Psilocybin mushrooms have been accessible through a thriving and well-established underground marketplace for a long time, catering to both recreational users and those seeking relief from mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Alternatively, some users have turned to other psychoactive mushrooms, like Amanita muscaria, which has flooded the market through legal loopholes, similar to those who sell Delta-8 THC products, but are not FDA-approved and can be toxic if not processed correctly.
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A recent recall of the mushroom edibles brand Diamond Shruumz underscores the dangers of unregulated psychedelics after nearly 50 people across two dozen states fell ill from its products. This incident underscores the urgent need for a more regulated and controlled marketplace for all psychedelics.
Stephanie Karzon Abrams, a neuropharmacologist and researcher specializing in psychedelics, explains, “Psilocybin therapy has the potential to promote neuroplasticity, restore the balance between brain networks, and forge new connections between parts of the brain that are not communicating. This unique capacity to enhance neuroplasticity, along with its interaction with serotonin receptors to influence mood, perception, and cognition, is why psilocybin is being explored as a treatment for various mental health conditions.”
Legally-made psilocybin edibles are here
As the movement for psilocybin legalization gains momentum across the United States, Oregon and Colorado have become the first states to legalize its use, with several others passing decriminalization laws. Oregon has gone a step further by recently issuing the first psilocybin edibles manufacturing license to Spiritus Oregon, establishing a legal framework that provides consumers with safer alternatives to underground products.
Spiritus Oregon just celebrated its first harvest and is preparing to release its inaugural batch of mushroom-infused chocolates and gummies under the Horizon Edibles brand. These products will be available through state-regulated facilitators and designated consumption centers across Oregon.
Although a medical card or diagnosis is not required to purchase these edibles, customers must schedule an appointment to buy products and meet with a licensed facilitator for observation during the consumption period. The length of this observation period varies based on the potency of the edible and the desired psychoactive experience.
Though the current regulations mandate these supervised sessions, especially for higher doses, there is growing anticipation that these rules may become more flexible, particularly for those who prefer microdosing—a practice that typically involves low psychoactive effects and less need for supervision. For now, supervised sessions are the first steps in providing a controlled medicalized framework that ensures a safe environment for consumers to explore the benefits of microdosing.
Not all psilocybin mushrooms are created equal
There are over 180 different strains of psilocybin mushrooms, each with varying levels of psychoactive potency and a wide range of effects. Popular strains like Penis Envy, for example, are known for their high potency and more intense hallucinogenic experiences, making them a favorite among experienced users. On the other hand, strains such as Golden Teacher are less potent and provide a more mellow, subtle experience, often with milder physical sensations, which may be more suitable for those new to psychedelics and interested in microdosing.
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According to the President of Spiritus Oregon, Michael Briggs, “There is an explosion of underground mushroom breeders that are producing more potent strains and possibly increasing the quantity of the minor alkaloids that may create the entourage effect and significantly impact the psychoactive experience. Because little research has been done on psilocybin, there might be minor compounds that we’re not paying attention to that may have a significant impact on the psychedelic experience.”
Briggs added, “There’s a lot of innovation behind the scenes in cultivating and developing novel strains, extraction methods, and processes, and it will be interesting to see how it gets rolled into the regulated industry.” Hillbilly is the strain Spiritus Oregon has chosen to enter the market with because it’s a strain that has been around for a long time and is a consistent producer in forming fruits that are very uniform in size, shape, and density.
The science of extracting and formulating psilocybin edibles
Beyond selecting the right strain, manufacturing psilocybin edibles involves a nuanced process that requires precise techniques to produce consistently dosed, high-quality chocolates and gummies. Ensuring uniformity and potency is crucial to delivering a predictable and safe consumer experience.
Spiritus Oregon makes its chocolates using dried mushroom powders they grind in-house and must ensure it is homogenized during the formulation process because the active compound, psilocin, is not evenly distributed throughout the mushroom and can cause unpredictable user experiences if done incorrectly.
For gummies, Spiritus Oregon uses extracted psilocybin oil for infusion. This method removes chitin, a fibrous material in mushrooms that is not easily digestible and has been known to cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals. However, some consumers prefer to consume the whole mushroom, believing it provides additional health benefits beyond just the psychoactive effects.
Choosing the right consumption method
While Spiritus Oregon is initially launching with gummies and chocolates, the company is eager to broaden its product line to include other options, such as teas, tinctures, and capsules, down the road. All present different levels of bioavailability depending on body weight, metabolism, and tolerance level.
Dosing, stacking, and finding your groove
Finding the correct dosage is key when consuming psilocybin since the intensity of the psychedelic experience is dose-dependent. For beginners, the common advice is often to “go low and go slow” by starting with a minimal dose to assess individual tolerance and sensitivity.
From there, users can experiment with popular consumption methods, such as the one developed by Dr. James Fadiman. This protocol recommends taking a microdose every three days (one day on, two days off) for a period of four to eight weeks, followed by a rest period to reset the body’s tolerance and maintain the effectiveness of the microdosing regimen.
In Oregon, the maximum amount of psilocybin permitted in any product is 25 milligrams, with a total consumption cap of 50 milligrams per session to regulate the intensity of the experience and ensure consumer safety.
Another popular method among psilocybin users is “stacking,” a technique popularized by renowned mycologist Paul Stamets. Stacking involves combining psilocybin with other non-psychoactive ingredients, such as Lion’s Mane mushrooms and Niacin, to create an entourage effect and optimize the overall experience.
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Briggs explains, “Many underground brands stack functional mushrooms, like Lion’s Mane, into their products. However, since Lion’s Mane is a nootropic and can affect the brain and nervous system, it could alter the psychedelic experience in ways we don’t fully understand yet.”
He adds, “Until regulatory guidelines become clearer regarding other functional wellness ingredients into psilocybin edibles, Spiritus Oregon will focus on products containing only psilocybin.”
The Future of psilocybin edibles
Althea, a new data collection platform, is set to play a pivotal role in aggregating consumer outcomes and feedback from consumption centers across Oregon. Spiritus Oregon plans to leverage this data to develop more targeted products that cater to specific consumer needs.
By analyzing differences in psychedelic experiences associated with various strains and minor alkaloids, they can refine their offerings to enhance therapeutic outcomes. For instance, tracking a consumer who initially rates their depression at 6 out of 10 and reports an improvement to 3 over six months can provide valuable insights into which products consistently deliver positive effects.
As more research is conducted and public acceptance grows, we may see a broader range of psilocybin products tailored to various therapeutic and recreational needs becoming available. However, it remains crucial for consumers to approach psilocybin use responsibly, taking advantage of the regulated market to ensure safe and effective experiences.
*This article was submitted by a guest contributor. The author is solely responsible for the contents.