senses, such as seeing more vibrant colors. Users report euphoria and a giddy feeling. This is a great introduction into magic mushrooms and a way to get used to the effects of psilocybin.

Low

Medium

At a medium or classic dose, you will start to experience a full psilocybin trip. At this dose, you might feel a euphoric high, with sharpened senses and mental stimulation Patterns, colors and mild hallucinations should be in effect, often giving the feeling that everything is moving or breathing. Often people feel a strong sense of connection to everything or a feeling of oneness.

Large

At a large dose, this full blown dose all but promises all visual, auditory and mental hallucinations often leading to synesthesia (blending of the senses). Mentally, this can lead to profound insights including feelings of self dissociation, oneness, divine presence. These experiences will often come in waves. According to studies performed at Johns Hopkins University, This dose is reliable to induce mystical-type experiences in controlled human studies. This dose is not recommended for new users and should only be undertaken in a safe, supervised setting.

Hero

This heavy dose was described by Terrence McKenna as a “heroic dose”. Most likely leading to a mystical experience that can lead to a sense of ego dissolution or transcendence. Users report this to be bizarre, powerful and indescribable. Not recommended without experience and guidance.

How To Microdose Mushrooms

What is Microdosing?

Microdosing is the practice of taking a very small dose of a psychedelic drugs like psilocybin mushrooms. This dose is so small that is considered sub-perceptual, as in, at this low dose, you should not perceive or notice any of the traditional psychedelic effects, yet experience both physical and mental health benefits.

For first time microdosers, we recommend starting with a low dose (30-200mg) and following The Fadiman Protocol which instructs 1 active dosing day followed by 2 integration days (no dosing). Continue for four weeks of dosing, then take a reset period of 2 weeks by not dosing. This protocol is also referred to as “the beginner’s protocol” and it is a great place to start to see how your body responds to Psilocybin.

The most common protocol for experienced microdosers is The Stamets Protocol. This protocol is 4 active dosing days followed by 3 integration days (no dosing). Continue for four weeks of dosing, then take a reset period of 2 weeks by not dosing. Many microdosers repeat the protocol multiple rounds or indefinitely. If you have any questions regarding protocols, please feel free to contact our team we are happy to support you.

Important Precautions

Are Magic Mushrooms Safe?

Magic Mushrooms are not recommended for pregnant, breastfeeding individuals, or those under 19 years old. Psilocybin mushrooms are generally safe with minimal harmful effects. They are not chemically addictive and do not increase the risk of mental health problems like cocaine or cannabis. While you cannot overdose on them, taking excessive amounts without preparation and experience can lead to negative and uncomfortable experiences.

According to a 2017 Global Drug Survey, magic mushrooms are the safest recreational drug, with only 0.2% of nearly 10,000 users requiring emergency medical treatment. Hospital admissions often occur due to unintentional high dosages or experiencing “bad trips,” characterized by anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion. These adverse experiences can be minimized through proper preparation, mindset, and environment.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine advises following safety guidelines for both clinical and recreational use of magic mushrooms. Those with a family history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorders should avoid them due to an increased risk of prolonged psychosis. Mixing magic mushrooms with drugs affecting the serotonin system or certain recreational drugs can be dangerous. Hallucinogen-induced persisting perception disorder (HPPD), though rare, can cause hallucinations or flashbacks after the trip. Long-term effects include personality changes and lasting flashbacks.

Medical Support And Drug Interaction Guide:

Many people have researched and learned about the incredible results of studies on psilocybin as a cure for depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. However, there can be complications regarding the interaction potential of various psychiatric medications with psilocybin mushrooms. While we would love to provide accurate information on this topic, we cannot give medical advice and we strongly recommend that you should consult your medical professional.

If you are unable to speak directly to a medical professional, we recommend additional seeking support in your journey.

Two great resources we can recommend.

1. Flourish Academy: Here you can book a one on one call to ask your direct questions.

2. The Spirit Pharmacist: Subscription based model with courses, resources and email based support questions. A free starting point is their podcast episode with Modern Psychedelics.

5 Rules

Before Your Experience

To have a positive trip, follow these essential steps: create the right “Set & Setting,” prepare your frame of mind, set clear intentions, have a trusted trip sitter, and consider your diet. These steps increase the chances of a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

Set & Setting

Since your reality is about to be altered, its important to choose who you’re around and where you are very carefully. Don’t take shrooms for the first time at a party where you don’t know anybody or in the back alley of a club with some stranger. Be somewhere you feel safe in, like your house or a secluded spot outdoors.

Mindset

Its super important to be in the right state of mind before taking mushrooms or any kind of hallucinogen for that matter. If you decide to take psilocybin, think about your mental and emotional well-being and health in the past and present. Psilocybin has the potential to trigger or exacerbate mental illnesses that are already present.

Diet

If you’re going to take mushrooms, you should do so first thing in the morning. Because magic mushrooms can cause nausea and vomiting, it’s advisable to fast for 4-12 hours before taking them. Because there’s nothing else in your stomach to compete for digestion, the onset time and effectiveness of the mushrooms may be faster. Fasting can also help to prevent gastrointestinal problems. Consider being vegetarian for at least one day before your trip if you’re making dietary modifications ahead of time.

Trip Sitter

It’s a good idea to partner up with someone who understands what they’re doing. Especially If you’ve never tried psilocybin before, plan on having a sober companion and begin with a low dosage. Your sitter should have prior expertise with the drug and, preferably, should have aided others in similar situations. They should be someone you know, are comfortable with, and feel secure around.

Intention

Keeping your mind and energy focused on why you’re consuming magic mushrooms will help them flow in the proper direction. If you have a journal, write the intention within it, or put it on a piece of paper and hang it somewhere visible. Intentions can act as an anchor, providing a framework for the trip and a place to return to for reassurance when the going gets tough.

Personalized Support

We would love to answer your questions or connect you with someone who can support you.

We offer discounted one on one calls for you to unlock deeper insights and receive individualized assistance on your journey with our Zoom consultation service, in partnership with Dana Harvey of The Flourish Academy.

Whether you’re curious about starting, need guidance on microdosing, or are seeking support around a full journey, our one on one sessions offer tailored advice and expert insights from an esteemed Psychedelics and Microdosing Educator.

Looking for community? Our friends at The Flying Sage believe in a world where everyone has safe and equitable access to psychedelic medicines. They stand for ethical decriminalization and legalization occurring simultaneously.