Mushrooms…indelible, delectable, delicious mushrooms. In this article, we aren’t just talking about any old mushrooms, but the kinds that stimulate metamorphic, transcendent, altered states of consciousness.
Yes, we are talking about magic mushrooms—the powerful psychedelic medicine that has been gaining so much attention as of late due to their therapeutic benefits for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.
There is so much to learn when it comes to properly storing psychedelic medicines. From the sacred Psilocybe cubensis to the enchanting Liberty caps, understanding proper storage helps us honor and unlock their potential fully.
In this article, we are covering some of your most frequently asked questions about storage techniques, how to avoid degradation, and shelf life.
For additional information on mushroom spoilage and storage, check out our article on how long mushrooms last.
So whether you are mostly an experienced psychonaut or someone considering their first journey, these insights are useful in ensuring that your mushrooms maintain their potency, efficacy, and purity.
Explore more topics like this one in The Encyclopedia of Psilocybin Mushrooms: From Cultivation to Therapy.
Ways to Store Shrooms: Which Ways are the Best?
Before we jump into these 6 most common storage techniques, it’s important to remember that all of these methods are affected by 3 factors: light, temperature, and moisture.
Exposure to UV light or sunlight can degrade the active constituents in your mushrooms, and while this may not always lead to spoilage, you may find that upon ingestion, the effects are no longer potent.
Temperature, on the hand, can absolutely lead both to spoilage and degradation. Hot temperatures in particular can cause mold and bacteria to grow quickly on your stash.
Moisture is also an additional factor with big consequences. Moist environments can increase bacteria and mold growth, leading to quicker spoilage.
It’s best to store in either a location or container which offers protection from UV light exposure and a cool and dry environment.
1. Room Temperature
When storing magic mushrooms at room temperature, you simply keep them in a discreet location in your home without refrigeration or any special equipment or technique.
This form of storage is best for those looking to ingest the mushrooms soon after acquiring them, and it is important to find a location that limits exposure to light, moisture, and hot temperatures which will lead to an even shorter shelf life.
Pros: Convenience
Cons: Quick degradation or spoilage, not a long-term solution
2. Refrigerator
Storing magic mushrooms in a refrigerator involves keeping them at a temperature just above freezing.
The effectiveness of this strategy is also dependent on whether or not the mushrooms are refrigerated in an airtight or sealed container versus simply refrigerating them in an open bag or container. Air tight is always best here.
Pros: Extended freshness, slows down growth of mold and bacteria
Cons: Not a long-term solution, freshness and potency can diminish if not stored properly
3. Freezer
Freezing magic mushrooms is an effective and convenient means of long-term storage. Remember that sealing them airtight and at sub-zero temperatures can help prolong their shelf life drastically.
It may also be necessary to dry them first before storing them in freezing temperatures, because the freezing temperatures may interact with the excess moisture.
Pros: A long-term storage solution, relatively convenient
Cons: Proper packaging, such as vacuum-sealing or airtight containers, can be necessary to prevent freezer burn and moisture absorption
4. Dried
Mushroom dehydration removes the moisture content, usually through air drying or a food dehydrator, and then storing them in an airtight container.
Pros: Significantly increased shelf life
Cons: Drying can alter the texture and flavor of magic mushrooms, requires patience and careful attention to moisture levels during the drying process
5. Canned
Canning magic mushrooms involves placing them in a vacuum-sealed jar or using canning equipment to create a sealed container.
Pros: Canning magic mushrooms in a vacuum-sealed jar or canning equipment can provide a long shelf life, often exceeding a year. This method is effective at keeping out air and moisture.
Cons: Canning may require specialized equipment and can be time-consuming. Improper sealing or contamination can lead to spoilage.
6. In Products & Goods
Incorporating magic mushrooms into food products which preserve the integrity of the psychedelic properties is a common way of utilizing magic mushrooms. The most common methods are in honey and chocolate bars.
High sugar content in the honey helps extend the potency and prevent mold or bacteria from ruining the mushrooms. Chocolate is similar, and journeyers often take this in the form of a mushroom chocolate bar.
Pros: Extends shelf life, makes dosing fun and enjoyable, discreet consumption and storage
Cons: Potency is dependent on how the product is prepared, dosing may be more difficult to plan or predict
Do Psychedelic Mushrooms Have a Shelf Life?
Magic mushrooms do have a shelf life, and their potency and purity hinges on the conditions in which they are stored:
- Room Temperature: a few days up to a week at most
- Refrigerator: 1-2 weeks
- Freezer: Several months
- Dried: 6 months to a year
- Canned: a year to several years
- In Goods: several months to a year
It’s important to remember that exposure to heat, UV light, or moisture can drastically alter the shelf life of mushrooms even within the different storage methods.
So keep in mind that whatever method you use, magic mushrooms need to be stored in a dark, cool, and dry location.
Can Psychedelic Mushrooms Grow Mold?
Mushrooms, including magic mushrooms, are susceptible to mold growth under certain conditions. Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in moist and humid environments.
Mushrooms, being fungi themselves, can become a target for mold if not stored properly. To prevent mold growth on mushrooms, especially magic mushrooms, it’s crucial to follow these storage guidelines:
Along with storing in a dark, dry and cool location, proper ventilation can also help prevent degradation or spoilage.
Ensure that the storage container has a good seal to keep out excess humidity, but also allows for some airflow. This balance can help maintain the right moisture level.
Periodically checking your stored mushrooms for any signs of spoilage can also help you identify if a storage environment is working in your favor.
Consider adding desiccant packs to your storage containers, because these packs absorb excess moisture and can help maintain a dry environment.
If you opt for freezing, vacuum-sealing them can prevent freezer burn and moisture absorption. An airtight container, even in the freezer, is an important element of preserving your stash.
Download Our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide
For harm-reduction purposes, we provide links to online psilocybin vendors, local stores, delivery services, and spore vendors for growing your own medicine at home.
How Long Do Psychedelic Mushrooms Last in a Bag?
The longevity of magic mushrooms can vary depending on how they are stored and the type of bag used.
1. Airtight Bag (Vacuum-Sealed): Magic mushrooms stored in an airtight, vacuum-sealed bag can last the longest. When properly sealed, they can maintain their potency and freshness for several months to even over a year. Vacuum-sealing removes oxygen and moisture, which are the primary factors leading to spoilage and potency loss.
2. Reusable Baggy: Storing magic mushrooms in a reusable, sealable baggy can preserve them for a few months. However, it’s essential to ensure the baggy is airtight and free from moisture. Over time, there may be some loss of potency, but if kept in a cool, dry place, this can be minimized.
3. Plastic Bag (Non-Airtight): Using a regular plastic bag without airtight sealing is not recommended for long-term storage. Magic mushrooms stored in such bags can start to lose potency within a few weeks. The plastic bag does not provide sufficient protection against moisture and air, which can lead to spoilage and reduced effectiveness.
4. Paper Bag: Storing magic mushrooms in a paper bag is not advisable for long-term preservation. Paper bags do not provide an airtight or moisture-resistant environment, and as a result, mushrooms stored this way can start to degrade within a week or two. Potency loss and spoilage are more likely in paper bags.
Additional Resources on Psychedelic Mushroom Use, Storage, & Preparation
- Purity Test Kits for Magic Mushrooms
- How to Test Potency at Home
- Top 10 Safety Practices for Psychedelic Use
- Identifying Psychedelic Mushroom Species
- How To Dose: Therapeutic Psychedelic Use
- Where to Get Psychedelics Legally
- Top 5 Ways to Consume Magic Mushrooms
- How Safe Are Psychedelics?
Find the Right Psychedelic Guide For You
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About
1. Do psychedelic mushrooms go bad over time?
Yes, like any organic material, psychedelic mushrooms can degrade and lose potency as they age. The psychoactive compounds within them, such as psilocybin and psilocin, are sensitive to environmental factors like light, heat, moisture, and air.
These elements can contribute to the degradation of these compounds, diminishing the mushrooms’ effects over time. Proper storage, such as keeping them in airtight containers in a cool, dark place, can significantly slow down this process.
2. What is the shelf life of dried psychedelic mushrooms?
When properly dried and stored in an airtight container, dried psychedelic mushrooms can maintain their potency for approximately 6 months to a year, or even longer in ideal conditions.
The exact shelf life can vary depending on the quality of the drying process and how well they are protected from moisture and oxygen. Vacuum-sealing and desiccant packs can further extend their longevity.
3. Can psychedelic mushrooms get old and lose their effects?
Psychedelic mushrooms can get old, and over time, their psychoactive compounds may degrade, resulting in reduced effects. The key is to slow down this degradation process through proper storage practices.
Avoid exposure to moisture, air, light, and heat, as these factors contribute to potency loss. Storing them in a cool, dark, and airtight container can help preserve their effects for a longer period.
4. How can I extend the shelf life of dried psychedelic mushrooms?
To extend the shelf life of dried psychedelic mushrooms, consider these tips:
- Ensure they are completely dry before storage to prevent moisture-related issues.
- Use an airtight container or vacuum-sealing to minimize exposure to air and moisture
- Store them in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources
- Check for any signs of moisture or mold regularly, and remove affected portions if necessary
- Consider using desiccant packs inside the storage container to absorb excess moisture and maintain a dry environment
