Cannabis users who also use hallucinogenic mushrooms are not rare, and vice versa. Pushing limits can frequently lead to new discoveries. Given that the tried and tested way of taking shrooms can lead to incredible trips, should we bother to break the mold?
Exploring the idea of smoking mushrooms is a different approach, but is it one that should be supported? The idea may sound outlandish to some. You can smoke mushrooms, but whether you receive the same psychedelic effects as if you ate them is a different matter.
Dried mushrooms can be crushed into a powder and rolled up on their own or mixed with tobacco or cannabis to be smoked. But is this a good idea?
What are shrooms?
Magic mushrooms, commonly known as shrooms, are naturally occurring psychedelic and hallucinogenic compounds found in wild or farmed mushrooms. Psilocybin is one of the most well-known psychedelic substances.
Although certain civilizations have long used the hallucinogenic effects of specific mushrooms, Dr. Albert Hofmann, who also discovered lysergic acid diethylamide, extracted psilocybin for the first time in 1958. (LSD).
They can be consumed freshly harvested but they are typically dried and incorporated into food or beverages.
What effects do magic mushrooms have?
Magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic substances, which means they may make you see, hear, and feel things that aren’t real. The effects of magic mushrooms are extremely varied and significantly impacted by the user’s surroundings.
Shrooms have traditionally been connected with spiritual and self-discovery experiences. Many people think that natural substances such as magic mushrooms, cannabis, and mescaline are sacred plants that may help individuals achieve higher spiritual states. Others consume magic mushrooms to feel euphoric, connected and have a skewed sense of time.
The psilocybin in mushrooms is converted to psilocin in the body, which is thought to affect serotonin levels in the brain, resulting in strange experiences. It takes 20-40 minutes for the effects to kick in, and they can last up to 6 hours.
Smoking shrooms
It is absolutely feasible to smoke shrooms. If magic mushrooms are dried and crushed into a powder, they can be smoked. Some psychedelic aficionados like smoking and eating mushrooms simultaneously.
Other proponents of psychedelic smoking believe that smoking mushrooms reduces the intensity of the fungus’s psychoactive high, resulting in a more mellow impact.
Smoking mushrooms is said to cause sensations of:
- Enlightenment
- Insight
- Euphoria
Some mushroom users claim that inhaling the fungus while also taking it orally ensures a pleasant trip, boosting creativity, elevating emotions, and enhancing the senses to create feelings of awe while taking in the sights.
However, from a theoretical standpoint, smoking mushrooms should not contribute to mental expansion. Psilocybin is extremely delicate, and it degrades quickly when exposed to heat. The melting temperature of psilocybin is about 420 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas the melting point of mushroom material is around 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures in a pipe, bong, or cigarette may easily surpass 840 degrees Fahrenheit, which is double the melting point temperature. That’s more than enough power to eliminate the hallucinogenic chemical before it has a chance to effect your brain.
The general consensus is that smoking mushrooms will have no effect due to the chemical characteristics of psilocybin. There’s a reason why most people take their mushrooms orally, and given how simple it is, it’s definitely the best option for most people.
Regardless of the science, there are numerous self-reports online of people smoking mushrooms and claiming to have experienced something. These sensations can range from a fleeting yet pleasant psychedelic sense to full-fledged but brief trips. Regardless, the bulk of these self-reports imply that smoking mushrooms produces a moderate-high that lasts just a fraction of the time as orally consuming them.
There is no conclusive evidence that smoking mushrooms has any effect. Smokers may be able to achieve something like micro-dosing, but the risks of ingesting mushrooms through smoking may be far greater than the benefits.
Is it dangerous?
To begin with, any form of smoking is harmful to your health. Toxins and particles found in all types of smoking can injure lung tissue and blood vessels, raising the risk of lung cancer.
There are a few hazards to smoking mushrooms that aren’t there when they’re merely consumed. You’ll be breathing spores and fungal-laden dust if you smoke them. The most serious danger is that spores, or airborne fungus, can get stuck in the throat and lungs. As a result, the lungs may become infected or inflamed.
The psilocybin side effects are the same whether you smoke or eat mushrooms. Adverse side effects might manifest in a variety of ways after it enters your body. Experience with mushrooms, present mood, and the amount taken are all factors that affect these effects.
It’s usually a good idea to proceed with caution. If this is your first time smoking mushrooms, start slowly and work your way up. Starting with one joint to see how you feel and working your way up from there may be a good idea.
The following are some of the negative consequences of mushrooms:
- Lapses in memory
- Paranoia
- Fear
- Vomiting
- Confusion
