If you’re a psilonaut who’s into the latest trends, then you’ve probably heard of lemon tek. But what exactly is it? In short, lemon tek is a way to make magic mushrooms more potent. However, if this is the first time you hear of lemon tek and you’re just a beginner, there are a few things you need to know before you go ahead and start dosing yourself with lemon tek’d shrooms.
Here’s everything you need to know about this trendy new way to trip.
What Is Lemon Tek?
Lemon tekking is a common practice among the psilonaut community. Instead of simply consuming dried magic mushrooms, experienced psychedelic users prepare them for consumption by soaking them in lemon juice or lime juice. By soaking them in lemon or lime juice for 15 to 20 minutes, the psilocybin mushrooms are reported to become up to four times as strong. While the jury’s still undecided on how lemon tekking works on a chemical level, many anecdotal reports claim that lemon tek makes your trip shorter and more intense.
How Does Lemon Tek Work?
Lemon tek helps to:
- Break down the cell walls of psilocybin mushrooms
- Convert psilocybin in its prodrug, psilocin for a faster come-up
- Reduce nausea by breaking down chitin
The lemon tek method is all about the acid in the lemon juice which is similar to stomach acidity. The mechanism of action behind lemon tekking has yet to be concretely understood. However, we do know that citrus juices carry a pH similar to stomach acidity – between 2 and 2.6 as opposed to 1.5 and 3.5 – and that the dephosphorylation of shrooms’ enzymes intensifies in such acidic environments.
When magic mushrooms are soaked in lemon or lime juice, the acid breaks down the cell walls of the shrooms. This makes it easier for a human’s body to absorb the psilocybin, which is the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. Some psilonauts speculate that the lemon or even lime juice chemically converts psilocybin into its prodrug, psilocin. Psilocin is what causes the hallucinations and other psychedelic effects associated with magic mushrooms. As a result, you’ll feel the effects of psilocybin mushrooms much sooner and the trip will be much more intense. This is not something you want to do if it’s your first time undergoing a psychedelic experience.
Humans are unable to digest raw fungi. Psilocybin and psilocin are stored in the cell walls of psychedelic mushrooms, which contain hard-to-digest chitin. Citrus acid helps to break down the chitin, which is why psychonauts believe lemon tekking is a great hack to reduce nausea experienced by many during the come-up in the psychedelic experience.
Lemon Tek Benefits
The reported benefits of lemon tekking are:
- Accelerated onset effects: Converting psilocybin into psilocin outside of the body leads to a more rapid uptake time.
- Fighting anxiety: Some people experience anxiety during their come up, which could lead to potential bad trips. Some psilonauts suggest that lemon tekked shrooms help your digestive system get a head start which may help to reduce the anxiety effects.
- Shorter trip duration: Because the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin has already happened, psilocin is able to take effect more quickly in the body.
- Better Taste: The lemon juice masks the earthy, cardboardy taste of regular dried shrooms.
- Decreased nausea: According to some psilonauts, the acid in lemon juice breaks down chitin, which are cell walls found in magic mushrooms. This is one of the main reasons why some people experience nausea after consuming shrooms. If you’re someone who suffers from severe nausea, drinking mushroom tea might be a better option for you as it doesn’t contain any chitin.
Lemon Tek Vs. Shroom Tea
Both methods are used to reduce the earthy taste of dried mushrooms, reduce nausea and induce a faster come-up. You can however, add regular tea bags to your lemon tek such as, hibiscus or chamomile in order to add even more flavor to the concoction. If you want to opt in for mushroom tea experience, you may also consult our magic mushroom tea guide.
Lemon Tek Recipe Instructions
If you’re sold on the idea of lemon tekking, making it is actually pretty simple. If you don’t feel like reading the instructions, you may follow the steps outlined in the video below:
Ingredients you’ll need:
- The main component on course: your dose of psilocybin mushrooms or truffles. It is recommended for inexperienced users to begin with half a dose.
- 1-2 lemons per dose. You can also use organic lemon or lime juice.
- A cannabis or coffee grinder. A blender would also do the job.
- Coffee filters or a cheese cloth. (optional)
- A shot glass
If you have your items ready, you can follow these steps:
- Grind your mushrooms into fine powder.
- Pour your powder into a shot glass.
- Juice your lemons or limes, pour the liquid over the mushroom powder and ensure that the powder is entirely covered.
- Let the mixture to sit for 15-20 minutes. Stirring the mixture occasionally will help to prevent it from sticking to the pot.
- (Optional) After juicing the mushrooms, filter the mixture through paper or a cheesecloth to get rid of any solid residue. Though this method might lower the intensity of the juice’s flavor, it can also help reduce nausea.
- (Optional) Add water to your concoction. This will improve the taste and allow you to savor it more fully.
- Cheers! If you want to get the full effect of your lemon tek, then drink it quickly. If you’re looking for a strong and fast come-up, this is just for you.
So, Does Lemon Tek Amplify Your Psychedelic Experience?
Yes. Although there’s no scientific evidence to support that lemon tek makes the magic mushrooms more potent, there are plenty of anecdotal reports from people who claim that soaking your psilocybin mushrooms in lemon juice accelerates onset effects and concentrates psilocybin’s psychedelic effects, making them 2 to 3 more potent compared to consuming dried mushrooms. According to psychonauts on reddit, lemon tekking offers a heightened cerebral experience, featuring mesmerizing visuals and profound spiritual sensations. It also appears to alleviate physical fatigue after-effects.
Soaking your mushrooms in citric juice is also reported to get rid of the one- to two-hour wait between simply taking shrooms and feeling their impact.
If you’re interested in trying lemon tek, there’s no harm in giving it a shot (pun intended). Just be sure to start with a lower dose than you would normally take if you’ve never had apsychedelic experience since the fast come-up and more intense psychedelic effects may be anxiety inducing to the inexperienced novice.
How Long Does It Take for Lemon Tek to Kick in?
Lemon tek onset effects: 10-45 minutes
Lemon tek duration of effects: 4-6 hours
The psychedelic effects of lemon tekked shrooms will begin within 10 to 45 minutes as opposed to the typical 30-90 minutes mark for sried mushrooms. When you lemon tek mushrooms, the effects come on faster and are more intense. In terms of duration, a trip that would normally last 6-8 hours will be shortened to 4-6 hours.
Some people want the effects of magic mushrooms to come on quickly, while others find the slow build-up more manageable. If you’ve never lemon tek’d before, the quick come up may be feel too much to handle. This leaves no room for adjusting or getting used to the psychedelic experience. You should ease into the experience so there are no surprises.
What Mushroom Strains to Use for Lemon Tek
There is no best psilocybin strain for lemon tekking. This depends entirely of the user and the type of experience they desire to obtain. Some Psilocybe cubensis strains can be a lot more potent than others and their effects in terms of visuals and user experience may also differ.
Based on that Spring 2022 Psilocybin Cup, some of the most potent Psilocybe cubensis stains are Penis Envy, Yeti, Perly Gates, and Enigma.
However, Golden Teachers are some of the most popular strains for beginners because they have the most predicable dosage (0.61% psilocybin & 0.60% psilocin), their trips have a shorter average duration of 2-4 hours and are some of the most common psychedelic mushrooms to find in North America.
Psilocybin Dosage & Effects
| Name | Dose | Effects |
| Microdose | 0.1g – 0.5g | Sub perceptual changes. No hallucinations Enhanced flow Sates. Potential to reduce anxiety, stress and focus |
| Low dose/ Museum dose | 0.5g – 1.5g | More noticeable effects like light visuals, warm feelings, euphoria. However, you’ll still be able to perform cognitive tasks. |
| Moderate dose | 2g to 3.5g | More pronounced psychedelic effects such as, fractal, geometric visuals, introspective thoughts, synesthesia, disorientation, increased flow of ideas, amplification of emotions, increased yawning during come-up, difficulty with cognitive tasks, reality-altering hallucinations. |
| High dose | 3.5g – 5g | Intense psychedelic trips that can induce mystical and spiritual experiences and ego dissolution, mystical experiences, meetings with otherworldly beings, time dissociation, difficulty with cognitive tasks, potential bad trips. |
It is important to note that the table below describes the reported effects of eating dried shrooms. As we previously said, lemon tekking shrooms can increase the potency of the mushrooms, making the psychedelic effects 2 or 3 times stronger than consuming dried mushrooms.
Hence, if you’re planning to lemon tek, it is possible that lemon tekking 2.5g of shrooms may feel like 5g, and so on. This is why it is always recommended to start low and eventually increase your dosage.
For more information, see: The Beginner’s Guide to Psilocybin Mushrooms
Are There Any Risks Associated With Lemon Tekking Psilocybin Mushrooms?
- Higher chance of a distressing experience for a person experimenting with mushrooms for the first time
- Potential acid reflux – Not recommended for those with sensitive stomachs
- Increased blood pressure
Of course, with anything that promises to make your experience more intense, there are a few risks involved. Some people may argue that a faster journey is not always better. Soaking your shrooms in lemon juice will make them more potent, which means there’s a greater chance that you’ll have a distressing experience, if you’re an inexperienced psilonaut. If you do decide to lemon tek your shrooms, make sure you start with a small dose and work your way up from there.
A Warning For Those With A Sensitive Stomach
Those with a sensitive stomach might experience some acid reflux when lemon tekking. If you want to reduce the chances of having any gastrointestinal problems, fast for 3-4 hours before hand. Just be aware that fasting can make the experience more intense. In addition to fasting, pay attention to your diet in general a few days before taking the lemon tek mushroom trip. Eat healthy foods and avoid alcohol. It is highly recommended to avoid processed foods and greasy meals that may cause inflammation in the gut. What should be done instead is opting for a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. A light salad or a bowl of soup would be perfect for this purpose. It is also advisable to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Read also: A Guide to Your Diet Before, During and After Your Psychedelic Trip
Psilocybin can also increase your blood pressure, so if you have any sort of heart condition or high blood pressure, it’s best to play it safe and avoid lemon tek altogether.
It’s important to remember that psilocybin mushrooms may not be safe for everyone due to associated risks. Using unregulated mind-altering substances carries potential dangers, and it is recommended that individuals with cardiovascular problems or psychosis avoid them. Additionally, some medications may have negative interactions with psychedelics. To stay safe, it is advised to proceed with caution and conduct thorough research prior to consuming such substances.
Although the physical safety of people taking psychedelics seems to be relatively secure, one should be mindful of potential hazards as these substances can elevate heart rate and blood pressure considerably.
Large doses of psychedelics can cause dangerous effects on the heart if you have a pre-existing heart condition. Additionally, if you suffer from impaired liver or kidney function, you may have difficulty breaking down and processing these substances.
Although Rare HPPD Is a Potential Risk When Consuming Psilocybin Mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms use has been linked to a rare condition known as Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD). Individuals with HPPD may experience frequent hallucinations or “flashbacks” for an extended period of time, which can range from weeks to months or even years. Why some people develop this condition while others do not is still unclear. And unfortunately, we still don’t know much about why some individuals experience HPPD nor do we know how to stop it —mainly because we’ve barely scratched the surface of how humans interact and perceive the world (and why). However, it is understood that this condition manifests in two distinct ways:
- Type 1 is characterized by intermittent bursts of perceptual alterations
- Type 2 is defined by constant and daily perceptual changes.
HPPD symptoms include:
- Visual snow (gray dusting of particles)
- Trails following objects in motion
- Intense light sensitivity
- Kaleidoscopic imagery
- Faces appearing on objects
- Afterimages (images that continue to appear after exposure to the original)
- Cognitive effects, such as disassociation, disruption in common thinking patterns, or a sudden difficulty reading and processing information.
Serotonin Syndrome
Consuming lemon tek while taking antidepressants like SSRIs or MAOIs may increase serotonin levels and could possibly result in serotonin syndrome. It is not recommended to discontinue antidepressants before using psilocybin mushrooms.
However, some studies indicate that there may not be a danger in combining certain antidepressants with psilocybin. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology found that serotonergic antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs seem to reduce psilocybin’s effects relative to non-serotonergic antidepressants, and that this dampening effect may persist for up to three months after individuals discontinue taking antidepressants.
Ro learn more about this study, read: SSRIs and SNRIs Appear to Weaken Psilocybin’s Effects, New Study Finds
What to Expect From Your Psychedelic Experience
Psilocybin mushrooms have a reputation for providing people with a gentle yet profound introspective experience. They can help individuals gain clarity on life questions they may have and increase awareness of suppressed memories and thought patterns linked to larger life themes. Additionally, mushies can foster a deep connection with nature. Although taking high doses may lead to full hallucinations that are difficult to distinguish from reality, this is not a frequent occurrence.
Taking a moderate dose of psilocybin mushrooms (1-2.5g) can intensify your emotional experiences and increase your introspection. It might also lead you to have hypnagogic experiences, which is a state between being awake and asleep. According to brain imaging studies, a psilocybin trip is similar to dreaming, providing insight into what you might experience while under a psychedelic experience.
Taking shrooms can alter your perception, emotions, and sense of time. This may cause you to see halos and geometric patterns when you close your eyes. Moreover, you may experience vivid colors, tracers, and distorted vision. You might feel like the world is breathing around you. The intake of shrooms can also affect your thoughts and emotions that can lead you to become more receptive to ideas and feelings that you previously dismissed. Engaging in this activity can help you develop a deeper interest and appreciation for the world, the people in your life, and your own inner experiences. This may lead to increased satisfaction and a stronger sense of connection with the world.
When traveling, you may have strong emotions, both good and bad. It’s better to let negative feelings flow through you instead of fighting them. People who accept intense negative emotions have also felt calm and detached. Remember that these emotions are temporary. If you fight them, you could have a “bad trip.”
Read: Can You Predict a ‘Bad’ Psychedelic Trip? And Can You Stop One Once It Starts?
The intensity of the trip will depend on the type of mushroom and dosage
The potency of psilocybin mushrooms varies significantly based on their species and variety, growth conditions, and age. For example, Psilocybe cubensis and Psilocybe semilanceata are typical types of mushrooms that have approximately 6-10mg of psilocybin per gram of dried shrooms. Meanwhile, Psilocybe azurenscens and Psilocybe bohemica are may have a higher amount of psilocybin at about 1.78% and 1.74%, respectively.
One example of an intermediate potency mushroom is the Panaeolus cyanescens, also referred to as Copelandia cyanescens, that contains 0.85% psilocybin.
Read: The Strongest Magic Mushroom Species Ranked by Potency
You may also like: A List of the Strongest Psilocybe cubensis Strains
Psilocybin Research
A plethora of studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of psilocybin therapy in the treatment of anorexia, tobacco addiction, alcohol use disorder, weight gain, major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression and more. Publicly traded companies such as Compass Pathways, Cybin, Usona Institute, Numinus, TRYP Therapeutics and Core One Labs are actively researching a variety of therapeutic applications of psilocybin.
Among these companies, Compass Pathways is the furthest advanced.
In May 2023, Sunstone Therapies’ investigator-initiated Phase 2 study assessing COMPASS Pathways’ synthetic psilocybin release positive long-term follow-up data where 57% of patients who were administered a single 25mg dose of psilocybin paired with psychological support reported sustained remission of depression, with 64% experiencing a robust clinical response 18 months later.
In June, Compass Pathways launched the largest Phase 3 clinical trial investigating psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), composed of two separate pivotal trials totaling 946 participants and one long-term follow-up study. The use of psilocybin-assisted therapy for the treatment of major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression and other mental health ailments has seen researchers jumping at the opportunity to study the benefits of the magic mushrooms, and this Phase 3 could be a major breakthrough in the psychedelics field. Let’s not forget that positive data can also be used as supporting evidence of the benefits of psilocybin therapy in decriminalization efforts across the USA and globally.
The psychedelic industry is currently experiencing significant shifts. On July 1st, Australia began treating PTSD with MDMA and TRD with psilocybin. We are also Meanwhile, more and more psychedelic treatment centers will begin opening up in Oregon and Colorado as psychedelic reform efforts across the United States continue to progress. Provided that Compass’ Phase 3 clinical trial shows significantly positive results, FDA approval for psilocybin therapy may become reality in 2025.
In June, 2023 another study published in the International Journal of Wellbeing, which examined the psychological characteristics of psychedelic users and through an online survey found that classical psychedelic users have “greater psychological strengths and well-being, and lower levels of distress” compared to cannabis and alcohol, and a self-transcendent experience is a significant predictor of positive outcomes of psychedelic use. The paper titled “Psychedelics and Psychological Strengths” discussed findings from three studies with a total of 3,157 participants. According to the survey results, psychedelic users reported various strengths, showed less distress, and improved well-being.
To find out more read: Psychedelic Users Show Greater Psychological Strengths and Improved Well-being, Study Finds
Later that month, another study published in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction explored changes in substance use patterns in Canadians after taking psychedelics reported that significant proportion of psychedelic users reported having either decreased or completely stopped alcohol, cocaine and antidepressant use after going through a psychedelic experience.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I use lime instead of lemon?
Yes, lemon tekking can be done using either lemons or limes. If lemon or lime is not your thing, you may even use grapefruit juice. The main thing is the pH of the juice. Some people also suggest that orange juice may also be used as an alternative because oranges don’t contain as much citric acid in them, making them less efficient for lemon tekking.
How long will it take for the lemon tek effects to kick in?
The general consensus among psilonauts is that it would take 10-45 minutes for the psychedelic effects to kick in and the full psychedelic experience may peak at the 90 minute benchmark.
How long will the lemon tek trip last?
The average psychedelic experience will last 4 to 5 hours. Avid trippers report that they will feel the effects starting to subside after the 3rd hour, reaching baseline by the 4th hour.
How long to soak for Lemon tek?
Typically, it is enough to soak your grinded mushrooms for 15-20 minutes. Letting your shrooms sit in lemon juice longer will result in a more pleasant taste but the concoction may become even more potent.
Can I store lemon tek and use it later?
Psilocybin is sensitive to light and heat, which is why it will start losing its potency within a day or less after storing it in the fridge. This is why it’s recommended to take the lemon tek concoction after you’ve let the mushrooms soak for 15-20 minutes. While anecdotal reports may differ, it is important to note that not everyone is built the same. Some people may be more sensitive to psilocybin than others, making a lemon tek that’s lost some its original potency still potent enough for an intense visual trip.
Can I freeze my lemon tek?
It is recommended. According to psilonauts, freezing it degrades the active compounds, making it loose potency. Some redditors however claim that it the juice remains deeply frozen, it could be stored in the freezer for up to 3 weeks.
Can I Microdose by Lemon Tekking?
Combining lemon tekking and microdosing would be counterproductive as they serve different purposes – lemon tekking concentrates the experience while microdosing draws out the benefits from a smaller dose. If you’re not seeking a faster or more intense experience, lemon tekking may not be the best option for you at the moment. To find more information about microdosing, visit our Microdosing Psilocybin for Beginners in 5 Easy Steps guide.
Which psilocybin mushrooms can I use?
There are many popular mushrooms species you can get get your hands on. However, psilocybin cubensis is one of the most widely circulated indoor strains, and probably the most common shroom species to lemon tek. For those who want to explore other species, here’s a list of the strongest psilocybe cubensis strains.
So there you have it—everything you need to know about Lemon Tekking your magic mushrooms! We hope this guide has helped clear things up for anyone who was curious about this trendy new method of taking shrooms. Just remember, when in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of caution!
Disclaimer: Psychedelic Spotlight does not condone the use of illegal substances. The purpose of this article is for educational and harm reduction purposes only. If you suffer from a medical or mental condition, please consult with your doctor before taking any substance.
