Can You Smoke Magic Mushrooms?

Dried mushrooms can be ground into a fine powder and rolled into a joint. Some folks also place purified psilocybin crystals into pipes. Neither approach, however, is ideal.

It’s difficult to know definitively what happens when you inhale shrooms. There’s virtually no scientific research on the topic, so most information comes from users sharing their experiences on forums such as Reddit.

Some people who have tried smoking mushrooms report a faint buzz, but nothing approaching the full psychedelic trip you’d get from swallowing multiple caps or sipping a mushroom tea.

Many others describe it as essentially pointless, producing little to no effect aside from possible queasiness.

The lack of noticeable psychoactive effects may be related to heat. Psilocybin degrades at high temperatures, so exposing mushrooms to flame likely destroys the compound responsible for their hallucinogenic properties.

Is it dangerous to smoke shrooms?

There are multiple hazards to consider when it comes to smoking mushrooms, in addition to the usual risks linked with consuming shrooms by any route.

General smoking risks

First, any kind of smoke is unhealthy. All smoke contains toxic substances and particulates that can injure lung tissue and blood vessels and raise the risk of lung cancer.

If you mix mushrooms with tobacco, you also inherit the full spectrum of harms associated with tobacco use.

Mold spores

Smoking mushrooms may add another lung risk via mold spores. Breathing in certain mold types can provoke lung inflammation and infections.

Inhaling particular mold species can be especially dangerous if you have a mold allergy, an existing lung disorder, or a compromised immune system.

Bad trips

If you do experience any psychoactive effects after smoking mushrooms, bear in mind that bad trips are a possible outcome whenever you use psilocybin.

A bad trip might involve disturbing hallucinations, panic, and difficulty distinguishing between imagination and reality.

Physical side effects

Mushrooms can also produce unpleasant bodily reactions, such as:

• elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• nausea and vomiting
• higher body temperature
• abdominal cramps and diarrhea
• muscle weakness
• loss of coordination

Psychological side effects

At higher doses, psilocybin and other hallucinogens distort your perception of reality, which can lead you to behave in ways you normally wouldn’t.

Although smoking mushrooms is unlikely to result in a strong trip for most people, the possibility still exists and is worth preparing for.

Are there other ways to consume shrooms?

Mushrooms are most commonly taken orally, either dried or fresh. Some people eat them plain, while others incorporate them into foods. They’re frequently brewed into a tea as well.

Some users get creative and coat them in chocolate or blend them into soups, smoothies, or milkshakes.

Less commonly, people pulverize dried mushrooms into a powder and insufflate them. Based on firsthand accounts online, that method is not recommended.

What can you do to reduce your risk of unwanted effects?

No form of substance use (or smoking) is entirely safe, but there are steps you can take to lower certain risks.

If you plan to use mushrooms, consider these suggestions:

• Choose a different method: Honestly, smoking is generally a poor choice for mushrooms. You likely won’t experience much, and you could inhale harmful spores.
• Mind your dose: Start with the smallest effective dose and increase slowly. Hallucinogens can be unpredictable, and higher doses raise the odds of a bad trip and adverse reactions.
• Don’t hold your inhale: Taking a deep inhale and holding it prolongs your lungs’ exposure to toxins. If you do smoke, exhale promptly.
• Have a trip-sitter: Ensure at least one sober, trustworthy person is present who can assist if things become overwhelming.
• Pick the right time: Your emotional state influences psychedelic experiences. Use them only when you’re in a stable, positive mindset.
• Pick the right place: A safe, familiar environment helps you stay calm and protected if hallucinations or anxiety occur.
• Stay hydrated: Mushrooms can elevate body temperature and cause dry mouth. Drink plenty of water before, during, and after use; it may help with the comedown.
• Eat something: Mushrooms often cause gastrointestinal upset, especially on an empty stomach. Eating beforehand can reduce this risk.
• Don’t mix: Combining substances is risky because it makes effects less predictable. This includes alcohol.

When to get help

Most importantly, know when to seek emergency assistance. Call 911 or local emergency services immediately if you or someone else experiences:

• difficulty breathing
• irregular heartbeat
• aggressive behavior
• seizures

The bottom line

You can smoke mushrooms — but if your goal is a psychedelic trip, other consumption methods are likely more effective.

There’s no scientific evidence showing that smoking mushrooms reliably produces the psilocybin-driven psychoactive effects, and inhaling any kind of smoke is harmful.

Remember that, while hallucinogens aren’t typically viewed as highly addictive, frequent use can still cause difficulties in daily life.