Wake Receives First-Ever Approval for Psilocybin Microdose Study for Anxiety and Depression
Microdosing, Research
In the first approval of its kind, Wake Network will study the effects of microdosing psilocybin on anxiety and depression.
Drinking psilocybin mushroom tea is not only more pleasant, but it also has quicker effects and is easier on the stomach. It's also quite simple.
As psychedelic substances are becoming increasingly accepted in society and more states and cities are decriminalizing them, magic mushroom tea has also become a popular option.
Not only is it a more pleasant way to consume your psilocybin mushrooms, but it's also faster-acting and easier on the stomach. It's a win-win situation. In this ultimate guide, we'll give you a simple recipe for making magic mushroom tea that will help you kick off your journey with ease.
Psilocybin, which can grow in various climates, has been used for more than 10,000 years, and there is some evidence to suggest that its influence on human consciousness dates back to 10,000 B.C.E.
More than 180 species of mushrooms contain psilocybin, however, researchers believe that the psychoactive effects do not come directly from it, but from its metabolite, psilocin. Psilocin, in its altered form, triggers the serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT2ARs), resulting in psychedelic effects on the brain.
Psilocybin mushrooms have a rich history of use in Mesoamerican spiritual and religious rituals, and are commonly used as psychedelics in the U.S. and Europe. However, they are not just a drug or sacrament – they have also been used in therapeutic settings to treat various conditions such as anorexia, tobacco addiction, alcohol use disorder, weight gain, major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression and more.
Mushroom tea in the forest |photo by Gaerana on Shutterstock.
When it comes to consuming magic mushrooms, many people often struggle with the unpleasant nausea that often comes with chewing them dry. However, like lemon tek, magic mushroom tea is a solution that not only eases the stomach but amplifies the psychedelic experience. By boiling the mushrooms in hot water, the active ingredient psilocybin is extracted into the water, creating a tea that is both more potent and easier to digest. Not only does this method result in a faster onset of the effects, but it also eliminates the raw mushroom material that can cause stomach discomfort. So if you're looking for a way to elevate your magic mushroom experience, consider trying shroom tea as a beneficial alternative.
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Moreover, chewing and swallowing dried mushrooms might not be the most pleasant experience for everyone, as the earthy taste can be hard to get down without gagging. However, by adding other tea bags to the mix, individuals can mask the taste of the mushrooms and enjoy their benefits without the unpleasant aftertaste. This alternative method of consumption not only offers a more enjoyable experience, but it can also enhance the effects of the mushrooms. So why settle for a less than desirable flavor when shroom tea offers more benefits?
Before you start making your tea, you'll need to get your hands on some high-quality magic mushrooms. You can grow them yourself, buy them from a trusted supplier or psychedelic dispensary. However, it is important to know the risks of procuring yourself with shrooms form online dispensaries. You'll also need a tea kettle, a strainer, some honey, and your favorite tea bags or loose-leaf tea.
Read: These Are the Best Areas to Forage for Psychedelic Mushrooms in the United States
Read: The Risks of Buying Shrooms From Online Dispensaries: Here's What Could Happen
You may also like: How to Grow Magic Mushrooms At Home
It's important to note that the strength of psilocybin mushrooms varies significantly based on their species and variety, growth conditions, and age.
Psilocybe cubensis and Psilocybe semilanceata are typical types of mushrooms that have around 6-10mg of psilocybin per gram of dried mushrooms. Meanwhile, Psilocybe azurenscens and Psilocybe bohemica are other types of mushrooms that 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
For more information, see: The Beginner's Guide to Psilocybin Mushrooms
Serving size for mushroom tea depends on your desired potency and how many uses you want out of your brew. This recipe calls for an eighth of shrooms and 2 cups of water. If you want a lower dose per cup, increase the water amount to 3 cups.
Once you have obtained shrooms, making magic mushroom tea is quite easy. You can use any tea you prefer, but it's recommended to use caffeine-free tea blends to avoid any interference with your psilocybin experience.
It is recommended that you acquire a scale if you do not already have one. It can be frustrating to unintentionally consume too few or too many mushrooms and only realize it after a few hours.
It is crucial to calculate the right dosage when taking psychedelic mushrooms, as it affects the whole trip. Referring to the able above, the minimum dose to feel its effects is within the 0.3-0.75g range, while a moderate dose ranges from 2-3.5g. Beginners should start with a lower dose to assess their psilocybin sensitivity. If you're feeling brave, you can increase the amount, but it's generally recommended to start low and work your way up.
Grinding your shrooms before making tea will help maximize the potency of your infusion, similar to how grinding weed makes it easier to pack and smoke.
Fill your tea kettle with water and boil it on the stove. You'll want to aim for around 190-200 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don't have a temperature gauge, just boil the water until it starts to bubble.
Place your grinded mushrooms into a teapot or mug and pour the boiling water over them.
To enhance the taste of mushroom tea, you may consider adding other flavors as mushrooms themselves may not have a strong flavor and can taste a bit earthy. You might find adding herbal blends such as hibiscus, licorice, and green tea. Add your tea bags or loose-leaf tea to the mix (if you want to add some more flavor) and stir in some honey to sweeten the taste. Stir the ingredients for a few minutes. If you want, you can add lemon, lemon peel, a splash of orange juice, or any other citrus to enhance the taste and give an extra boost.
Cover your teapot or mug with a lid or a saucer to keep the heat in and let it steep for 10-15 minutes. This will allow the mushrooms to release their psilocybin into the water, making the tea much more potent than eating the mushrooms on their own. The longer you steep the mushrooms, the stronger the psychedelic effects.
After 15 minutes, you can use a strainer to remove the mushroom pieces and tea bags or loose-leaf tea from the liquid. Pour the tea into a cup, sip it slowly, and enjoy the ride.
Incorporating a microdose into your weekly routine means taking a dose that is sub-perceptual, meaning you won't notice any effects. The purpose is to boost your creativity, energy, and focus, as well as reduce stress, anxiety, and emotional instability.
Find out more in our data-driven microdosing guide.
Some common effects are:
A microdose of psilocybin should not have any noticeable effects, but a mini-dose will slightly enhance your perceptions without causing a full psychedelic experience. One community member described it as a feeling of expanded consciousness and free-flowing thoughts while still being grounded in reality.
Some common are:
Dr. Alexander Shulgin coined the term “museum dose” to refer to a moderate amount of psilocybin that allows for some effects to be noticeable does not result in a complete psychedelic experience. While a museum dose is stronger than a mini-dose, it still permits one to engage in public activities without drawing attention, such as viewing art in a museum.
Some common effects are:
Individuals may also experience negative effects such as difficulty focusing or feeling uncomfortable in social situations. Additionally, finding the right dosage may be challenging and frustrating.
This is the point where you will start experiencing the full effects of psychedelic. You may witness visual hallucinations which could include patterns and fractals. Moreover, you may also experience distortion in aspects such as time and depth perception. However, with this particular dose, you will still be able to understand your surroundings, although they will be greatly altered.
Some common effects are:
Taking a heroic dose can cause a complete disconnection from reality. This can result in intense hallucinations, ego death, mystical experiences, and deep introspection.
Some common effects are:
Ensure that you create an appropriate set and setting before drinking your magic mushroom tea.
To have a positive experience while consuming your magic mushroom tea, it is important that you maintain a calm and positive mindset and ensure that your surroundings are conducive to a positive experience.
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Experts advise that individuals who are experiencing severe mental distress or physical illness, or have a history of psychosis, should either delay taking psychedelics until they recover or avoid using them altogether because “set” is linked to the individual.
If you're planning a psychedelic experience, it may help to do some research on the topic, try yoga or meditation to relax your mind and body, or speak with a therapist or guide beforehand.
The term “setting” refers to the physical location where drugs are consumed. To increase the likelihood of a positive experience, you can improve your approach by:
If you prepare well, you can lower the chance of having a bad trip and be better equipped to handle it if it does happen.
For a better psilocybin mushroom trip, sit comfortably, play calming music, and reduce stress with essential oils. You may sip or chug the tea based on your preference and tolerance to the taste. Keep an open mind and relax to fully enjoy the experience.
As we mentioned above, shroom tea will increase the potency of your shrooms. It's important to note that a faster and more intense experience is not always better. If you're new to using psilocybin, a more potent trip could lead to a more uncomfortable experience. If you choose to have a magic mushroom tea journey, it's recommended that you start with a small dose and gradually increase it.
Please keep in mind that psilocybin mushrooms may not be safe for everyone. There are risks associated with using these unregulated mind-altering substances. For instance, people with cardiovascular problems or psychosis should avoid them. Additionally, certain medications may interact negatively with psychedelics. Therefore, it's advisable to proceed with caution and conduct extensive research before consuming such substances.
While many individuals who take psychedelics appear to be relatively safe from a physiological standpoint, it is important to be aware of potential risks since these substances can cause a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
If you have an underlying heart condition, taking large amounts of psychedelics can lead to a cardiac adverse event. Also, if you have impaired liver or kidney function, you may have trouble processing and metabolizing these drugs.
Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD) is a rare condition that has been linked to the use of psilocybin mushrooms. People with HPPD may experience frequent hallucinations or “flashbacks” for an extended period, ranging from weeks to months or even years. The reasons why some individuals develop this condition while others do not are still unknown.
You may also like: Understanding HPPD to Prioritize Harm Reduction of a Very Real Psychedelic Risk
If you are taking antidepressants like SSRIs or MAOIs, consuming magic mushroom tea can raise serotonin levels and potentially lead to serotonin syndrome. While some people may choose to stop taking their antidepressants prior to using psilocybin mushrooms, this is not advisable. It is best to avoid psilocybin mushrooms if you are on any of these medications in order to remain safe. However, some studies suggest that combining certain antidepressants with psilocybin may not pose a risk.
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The subjective effects of psilocybin include changes in perception, mood, and thoughts, which can have therapeutic benefits.
According to reports from psychonauts, psilocybin appears to alter sensory experiences, resulting in heightened perception of colors, textures, and patterns. Some individuals may also feel a shift in their sense of time and space, which could include time slowing down or feeling a disconnection from their body.
Psilocybin mushrooms are known to provide a gentle and profound introspective experience. They can help individuals gain clarity on questions about life that they may have. These mushrooms have been reported to increase awareness of suppressed memories and thought patterns that may be connected to larger life themes. Psilocybin can also foster a deep connection with nature. While taking high doses may lead to full hallucinations that are hard to distinguish from reality, this is not common.
When you take a moderate dose of psilocybin mushrooms (1-2.5g), your emotional experiences become more intense and you become more introspective. You may also have hypnagogic experiences, which is like the transitional state between being awake and asleep. Brain imaging studies have shown that a psilocybin trip is neurologically similar to dreaming, which gives you an idea of what you should expect during a psychedelic experience.
When you take shrooms, you may experience changes in your perception, emotions, and sense of time. This can include seeing halos and geometric patterns when your eyes are closed, as well as vivid colors, tracers, and distorted vision. You may also feel like the world is breathing around you.
Your thoughts and emotions can change over time, and you may become more open to ideas and feelings that we previously rejected. This can result in a greater interest and appreciation for the world, the people in your life, and your own inner experiences. As a result, you may feel more satisfied and connected to the world around you.
During a journey, it is common to experience strong emotions, both pleasant and difficult. It is recommended to avoid resisting undesirable feelings and instead allow them to pass naturally. People who have acknowledged experiencing intense negative emotions have also reported feeling a sense of calm and detachment at the same time, particularly if they don't resist and remember that the emotions are temporary. If you resist the emotions, it may result in a “bad trip.”
Read: Can You Predict a ‘Bad' Psychedelic Trip? And Can You Stop One Once It Starts?
Consuming psychedelic mushrooms can potentially be a powerful way to achieve psychological and emotional healing.
Mushrooms can improve neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain's ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections. In recent years, numerous studies have suggested that psilocybin therapy could possibly be an alternative to conventional therapies for treating anorexia, tobacco addiction, alcohol use disorder, weight gain, major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression and more.
Several companies, such as Compass Pathways, Cybin, Usona Institute, Numinus, TRYP Therapeutics and Core One Labs, are currently studying the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin.
Compass Pathways is making significant progress compared to other companies. They are moving forward by initiating two Phase 3 trials to treat Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) with psilocybin-assisted therapy. The organization plans to use their own patented synthetic version of psilocybin called Comp360 for two clinical trials with a total of 946 participants. These will be the largest trials of their kind and a significant step forward for psychedelic medicine research. If the trials are successful, Compass will work with the FDA to consider approving the use of psilocybin to treat TRD as early as 2025.
In 2023, there have been significant developments in the field of psychedelic policy reform. Around a dozen states in the United States have introduced laws that propose reducing the criminalization status of various psychedelic substances such as ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin, and others.
Lawmakers are showing more willingness to consider the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. Some states have established or plan to establish special task forces or research groups to inform voters and state officials about the potential of psychedelic therapy.
However, it is important to note that the legal status of these mushrooms varies around the world. In some countries, they are completely illegal and can result in severe legal consequences. In other places, they may be legal for personal use or only for use in specific contexts, such as for spiritual, psychedelic-assisted therapy or religious purposes. It is important to consider the legal status of psilocybin mushrooms before using them to avoid running into legal problems. Ultimately, it is crucial to stay informed about the laws in your area and to use these powerful substances responsibly.
Yes! Mushroom cultivation may appear difficult, but it is actually quite easy. To grow magic mushrooms, you will need the following items:
You can cultivate both functional edible mushrooms and magic mushrooms. However, different types of mushrooms require specific substrates like manure, bird feed, or grain instead of brown rice flour. Moreover, some mushrooms need particular environmental conditions such as higher humidity, specific temperature, and proper airflow. Before cultivating, conduct thorough research on your desired type of mushroom to check if it's beginner-friendly.
For more information on how to grow your own mushrooms, visit: How to Grow Magic Mushrooms At Home
Final Thoughts
Making magic mushroom tea is a simple and effective way to consume your psilocybin. Not only is it faster-acting than eating mushrooms, but it also has far less stomach discomfort. With just a few ingredients and a bit of patience, you can brew a cup of tea that will elevate your psychedelic experience to new heights. Just remember to start with a low dosage and work your way up. Happy brewing!
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