Psilocybin, magic mushrooms, shrooms–whatever you call it, the fruiting bodies have been making waves. From legalization and decriminalization in states like Oregon to exciting studies on the therapeutic possibilities, there’s a reason behind the spike in popularity. Just make sure it’s legal where you are before partaking in shroom tea.

Psilocybin has been consumed for generations by adventurous psychonauts. They have eaten dried shrooms whole and picked fresh ones from the earth. Psilocybin mushrooms have been ground up and molded into chocolate truffles and brewed into shroom tea. In this article learn everything about the brew, from how to make it, dose it, and enjoy the ride.

RELATED: Is ketamine a psychedelic? Breaking down the debate

What is shroom tea?

Mushroom tea is a drinkable psilocybin decoction easily made at home. Because of its palatable flavor and texture, it is one of the most popular psilocybin consumption methods. It is also said to produce fewer side effects, like nausea, and can kick in in as little as 20 minutes.

The drink is yummier than eating plain magic mushrooms, and it’s easy to make in most kitchens. Put simply: the desired amount of chopped or broken-up mushrooms in a heat-resistant cup, pour boiling water over the top, and let sit for at least 10 minutes. Once it’s done steeping, either filter out the bits or keep them in and enjoy.

Some prefer to strain the mushrooms out of the tea with a strainer or coffee filter (make sure it’s not a bleached one), while others eat the “slimies.” It all comes down to personal preference. Not eating the slimy bits can reduce nausea, which is something to think about for readers with tender stomachs.

There’s not much more to it than brewing a cup of tea; for some, the hardest part may be getting the magic mushrooms. But the thought put into that cup of shroom tea will make the trip, like whether you add any other flavors or teas to the cup.

Shroom tea additives

A cup of shroom tea is fine on its own, but some opt to add other teas and herbs or ingredients to offset the earthy mushroom flavor. Here’s the scoop on shroom tea additives.

Mushrooms pair well with herbaceous loose herbs like peppermint and lemon grass or florals like lavender and chamomile. Actual tea leaves can also be used, but it’s wise to avoid caffeine. It can interfere with the Golden Teachers, Blue Meanies, or whatever species you choose.

Similarly, consider opting out of tea bags and opting in for a metal tea strainer. The bags are often bleached, which can leach into beverages.

As for additives, fresh ingredients are best. Muddle berries, chop up some fresh ginger for extra tummy help, add a spot of honey, or choose a favorite sweetener to spruce up the shroom tea. Whether it’s straight mushrooms and water or there are extra yummy things inside, it’s wise to understand dosing before brewing a cup of shroom tea.

RELATED: Studies strengthen theory that psilocybin improves overall mental health

Dosing shroom tea

Dosing mushroom tea is the same as dosing mushrooms in other consumption methods. A microdose is around 0.2 to 0.3 grams. Many who consume microdoses prefer to do so in capsule form, but there’s no harm in making weak tea.

A low dose is around a gram, a medium dose tops out at three grams for most, and anything over is a high to hero dose of psilocybin. These are estimates, but everyone will have a unique experience. Trust yourself and start slowly to find the right dose for each mushroom variety.

Always weigh out the preferred amount of psilocybin mushrooms before making shroom tea. Even the best eyeballer can make mistakes. With varying water weight and other factors, it’s wise to play it safe and make sure that everyone is certain how many grams are in the mushroom tea.

Shroom tea vs dried mushrooms

Shroom tea is easier to drink, has fewer side effects, and kicks in faster. There are notable differences when eating dried mushrooms versus shroom tea, and they’re seemingly connected.

The body has an easier time digesting mushrooms in a tea decoction than in their full, dried form. Because of this, the stomach is less apt to revolt with nausea and vomiting. Additionally, it takes less work for the body to push them through the system, so the psilocybin kicks in faster.

Generally, it’s about 20 minutes until shroom tea takes effect. When eaten whole, it may be about 30 to 45 minutes.

While the form of psilocybin consumed plays a role in how long mushrooms take to kick in, there are other factors. Someone’s metabolism and how much they ate that day also impacts the onset time.

Harm reduction: avoiding a bad mushroom trip

There is no way to ensure you won’t have a bad trip, but there are measures to keep things chill if they start going south. Panic attacks are no joke, and sometimes a substance that completely alters the reality around us may be terrifying. Take these precautions before throwing back a cup of shroom tea.

Having an informed set and setting is the best way to keep the trip easy and breezy. Set is short for mindset; always pack your bags before taking a trip–the mental baggage, I mean. Drinking shroom tea with respect, reverence, and an open mind is ideal.

As for setting, that’s self-explanatory. Have comfy seating, wear soft clothes, turn on mellow jams, and vibe.

Keep a trip sitter around, someone who didn’t partake, as an emergency exit in the event of a bad trip. They often have the peace of mind to put on a soothing movie to watch on shrooms, change the location, or alter the vibes in some way to lure a person out of a negative experience.

Shroom tea: a trip without the stomach flip

The reasons that people choose shroom tea over plain, dried psilocybin mushrooms are valid. They may kick in faster, be easier on the stomach, and can be flavored to taste delicious. So next time the calendar is marked for a psychedelic journey, maybe turn the kettle on and steep some magic mushroom tea.