If psilocybin (the psychedelic also known as “magic mushrooms”) interests you, keep reading. We’ll break down what it is, what effects you can expect and how to make magic mushroom chocolates.
Cannabis legalization has been an important issue in the US for decades, with varied progress in individual jurisdictions (close to half of the states have passed some form of cannabis legalization at the time of this article’s publication). But what about the decriminalization and legalization of psychedelics? Research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelic medicine has come to the forefront through organizations such as MAPS, The Imperial College of London and Johns Hopkins University. In the US, the FDA has granted breakthrough status to both MDMA and psilocybin (also known as magic mushrooms) for treatment-resistant depression as well as PTSD. Both substances are tracking to be fully legal within clinical settings by 2024, and some areas of the country.
If psilocybin interests you, read on for more about the psychedelic fungi, including how to make your own edibles. (Note that while psilocybin is a controlled substance in the US and largely illegal to produce, some regions have decriminalized possession, starting with Denver, Colorado, in 2019. This article is intended for people living in areas where psilocybin is decriminalized.)
What is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin is a chemical compound found within specific types of mushrooms. When you consume psilocybin, it turns into psilocin, which has psychoactive properties that cause a psychedelic experience.
The most common ways to consume magic mushrooms are by eating dried mushrooms raw, brewing them into teas or mixing them into foods.
In terms of the latter, psilocybin edibles are made in similar fashion to cannabis edibles—dried, ground magic mushrooms are mixed with food (like chocolate) and then consumed.
Many people prefer ingesting their magic mushrooms as an edible because, on their own, mushrooms have a pungent, earthy flavor that can be unpleasant. Adding chocolate to your ‘shrooms makes the experience more palatable (go figure!).
The Effects Can You Expect From Psilocybin
Consuming psilocybin will induce a psychedelic experience that typically bring on changes in perception and an altered state of consciousness.
Here’s how the process works: The psilocybin in magic mushrooms is converted to psilocin in the body which influences serotonin levels in the brain and creates an altered state of consciousness. Magic mushrooms can induce a variety of experiences, from fits of giggles to a powerful emotional or even spiritual awakening. People report feeling euphoric and more connected to the world around them.
Magic mushrooms generally take between 20 and 40 minutes to kick in and the effects can last up to around six hours—the amount of time it takes for psilocin to be metabolized in the body.
When eating magic mushroom edibles, we suggest waiting a half an hour before ingesting more chocolate to assess the intensity of your trip.
How to Make Magic Mushroom Chocolates
Making magic mushroom chocolates at home is easy. The hardest part is accurately dosing the chocolates.
A low dose of psilocybin mushrooms is considered to be one gram or less. A “heroic dose,” which is a large dose, is five grams. When grinding mushrooms to use in chocolate, keep this in mind as you will want to estimate the amount of psilocybin per square of chocolate. Purchasing a digital scale will help you more accurately assess the amount of mushrooms. Keep in mind that potency varies from strain to strain.
Ideally, your magic mushroom chocolates should be measured in grams. If you follow the directions below, you will have 28 evenly sized chocolate pieces made from one ounce of magic mushrooms (28 grams). This means that each chocolate should contain close to one gram of psilocybin mushroom powder.
It’s important to note that this process may not be exact, and you should exercise caution when consuming your homemade psilocybin chocolates. Start by eating half of a chocolate and waiting 30 to 40 minutes before consuming more.
What You’ll Need
- A grinder (a coffee grinder or blender will work)
- 12 ounces chocolate chips, melting wafers or chocolate bar
- 1 oz. dried psilocybin mushrooms
- A sturdy saucepan
- Metal or pyrex bowl
- A chocolate mold (optional—you can use a banking sheet as an alternative)
Directions
- Grind the psilocybin mushrooms to a fine powder. (Important: Be sure to thoroughly clean whatever appliance you used to grind your mushrooms if you use it for other foods.)
- Melt the chocolate. You can do this by double boiling: Fill a pot halfway with water and bring to a boil, then place your bowl over the pot, add the chocolate and stir gently to melt. (If you have a double boiler, you can use this instead of the pot-and-bowl method.)
- Remove chocolate from heat and allow to cool slightly to the touch.
- Mix the powdered mushrooms into the cooled chocolate. Stir until the mixture is evenly distributed and there are no clumps.
- Pour the mixture into a mold(s) or onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
- Let the mixture cool until the chocolate hardens.
If you used a mold, you can break the chocolate up as soon as it’s fully cooled and firm. If the chocolate was poured onto a baking sheet, use a sharp knife to cut into 28 even sections.
Remember: A good trip can often relate to your environment. Be sure to eat your chocolates in a safe, welcoming place and enjoy the ride!
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