Spore Lore: The Legend and Science of Magic Mushroom Spores
Unlike plants, mushrooms don’t grow from seeds, but from spores. Spores are the reproducing unit of mushrooms. This includes edible, or culinary-use mushrooms, but also magic mushrooms.
Magic mushrooms may sound like something out of legend or fairy tale, but they’re actually quite real. They sometimes go by these decidedly less romantic names: psychedelic mushrooms, psilocybin-containing mushrooms, or simply “shrooms.”
If you’ve ever grown your own vegetable garden from seeds, you can already guess most of the advantages (and disadvantages) of growing your own mushrooms from spores.
Home-grown tomatoes, for example, are probably cheaper than the spore-bought version. You also have complete control over the growing methods (e.g. organic or otherwise). There’s the advantage of transparency – you know exactly where they came from, what they were sprayed with, and how fresh they are. Not to mention, they likely taste better.
On the other hand, there’s more work involved. There’s also a learning curve, and some trial and error to be expected. (This could be considered a pro and a con, since it is undoubtedly a rewarding project in its own right!)
All these things could be said to apply to home-grown mushrooms as well, with one major bonus. You might not care so much about the flavor of magic mushrooms, since you aren’t consuming them for nutritional value. You may not even care about the cost. But when it comes to magic mushrooms, you are probably interested in accessibility.
Accessibility is a significant issue when it comes to magic mushrooms. After all, magic mushrooms are illegal in many jurisdictions due to the presence of psilocybin. Psilocybin is the naturally-occurring, psychedelic compound present in magic mushrooms. It is the molecule that makes magic mushrooms both coveted and contraband.
That’s the special thing about magic mushroom spores. Because they don’t contain psilocybin, they’re coveted, but not contraband. They may not contain the magic compound, but they are in themselves a kind of magical and discrete delivery system.
What are Magic Mushrooms?
Describing something as “magic” may seem somewhat vague and imprecise. But actually, the term “magic mushrooms” almost always refers specifically to psychedelic mushrooms, or in other words, mushrooms that contain psilocybin. While there are other psychoactive fungi, such as the amanita muscaria, only psilocybin-containing mushrooms are strictly considered to be psychedelic.
Magic mushrooms have a long history of religious and ritualistic use among humans, even appearing in prehistoric rock art. Psilocybin-containing mushrooms grow in the wild in meadows and forests of tropical regions, but they can also be cultivated.
What is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin, and the related compound psilocin, are molecules that interact with the serotonin receptors in the human body. Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter. By binding to specific serotonin receptors, psilocybin and psilocin can exert powerful effects on the brain.
Though most of the fame and notoriety goes to psilocybin, psilocin is actually the primary bioactive compound. Psilocybin is rapidly converted to psilocin under acidic conditions – such as those encountered in your stomach. Psilocin is simply the dephosphorylated form of psilocybin. Though chemically they look quite similar, this little change changes the chemical from a water-soluble compound into a fat-soluble compound. With this new property, psilocin can more readily induce its effects on the body.
What Are the Effects of Magic Mushrooms?
Psilocybin is the reason that magic mushrooms have long been revered (and feared) by humans. Users of magic mushrooms often report spiritual, awe-inspiring, and life-changing experiences.
The experience of magic mushrooms – which can be positive or negative – depend heavily on a phenomenon known as “set and setting.” Potency and dosage are obviously significant factors as well.
What are Psilocybe Cubensis?
Over 150 species of mushrooms naturally produce this magical pair of compounds (psilocybin and psilocin). Of those 150 species of psilocybin-mushrooms, one of the most famous is psilocybe cubensis. This species grew in popularity because of flexible growing requirements.
Within this category, there are also multiple strains to choose from. You may have heard of a few, such as B+, Golden Teacher, and Penis Envy.
What are Mushroom Spores?
Mushroom spores are dust-like particles that are released from the fruiting body of mushrooms to continue the life-cycle. You can think of them as the analog of plant seeds. They contain all the information that is needed to code for a new mushroom.
The fruiting body (the mushroom) produces spores, which then have the potential to propagate more mushrooms. The life cycle of a mushroom goes from spores, which yield mycelium, on the way to forming mushrooms, which in turn produce more spores.
How to Use Psilocybin Mushroom Spores to Grow Mushrooms
If you’re just starting out, it’s a good idea to buy a spore kit and grow bag. This will set you up with all the necessary tools and instructions for a successful crop of shrooms.
It is important to always work with sterilized equipment when growing mushrooms. Your mushrooms will need a growing substrate, which can be something like rye grain, coffee, brown rice flour, straw, or sawdust. It is common to contain the substrate in a mason jar. Alternatively, you can grow your shrooms in a liquid culture, suspended in water.
Other factors you’ll need to control include things like light, temperature, and humidity. Naturally, you’ll need to look at the specific requirements of your particular species and strain. Psilocybe cubensis is native to humid, tropical regions, and therefore prefers a warm and humid environment. The ideal temperature range will probably be in the upper 70s (degrees Fahrenheit), and the humidity around 95%.
Light is an interesting parameter to play with, specifically for psilocybin-containing species. Mushrooms do not need much light, and may in fact suffer in direct sunlight. A 2009 study showed that mushrooms kept in the dark produced higher levels of psilocybin.
Are Mushroom Spores Legal?
Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I drug under federal law, putting it in the same group as LSD, marijuana, and heroin. That means that, in the eyes of the government, psilocybin has no medical benefit and a high potential for abuse.
As we know from marijuana, the strict federal definition is often rooted heavily in politics and outdated science. It is difficult to study psilocybin on account of its legal status. However, based on current research, psychedelic mushrooms actually have the potential to be powerful therapeutic aids, and are promising treatments for mental and emotional disorders. A 2021 systematic review has shown that psilocybin use may improve depressive disorders.
As we know to be the case for cannabis, these drug laws can also come with loopholes. For example, a substance can be legal within a state or city, even if it is federally illegal. The government also differentiates between chemically-identical compounds based on the source (hemp, cannabis, or synthetic) – which doesn’t make much sense from a scientific point of view.
The DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) recently confirmed that mushroom spores are legal up until the point that they form psilocybin. In the life cycle of a mushroom, psilocybin is formed in the mycelium stage in small amounts. Recently formed mycelia contains very low amounts, which increase during maturity. By the time the fruiting body (mushroom) has formed, there is a significant amount of psilocybin.
That is why you may often see mushroom spores ambiguously marketed, or marketed exclusively for “microscopy” with a wink. Mushroom spores for growing may be limited to edible mushrooms, which do not contain psilocybin.
Keep in mind that there are also some jurisdictions, including US states, where the spores themselves are illegal. On the other hand, there are also regions in the United States where the mushrooms themselves have been decriminalized. The legality of shrooms also varies widely in other countries.
Therefore, it is always important to check the laws in your area and make sure you comply.
Where to Buy Mushroom Spores
It is important to always purchase mushroom spores and growing equipment from a reputable seller. Green Dragon is pleased to provide you with the best, hand-selected spore kits and equipment for successful mushroom cultivation.
As always, if you have any questions about mushroom spores, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation.
Shrooms that contain psilocybin are considered federally illegal, at least in the U.S., because psilocybin itself is a Schedule I Controlled Substance. This means that, in the eyes of the federal government, psilocybin has a high potential for misuse, no accepted medical uses, and can only be safely used under the supervision of a medical professional.
Whether or not this classification of shrooms is really fair is up to you, but there are fortunately other options for those looking to experiment without breaking the law. Remember our friend Amanita muscaria, the classic red-and-white toadstool mushroom? Its active ingredients are not controlled substances, which means they are not subject to the same restrictions and legal penalties.
The word “shrooms” is generally used as an umbrella term for different types of psychedelic or “magic” mushrooms.
Unlike the mushrooms we might eat in a dish, shrooms often contain compounds that can produce psychedelic effects, like hallucinations, distorted senses, and altered states of consciousness, also known as “trips.” The most common psychoactive compound found in these sorts of shrooms is psilocybin, but not all shrooms capable of impacting the brain rely on psilocybin to do so.
Many people turn to shrooms for recreational or medicinal purposes (or both), which isn’t a new phenomenon; many types of mushrooms have been used for centuries or even longer to treat common ailments, promote spiritual exploration, and bring people closer together.
In fact, some shrooms, like fly agaric (Amanita muscaria), are so ancient that researchers have traced their origins back to the period before indigenous peoples crossed from Eurasia to the Americas via the Bering Straits. That means that shroom use has been around for almost as long as modern human society has!
- Use the right amount for your body.
- Pay attention to side effects.
- Talk to a doctor before starting any new medication plan, shroomy or not.
- Take time to find the right products for your needs and goals.
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