Magic Mushroom Spores: Legality, Where To Buy, Growing & More
With psychedelics being at the forefront of alternative treatment options, it comes as no surprise that novelties seem to be popping up almost on a daily basis. One of the most well-known psychedelics are magic mushrooms, and after the magic truffles revelation, the question of magic mushroom spores emerged.
What are they exactly and what’s their legal status? Let’s find out.
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Magic Mushrooms
We already know that psilocybin and psilocin are the compounds that make a mushroom “magical”. These are hallucinogens that evoke a psychedelic experience, with more than 180 different species of mushrooms available.
Magic mushrooms have been a part of many spiritual ceremonies and shamanic rituals for thousands of years in different cultures. Helping cleanse users of negative energy, bad spirits, and toxins, they create a euphoric experience.
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Scientifically, psilocybin is a chemical which is structurally similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin and therefore binds to the same 2A serotonin receptors in the brain. This way, psilocybin is able to create sensory and auditory distortions in the brain, also known as hallucinations.
Psilocin adds on to that hallucinogenic effect, feeding those distortions even further. These experiences are linked to lower anxiety and depression, improved mood and sense of being. Likewise, there has been relief for those suffering from PTSD and other trauma.
Psilocybin is on the federal level still classified as a Schedule I substance. This means it has a “high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.”
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However, with the decriminalization rates going up and more and more states recognizing and approving their controlled use in a medical setting, the time for psychedelics and their potential has never been more exciting.
Magic Truffles
Also known as mycellia, magic truffles are the underground part of magic mushrooms which act as a food reserve when the sources are scarce. Since they’re basically a part of magic mushrooms, they also contain psilocybin and psilocin, which gives them the same status: psychedelics.
Since they have a different structure than magic mushrooms, they can be different when it comes to trip length and consistency in potency. Magic truffles are much smaller and more compact, so their psilocybin concentration can be more consistent. This makes the expected duration of the psilocybin trip much easier to predict.
Their legal status is the same as it is for magic mushrooms, so as changes emerge, they affect both equally.
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Magic Mushroom Spores
Now, if you thought we’ve covered all the parts a magic mushroom can contain, think again. There are also mushroom spores, little reproductive cells that allow the mushroom to replicate and grow. So, magic mushroom spores would then be the reproductive cells of magic mushrooms, allowing them to replicate, spread, and grow. This should give them the same characteristics and consequently, legal status.
Here’s where the story gets interesting.
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Spores do not contain psilocybin. Psilocybin doesn’t seem to become present until the spores germinate and begin producing mycelium. This makes mushroom spores legal. But once they germinate, your magic mushroom is illegal. Confusing? You’re not alone.
The question of legalizing psilocybin is ever present as news of decriminalization keeps showing up. Still, magic mushrooms are legal in only specific states and only for specific purposes, limiting their use and treatment options nevertheless. Spores, on the other hand, are legally available for purchase, but once you grow them, you have an illegal product in your hands.
There is an exception to magic mushroom spores being legal though, and it’s in California, Georgia, and Idaho. In these states, magic mushroom spores are illegal as the legislators are trying to prevent the purposeful cultivation of magic mushrooms.
As for the other 47 states? You’re free to buy them and possess them, but that’s about it. They are only legal for microscopy, taxonomy, and general research purposes.
Where To Get Magic Mushroom Spores
There are a few ways of getting magic mushroom spores.
One is extracting your own psilocybin spores from the mushrooms themselves. However, you can also simply get them online. Nowadays, there’s a long list of purveyors ready to sell you a syringe or print.
Magic mushroom spores syringe is an oral syringe which contains just water and mushroom spores, while spore prints are little pieces of paper with the mushroom spores stamped onto them. The spore prints are dried and need to be rehydrated when you want to use them.
After buying them, their only legal use is for testing and research. So, if you’re thinking of growing them, be aware of potential legal consequences.
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How to Tell if Mushroom Spores Are High-Quality
When shopping for magic mushroom spores online, like anything else, you’ll want to research reviews and testimonials to ensure that you purchase from a reputable vendor.
If you’ve purchased from a reputable vendor, Eleusinia Retreat Owner and Founder Jessica Khurana says, “It is safe to assume that you got ‘the right stuff’ as the spore selling industry is fully compliant with laws in most states. Reputable spore selling businesses are unlikely to engage in deceptive practices, such as substituting the spores with those from portabella mushrooms, as it would be bad business. If you bought from one of the large, popular sites, you can be assured of the authenticity of your purchase.”
She continues, “But even if you got ‘the right stuff’ there is still a long list of things that could go wrong. There could be excessive contaminants in the spores or the mushrooms produced might have some genetic weakness or abnormality.”
So what do you look for in spores to tell if it’s been contaminated? Unfortunately, without a microscope, you’re unlikely to determine much one way or another, as most mushroom spore contaminants are as microscopic as the spores themselves.
Instead, Jessica says, “Spores are always just a little bit dirty, and they always have some bacteria or mold tagging along. Spores produced for selling are produced in extra clean environments, but even the cleanest lab can make mistakes. Just hope that your spores outpace and overpower any stowaway contaminants. The best quality mushroom spores are just pure, clean spores and nothing else.”
How To Grow Magic Mushrooms
Yes, some people are growing magic mushrooms at home. In fact, there are now courses and websites that teach you exactly how to do so. From
Depending on the species of magic mushroom you’re trying to grow, expect 5-12 days before you’ll be able to harvest. It’s important to note that they need to be cut before the veil breaks and they reach their full growth as they lose potency when maturing completely. This DIY way of getting your ‘shrooms seems to be much cheaper than buying them from a seller. It’s why many people show interest in giving it a try.
The legal status of magic mushrooms is still unclear. Until nationwide legalization occurs, using them and trying to grow them yourself can be dangerous. Hopefully, we’ll get over them soon and we’ll be able to discover their full potential as their use spreads.
