Magic Brew: How to Make Psilocybin Tea

Proceed at your own risk (if you want the reward). But given the recent – and wonderful – resurgence of psychedelics, you might be wondering how to make Psilocybin tea – aka Magic Mushroom tea.

Yes, whether you’re a seasoned psychonaut or a newbie ready for your first psychedelic adventure, nothing can quite compare to a cup of freshly brewed shroom tea.

But this about more than just a mind trip. Psilocybin – the hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms – is currently being studied as an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.

In 2022, both the city of San Francisco and the entire state of Colorado voted to decriminalize an entire category of psychedelics (which includes Psilocybin). By doing so, San Francisco and Colorado joined Oakland, Oregon, and a smattering of other local governments that have recognized the potentially life-changing benefits of shrooms and other psychedelic substances.

With this budding new interest in psychedelics, you might be inclined to think that magic mushrooms are a recent phenomenon. But shrooms – and shroom tea – have been around for thousands of years. You can even find them depicted in 10,000-year-old cave paintings.

Everyone from the Mayans to the Europeans to ancient African tribes have used magic mushrooms as a medicinal remedy and a way to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Not to mention as a way to have some serious, mind-expanding fun.

So, if you are ready for your first – or just your next – psychedelic experience, this is your guide to making a sure-to-be-satisfying batch of Psilocybin tea. Buckle up, and prepare for take off.

What is Psilocybin?

Psilocybin is a classic hallucinogenic chemical produced by over 100 species of mushrooms. It was first isolated by Albert Hofmann in 1957 from the Central American mushroom Psilocybe mexicana.

Psilocybin has similar properties to lysergic acid diethylamide – better known as LSD. It can cause sensory alterations which are commonly referred to as hallucinations. After ingesting Psilocybin, hallucinations typically start within 40 minutes and can last up to 6 hours.

Mushrooms containing Psilocybin (aka Magic Mushrooms) generally have long, slender stems that are topped by caps. The caps tend to have dark gills on the underside. Most Psilocybin mushrooms are found in the United States, Mexico, and Central America. As you may have already heard, many varieties grow in cow dung.

Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked, or taken as an extract in the form of a supplement. Of course, shrooms can also be brewed into a tea.

Why Make Psilocybin Tea?

Many psychonauts prefer consuming shrooms as tea because it’s far more pleasant than chewing them. (Shrooms don’t taste very good. The grow in poop, remember?)

Additionally, Psilocybin is water soluble, so tea is an effective way to transmit the shroom’s psychedelic properties.

Drinking shroom tea can also lead to a faster onset (of the trip) than eating shrooms. Plus, a lot of anecdotal evidence suggests that drinking shroom tea can significantly reduce the nausea that many people feel after consuming shrooms.

So, why make Psilocybin tea? Here’s a rundown of the reasons you may want to consider concocting a magic brew.

• Easier to tolerate. It just tastes better.
• No nausea. Eating shrooms straight up can cause cramps and nausea. You are poisoning yourself, after all. Why not do your digestive system a favor?
• Adheres to dietary restrictions.  Aside from eating shrooms straight up, many like to consume shrooms that have been infused into chocolates or gummies. But not everyone can eat super sugary chocolate or gelatin-based gummies. If you have any dietary restrictions, making a tea is almost certainly your best bet.
• Faster onset.  Eating shrooms can be unpredictable, particularly the amount of time it takes to metabolize them and start trippin’. Drinking shroom tea, however, leads to liquid absorption that can cut your onset time in half.
• Dosage control. Make your tea subtle or make it super-strength. Chug it down or sip it throughout the day. Tea gives you more dosage control.

Equipment & Ingredients

If you want to make Psilocybin tea at home, you need the right equipment and the right ingredients. The list is short. But don’t cut corners. Using the right equipment and the right ingredients will ensure that you have the most pleasurable experience.

To make your magic brew, you will need:

• 3.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms (You can certainly opt for more shrooms or less shrooms, depending on how powerful you want your trip to be. 3.5 grams is considered a normal dose. If you’re a first-timer, you may want to start lower. 1.75 grams is considered a starter dose. Anything above 3.5 grams is considered a heavy dose. Also, do NOT use chocolates, candies, or any derivatives – just pure unadulterated, unprocessed shrooms!)
• Tea kettle, pot, or saucepan.
• Grinder (Used for mushrooms only. Don’t use your weed grinder, people. Or your spice grinder).
• 2-3 herbal or decaffeinated tea bags of your choice. (Stay away from caffeinated tea, as the caffeine can influence your experience.)
• Reusable mesh tea bag, strainer basket, coffee filter, and/or terry cloth
• Honey, herbs, or spices to enhance the flavor of your tea (optional)
• 2-4 cups of water. (Water volume dictates the potency of your tea, thus dictating the intensity of your experience. See the dosage guide below.)

Dosage Guide

While this dosage guide shouldn’t be taken as gospel, it should give you a good idea of where to start. So, use this guide as you wish, and keep in mind that effects will vary for everyone.

Beyond dosage, effects can vary for a variety of reasons including the potency of your mushrooms, your size (yes, like your height and weight), your metabolism, and your experience level with psychedelics.

If you are apprehensive about the potential effects, use more than 4 cups of water or drink less than one cup of your brew to start. If your goal is to experience a mind-bending trip that sends you to outer space, then go for a 1-cup or 2-cup brew and drink the whole batch.

It’s not rocket science. But be smart and be responsible.

Again, use this guide as you wish. If you’re a total newbie, consider taking your first trip under the supervision of a trusted, experienced, and sober companion (often called a trip-sitter). This goes for all dosage levels until you have established an understanding of your own personal relationship to psychedelics as well as your level of self-control while under the influence.

Making Psilocybin Tea

Making shroom tea is remarkably easy, as long as you have the right equipment and the right ingredients. In just a few simple steps, you’ll have a magic brew that will fill your cup…and blow your mind.

From preparing your tea to preparing for take off, the process shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes. Most of the time is for steeping, which experienced psychonauts recommend you do for 10 to 15 minutes.

Now that we’ve set some expectations, this is how you make Psilocybin tea:

Step 1: Grind up your mushrooms. The finer, the better. A coffee grinder or spice grinder will easily do the trick. Try this appropriately named and shaped MERRY MUSHROOM Herb Grinder from Genuine Fred. Once your shrooms are finely ground, set them aside.

Step 2: Boil water. Use the dosage guide to determine how many cups you’d like to boil. You can boil your water directly in a pot or a saucepan, or you can boil it in a tea kettle and then pour it in.

Step 3: Remove from heat and add your tea bags and mushrooms. You can add your tea and shrooms directly to your pot or sauce pan containing the hot water, or you can transfer the hot water to a bowl and then add your goodies. Let the tea bags and shrooms steep for 10 to 15 minutes (never more than 20 minutes).

Step 4: After steeping, use a coffee filter or terry cloth (if needed) to strain your brew. You can strain it directly into your favorite cup or mug, or you can strain it into a tea kettle for easy pouring. Allow for sufficient cooling time.

Step 5 (Optional): Add honey, herbs, or spices to enhance the flavor.

Step 6: Drink up and enjoy the ride.

NOTE: If you have leftover brew, you can store it safely in the fridge for up to 72 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the benefits of drinking Psilocybin tea?

Drinking shroom tea provides the same benefits as eating shrooms. And there’s a reason Psilocybin is making it’s way back into the mainstream. Studies show that Psilocybin can have a number of positive benefits, some of which include:

• Feelings of euphoria. Many people take shrooms – even in regular micro doses – because it enhances their mood and makes them feel good.
• Mind expansion. Magic mushrooms and other psychedelics can help you tap into unexplored parts of your mind.
• Decreased symptoms of depression and addiction. Studies have shown that shrooms can help treat symptoms of depression and help individuals overcome addictions. 
• Cancer treatment relief. Studies show that because Psilocybin curbs anxiety and depression, it may also help cancer patients. Cancer treatment comes with both physical and emotional hardship. Shrooms can help cancer patients cope.
• Headache and migraine relief.
• Hallucinations. Many people take shrooms because they enjoy the visual hallucinations. Yes, shrooms can be used purely for fun.

Are there any negative side effects?

Psilocybin is a powerful hallucinogenic drug. As with any drug (legal or illegal), there are potential negative side effects. Other than having a bad trip, some of the potential negative side effects from taking shrooms include:

• Upset Stomach
• Fear
• Paranoia
• Headache
• High Blood Pressure
• Increased Heart Rate
• Dry Mouth
• Hallucinations

Despite the fact that Psilocybin is still a Schedule I drug in the U.S., there is little to no risk for addiction or abuse. Withdrawal symptoms are not a concern.

Are shrooms legal?

It depends where you are in the world. In the United States, shrooms are still classified as a Schedule I drug. Though, some cities like Denver, CO and Oakland, CA have decriminalized Psilocybin.

In the United Kingdom, shrooms are a Class A drug, which means they are illegal. Shrooms are also illegal in Australia, Canada, and India.

What about other kinds of mushrooms (that aren’t “magic”)?

Psilocybin mushrooms aren’t the only kind of mushrooms you can use to make shroom tea. Several mushroom varieties – like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Maitake – have amazing health benefits.