Psilocybin — the active component in magic mushrooms — is illegal. Although some vendors sell magic mushrooms online, ordering them could be risky in both a legal sense and a health sense.
You might also see a surge in legal magic mushroom alternatives — some are synthetic and potentially dangerous, but others are natural and relatively safe if used responsibly.
Here, we discuss where to buy magic mushrooms online and what legal risks to be wary of.
Psilocybin is a one-of-a-kind compound that induces unique effects. There are very few alternatives to psychedelics, like shrooms and LSD, that are legal and safe to consume. Synthetic compounds such as 4-AcO-DMT induce similar effects to psilocybin, but selecting an appropriate dosage can be difficult, and the effects are hard to predict. Plus, it’s not legal for consumption.
The safest legal alternative is muscimol, the compound found in the famous toadstool mushroom Amanita muscaria — known commonly as the “fly agaric.”
What is Amanita muscaria?
Amanita muscaria is a mycorrhizal fungus that grows symbiotically with certain tree species. It can be found in deciduous and coniferous forests across the globe. It’s more prevalent in temperate and arctic climates of the northern hemisphere but can also be found in the southern hemisphere, growing in countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
These mushrooms grow during the months of fall, covering the forest floor with shades of red and white. They spring up for one to two months before disappearing as winter begins.
Their mycorrhizal nature makes it impossible to cultivate them in an artificial environment, meaning they must be harvested from the wild during a select period of the year. This is partly why high-quality Amanita edibles are rare. Many legal shroom companies will opt for the more readily available alternative — synthetic muscimol.
When fresh, these mushrooms contain another compound known as ibotenic acid. If ingested without proper preparation, the ibotenic acid in the mushrooms can cause gastric symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
When prepared properly, the toxic ibotenic acid can be converted into muscimol, eliminating gastric symptoms and potentiating the effects of the mushrooms.
Properly prepared Amanita muscaria mushrooms can alter size and time perception, induce a dreamlike sense of reality, and encourage vivid, trippy dreams.
A good supplement company selling magic mushroom products of any kind will provide discreet shipping.
Look for a shipping policy — it should mention that shipping is discreet/stealthy. It should also mention the type of shipping used and whether there’s a guarantee if a product isn’t received.