How to Make Mushroom Tea (Reddit): A Psilocybin Alchemist’s Guide

So, you’re diving into the fascinating world of mushroom tea, huh? Excellent choice. On Reddit, you’ll find countless threads debating the best method, but the truth is, the core process is straightforward. In essence, making mushroom tea involves steeping dried (or fresh) psilocybin mushrooms in hot water to extract the psychoactive compounds, mainly psilocybin and psilocin. Here’s the breakdown of how to brew a potent and palatable batch, gleaned from years of experience and countless Reddit discussions:

The Simple Steps to Mushroom Tea Nirvana

1. Grind Your Fungi: This is crucial. Finely grinding your mushrooms (think coffee grounds) dramatically increases the surface area exposed to the hot water, leading to a more efficient extraction of those precious psychoactive compounds. A coffee grinder works wonders, but a sturdy mortar and pestle will do the trick, too.
2. Heat the Water (But Not Too Much!): Aim for around 170-180°F (77-82°C). Boiling water can degrade psilocybin, lessening the effects. A thermometer is your friend here. If you don’t have one, let the water cool for a few minutes after boiling.
3. Steep and Stir: Place your ground mushrooms into a mug or teapot. Pour the hot (but not boiling!) water over them. Stir gently, ensuring the mushrooms are fully submerged.
4. The Waiting Game: Let the mixture steep for 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally. Some folks recommend adding a squeeze of lemon juice or a small bag of herbal tea (ginger, chamomile) during this stage. We’ll get into why later.
5. Strain and Serve (or Repeat): After steeping, strain the liquid through a coffee filter, cheesecloth, or even a clean t-shirt. This removes the solid mushroom material, which many find difficult to digest and contributes to nausea. Don’t toss the mushroom solids just yet! You can repeat steps 3 and 4 with fresh hot water to extract any remaining psilocybin.
6. Enjoy (Responsibly!): Your mushroom tea is ready to drink. Sip it slowly and mindfully. Remember that the effects can come on quicker and stronger than eating mushrooms directly, so start with a lower dose than you’re accustomed to. Set and setting are paramount!

Why Mushroom Tea Instead of Eating Raw Mushrooms?

Many people prefer mushroom tea for several reasons:

• Reduced Nausea: The chitin in mushrooms can be difficult to digest, leading to stomach upset. Straining the tea removes much of this.
• Faster Onset: The psilocybin is readily absorbed when consumed as a liquid, resulting in a quicker come-up.
• Potentially More Intense Experience: Some users report a more potent and cleaner high with tea.
• Taste: Let’s face it, mushrooms aren’t everyone’s favorite flavor. Tea allows you to mask the taste with lemon, ginger, or other herbal additions.

FAQs: Deep Diving into the World of Mushroom Tea

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about making mushroom tea, based on my own experiences and common queries on Reddit:

1. Can I use fresh mushrooms instead of dried ones?

Yes, you can! However, you’ll need to use a larger quantity of fresh mushrooms because they contain a significant amount of water. As a general rule, you’ll need about 10 times the weight of dried mushrooms. So, if your recipe calls for 1 gram of dried mushrooms, use about 10 grams of fresh ones.

2. Does lemon juice really make a difference?

Many people swear by adding lemon juice. The theory is that the citric acid in lemon juice converts psilocybin to psilocin, the active compound that actually affects the brain. This pre-conversion might lead to a faster and more intense experience. However, this is largely anecdotal, and more scientific research is needed. It certainly doesn’t hurt, and the tartness can help mask the mushroom taste.

3. What kind of water should I use?

Filtered water is always a good choice. Avoid using tap water with a strong chlorine taste.

4. How long does mushroom tea last?

Once brewed, mushroom tea is best consumed immediately. Psilocybin can degrade over time, especially when exposed to light and oxygen. If you absolutely must store it, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours. Be aware that the potency may decrease.

5. Can I add other ingredients to my mushroom tea?

Absolutely! Ginger is excellent for combating nausea. Honey, lemon, chamomile, and other herbal teas can also enhance the flavor and provide additional benefits. Experiment and find what you enjoy!

6. How do I determine the correct dosage for mushroom tea?

Dosage is highly personal and depends on your experience, body weight, metabolism, and the potency of your mushrooms. Always start with a low dose, especially if you’re new to psilocybin. A good starting point is 0.5-1 gram of dried mushrooms. Wait at least an hour or two before considering taking more. Remember, you can always take more, but you can’t take less.

7. What if I don’t have a strainer?

In a pinch, you can use a clean t-shirt or a piece of cloth. Just make sure it’s tightly woven to effectively filter out the mushroom solids.

8. Can I reheat mushroom tea?

Reheating mushroom tea isn’t recommended. The heat can further degrade psilocybin, reducing the potency. If you need to warm it up slightly, do so gently and avoid bringing it to a boil.

9. I’m experiencing nausea. What can I do?

Ginger is your best friend. Ginger tea, ginger chews, or even fresh ginger added to your tea can help alleviate nausea. Deep breathing exercises and staying hydrated can also be beneficial.

10. Can I use mushroom tea in other recipes?

While technically possible, it’s not generally recommended. The flavor of the mushrooms can be overpowering, and the heat from cooking can degrade the psilocybin. Stick to drinking it as a tea for the best results.

11. My tea looks cloudy. Is that normal?

Yes, that’s perfectly normal. The cloudiness comes from the mushroom particles that make it through the strainer. It won’t affect the potency.

12. How can I make mushroom tea more potent?

A few factors can influence the potency of your mushroom tea:

• Grind Finely: As mentioned earlier, fine grinding maximizes extraction.
• Steep Longer: Extending the steeping time (up to 20 minutes) can extract more psilocybin.
• Lemon Juice: Adding lemon juice might enhance the conversion of psilocybin to psilocin.
• Multiple Steeps: Re-steeping the mushroom solids can extract any remaining compounds.
• Potent Mushrooms: Of course, the potency of your mushrooms themselves plays the biggest role. Different strains and growing conditions can significantly impact their psilocybin content.

Remember, responsible consumption is key. Always be mindful of your dosage, set and setting, and mental state. Mushroom tea can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and exploration, but it should be approached with respect and caution. Happy brewing!