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Can you smoke magic mushrooms? Everything you need to know

Magic mushrooms, commonly known as 'shrooms', are becoming increasingly well-known for their potential effects on mental health. According to a growing body of research, their psychoactive ingredient, psilocybin, can help treat anxiety, depression, addiction and other mental illnesses. Some healthy people also use them for personal and spiritual development.

As inhalation is a fairly common method of consuming psychoactive substances, some people may believe that smoking shrooms is beneficial. However, this could potentially do more harm than good. This article provides a detailed answer to the question "is it okay to smoke shrooms?" and explains why it is a bad idea.

Key findings

• Smoking shrooms is dangerous and can lead to harmful health effects.
• There are safer ways to consume magic mushrooms, such as eating or drinking them as a tea.
• Before using any psychoactive substance, it is important to thoroughly understand its effects on the body and to comply with all laws and regulations regarding its use.

Can mushrooms be smoked?

Magic mushrooms are in the news. Recently, advocates for the decriminalisation of psilocybin, the active compound found in mushrooms that is responsible for their hallucinogenic effects, have been attracting public attention.

However, most of the US still considers it illegal to sell. In some jurisdictions, possession and consumption has been decriminalised in small quantities, while Oregon has passed a law establishing a medical model for legalised psilocybin.

Despite this, it is still easy to find companies selling magic mushrooms online without any consequences. As usual with the black market, many products sold online are far from high quality. Unfortunately, the lack of regulation in the industry means that people can use them incorrectly.

The lack of regulation in the magic mushroom market may mean substandard products, but it also means that many users are consuming them incorrectly.

Some users believe it may be safe to smoke them; after all, people smoke many psychoactive substances such as cannabis, Salvia Divinorum and DMT. However, this is an inappropriate method of ingestion for many other psychoactive substances, including magic mushrooms.

The most common way to consume magic mushrooms is to eat them raw or to dry them and brew them into a tea. However, many people find their taste and texture unpleasant. This is why some people are looking for alternatives.

In early 2021, a man nearly died after injecting himself with mushroom tea. He spent several weeks in hospital, where doctors treated him for bacterial and fungal infections and multiple organ failure.

While this is an extreme and isolated case, it highlights the fact that people are interested in other methods of consumption - some of which can be dangerous.

Smoking mushrooms is not recommended because psilocybin is thermally labile, meaning that it breaks down at high temperatures. Therefore, it is unlikely to produce the desired effects. In addition, this practice is associated with several risks and side effects, which we will discuss below.

Here are some reasons why smoking mushrooms is wrong:

What happens when you smoke magic mushrooms?

Effects of mushroom smoking

According to reports on online forums such as Reddit, the effects of smoking mushrooms are mild or absent. Some say they have experienced mild psychedelic effects, but others suggest this may be related to a placebo effect. Others report that the practice has only caused side effects such as nausea.

One exception to this rule is the red toadstool mushroom (Amanita muscaria). Some users claim to have experienced psychoactive effects after smoking this mushroom. However, the red toadstool does not contain psilocybin. Its active compound is ibotenic acid, which is converted into muscimol when dried. The former can cause extreme discomfort, while the latter produces sedative and euphoric effects.

However, smoking any mushroom, regardless of its effects, is not recommended. We discuss the reasons for this position below.

Side effects of mushroom smoking

Negative side effects of mushrooms (if ingested orally) include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Panic
• Stimulation
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Fluctuations in body temperature
• Headaches

These side effects are usually short-lived. However, some people also experience an unpleasant or frightening overall experience known as a bad trip. Many people accept these adverse effects because of the potentially positive results of psilocybin use.

However, smoking mushrooms does not have the same benefit. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it can cause side effects without any associated benefits.

In addition, there are other serious risks associated with this practice. For example, fungi can be contaminated with mould spores, which can cause respiratory problems if inhaled.

There is also the well-known fact that burning anything harms the lungs, including magic mushrooms. Burning can release carcinogenic chemicals that are harmful to the respiratory tract and respiratory system, and magic mushrooms are no exception to this rule.

DON'T SMOKE MUSHROOMS, STUDY THEM!

Now that you know the dangers of smoking mushrooms, hopefully you will avoid the practice. A much healthier activity is to research how these amazing mushrooms work. You can do this quickly and legally by visiting the official Fungushead website. This reputable brand helps you discover the mystery of mushrooms by offering high-quality spores. With fast shipping to 47 states, you can start your research ASAP!

How to use mushrooms safely?

As you already know, smoking mushrooms or their dust is not a good idea. It is best to stick to the traditional method of oral consumption.

Some experienced psychonauts recommend mixing ground dried mushrooms with food such as peanut butter, chocolate cream or something similar. This will cover up the bitter taste of the mushrooms and make them easier to consume.

Others use powdered mushrooms to fill empty capsules and swallow them with water. This method is particularly popular with people who regularly use microdosing mushrooms.

Whatever the method of consumption, it is important to use magic mushrooms with responsibility. Proper preparation is key to an optimal experience and reducing the risk of a bad trip.

Paying attention to your mood, state of mind and physical environment is key. It is also recommended to consume psilocybin under the guidance of a professional guide or psychedelic therapist.

Finally, remember that magic mushrooms are still widely illegal, although there are now some exceptions. This article is for educational and harm reduction purposes. It is the reader's responsibility to familiarise themselves with the relevant legislation in their region.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to smoke hallucinogenic mushrooms?

Smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms can be hazardous to health. Smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms is not an effective or practical method of consumption.

What are the effects of smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms compared to eating them?

psilocybin, the active compound in hallucinogenic mushrooms, is not thermally stable and decomposes at temperatures typical of smoking. Therefore, smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms is not an effective method of achieving hallucinogenic effects.

Can smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms cause long-term health effects?

There is not enough scientific research to determine the long-term health effects of smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms. However, smoking hallucinogens may increase the risk of mental illness in people with a predisposition to such illnesses.

What are the legal consequences of smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms in Poland?

In Poland, the possession, sale as well as cultivation of hallucinogenic mushrooms is illegal. Smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms is also illegal and punishable under Polish law.

Are there safe methods of using hallucinogenic mushrooms?

There are no safe methods of using hallucinogenic mushrooms. There is always a risk of unpredictable reactions and side effects.

How quickly do hallucinogenic mushrooms act once they are lit?

the hallucinogenic effects after smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms appear faster than after consumption, but last for a shorter period of time. However, due to the dangers of smoking hallucinogenic mushrooms, this method of consumption is not recommended.