Psilocybin mushrooms are naturally occurring hallucinogenic/psychedelic mushrooms with over 180 species worldwide.
These medications contain the psychoactive compound psilocybin, which is converted to psilocin by the body. Other chemicals like baeocystin and norbaeocystin also contribute to their effects.
What is Psilocybin?
Psilocybin mushrooms (also known as magic mushrooms) are hallucinogenic mushrooms found in Europe, South America and Mexico. People take psilocybin for various purposes including spiritual exploration or self-discovery.
Some people also utilize psilocybin therapeutically. Studies have demonstrated that it may be effective in treating anxiety, depression, addiction and other mental health disorders.
Research has also demonstrated that psilocybin reduces blood flow and inhibits brain activity in several regions, potentially improving mood.
However, using psilocybin can be dangerous. In particular, you could develop a tolerance to it and experience an “off trip,” where you feel despair, confusion, panic or other negative emotions.
Clinical trials are necessary to safely and effectively explore the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. They offer the most appropriate and efficient means of progressing research while safeguarding patients’ health and safety.
How to make a mushroom spore print
Spore prints are an invaluable way to preserve spores for later cultivation, as well as an informative tool when learning about mushrooms and their differences.
To create a spore print, simply lay the cap of a mushroom with its gills facing down on paper. For identification purposes, it may be beneficial to get some black paper as well!
Leave it out in a cool place for 6 to 12 hours, and then gently lift the paper to reveal a vibrant print of mushroom spores emanating from its gills.
Mushrooms can be tricky to identify, so having a clear spore print is essential for identification. For instance, you can tell the difference between a shaggy mane and false parasol by the color of their spores.
Discover how to make a spore syringe.
No matter your level of mushroom cultivation expertise, making your own spore syringes is an easy way to ensure your mushrooms remain fresh and free from contaminants. But not all spore syringes are created equal.
Therefore, it’s essential to know how to correctly make a spore syringe. Here are some tips:
First, sterilize the spore syringe needle by heating its end until it glows red hot. Doing this will eliminate any bacteria on its tip.
Next, disinfect your work area using an N95 mask and nitrile gloves.
After disinfecting, assemble your spore syringe and needle. To minimize contamination, store everything together inside a disinfected still air or glove box. Wipe down all tools with rubbing alcohol to prevent cross-contamination.
How to Store Mushroom Spores
So how do you store mushrooms spores?
When working with spores, it’s essential to know how to store them correctly. Spores are reproductive cells of fungi, similar to seeds in plants. If you need spore storage for your work, here’s some helpful advice:
Mushroom spores should be kept in a cool, dark place to prevent drying out and becoming moldy. Refrigeration can also be used for up to six months of storage in a refrigerator.
Depending on the strain, it can take anywhere from 19 to 21 days for spores to germinate.
During this period, they sense when conditions and moisture levels are ideal for growth and create a network of thread-like structures known as hyphae.
Mushroom caps begin to sprout when spores begin to germinate on their surface. Although this early phase can be challenging to observe, you’ll begin to see small mushrooms appear within a few days.
psilocybin mushrooms and mushroom spores, mushroom spores print