Do Shrooms Go Bad? How To Store Magic Mushrooms

Magic mushrooms have unique and mind-altering characteristics that can be wholly enlightening when used properly. But to make the most of your psychedelic experience, you need to be sure that you store them properly to prevent bacteria and mold from growing.

Key Takeaways

• Magic mushrooms are a type of fungus that has psychedelic effects and can cause a user to hallucinate.
• Unlike illegal magic mushrooms that contain psilocybin, amanita muscaria mushrooms contain muscimol and can be particularly euphoric.
• When storing mushrooms, it's important to consider if your shrooms are fresh or already dried.
• Be sure to keep any moisture out of your storage containers. Use an airtight container or a desiccant in order to minimize the chance of moisture coming into contact with your shrooms.
• Store your psilocybin mushrooms in a cool, dark place, as extreme temperatures or heat and sunlight can diminish the potency of your mushrooms.
• Regularly check your stored shrooms to ensure that there is no visible mold growth and no changes in color, texture, or color. If there is, then they likely are spoiled.

Though psychedelic mushroom storage is anything but complicated, there are a few different things that you should keep in mind. That way, you can be sure that your shrooms can maintain their high potency.

Keep reading, and we'll share your ultimate how-to guide on properly storing magic mushrooms and other psychedelics.

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What Are Magic Mushrooms?

Mushrooms are a type of fungus that grows above ground, either on soil or its food source. Their fleshy body may be technically considered a vegetable, but they're not a part of the kingdom Plantae.

Though you might be used to using shiitake mushrooms in your favorite cozy dinner dish, these types of non-psychoactive fungi aren't the same as magic mushrooms.

Magic mushrooms, otherwise referred to as shrooms, are a type of mushroom that contains the psychoactive chemical psilocybin. After ingestion, the chemical psilocybin turns into psilocin. These magic mushrooms are found in abundance in the natural world and can be far more mind-altering than commonplace portobello mushrooms!

Magic mushrooms are usually ingested for their psychoactive properties and hallucinogenic effects.

When ingested, they can reshape someone's thought processes, sense of time, and even inner emotions. They can even cause you to see things that aren't there or experience distortion of their surroundings.

What Are Amanita Muscaria Mushrooms?

There are over 180 different species of mushrooms that contain either psilocybin or psilocin. For centuries, these fungi have been used in anything from spiritual rituals to medicinal remedies and continue to be used to this day.

Not all magic mushrooms are created equally. Commonly referred to as the fly agaric or fly amanita, the amanita muscaria mushrooms are one of the most iconic and distinguishable kinds of mushrooms. They have a white stem and a red cap peppered with white spots, but their appearance isn't their only notable aspect.

The primary psychedelic component of amanita muscaria mushrooms is muscimol, unlike psilocybin, which is found in illegal psychedelic magic mushrooms. Muscimol is able to interact with the nervous system to invoke feelings of relaxation and euphoria and often also alters the senses.

The Potential Benefits of Muscimol

The muscimol found in amanita muscaria mushrooms has often been used to help treat stress, anxiety, and even sleep disorders. If you're looking to enjoy a truly trippy and comfortably serene experience, these Amanita muscaria products from Clean Remedies are sure to deliver.

From our naturally watermelon-flavored Amanita muscaria fruit tarts to our Amanita muscaria tincture, there are many ways to enjoy a soothing and uplifting clean remedy.

Do Shrooms Expire?

Do magic mushrooms expire? The short answer is yes, magic mushrooms can go bad, which is why proper storage techniques are essential.

If you are looking to enjoy psilocybin mushrooms, it's a good idea to stay up-to-date on how they should be stored. That way, you can make the most of your shrooms and enjoy a fulfilling experience!

How Does Psilocybin Affect Mushroom Storage Conditions?

In most magic mushrooms, the active components like psilocybin can slowly start to degrade over time. They are also rather particularly susceptible to things like heat, light, moisture, and air. So their potency can wane over time.

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Maintaining the strength of the psychoactive components of your mushrooms is of the utmost importance if you want to make the most of your psychedelic shroom experience.

Things to Keep In Mind When Storing Your Shrooms

As we just said, your magic mushrooms can be greatly affected by things like direct sunlight, heat, air, and moisture. So, it's important to limit the exposure of your shrooms to things like this when storing them.

Not only can these things reduce the potency of the mushrooms, but they can also lead to things like bacteria and mold growth. Ensuring your mushrooms are stored properly will also help to prolong shelf-life, prevent bad trips, and avoid health risks.

How to Store Dried Mushrooms

Though dried mushrooms might not be as potent as fresh shrooms, they are much easier to store.

The first step of storing mushrooms is to ensure they are dry and free of any moisture. So, if you have dried psilocybin mushrooms on hand, that part is already largely satisfied.

#1. Use an Airtight Container

Even if you're storing already dried mushrooms, you need to do your due diligence to ensure that they'll be protected from any newfound moisture. Using an airtight container is a must, and it is the best way to ensure that you're able to properly store your magic mushrooms.

Vacuum-sealed bags or mason jars are the best things to use to store shrooms. They'll keep out moisture and ensure that your goods are cozy and secured!

#2. Store Magic Mushrooms in a Cool, Dark Place

The psilocybin in mushrooms is particularly susceptible to light and extreme temperatures. So, even if your dried mushrooms are completely dry and void of any remaining moisture, they can still lose potency to sunlight or heat.

Be sure to find a cool, dark place to store your shrooms in. It's imperative that they are out of direct sunlight and away from any heat sources.

If you're planning on stowing your shroom away in a cupboard or drawer in the kitchen (which is a great location to store your mushrooms), be sure that it is away from the stove or oven.

#3. Use a Desiccant to Keep Out Any Excess Moisture

It's doubtful that we are able to stress the utmost importance of keeping moisture away from your beloved shrooms. Moisture truly is the worst enemy when it comes to shroom storage.

It's a good idea to be as diligent as possible in keeping moisture away from your shrooms. Using a desiccant is a good way to prevent moisture or humidity from seeping into the storage containers that hold your shrooms.

Desiccants, like silica gel packets or oxygen absorbers, should be placed at the bottom of your storage container, with your shrooms resting on top. However, be sure to place any desiccants you might have in a separate bag to avoid them coming into contact with your shrooms. After a while, you'll likely need to replace your desiccants as they fill with absorbed moisture.

#4. Keep an Eye on Your Shrooms

Though your dried mushrooms aren't as likely to develop mold or bacteria as fresh mushrooms, it's still a good idea to keep a watchful eye on them. If you start to notice any moisture collecting, be sure to dry your shrooms as soon as possible.

If you notice any dark spots developing or changes in color, texture, or smell, your shrooms might have already gone bad. Obviously, you'll also want to check for any visible mold growth or a slimy texture. Identifying these potential issues early on will help prevent you from ingesting anything rotten or spoiled!

How to Store Fresh Mushrooms

Too much moisture will be your biggest enemy when it comes to storing shrooms. Though moisture isn't a big concern when storing dried magic mushrooms, you will need to be on your toes if you're planning to store fresh magic mushrooms.

Be Sure That You Properly Dry Your Magic Mushrooms

Be sure that mold and bacteria will find no encouragement. Drying removes moisture that can create the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

Completely dry your shrooms with a food dehydrator before stowing them away. When drying magic mushrooms, methods like air drying or using a food dehydrator work best.

The drying process often requires patience and careful attention. But just remember, if your magic mushrooms aren't properly dried, then you're leaving yourself open to the likelihood that mold or bacteria will prosper.

So, how can you properly dry your magic mushrooms? There are a few ways:

• Air drying: Air drying is easy and straightforward, but it does take some time. After cleaning your fresh shrooms, lay them on a clean surface and evenly space them out for airflow. Monitor humidity levels during this time.

• Dehydrator: A food dehydrator is a very effective way to dry your shrooms. It's quick and effective and will ensure uniform drying. Be sure to set the dehydrator low, to about 110°F to 120°F.

• Oven: If you don't have a dehydrator, you can use your oven, though this requires a bit more attention. Set your oven to its lowest temperature (between 140°F to 170°F) and leave the door slightly opened to ensure airflow.

The key to storing fresh shrooms in proper drying methods. Be thorough and careful when drying your shrooms, regardless of what method you choose. This will pay off in the long run!

Store Mushrooms in a Dry Environment

Again, you'll want to store your dried shrooms in a container that has an airtight seal. You can also store your magic shrooms in a paper bag if you don't have something like a glass jar or any other airtight container to use.

Just be sure to avoid plastic. Plastic bags can trap residual moisture and create a humid environment, which can be disastrous when it comes to ensuring your magic mushrooms are stored correctly.

The Shelf-Life of Different Mushroom Storage Methods

Things like extreme temperatures, moisture, sunlight, and storage mediums can all play a huge role in the shelf-life of your psilocybin mushrooms. If you want them to last as long as possible and produce the desired effects, be sure to keep all the pointers in mind.

Shrooms stored in mason jars usually have a shelf-life of six to twelve months. If stored in vacuum-sealed bags, they can last for up to two years. Chocolate and honey also make for great mediums to store shrooms in - in chocolate, they can last six to eighteen months, and in honey, they can last upwards of 18 months.

Final Thoughts

When storing dried or fresh mushrooms, there are many things to keep in mind. Regardless of how complicated it might seem, all these tips are critical to maintain potency, efficacy, and quality.

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