I bought magic mushroom spores on Etsy to attempt to grow them in my house.

OP, if it were easy, half the population would be shrooming right now. Some mushrooms are notoriously difficult to cultivate (think truffles or morels). Please keep us posted!!!

I remember seeing a how-to in the early days of the WWW (1996 or so). This was how they did it:

About a cup of cooked brown rice in quart canning jars. Jars had canning lids, but lids had small holes punctured and covered both sides with duct tape. A few jars were made because it doesn't always work.

The assembled jars, lids, rice were boiled to sterilize contents (don't remember time needed). When cooled, spores were mixed with distilled water and injected through the duct tape into the jars. Then they were kept dark and cool and you crossed your fingers.

Have you ever done shrooms, OP?

(I have not and am curious.)

I have not, r3. I am only trying it because there has been so much evidence of microdosing helping with anxiety and depression. It is legal to possess in my state, but not legal to sell, so I have to grow my own if I want to try it out.

Please let us know how it works out, r4.

Good luck!!

Keep a sterile environment is the hardest part. Lots of good information on YouTube but I recommend studying up on sterile lab practices because the biggest problem you’ll have is your mycelium being killed by molds and other opportunistic fungi.

Shrooms are great. I have shared this before. I did a lot of psychedelics in and after college. An older friend of mine would take me to grab cow turd shrooms off local farms. To cover ourselves, he would throw his dog over the fence, and she would just take off away from the fence. That way if the farmer or his people caught us, we could say we were looking for the dog who would inevitably show up.

I took WAY too many one night and felt like I was underwater. It was the closest I ever came to a bad trip, but I looked at the guys I was with and said "I am just going to have to stay in this chair for a while". They got it and left me alone. I came down some a few hours later and met them at the after 2am bar.

I'm a huge mycology nut and have been growing my own for over a decade. There are several easy ways to do it (look up the Uncle Ben method) and very temperamental ways to go about it. YouTube is a goldmine.

Which spores did you buy, OP?

I've been microdosing for the past seven years or so and it's been transformative. I've turned dozens of other people onto it as well. Even work with Paul Stamets quite often. Ask away.

I bought lions mane, r8. I have no idea what it is. I also bought a kit consisting of “A one-pound bag of hydrated and sterilized organic rye berries to make your spawn with and a one-pound bag of our horse manure based mushroom substrate to use as your bulk substrate.” I am completely clueless, so I would love your help once my items arrive.

Lions Mane are not quite magic mushrooms, they dont contain psilocybin. The most widely available and easy to grow psychedelic mushrooms are of the cubensis variety. You can go to mushrooms dot com and find plenty of those there available by spore print or syringe.

Most beginners use a syringe which is a live culture, and the easiest way to grow is the "Brown Rice Flour Tech". Shroomery.org has all the info and tutorials you could ever need.

I, too, want to hear more about this and how it goes for you, OP. 😊

R10, I just looked at the site and want to order some spores. Just wondering, have you tried the B+ cubensis strain from there, and can they be dried once grown and harvested. Very curious to try this!

Wow, this is fascinating stuff.

Someone gave me a mushroom-growing kit with a jar and a weird lid and a tiny mist sprayer. Never used it.

My dad used to pick mushrooms in our local park. He was from rural Europe where it’s something you do.

Anyway, looking forward to OP and mushie’s posts. And others.

I mushroom hunt in the PNW, Fall is my favorite. I hunt chanterelles, lions mane, porcinis, cauliflower, bears head and hedge hogs. We have psycociblin (magic) mushrooms out here too. I'm starting to zero in on where they grow and have made it a goal to find them. They are in season now.

R12 Yes, I have grown the B+ before, it's a good choice for a beginner because it's known for being vigorous and high yielding. Most people dry the mushrooms afterwards before consuming because you can judge dosage more accurately by dry gram weight.

Storing them in a glass jar away from sunlight (once dried) is ideal. You can also grind them up in a coffee grinder and use a press to make capsules.

Thank you, R15! Decision made, I’m going to try this!

R14, in PNW here, too. I brought in two pounds of chantys two weeks ago.

You've found Lion's Mane? Whereabout are you? I'm in Puget Sound area.

Microdosing psilocybin has done for me in year than 30 years of therapy and antidepressants ever did.

I'm currently getting certifications to administer in OR.

How many cows did you have to trade?

Can you order them already grown? Stupid question, but had to ask.

And how can you tell on mushroom.com which ones contain psylocybina?

Look under medicinal, R21. Also, a helpful poster above said the cubansis strains are the ones to look for. R20, it’s illegal to sell the mushrooms but not the spores, apparently.

r17, I'm in Portland but my favorite area to mushroom hunt is in the Mt. Adams area. I'm heading out today to see if I can find some hedgehogs.

I found a chanterelle this year that weighed more than 3/4 of a pound.

I sent cash out to mushrooms.com on Monday and my order was shipped today. I’m excited!

I love shrooms, though I haven't tried the micro dosing trend. I've had so many great shrooms trips and only one bad one.

Wait! Can someone direct me to docs that outline the dosing if one is treating anxiety/depression. I’m 48, and have struggled my entire life with chronic depression. When I was young, I partied and did it all, but this would be for mental health and healing. I would really like the details on what research is showing with specifics on frequency and dosing. How often do you take it for anxiety/depression? I know it can vary by individual.

R8/Mushie....I forgot to ask too, what is the best method for drying them out? Do you know the amount that would get one labeled as a dealer vs personal use so I don’t put myself at huge risk?

Ok y’all, I just purchased two different varieties, including the B+. I paid a little extra for the warmer....

My doc said many people need to do shrooms, she knows I'm a nutty so maybe that's a hint, and also said just a tiny bit of LSD does wonders, she's from India and pretty cool.

I want to microdose with LSD so badly. Wish I could figure out a reputable provider here in MA. Any thoughts, anyone?

I’d like to import some spores but Australian customs is the fucking Gestapo

Microdosing fan here -- I think they're brilliant, however I had been using truffles not shrooms. Yes, they helped my anxiety and depression. Tried growing shrooms. Not successful but will try again.

I bought spores of the B+ too and plan to grow them in my closet.

To the poster up thread, I found directions for the Uncle Ben method 😂 that mentioned drying them in a food dehydrator. I think you can also get racks to do this in a regular oven.

Do shrooms work as well for sex as LSD does?

I tried them in Amsterdam and saw my skull under my skin when I looked in the bathroom mirror.

R32, but what dose are you doing and how often? How do you know when you need it again?

Do you need a warmer to grow them?

I want to see The Machine Elves!

R34, I had a boyfriend who really like to fuck on shrooms. If acid makes you horny, I guess shrooms would, too. For me, the last thing on my mind when I’m tripping is getting laid.

How do you know if your spores have gotten infected with bad mold or whatever?

Omg, I need Mushie to explain best technique after the Uncle Ben step!!!! MUSHIE?!?! MUSHIE!!!!!

I've never heard of microdosing before. Must investigate! It sounds almost too good to be true.

Thanks OP and others. I'm going to try this too.

In a related subject for those who don't know, growing weed is easier than ever. LED lights are low cost/low heat and seeds now come in an "autoflower" variety, guaranteed to flower after about 6 weeks. you don't need to control the lighting like the olden days and there's 100 youtube videos for every question you have. Cropkings has lots of good info.

Cow shit, OP. They thrive on cow shit. You're welcome.

How about chicken shit? My neighbors have a coop.

Chicken shit is WAY too acidic, [R45]. All bird shit is.

Where are we supposed to get cow shit in a city? My choices are cat, dog, or human.

Do they breed miniature cows?

Seriously, cow shit. AND you cannot wash them off at harvest, otherwise you'd also wash away the active ingredient! I was told this back in the early 1990s by a campus deadhead.

- R44

Is this fresh cow shit, warm from the cow? Dried cow shit, seasoning in the fields for a few weeks? Composted cow manure, purchased at a garden supply store? The details matter.

Yes, r50. I have a bag of "steer manure" the garden guys used to replant a grass area my yard where doggie had dug up.

Ok, I live in Colorado. My spores should be here later in the week. I will just visit a marijuana grow store. They can hook me up with whatever I need, I imagine.

R27, happy to help. You want to dry your mushrooms as soon as they’re harvested—and you need to do it quickly. To preserve the aesthetics and potency (they are 90% water and will lose their structure and decompose quickly if not preserved).

But before you get them into a dehydrator (I use a horizontal), the first step of the drying process is to clean the bottoms of the stems by cutting off the area upon which there is still some substrate. The substrate is the layer of material used as the base for the mycelium to grow. Although it played a critical role in the growing process, it’s no longer useful to the end-goal: getting your shrooms dried out and ready for consumption.

Back to the dehydrator: place the biggest shrooms on the top shelf, and smallest on the bottom. Go at about 120 degrees for two hours.

You will know if they are done by checking whether they’re “cracker” dry. In other words, you should be able to easily snap the stem.

If you don't have access to a dehydrator, there are other methods, but this is by far the most efficient.

Sorry, all, I went out camping on the peninsula shroom-hunting for awhile and wasn't online.

Happy to answer any/all cubensi questions!

Mushie, can you share the basics on micro-dosing please??

I went on Amazon and got the Uncle Ben’s brown rice bags. Once the spores take off in the bag (about a week???), then what’s the next phase called and what is the easiest way to do it?? Thank you so much, I’m really psyched to try this.

I just set up my bags! Wondering, Mushie, what your thoughts are on using a heat mat. The one I have raises the temperature between 10-20 degrees above the ambient temperature, which in my closet is probably close to 70 degrees. Do you think that’s too hot?

In Central Florida we go hunting in a cow pasture after a good rain. Sometimes we dry 'em. Sometimes we eat 'em fresh.

No one who is serious about growing should expect answers here. There is a board called shroomery.org that has tutorials for every level and the host of this board might not be cool with the the step by step for manufacturing drugs, but I dont know.

Spores in a bag of rice and wait a week? No. This is way different than growing weed. If you have a field you can pick them wild that is great but production is quite a process.

Why don't you just trot your horse down to Ye Olde House of Bovine Dung and pick some up, OP?

Do magic mushrooms show up on drug tests?

They will if it is in a drug panel test i.e. if they are looking for it. My experience is that this is rarely tested for at least in the court system.

R58, different states have different laws, so no, Muriel doesn’t give a shit. No one moderates here anymore.

Shroomery is too complicated, I have no desire to wade through all that shit. We aren’t talking fentanyl or ketamine, they’re fucking mushrooms.

To the Uncle Ben poster: this is a great way for a first-time grower to get started. Just know it takes a lot of patience and love but if you have the inclination to get from innoculation to cultivation using this method, you can easily move up to larger yields. If you know how to sail a little sunfish, you know how to sail a schooner.

I started typing out all the necessary steps, but there are so many resources out there. I found this Medium article to get right to the Uncle Ben method without too many/too few steps. Read this over, and let me know if you have questions from there!

Thank you r63!!!

R56, what is your grow setup and in which region are you? I'm in the PNW so need just a little bit of heat (the key is more in the consistency of the heat, as long as you're 70-80 degrees, you'll have a hospitable habitat). Yes, a heat pad will do just fine, just check the temp daily to be sure it's holding steady. A small heat/grow light does the trick, too, just be sure the light is evenly dispersed and you're avoiding direct light onto the spores.

The white, fluffy-looking mycelium should start to appear between seven and 14 days, spreading outward from the inoculation sites. Hold steady from there and you should have some pins and caps soon enough!

Happy to help, R63. I think the biggest lesson I've seen from first-times is just neglect. You can't miss a step especially during fruiting. It's a careful balance between taking good care of them and futzing with them too much, which introduces contaminates.

Slow and steady.

Meant to say, this has been Mushie on the last few answers. I'm not good about getting online but will do better as a couple of you are just getting started and I'd love to hear how it goes!

Here in Oregon and southern Washington they grown in grass on the coast. I haven't yet looked for them but I follow a PNW mushroom group on FB and they are finding them now.

I have a heating mat from my vegetable garden, I might play with that too.....Mushie, honestly, how could I not try this with your moniker of “Mushie”? It was just inspiring. I got the email that they shipped, so I’m excited!!

The fruiting and spawning seem difficult. Crap. My package of spores came today, so I guess I am invested. The rice part seems simple enough, but the bucket and red brick thing seem complicated.

Mushie!!! 😊😊😊

I used that same Medium article to set up...I’m in NYC. I put the heat mats on my closet floor and shut the door...unfortunately it’s the kind without a temperature control, it just says it will heat to 10-20 degrees above room temperature, not so helpful! I keep the house cool so hopefully it will be no more than 75-80 but I did order a thermometer to use in there.

I hope it works for me...so excited and glad you are here! 😊

There are old mushroom hunters, and there are bold mushroom hunters ...

I've done this a couple of times. One was successful. Mold got the others before they could fruit. Here's one version the process, for those who are curious about the difficulties mentioned:

Mix cooked rice with perlite and place rice in small canning jars with room to add a layer of vermiculite on top Using a nail, punch a small hole in the lids. Tighten the lids onto the jars and place a piece of duct/duck tape over the hole you punched. Pressure cook jars for an hour to sterilize them. Allow them to cool inside pressure cooker. A pressure cooker for canning is recommended, as they achieve higher pressure and temperatures that those used for cooking.

For this next step, you have to maintain sterile procedures to avoid contaminating your sterilized jars of rice and perlite. In a germ-free hood (you can make this with a plastic storage bin), you peel back the tape you placed over the hole in the jars' lids and place the mushroom spore syringe needle through the hole, through the layer of vermiculite and into the rice, where you inject the mushroom spores. Withdraw the syringe and place the tape back over the hole.

For the next few days/weeks, you leave the jars in a dark, temperature stable environment as the spores grow into mycelium, which you can think of as the pre-mushroom. These white hairs grow throughout the rice and perlite, eventually overtaking the inside of the jar and completely covering the rice. If your jar is small enough, the resulting "rice cake" will look like a little white hockey puck.

This is where things can go wrong, though. As the mycelium are starting to grow throughout the rice, you may see a tiny dot of green that has formed somewhere on the developing rice cake. This is mold, and it means the not only was your inoculation technique not sterile, but you may as well toss the jar, because that tiny little dot of green will quickly overtake the rice and mycelium and ruin the whole jar. It is truly a sad day when this happens.

If, however, your rice cake develops perfectly and without mold, you can now open then jar and take out the little white hockey puck and place it in a humidity-controlled environment like a terrarium. You can also just loosen and unseal the jars and let the mushrooms grow inside the jar. From these rice cakes grow the mushrooms. The larger the rice cake, the more mushrooms it will produce. Large jars take longer to develop mycelium, though.

I grew just enough mushrooms for a couple of doses. The effects were subtle, but noticeable. I turned on the tv and Wendy Williams was on and her set looked so unusually colorful and her wig looked so gorgeous that I had to create a twitter account just so I could tell her how great she looked. Serotonin-acting drugs make my eyes water and make me yawn and I was doing both for the rest of the evening. It's a great reset button.

It's a shame it was such a hassle, because mushrooms are fantastic. I've had better luck with stealth weed grows. I'm going to look into the Uncle Ben method mentioned above, though.

In nature, how does a mushroom spore find a sterile environment on a pile of cow shit?

Thanks!

R74, as a plant person who has grown things from seed, I know that the tricky thing with mushrooms is that there is a “magic window” of the right combo of humidity, temperature, soil conditions. It all has to be perfect. So, I guess there’s something perfect about cow patties.....

Don't mushrooms release thousands of spores. Probably a very small percentage hit that sweet spot.

So, can I combine r73’s method with the uncle Ben method? Take my rice cake from the Uncle Ben bag and put it in a terrarium, misting it every once in a while? This seems so much easier. Thanks in advance.

You could just move to a cooler damper climate like the UK, they grow everywhere here. I doubt anyone would bother to cultivate them.

I even get them in my lawn and borders, especially Psilocybe cyanescens (wavy caps).

So what’s the easiest way to do “step 2”, after the Uncle Ben’s step? I was a little overwhelmed by all the different methods, would love to hear the easiest way to handle that phase.

R79, are you referring to Step #2 the Medium article posted above? Just making sure I didn't miss something before I answer.

Sorry, R79, I should clarify: do you mean the overall "fruiting" or the hole-punching/gas release process?

So sorry Mush, both I guess? I didn’t dig into that article because I was hoping for the “Sesame Street” version from you lol. So whatever you think is best, if you think that article is the end all be all, then I will read it for real. When I went to shroomery, I didn’t even try to research grieving because there’s so much info I thought it best to ask you first. :-)

R82, this video from you tube was soooo helpful for me. I’m going to get started on Saturday.

This Reddit page goes through all the steps with simple directions and videos.

This goes through all the steps with simple videos.

The video at R83 is perfect. Watch that and let us know if you have questions from there.

The overall process just takes a lot of time and patience, and before you know it, you'll be up to your ears in healthy pins. You'll be tempted to skip or speed up a few steps but DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT in the beginning. You'll eventually learn which processes may be expedited, but you need to go through some trial and error first so you can learn how to troubleshoot on your own. I'm here to help!

I just dehydrated about half a pound of golden teachers. You'll be where I am in no time!

Thank you all!!!! I’m looking at all if it now. My syringes should arrive any day now.

I prepared my guest closet today, and did an initial Lysol cleaning. I am going to try to inoculate in the morning. I’m really nervous. I have over $100 invested in this, and don’t want to throw it away.

Mine are in the closet, on a shelf. I think I can take my first look on Monday...

Thanks for the inspiration, fellas! I ordered a syringe, too.

The last thing I want to do right now is a hallucinogen.

OMG r91, why NOT? I don’t think shrooms are as trippy as LSD at all. I’ve never had full tilt hallucinations on them, only LSD. Also, haven’t the last 4+ years been a BAD TRIP? I say yes, so bring on the shrooms.

I feel like I've been forced onto a bad trip for the past 5 years, and I need a reset. I don't know how else to get them, other than growing them!

If one of you ambitious growers are successful, don't bogart the shrooms.

Bring them here. Share. It's a mitzvah.

R94, if you can make that happen without problems for us, I actually thought about that lmao!!!! My nature is to share the party!

Mushie, the closet where I’m housing my Uncle Ben’s smells...frowsy? Does that necessarily mean mold or do the mushrooms smell that way too? I think I can check them Monday but now I’m sad thinking they might not come along...

Psilocybe cyanescens (wavy caps) grow better on tree bark (crushed) than rice. You have to be able to identify them though as there is a slight possibility of inadvertently importing poisonous toadstools in the bark.

What is the proper dose as a treatment for severe depression and does it help with severe anxiety as well?

R96, don't worry about a little frowsiness. Let us know what you find come Monday! Very excited to know how inoculation goes for everyone.

Lots of folks asking about microdosing. Yes R98, psilocybin absolutely and greatly eases both anxiety and depression, along with lifting overall mood and productivity.

Here's the standard measurement for microdosing. Depending on your tolerance and preference, .5 is considered a daily microdose but you'll want to titrate up to it. There are no "bad trips" or even moderately dubious trips here, just insights and intentions and immediate releases of psilocin. (Psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in the fungi, is converted to psilocin, enabling it to cross the blood-brain barrier. It's structurally similar to the brain’s naturally occurring neurotransmitter serotonin.)

Anyhow, back to the daily microdoses: 0.15–0.2g (‘microdose’, as defined by Dr. Fadiman as one tenth of a therapeutic dose): barely noticeable 0.2–0.4g (slightly higher than a microdose): begin to have measurable differences in anxiety, mood and productivity 0.5g (typically considered a ‘creative dose’): sub-hallucinogenic level but noticeable lifts in anxiety, mood and productivity

This video by medical researchers who ingested and recorded their microdoses is also very insightful.

I got the spores back in the day from Holland, I think. Downloaded the magic mushroom growers guide online when the Internet was just a baby. Created a sterile environment, inoculated the the jars and created a humidified environment to grow them in. It was fun! My intention was to sell them to friends but I ended up consuming all my product. Those were the crazy 90’s!

People are finding the wavies left and right on the Oregon coast. I need to get out there and look. It sounds like they grow in the dune grass.

My syringes still aren’t here, I’m worried about the cold, I paid to keep them warm, but I think the USPS is still jacked up from the election.

a friend of mine gave me some stems. he told me they are mild. I've never tried mushrooms. looking forward to it!

R102, you can get syringes without medical proof or prescription from CVS and Walgreens in most places. Call around!

For those interested in growing, this guide is also a great resource. This doesn't cover the Uncle Ben's method, but PF tek, which has you setting up your own substrates.

R101, the wavy caps are all over WA and OR right now! If you're near a big body of water, you'll find them not far away.

R104, sorry, I meant my syringes that have spores inside — I ordered some.

Okay, Mushie...it’s day 7. According to the Medium article, at day 7 you should do a “shake and break” to spread the growth around. I actually don’t see growth yet (the article suggests I might not for quite a while)...should I wait until I see something? The bags don’t look moldy but I don’t see any of the white stuff in the picture, either...is that what I am looking for?

R107, go ahead and do the gentle shake and break. You want the mycelium (which could be invisible to the naked eye, but it's establishing tiny threads by now) and let it get some air. You'll begin to see the white mycelium soon--this is the lifeblood of any fungus and gives it life and nutrients to the pins and eventually the fruits.

Make sense for now? Happy to help further.

ok guys. do you just chew on it? i was told to make a tea with it. how do you like to take yours?

Stick the stems and caps in a peanut butter sandwich, eat them raw-dog, grind them into dust and sprinkle them into a smoothie, seep them in tea, soak them in a bottle of Gatorade, whatever you want.

They taste literally like shit r109, so have something with strong flavor nearby, maybe oj.....you’ll want the taste to be gone quickly.

Some people on Reddit grind it and put it into capsules. Seems like a good idea. I can see some growth in my bags already. I am so excited!!!

Thank you so much, Mushie dear! I gently broke and shook and laid them back down...no sign of growth but no of mold either... howrver, the closet smells distinctly musty. I keep thinking, well, they ARE a fungus! Hoping something develops. 😊😊😊 Thank you for being here, it’s fun doing this with other people, especially since some of the people (like you) have done it previously.

I am close to someone who is a grower . They grow it in birdseed. I’ve seen it done many times you have to be very clean . I’ve been microdosing for the last two years it’s been very helpful. It’s a beautiful sacred gift.

When I used to eat dried mushrooms in college I learned to chop them up in fine bits and swallow them with water like a pill. I would think biting into a lemon afterward would help. They really are the most foul things I have ever tasted. I am hoping to pick some coastal mushrooms maybe they won't taste as bad since they don't grow in shit.

I don’t love the taste but I don’t think it’s so bad . I use a spice grinder and then just mix it in melted chocolate . I just chew on the stems it’s really not that bad.

If the taste is so bad, can you booty bump a 'shroom?

Lolololol no idea r117, but please let us know how it goes!

Mine still haven’t arrived I think I’m doomed.

Today out on San Juan Island, I found a huge thrush of winter chanterelles and a nice circle of elfin saddles and loads of chicken in the woods. All while I was pleasantly buzzing along on Penis Envy. I thought of all the newcomers here and am rooting for you all from the DL sidelines.

I started microdosing and I cannot recommend it enough. I take 0.1g, three days in a row and then I back off for a week. The results are transformative. It's as if an ever present noise has turned off in my head. I don't feel though I need to be me, I don't have to default to my usual behavior and reactions. I can decide on the fly. I feel detached from the daily events but not unengaged. I wish I could describe it better, but I'm reminded that living is okay, not fraught with anxiety, and I can proceed and do what I need to do.

I got a couple dozen capsule from a friend and have no idea what to do when they run out, if he can't send me more. I'll check out the spores and process and all that.

By the way, an unplanned result of microdosing: I don't crave a drink or weed. I never drank more than about 3 drinks a week and I smoked on weekends only, not much, but I simply am not wanting to anymore.

Would love any tips on how to grow these beautiful healers myself.

Will check out all the info in this thread more carefully! Thanks for the tips, Mushie.

Chicken of the Woods is delicious sautéed.

R120, there are a few safe ways to get capsules in the mail. I'm hesitant to post here but Instagram is your friend. But YouTube is chock full with beginner's guides to growing your own, both medicinal and gourmet. As long as you have some patience and a proclivity toward sterile environs, growing becomes second nature after a little trial and error.

Also so pleased to hear of the regeneration microdosing has brought. I've seen dozens of lives changed through tiny amounts of these little wonders.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

R123 thank you. Instagram to me looks like an unnavigable mess but I'll puzzle it out now that I have a good reason to.

Would you sooner trust the syringes or the capsules, Mushie? I might just ask the friend who sent the first batch to do me another.

I just ordered some capsules from Canada from an Instagram store. They will be nice to try while waiting for mine to be grown. Thanks Mushie!

Can you hint as to what to search? I'm a dummy with Instagram

am I searching specific types of mushr00ms, for example?

Micro dosing has changed my life so much for the better. It helped lift a fog of depression and now I can study and focus so much better. Mental clarity, increased memory, happiness, energy. Only take them for a couple days at a time though. If I take them for four days in a row I find I feel a bit ‘wired’ by day 4 or 5. Now I take 1 or 2 days a week and my brain still feels good the other days. I start getting depressed again after not taking it for a while.

I made my own blend with with mostly lions mane, B vitamin blend (the niacin helps flush it through your bloodstream) and maybe 10% psilocybin.

Taking 1 capsule 1 or 2 times a week is all you need. I read reviews on a site where people said they take it everyday. That isn’t a good idea because you will develop a tolerance and it won’t work. With any mushroom or adaptogen you shouldn't be taking it all the time.

Mushroom world dot com.

I've ordered from them for years.

On Instagram search for psilocybin and you'll see tons of links in the comments. Just weed through and you'll find lots of legit Canadian shippers.

Uh huh. Yep.

R130, I see them there but how do we know who is legit?

Ugh sorry here's the link.

R133, this is amazing! But it looks like they only ship to Canada...anyone know a legit site that ships internationally?

My rice bags are nearing the two week mark with a shake/break but don’t seem much happening yet.

R134, I found someone but I don’t want to post it here. I don’t want to get them in trouble. I shook my uncle bens mix yesterday after 8 days...I felt some clumps and there was white stuff growing. I’m so impatient. I want it done now! I have also been spending a lot of time on the Reddit forums and am kind of grossed out and scared. Some of the photos look absolutely disgusting, and the thought of poisonous growth in my home is terrifying.

The cobweb/moldy growth creeps me out...and this is normal! Ewwww. I will try to push through it. I can’t imagine this shit in my home.

R135, I googled around, thank you for that. Seems like quite a few ship internationally. But more importantly, what do you mean, poison?

R136, I’m jealous. Other than making my closet smell funky, my rice bags don’t seem to be doing anything at all.

R136 That's the mycelium. It's the network that grows mushrooms from spores and feeds them. It's everywhere!

R137, when did you do the inoculation?

Microdose nature dot com is my go-to. You order, they send you an email, and complete order from there.

Hi Mushie! I did it just about 14 days ago. The bags are in my closet which maintains a temperature range of between 68-70 degrees and I have them on a heat mat set to low. They don’t look moldy, but I don’t see anything much happening. They smell funky, I even looked to see if there was any opening in the bags or taped areas but they are sealed. Curious to hear your thoughts...

I am wary of ordering online because the police in my community use K-9 dogs to go through the FedEx, UPS, and U.S. Postal Service regularly to sniff for contraband in packages. Be careful out there, where I live it's an F5 drug charge. Stupid, but that's the way it is here in flyover.

Okay, R141, leave them be and report back in a few days. I've had several instances where the mycelium begins to show itself around week 3.

As long as you were sterile and everything was highly sanitized, you should begin to see some movement fairly soon!

Hang in there. Biggest part of this effort is patience.

You’re the best, Mushie! For real. I honestly don’t know anyone in real life who knows anything about this, or who would want to cheerlead me through it...I’m really excited to be doing this and glad I’m doing it with you guys!

I’m very patient and have no problem waiting another week or longer. I’ll give them a thorough check tomorrow at the 14 day mark and check back in. Thank you so much. It’s good to be doing something interesting and fun this during this strange and difficult time.

R137, a lot of people on the Reddit forums had trichoderma growth. It’s toxic, and shouldn’t be breathed in.

R145 has a good point, and trichoderma is definitely something to watch out for. It's usually very noticeable, though, as it quickly looks like a green mold. You won't see it until you're growing stems and caps and it starts to parasitize your caps and show up as spotted mold spots with green pigmentation.

I've seen it a few times because I believe I overmisted my fruits. Live and learn.

So for now, until we're seeing some pins come up and fruiting begins, all we should be seeing is white cobweb-like growth.

Ok, I took the plunge and got capsules, which terrifies me for obvious reasons. My spores look like they might be turning white in my rice bags too. I’m keeping my bags on my heated bathroom floor lol! When I water my plants, I like to use “warm” water, I know plants love that, so hopefully the floor isn’t too warm. I’m looking for Goldilock’s “juuuuuuust right” warm.

R147, I ordered loose powder using one of the sites mentioned upthread as a backup, but I really hope I can learn to grow them instead. I peeked at them today but no change yet!

R148, are you in US? I get very nervous, experiencing buyers remorse lololol — I do have a fear of the various alphabet agencies.

Yes, R149, I am, in Brooklyn.

I would be more nervous but somehow doubt anyone will bother with this right now, even if they found me. I also kinda feel like if this is the worst thing I ever do, and I get caught (in general, I follow rules provided they are ethical and make sense), I will make peace with that. It’s a risk but for whatever reason, I don’t feel too worried about it. Anyway, if you have buyer’s remorse, you’ve already gone for it so just going to have to hope for the best, right? It’s going to be okay. Tracking says my package should be here next week sometime...how about you? Let us know what happens!

I've ordered capsules about a dozen times in the US. Never had a problem.

They're so low on the totem pole as far as "drugs" plus really hard to sniff out.

You're cool, R150. They'll get to you safe and sound.

R151, thanks for the reassurance. I have never actually ordered anything illegal online before and was thrilled that it was possible in this case. 😊 It’s fantastic hearing from others that have been successful in the past. I kinda thought the same...they are not really the kind of substance people are concerned about, relatively speaking.

I love reading other people’s thoughts and how pleasant and supportive everyone on this thread has been. I feel we are actually sharing something. 😊😊😊

R152, my order of capsules arrived today! Shipping was super fast to the US from Canada. I want to try them today so bad, but I’m afraid that I won’t be able to sleep tonight.

I’m so excited for you! They say not to microdose at the end of the day, right? I want to hear everything! How long did it take? Mine are supposed to come 12/11.

I’m the scaredy cat at r149, thank you r150, your post was indeed very reassuring. My rational side says that if they were going to arrest a buyer, it would happen right at the time the buyer receives the product, otherwise how can they charge you in a courtroom, without any proof that you actually received the package as actual evidence? I had some retin-a I ordered from India a couple of years ago (from a site recommended here) and had ordered from them multiple times. So....one day I’m waiting to get a package, and a letter arrives in the mail from US Customs, telling me my package violated such and such laws, and would I please come in to collect my items if this is a mistake (or something like this). I freaked out, started a thread, and was advised to do nothing — don’t respond in anyway, and most certainly, do NOT go into US Customs. So that’s what I did, and it’s never come up again.

Now, maybe controlled substances are handled differently, I’m not sure if they pull in the DEA or what. But my gut is that as long as I ordered amounts that are below the threshold of being accused of dealing, then they would confiscate it and see if I’ll come in to try and get it back. If I went in, it’s the handcuffs. But if not, they probably just ignore it. Perhaps my name could be flagged afterward, so that future international purchases are a problem for me, but I don’t know if they can flag someone’s name in the mail system if they’ve never been charged with a crime, I kind of doubt it. Also, I don’t believe LE has the necessary manpower.

My tracking says my items will arrive 12/14, I’ll let you all know how it goes!

Question for Mushie (and anyone else)....can you microdose and WORK? Or no? I have taken any in several decades, I know when I was young, the goal was to go over the edge, so I never could have worked, so that’s why I ask this question. And another — can microdosing cause any nausea? When I was young, I would always barf my brains out at the beginning. Obviously, I’m very hopeful that with such a small dose that I won’t feel nauseous...

R154, I paid on 11/26. I’m going to try one in the morning (AM is recommended on multiple sites). I’ll let you know how it goes!

Did you just use a random Canadian online seller for the capsules? I'm was thinking they were just Canada to Canada, but if they ship Canada to US that would be handy.

R156, thanks for sharing! I ordered 11/30. And yes, R157, at least one vendor mentioned upthread ships to the US. I am amazed that this is something you can buy online, sorry I didn’t know earlier!

Thank you, R158. Got it.

Should I get package tracking on MDN or no?

I took the tracking. It was inexpensive.

I went for it. It was cheap but I didn't want to make a rookie mistake and press the wrong button and activate a trapdoor under my chair connected to a chute straight into jail.

I get my payment email tomorrow 🤩

Haha. FOR REAL. If it’s the same place, you will likely be amused/surprised by the email. And you may receive it earlier than you think, too!

R163, was the labeling discreet? I see they say to email if you have any further labeling requests.

A point on microdosing. Your first few times, don't expect the "oh god, I FEEL IT" to occur. That's not at all the intended outcome. At these subhallucinogenic levels, that's the opposite of the intended outcome. After the third or fourth dose, most folks begin to realize something has just shifted. A levity, a lightness, inches in. It happens gradually and then suddenly.

You may be tempted, the first few times, to take another capsule or eat a bit more. That's a different experience than microdosing.

If you want to macrodose, eat some stems and caps and settle in with a friend or two that you trust in a controlled environment and as best you can, be in a positive place. What you're feeling before you dose follows you.

I macrodose twice a year for the "holy god, I need to change my life right now" and microdose about every 6 or so days for maintenance.

Just be very mindful. Set your intentions and let them do the work for you.

Some help for the first-timers on microdosing. Take a capsule in the morning on an empty stomach.

You may be tempted to take another because "I don't feel anything." That's the whole point of microdosing: it's gradual and you physically don't feel much. It comes later in the form of levity, lightness, and an overall sense of wellbeing.

Be patient, and take a capsule every other day in the beginning. You'll notice a shift within yourself within a week at most.

Then lighten up and go to every 3-4 days. You'll begin to find your pattern . . . and you'll trust yourself on the rhythm/cycle that's right for you.

I personally macrodose (I ingest stems and caps that I've harvested) three or four times a year, and microdose twice a week for maintenance.

R155, you asked if you can work while microdosing. YES. Oh my, yes. One of the biggest benefits is clarity and productivity. After a few doses, most folks experience a newfound focus and gentle drive. I think you'll find you're very engaged, in a way you thought you'd lost years ago. I've seen so many people reclaim their joy and curiosity and let go of negative energy that no longer served them.

There's nothing to fear here. I've never once seen vomiting/nausea/ill side effects from microdosing. If you want to macrodose and trip balls, then there's some typical bodily upheaval. That's an entirely different experience.

I didn’t receive my package just yet so I don’t know about the packaging but they made it sound very vanilla, and hopefully it is.

I’m hoping to do something along the lines of R166. I want the big experience but also want the daily support. I’m really excited and hoping my own crop comes along, but 2.5 weeks in I am not seeing cobwebs. I might need to try again...?

R168, are you the poster that got your spores from Etsy? Hard to know if they were viable. If you don't mind me asking, what region are you in? Sometimes "wild mushroom" farms have more than gourmet spores available (actually,, most times they do) and you can call them directly and pick up in person (or curbside now, I'd imagine.) When you're ready to try again, let me know and I'll point you to a reputable harvester online or in person who guarantee their spores.

Don't lose hope! This is all part getting started.

Hello, Mushie dear! I’m the one with my spores in the closet, but I didn’t get them from Etsy. I definitely want to learn to do this for myself and would love to hear any suggestions as to where to get spores I can rely on.

I also ordered some powder from a Canadian vendor mentioned upthread. But ideally I’d like to grow them here.

I’m in NYC. 😊😊😊

We're experiencing a level of togetherness never before seen on DL. I thought we peaked when some of us shared pictures of our living rooms. Or when some of us made that no-knead bread together.

Op here. I took my first micro dose (purchased from the Canadian seller) this morning. I was able to work out as usual. The only difference that I noticed was that I had colors seemed to be more vibrant. I felt fine to work and drive. I don’t feel drugged at all (which is a good thing). My Uncle Ben bags are also looking good. I can see quite a bit of white growth in the windows, which is encouraging. This is the first hobby that I’ve had in years, and I’m so happy to have other people to share it with (even virtually).

R171, so true! This has to be the most supportive, least bitchy thread I’ve ever been on here, no aggro. 😊 I can’t believe that it happens to revolve around something I always wanted to learn about and try, but had no idea how to go about it...I feel so lucky! And OP, how exciting! Thank you so much for starting this thread! Are these the original Etsy spores?

R173, I originally purchased lions mane from Etsy because I didn’t know what I was buying. I ended up throwing those away. I inoculated my Uncle Ben’s packets, along with the Etsy sellers rye berry packet, with B+ Cubensis spores from mushrooms.com. This thread has been so helpful. I would’ve been so disappointed if I just grew the lions mane!

R173, B+ is a fantastic spore--brimming with clarity and productivity. Lion's mane can be beneficial as well but certainly more gourmet than medicinal. B+ is one of my favorites and a great, even starting point. When and if you're ready, I recommend Penis Envy next, but that's a ways off. I've found over the years that I'll hit a wall with tolerance in microdosing and switching up spores does the trick.

R172, sounds right on target for your first microdose. Very subtle is exactly what it's about. If you have the time and space to do so, I highly recommend a walk about an hour after you dose. Everything is a little better. Please keep sharing your experiences here. I'm especially interested to know how you're feeling in a couple of weeks.

R170, I know the folks that run premiumspores.com. Great, reliable product that I've used and recommended for years and they ship to NY. Out of about 60 thrushes I've harvested from their spores, I've had maybe two duds with no growth. True to nature, not every birth is a viable one. I also know some small NYC spore farms but something tells me you'd rather not venture out during this crapola.

However, R170, don't throw out your little non-showers just yet. They could just be stubborn, or even perhaps cold from the shipment and are taking longer to thrive. They're kind of like people and some of them need are needier than others.

Wishing you all a peaceful, warm evening.

You are all so sweet. ❤️

I know, OP...imagine if you didn’t start this thread and ended up with boring Lion’s Mane? If you didn’t start this thread, I would not even know you could buy spores or capsules online. I’m so grateful, it’s kept me cheerful during this very challenging time.

Mushie...I think I love you. I’m nowhere near ready to give up on my so-far unproductive spores. But I’m going to hit up premiumspores.com right this second. You’re right, I’m not going anywhere I don’t absolutely have to right now.

To be continued, obviously! 😊😊😊

This is us.

Haha. FOR REAL.

I don’t even drink, and only in the last couple of years started using medical cannabis for back pain. But psychedelics have always been bucket list for me. I totally want to experience them, so this thread is a miracle for me. 😊

I've tried 20 microsode capsules so far, each 0.1g. I feel as if I got a factory reset, and as if I know I can take a second before reacting to bullshit in my usual way. I don't feel detached, but I feel unprovoked. And as if I chose to shift my behavior and now know how to shift my behavior. It's probably what wisdom must feel like. I think I know how to proceed. Also I don't have the chatter in my head much anymore.

I ordered capsules from Canada and am a little nervous about trying them but I'll do it. Same small doses.

This is a lucky thread I stumbled into.

R179, I love reading stories like yours. "Factory reset" is one of the best descriptions I've ever heard. May I ask, what does your dosing cycle look like?

I'm headed out now for a weekend of foraging up in the San Juans. It's liberty cap time; hope I'm not too late this year but it's been a mild late fall and I'm still finding scads of fruits. Wish there were a way to share them with you all!

Love from the PNW.

Mushie, you're a true mensch. I've really looked forward to new posts in this thread.

I did no more than three days on (of 0.1g a day, morning) in a row and then anything from 2-5 days off. I went with how I felt.

Wish I could wander and forage too but I'll have to live vicariously through you.

R170, did you get your powder yet?

I don't see how doing mushrooms or any other kind of psychedelics could help with anxiety and depression. Are you sure you guys know what anxiety and depression are? Cause even weed when you have anxiety and/or depression make things ten times worse.

Hi R182 et al! I was just coming here to announce that I received my powder this afternoon, nearly a week early and without fanfare (and it was not delivered by the DEA or FBI). After reading here, I decided I should start by microdosing so I ordered some capsules that will likely be here next week some time.

I also took Mushie’s advice and ordered spores from the place he suggested...spores in the closet still not showing anything.

Very excited! How is everyone else doing?

R183, weed is a well known depressant. Hallucinogens are being used in trials as an antidepressant and have been studied for a while. This will be my first experience...I’m not particularly depressed but have always planned on tripping. However, recent events make the idea of a mental/emotional realignment very appealing (the last few years have been tough for me, even before all this with the pandemic).

Mushie and a few others here will likely be able to describe the exact effects. 😊

R182, that's great news! Let us know how you're feeling. As a reminder, the effects are subtle at first. Be careful with dosing amounts with the ground powder. If you're wanting to macrodose w power and have never done it before, or it's been a long time for you, I have some helpful advice to mitigate any risks on your journey. Otherwise, I'll mind my own business.

I had a decent foraging trip. Found wavies and liberty caps on the first day, a small circle of chanterelles the second, and then nothing for two days but the first haul made it all worth it. Plus there are worse things than romping around PNW islands with my mutt.

Another hugely medicinal (but non-hallucinogenic) is chaga. I have chaga tea several times a week. It grows primarily on birch trees and looks like a huge piece of black charcoal, colored so because it's packed with melanin. It's chock-full of nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories; its antiviral and antibacterial properties are great for cold and flu season. Anyhow, if anyone is looking for some health benefits around heart and arthritis or just an immunity boost in general, take a look into it. It's legal. My sister and I found some up in Canada, near Whistler, and my sister swears it kicked her lower back and knee pain. I just feel great after I drink it.

R183, take a spin through this entire thread. Videos and studies are linked throughout, and a few microdosers have shared their stories as well. There's loads of peer-reviewed research out there, much of it used to legislate Oregon's Measure 109 which now gives legal access to psilocybin. It can now be used in therapeutic settings to combat depression, PTSD and addiction.

I recommend reading the most recent research out of Johns Hopkins, Imperial College in London and the UCLA.

I don’t want to derail this thread or post anything negative, but how has R183 managed to miss all the news, studies, & data about the benefits of microdosing? Michael Chabon’s wife wrote a whole book about how microdosing LSD changed her life. There’s a reason why OR has legalized mushrooms for medicinal purposes.

It’s not an actual psychedelic trip, so there’s no chance of increased anxiety, like you could experience on a bad trip or if you got too high on pot, and I’ve never heard of depression as a side effect of a full LSD or shroom trip anyway. Not that we’re even talking about actually tripping...

R184, mine arrived today!

I've done LSD several times in my late teens, but that was 20 years ago. Always would have rather had mushrooms, especially eight hours into a trip knowing I had another three or four hours to go. I never had a bad trip, but I wasn't doing it for fun, either.

I'm going to microdose at first and I am so excited. Life has been hitting me hard over the past ten years-it's almost numbed me and I need a big shift. I saw this thread pop up a few times when it was new and I never opened it because I thought I would never get my hands on any, but one night I couldn't sleep and it was the only interesting thread I hadn't read yet. It feels serendipitous for sure.

I love this thread so much.

Totally agree, R188. It might be my favorite thread ever here. :)

Mushie, definitely want your mitigating advice! I have the powder but later ordered some capsules (they haven’t arrived yet) because I figured if I was going to try microdosing first, it would be more controlled than dealing with the powder. But I also plan on tripping eventually (other than weed, not much of a drug user but always wanted specifically to experiment with hallucinogens) and I will need your advice for that, too. And for my new spores, when they get here! :)

Like R182, I never dreamed so many answers would be in here that applied to me and my life. It really does feel fated, almost!

R189, when do you plan on starting taking the powder, or the capsules when they arrive?

Thanks to this thread, I’ve decided I’m going to buy some shrooms from a friend here in the city. Never done them—my last experience with hallucinogenics was about 20 years ago, in college; I’m more of a boring, late-night-indica toker—but I’ve been very depressed since COVID, I haven’t been getting any exercise, and I’m hoping some psilocybin will blow out my cobwebs, so to speak, and get me back on track. I don’t think I want to trip, I just want to microdose. Though I’m not opposed to tripping. Just don’t think I’m in a good enough place psychologically for that right now.

I got my stuff today!!!! Just tried some, I’ll update ASAP and let you know how I feel.

I am one of those here with severe chronic depression and anxiety. If you have spent 40 years battling this demon, you too would be willing to try anything. I’m just looking forward balance and healing — nothing more, nothing less.

Awesome, R191. Do you have other posts in this thread?

Let us know how you feel after a week of microdosing.

I also wish to add — DL used to have threads like this all the time. What I enjoy is that we are just having an intelligent discussion, sharing experiences, without ripping each other apart. It’s amazing what you can learn when there isn’t hostility and trolling, yes? Thank you all for an awesome thread that may actually help me, and help other people too.

Mushie — I live in a burb, I’ve tried for a few years now to find morels, but I think the woods here are just too over-picked. I cannot find them! I even joined the local mycology society (but the first hunt I missed, second year was COVID so it was cancelled) because it’s run by a lady who works fit FermiLab. I would imagine this club is filled with excellent shroom hunters, I could learn a LOT and hood this year to attend the spring morel hunt. I literally almost cried when my husband finally found ONE as we were leaving the woods after numerous hunts last spring!!!! I couldn’t believe he found it, it was literally right next to the path where numerous people passed by all day long. I’m near Chicago. Do you think it would be insane to hire a mushroom hunter this spring and just trek into WI? I feel like I need an expert to just show me how to hunt, though I still believe my biggest problem is that I live in an over-developed area. Any thoughts on morel hunting? It’s so silly, but it’s on my bucket list! I have a Westie, I even toyed with training her to find morels for me lololololol. Did I mention that I just love mushrooms?

R192, yes, I’ve been here the whole time posting, my first post is r26. I will report back in a week!! I have both spores and now these capsules made it. Spores look like several are a dud, not sure I’ll keep going with that.

Hope all of you are staying safe and healthy, it’s 1:15cst, maybe in a couple of hours I’ll feel just a smidge better — or better yet, in a week lol. Please keep sharing, love this thread. Xxoo

R187 here. I'm on Wellbutrin and I didn't realize this could potentially impede my experience. Well, I frankly didn't give it any thought. It's not an SSRI, like Prozac--( I read that ssris can really blunt the experience). Does anyone here have any personal experience with this? I know many of us struggle with anxiety and/or depression. It's hard to imagine stopping wellbutrin to start microdosing. I don't think I would have even had the courage to get the ball rolling on microdosing without Wellbutrin 'putting me out there' and giving me an impetus to change.

It’s very difficult to get off anti-depressants.

As far as taking any of them with psilocybin (and I mean ANY of them), the only caveat is you might have to take a slightly larger dose of the psilocybin to get the full effects. That’s all. There is a slight chance of serotonin syndrome if you’re taking an MAOI.

Did anyone have success ordering capsules (rather than spores) from one of the services mentioned above or on Instagram? I ordered through a very clevuh process (ordering with emailed instructions directing me to a different site and then—well, I don't want to blow the discreet way they designed it). Could this really work? I love my experiment so far and don't want it to end. I'm doling out my remaining half dozen capsules.

OP just treat those mushrooms like they are an employee, keep them in the dark and shit them a bunch of shit.

R196, yes.

We should all move to a more enlightened state, figuratively and literally.

R196, YES! I ordered from that same very clever place and got the powder. But I also ordered capsules later on which will likely arrive next week. It seems unlikely that it could be that easy, but it totally was and I got my first order in less than a week.

To answer your question, R190, I decided to wait for the capsules to microdose, rather than fool with the powder just yet. I’ll probably get them early next week. Since it’s not a dose that will interfere with anything, I’ll probably start right away.

I am one of those that definitely wants to trip (and has for a while) but I’ll probably wait for that until the world settles down a little, assuming it ever does.

Same as R200.

Here is my photo, one day away from 3 weeks in my uncle bens bag. I don’t think it will be long until the next step.

Here is a photo of the growth in the Etsy growers kit (same spores). They seem to be doing well there as well. I also have a few bags of uncle bens that have done nothing,

I’m so jealous! My closet rice bags hit three week on Monday but so far, nothing. I did order more spores from Mushie’s favored vendor (including the Penis Envy variety 😀) but they didn’t come yet. I have my fresh rice bags ready!

R191, I know it's early in the cycle but if you happen to see this, can you tell how today's md went, even if you 'didn't feel anything'?

I haven't taken mine yet but I am thinking of taking one (50m) tomorrow morning.

R191 here. So I spread out three small doses over 12 hours (I didn’t have to work today) just to see how strong it really is, which I won’t do again, but it is sooooooo nice and light that I just kind of pushed the envelope a bit. Here is what I noticed:

Energized

At one point, slightly yawny, but not tired

Colors on tv more 3-d and intense

Giddiness (just a little)

Felt emotionally open dealing with husband on a stressor

My last dose I purposely took before bed because I wanted to see how it affects my sleep (I have had massive sleep issues my entire life too, never awake and I’ve done sleep studies, they find nothing, so my diagnosis on my sleep is anxiety/PTSD). It is now 4am, I just woke up. I definitely have had a more active sleep, though zero trouble going to sleep, but I don’t want to be up so I took a melatonin to make me go back to sleep soon.

I would rate my experience as an A!!!! And you know how I also know it helped me? I’m at the end of getting off Tramadol, and when I was on these, I didn’t crave it at all, my brain/body didn’t experience the pull. So that is huge for me too, because Tramadol has only made my anxiety/depression much worse but I had to take it for pain. I feel incredibly encouraged like this stuff can give me the boost I need in healing my mind and body from all of these challenges.

As others have already said, there’s just something about this stuff where you become more attuned to maybe deeper feelings and thoughts and actually process them instead of stuffing them. But that aspect of it is also super subtle because the dose is so light. You just feel pleasant and open — I don’t know else to describe it.

So, between how great the vendor was, their customer service, speed, quality of product, I give this FIVE STARS. Please continue to use a lot of discretion on this thread — I want us all to keep sharing, but also be protective of these vendors, their methods, their identity. I wouldn’t elaborate on any aspects beyond what has already been shared. All this to say, I would use them again in a heartbeat, it was a great experience for me today. Xxoo, back to bed now.

P.S., I was the poster who asked if you can work on this, YES, you totally can, it’s that light.

Thanks for the update! I can’t wait to try this.

R206 reporting back, I did feel a little hungover, but I took several things to make me go back to sleep lolol, I don’t think it was the shrooms, just the fact that I opted to try it prior to sleep. So, maybe don’t take before bed. Also, my autocorrect keeps changing shrooms to “Sharon’s” so I might just start calling them that.

Paging Mushie...

My second order came for both capsules and spores. I have my marching orders for the spores, but they accidentally sent me loose powder instead of100mg capsules. I don’t want to stir anything up by even telling them they made a mistake, and I don’t want to order again so soon...you said you had some advice to help me if I was using the powder, so...HELP! I’m new to hallucinogens but not easily scared by trying things.

😊

R209,

Makes a great stocking stuffer!

R209, not Mushie here, but I think it would be totally appropriate to email them. If it’s definitely their mistake, I would ask if they can resend the correct product.

R211, you think? I feel weirdly protective of them...

R210, I have that exact scale! Good idea!!

i may try micro-dosing. God knows have 30+ years of depression and anxiety and a variety of rxs and alcohol abuse, what have i got to lose? I may try growing, but not in my current living situation (i live in a 1-bedroom studio and don't have the room.

*after 30+ years

R213, GO FOR IT. I’m serious. Look at what we’ve lived through the past four years — you and I are going to die soon. So this for you.

Hi, Mushie here. Was gone for a bit. I'm online tonight.

Questions for me?

Hi! Take a look at R209. 😊 That’s me.

Da MUSH.

I'm a day behind R206. I took two of the smallest Sharon capsules yesterday, about four hours apart. So that's 50 and another 50 later. I didn't notice much difference, but I definitely wanted to go slowly because I was in the company of others (and I also got this batshit crazy idea that I was possibly redirected to a different and nefarious vendor and might be unwittingly ingesting bath salts or something). I later saw on the vendor's site that 100-150 is a microdose so I guess I took less than a microdose. At that dose, I didn't notice much, but music was nice.

Mushie, is 50-100mg even an effective microdose or does it need to be 150-250mg to reach a therapeutic level? Would someone be able to carry on with their day around others (no workplace setting, no driving)?

Hey, any good sites ship to USA?

No, R221, none of them.

That seems untrue, R222.

if you read the thread and still can't figure it out, you're probably not going to be able to figure out the rest of it, R223.

ya'll be trippin'!

That’s not nice, R224. This is supposed to be the happy friendly thread, not the angry tweaker alley.

R221, yes. They are discussed above, take a look!

I take Wellbutrin, and have microdosed a few times without complications. This article really makes sense though, and was accurate in describing my experiences. I was able to feel, process, and let things go mentally and emotionally...I have never been able to do that before. The Wellbutrin just kind of numbs everything. I’m going to try going off the Wellbutrin for a week or two and see how it goes (I only have mild depression).

Well that's odd. On my phone, I hadn't seen any new responses here for days. Once I'm logged in on my laptop, I see I missed some questions! Pardon that delay.

For both R209 and R222, Dr. Fadiman recommends a microdose of 0.1-0.4 grams. R209, if you have a scale, go ahead and measure out your powder and mix it into tea or a smoothie. Start low and slow, and titrate up slowly over the daily doses. It's no different at all than ingesting a capsule. As your starting dose, go with 0.1g. For context, I've been dosing for nearly 8 years, and I've never gone over 0.5g for a microdose.

Remember, you shouldn't be "feeling" a microdose. You just notice some shifts in thoughts and hopefully behaviors.

I had dinner (socially distanced) with an old colleague the other night and she had dropped a lot of weight. She began microdosing early summer and subsequently changed her entire relationship with food. "There's no more mindless consumption" was how she phrased it.

It's always really interesting for me to see people pre and mid-microdosing. The changes, though not always physical of course, are always prominent.

That was me, Mushie, at R229

I recognized you, Mushie dear. ♥️

I’m ready and I’ll start tomorrow morning. What is a suggested dosing schedule for a beginner? I saw on the site they said every three days...does that sound right?

Thank you everyone, this thread is fantastic! ♥️♥️♥️♥️

R209/R231, your body will tell you. Set your intentions, and go along for the journey.

I always recommend, in the beginning, every three days day. After a week or so, every other day. And if you're like everyone else I know, you'll want to to move to daily, and that's okay. If you do that, go five days on, two days off.

You just don't want to build a tolerance, so a steady on/off will do the trick.

Let us know how it all feels for you! Very excited and interested for you!

Thanks Mushie/R229, that was helpful information regarding dosage.

I was also wondering if it could help with eating patterns but I didn't want to out myself as a fat whore, so that was also helpful!

Some subtlety 'shrooming incel bear in the next cubicle!

Yea!

I'm emailing HR this thread!

R182, In my own experience, I find microdosing greatly urges mindfulness and gratitude, and that certainly includes eating. It also dislodges a lot of ruminating and negative self-talk. I'm happy with a lot less. I'll be interested to see what it does for you. I find it very useful to set an intention with each dose, whether it be creativity or productivity or kindness or a resolution, or simply eating less or feeling healthier.

There's a higher level of connection to yourself and those you love, and a consciousness that leads your behavior. I hope you'll find this to be true; come back and let us know.

If you're interested in really taking a hard look at your relationship with food, consider a macrodose and set your intentions around consumption in general and its roots for you. You want to be in a good head space if you do this, and preferably with a trusted friend who can guide you if you stay in a bad loop for too long. The energy you have before the trip follows you well into your trip.

Anyhow, if you want more info on any of the above, happy to share more.

I know this therapy can be helpful for people who want to quit smoking or taking opiates. I have a kratom dependency, and I’d love to be able to kick it. I’ve tapered down my usage, but... I can’t imagine getting down to zero.

R226, I’m not that poster but feel compelled to say, people here are protective of the kind souls who work so hard to grow these and turn them into medicine. They could be imprisoned for it, it’s outrageous. So, part of participating in this thread is about protecting their identity. If you don’t understand this, I would argue that you don’t understand what they’re putting on the line, they’re literally risking everything. And I actually mean everything.

So not only do you seem to lack empathy, you also seem to not respect these growers. I hold them in the highest regard — so I’m not going to casually toss their info around. These growers are kind of like the Robin Hood’s of psychedelics — but in this case they are robbing the pharmaceutical industry of another product that they want total dominion over. These growers are saying that’s bullshit, and our government is complicit in the pharma-control too. And yet, the growers persist. They are heroes! Does that make sense or no? I just think you need to be sensitive and realize this information must be held with discretion. If you thoughtfully read this thread, it’s here. That’s why that poster got a little snippy with you.

[quote] So not only do you seem to lack empathy, you also seem to not respect these growers.

I am not the person who asked the question that was met with the snippy response. I’m a third party who found that snippy response a little jarring. I feel that there had to have been a way to answer that DLer’s question in a way to conveys the need for discretion without insulting the DLer asking the question.

¯_(ツ)_/¯

No worries. I found a site that ships from canada. Didnt mean to seem newbish! I read but looking through random instagram posts didn’t help. And the other site posted did not ship to the US!

Anywho carry on xo

Maybe you’re totally right r238. I guess I was trying to explain Mr Snippy’s motivations and not actual effect on the recipient — which was just unfair of me. I am sorry— in my quest to protect identities, I forgot that life isn’t about what you say, but how you say it. Please accept my apologies to both you, and the poster we are referring to r226.

R236, what has kratom helped you? I've heard of it helping to taper off of opiate addiction, but what are the physiological effects for you? Why do you want to get off it?

R241, it hasn’t helped me. I didn’t take it to get off a stronger opiate or anything; I just started taking it recreationally because it’s pleasurable. If anything, I guess it helped me “escape”, but now I take a small dose of it a few times a day just to not feel awful.

Hi everyone! Just took my first microdose of .1g in a cup of tea. Can’t wait to see how everything unfolds. I’m going to follow Mushie’s directions and start with three days on/three days off, then move to every other day when it feels right. 😊

R243, you start to notice things shifting a few days in. I was expecting miracles the first few times, I wanted that instant gratification, and then somewhere early in the second week, I had a "oh, I feel totally different". Stick with it and it'll pay off!

Don’t worry, I totally will! I can’t wait to see where it takes me. You don’t know and can’t imagine how much I appreciate the support and encouragement on this thread. It has made me feel cared for. ♥️ I’m so grateful to have people here to exchange experiences with. 😊😊😊

I don't have any experience with mushrooms, I was more of an LSD teen. But I absolutely can't do THC it heightens my anxiety. Will mushrooms have the same sort of affect as THC?

I know nothing but would expect this to be closer to LSD than THC.

I posted upthread that a consequence of microdoing is I've lost interest in weed. I just don't think about doing it and my reasons for doing it in the past--to relax, enjoy a movie or music--aren't present anymore. I love the experience and ordered and received a new batch of capsules.

The effect is subtle in part because it's about what I don't feel or do anymore or as much. Not so much of the weird repetitive self-talking or ruminations, and less noise in my head. I feel as though--get ready to Mary! me--I am finally aware that I'm this person and I can care about myself not to the exclusion of others, and not with an expectation that I'm so different from others. Barring illness, just in terms of my general, daily bullshit, I bet it's going to be okay. And for me, that's positively a motivational poster quote.

🙄^^^

[quote] I was expecting miracles the first few times, I wanted that instant gratification, and then somewhere early in the second week, I had a "oh, I feel totally different".

Can you explain exactly how you felt different?

I was trying to find YouTube videos last night about people’s experiences with microdosing: what their lives were like beforehand, and precisely how their lives changed once they started microdosing. I’m interested in the anecdotes, but for some reason they’re hard to come by. I’m listening to the podcast The Upgrade right now; Ayelet Waldman was on this episode, but she only told the same “the blooming tree outside my window was suddenly beautiful to me” story.

Hey OP, I just noticed someone on my local craigslist selling mushrooms(!) What do you think? The listing goes: "B++ orange caps $50 18, $200 oz, Tea bags $20 for 5, Chocolate bar $100" It includes a pic of dried shrooms in a baggie. (the lister also says he'll trade for XBox One games, which somehow lends it an air of authenticity imo).

Would you go for it? They're not legal here, but have been decriminalized in adjacent Oakland and nearby Santa Cruz, so there's a generally relaxed local attitude. Thoughts?

^^ sorry, meant for Mushie :)

R251, I'm afraid you're on your own with Craig's List. I've never, nor have I known anyone who has, procured from CL. I think the last time I was on in was the mid-2000's to find a paddle for my kayak, so I'm not the best resource. Sorry I can't be of more help there.

R250, there have been a few personal accounts shared here if you skim the thread. I'll come back soon to outline a few more experiences shared with me over the years. I don't want to outwear my welcome, so I encourage others to share as well--I always love the stories.

R246, Psilocybin and LSD are much closer in experiences than either to THC, the obvious being that shrooms and acid are squarely hallucinogens and cannabis is widely considered a depressant in clinical communities. MIcrodosing mushrooms and acid are quite similar in my opinion . . . shrooms have an earthy, connected feel, and acid feels sharp and vibrant. I suppose this makes sense as one grows wildly in poop and soil and the other is tinkered and tailored in a lab to do its job quickly and efficiently.

This was extravagant, but I bought a kit online that provided all the stuff I needed to grow mushrooms, except for the spores. From what I read online, it's a lot cheaper to buy the components separately, but being a rank amateur and not being to adept at crafts, I liked having everything in one package. Like OP, I was looking for a way to deal with depression.

Where I live, it's legal to buy psilocybin spores for educational purposes and it's legal to grow mushrooms, but I'm not clear on whether it's legal to grow psilocybin for educational purposes. So this is where my story ends.

Though I got some excellent advice from friends before all this: when you take the mushrooms, it's best to do it with at least one person who has experience, and preferably, they aren't doing the mushrooms as well. Doing them by yourself is dangerous. I know, but I can't say how I know.

I really enjoyed my experiences with microdosing while listening to classical music and going for a walk. I was able to think about REALLY traumatic things in my life, and tell myself “You got through it, and you are OK. You are strong and can move on, because it doesn’t define you”. I have had years of therapy, without actually feeling this level of awareness and self love. It has been cold and snowy where I live, so I haven’t been able to get out in a few days. What can I do to replicate the experience of going for a walk?

Norwegian train videos

I love cooking while dosing, and long warm baths w good music. Recently I've been putting together care/holiday packages for friends. Writing cards, journaling. These winter pandemic days are long and lonely.

R8 and R9. I've done magic mushrooms aka psilocybin and I've also taken Stamets products for years. Lion's mane is not illegal to sell. Psilocybin is.

Does anyone have any recommendations about lion's mane taken with magic mushrooms?

I had one fully colonized bag today, and the others were kind of stalling, so I threw them away and just decided to move on with the next step with the one bag. I used a shoebox sized plastic container, and coco coir. I mixed together the mycelium with the coco coir, then topped it off with coco coir. It only measures a little less than two inches deep though (total). Am I screwed? Will my mushrooms just be smaller? I didn’t even think about how shallow it was until I threw the rest of the coco coir away, and read online that it’s supposed to be three inches deep. Also, I wish that I would’ve buried the remaining packets outside (some were coming along, just more slowly). I may go grab them from the trash, and bury them tomorrow. It couldn’t hurt to try, right?

Wow, R260! I’m so impressed...and jealous! I threw out my funky first bags and tried again with Mushie’s vendor...interesting, they don’t have that weird smell this time, so I’m encouraged. I get to check them Saturday, trying to be patient but it’s SO HARD. I’m excited that you got that far, it gives me hope!

R260, hold steady on your shoebox. With the right conditions, you'll see some growth. Coir will bring life, and your fruit might even push the top off. Touch a couple when they look right, and if they bruise, they're ready.

And yes, gently release those bags of non-growth near a tree. What types of trees do you have nearby? Mushrooms depend on them. If you tell me what trees you have, I can tell you what to do.

R261, okay, that's great. I'm so glad you kept at it and got the spores I recommended. Be patient. And sing Lionel Ritchie to them every night. :)

Psilocybin is not horrific to grow. Getting spores and substrate is probably the hardest things. Amazing how-to videos on Mushroom cultivation on YouTube. My friend grew so many Golden Teachers he had to throw them away.

For those who microdose, what's your schedule? I have done it now over the course of two months. I've taken almost 30, spread out. I really love the experience and I wonder if I should expect to keep doing it or if it's something to do a couple of weeks a month, or every other month.

Last night, I did shrooms for the first time. Not a microdose, either.

Wow.

R265, tell us more! I’m planning on trying a higher dose with my partner once my own are grown at home.

R266, doing it with a trusted partner sounds like an excellent plan. I told a friend about this thread and how it had spiked my interest in finally trying shrooms. We have had a few dates and had sex together a few times. He said he had shrooms and we could do them and fuck. It seemed a good opportunity, so I accepted. It went well enough, but there were also moments when we seemed not at all aligned. With a partner, that might not be an issue.

It definitely altered my perception of time. It also altered my visual sense. Like Beth Harmon in "The Queen's Gambit," I kept seeing patterns on the ceiling. A pattern would 'appear' in the ceiling. On occasion, the pattern expanded to be three dimensional. None of this was threatening. All of it was interesting. I was able to climb on top of him and give him a respectable fuck. I was able to walk to the bathroom and pee when it was time to do so. At home, in bed, it all seemed very manageable.

It took about 30 minutes to begin to feel the effect. He and I both ate the mushrooms at the same time and both felt the effect at the same time. We fucked for three hours before I was exhausted and turned out the lights. Along the way, perhaps as more psylocibin entered out blood streams, the overall experience shifted once or twice. Variations on the same theme, to be sure, but I could definitely feel things change.

Next time, I would do it in the very early afternoon and not after a day of shoveling snow. The experience might last longer than three hours. I definitely felt I was tired, not wasted.

This morning, I feel fine. Nothing like a hang over and none of that absolutely drained feeling one gets after LSD or MDMA.

For those who are microdosing with the Canadian capsules, how many milligrams are you taking at once?

I took 50 the first time, then on the 3-4 day I took 50 and another 50 a few hours later. Then the day before yesterday I took 150 at once.

I feel much more energetic. I have thyroid disease, and even though I take a synthetic thyroid hormone, it has never been the same as before thyroid disease, but I feel good on my d-day and the following day or two. I'm not snacking as much and not helping myself to seconds at dinner. I'm more magnanimous. So far so good.

Well, I checked my new bags made with spores from Mushie’s vendor and...I SEE MYCELIUM! At least six of twelve bags had something visible! I did a shake and break and rearranged them so the others could be in the warmer spots. I’m cautiously optimistic and SO EXCITED!

R265/R267, wow! That’s good advice on the timing. I will likely experience it in bed too, mostly because there is nowhere to go in NYC right now. My partner is not at all interested in partaking but is supportive and amused at my passion for wanting this particular experience.

R268, I ordered from Canada. I got the loose powder but measure it on a scale, 100 mg three days on/three days off to start, per Mushie’s suggestion above. I’ll do one more week like that, then probably go to every other day. The guidance was to skip days sometimes to avoid building a tolerance but maybe doing five days on/two days off. Since it’s the powder, I’m drinking it in tea but I did order 100 mg capsules to make it easier. I’m so excited thinking I will soon produce my own, which I would prefer to be able to do.

“This Is Life” with Lisa Ling tonight at 10 pm on CNN is about a guy who grows his own shrooms and microdoses every 3 days. Says is has cured his chronic depression and PTSD.

I’ll be watching!

Yeah, I saw that! I’ll be watching too! 😊

Any updates, microdosers?

I’m reading the step-by-step guide Medium article linked at R63, and there are so many instances where the author could have been clearer about what he meant. For something that’s fairly in depth, I find myself asking “Wait, what does THAT mean?” an awful lot.

[quote] Boil a gallon of water. Use most of your hobs to boil water in saucepans

Huh? “hobs”? I can’t make heads or tails of that sentence. There are YouTube videos that explain this process a little better, right?

R273, "hob" is a perfectly appropriate word to use for that instruction. If you don't understand the word, look it up. The word might be more commonly used in the UK, but this new-fangled internet is far reaching.

I am on the second week of a three day on/three day off microdosing cycle and would say I feel 50% less cranky than before... 😀

That’s great, R275. Were you depressed before starting microdosing or were you just generally moody/cranky? Noticing any other effects?

Hi R276! Well, generally I’ve had a pretty cheerful disposition once I hit adulthood, but the last several years have been hard for me and it’s been tougher to rebound than I would have expected. It’s been a long-term goal to experiment with mushrooms as psychedelics, which is what brought me into this thread, but the more it seemed to make sense, especially with such a knowledgeable and supportive group here to guide me. Have you tried it and are you or have you been depressed? I have a long term friendship with someone who has been and I am encouraging her to try it...there is really nothing to lose.

R260/OP here. I went into fruiting conditions this morning! I am sooooo excited! My tub is 50-75% colonized in 6 days. I lifted the lid, fanned, then loosely put the lid back on upside down. My grow light goes for 8 hours a day. I have only microdosed 6-7 times, but am noticing that I feel more centered. I am much more likely to stop and think before I react. My nighttime snacking has decreased to next to nothing...I’m just a little more aware of everything that I do. I love having you guys to share this with. R273, look at the uncle bens Reddit page. They have links to a lot of great videos that carefully demonstrate each step. They also have lists of supplies that you may need, which was helpful in the beginning. I bought almost everything from Amazon because of their great return policy (in case I bought things that I didn’t need).

Can you link the Uncle Ben’s Reddit, dear R278? 😊 How long did you wait after injecting the bags to deploying the shoeboxes? I have shoeboxes of my own and my bags are starting to populate but I am wondering at what point I should do the switch.

Sure, r279. It took between 3-4 weeks after injecting the bag, before I put it in my shoebox. The process seems to be coming along much faster now, which is nice because I’m impatient.

I had no idea CA is one of the 3 states where shipping spores is illegal. WTF?? Any clues where we poor benighted Golden Staters can get some? Be as cryptic as you'd like...

I'm not R277, but I have found the past ten years difficult-- it's natural I guess, since about age 32, that's when the speed and incline of life begins to steepen.

I have also been less cranky. And now I have started waking up earlier. I haven't mindlessly snacked at all today, in fact I've hardly eaten. Last d-day was Saturday, I had to drive today so I will pick it up tomorrow. Feeling very optimistic.

Reading about the progress here, both in dosing and growing, brings me so much joy.

R281, if you read back through the thread, there are some recs you're looking for!

Any recommendations for storing capsules? I have about 15 and I expect I'll take them over 2-3 months. In the freezer?

Thanks!

Gonna need you microdosers to step it up with the updates here. We should be getting daily reports.

I just completed the second set of three days on/off. I feel much better actually. I’m also the one who is attempting to cultivate spores in my closet and today when I checked on day 10, 10 of 12 bags had mycelium! I’m hoping I can grow my own supply because I plan on continuing with microdosing in addition to the occasional trip, eventually. Definitely think it’s worth a try.

That’s excellent, R286! Love to hear it. Stories like that convince me I need to just go for it. Next paycheck (yes I’m living paycheck to paycheck during COVID), I’m going to buy all the supplies for closet cultivation.

You’ll be able to reuse a lot of the stuff, R285/R287. That’s what I’m thinking. I ordered the rice bags online because they were cheaper and those, the coco coir and the spores are the only things you’d need to do it a second time.

R284, an old pill bottle of any kind, with a small desiccant packet is best. Just want to keep them dry and not too hot (like in a hot car in the summer; not sure where you are in the world). Other than that, they're potent for years.

Thank you everyone for generously sharing your info and experience. For some of us, it’s a godsend or a dream come true, or both. ♥️ I hope everyone is well and making the best of this day (which is definitely a challenge right now). ♥️♥️♥️

I've enjoyed this thread on DL more than any other in recent memory. And I've been here, my god, twenty years? Is that possible?

Warm thoughts to you all this evening from the mossy, mushroomy PNW.

I’ve been here with you, Mushie dear, that entire time. Surprising how much kinship and comfort you can find from a stranger online sometimes. To a much better 2021!

Do you really need to spray Lysol everywhere before injecting the spores? I hate Lysol.

Lysol may hate you.

I didn’t do the Lysol. But I wiped everything with rubbing alcohol. My first attempt was a flop but the second one is coming along. 😊

Day 6 of fruiting and I have tiny mushrooms! They more than doubled in size overnight. It’s going to be hard to not check on them hourly. I only had the opportunity to microdose once last week, but plan on picking it up to three days this week. I’m trying to ration the capsules that I bought from Canada, to last until my own are done.

OP, I’m so excited for you, and inspired!

OP, you stick with it and now seeing the "fruits" of your labor. Glad you're having fun with the process!

R295 Thanks!

What did you do differently the second time?

OP/R296, did you order from the Canadian site that has that clever way to place your order by ordering dummy items? matching color schemes? Do you recommend a particular "color" for the capsules?

R300, yes that is the site that I ordered from. I bought two different colors (one contains lions mane). I honestly couldn’t really tell the difference between the two, but a lot of my experiences are based upon my mood and activities that day so it’s hard to tell. Going for a contemplative walk with music is completely different than meditating in a quiet room, which is different from just spending hours in the kitchen making cookies for friends (I know, MARY)!

I'll share a recent experience.

Over the solstice, I macrodosed with two friends at a cabin in the Cascade mountains. Perfect setting and people, perfect crisp sunny afternoon. I macrodose twice a year and maintain with microdosing between. I've been doing this for about seven years. The larger doses are known as "ego death trips." They can be completely transformative. I've had some more powerful and transcendental than others, but all have been enormously beneficial and healing for me.

I've been working through one particular challenge/barrier in my life for the past year or so. It was an issue that I couldn't quite let go, I harbored some anger and resentment around it, and it was just hanging on and no longer serving me any purpose. The issue itself doesn't matter. What mattered was I was ready to let it go.

So I set my intention around it before the trip. In those five hours of tripping, I was able to see exactly why, the deep root, the patterns, the structures, around the issue clear as day. I faced it, noticed exactly where it came from and meant to me, and after years of trying to process through it, I just let it go in one afternoon. It was gone. And it all seems so clear and easy now that I was able to see the pattern, and reaction, and what/why I was holding on to and trying to control in the first place. All of the dots connected, and stay connected.

It no longer weighs on me and now feels hundreds of miles away.

R302, when you do your big cathartic trips, how many Mg’s are you using?

Just placed my order for powder, getting a scale from amazon. 2021 is looking like a continuation of the 2020 shitshow - hoping to open my mental windows & let in a bit of air. TIA to all who contribute to this thread--I never would have considered this approach without it.

Thanks, R301. I have a delivery that should be in my mailbox from the same place. I plan to microdose and then at some point, macrodose. I'm not where I need to be to do that yet, but I'll be there soon.

Did your two friends have as good a trip, R302? And bump the question, what was the dose for your trip? Congrats on such a well planned trip and release of old pain and stuckness.

R303, my macrodoses are three grams--that's what is just right for me. I've tried 3.2 a couple of times and the stomach upset was a little too disruptive, and it was hard to get upright out of the chair.

My other friend took 2.8 which is his perfect titraTion. He's a novelist and has been stuck in a creative rut and blocked for a good six months. He began writing about an hour into the trip and didn't emerge from his room until dinner with new pages and chapters. He had a great experience.

Our other friend went with 2.2 grams because he wanted to "feel the colors and smell the sounds" on a particular hike he did as a boy with his deceased dad.

We already have a summer solstice plan to go back to the cabin for the next trip.

Oh, and the novelist used to be a pretty enthusiastic drinker--wrecked a couple of marriages and jobs bc of it--and hasn't touched booze since he started these micro/macro cycles. We all had a couple of beers now and again and he never had a third or fourth or tenth like he used to.

As a lover of experiences and a person who has had a traumatic several years, I am thinking I need to order some higher dosage capsules. I’d have to take 8x 250mg to get to 2g! And right now I am just starting out with intermittent 100mg doses.

For those of you talking about ordering powder/capsules, can you just say whether you’re ordering from a site mentioned in this thread? I plan to buy spores and try to grow my own, but in the meantime I’d love to start microdosing.

If you're not careful enough to read through and find the answer in this thread, I'm afraid you'll be sloppy and get the site or this thread shut down. Not to mention have a bad trip. Read this thread. It's here.

Yes, we have used resources mentioned on the thread with success. 😊 we are not trying to draw attention to ourselves but there are suggestions for ordering both things above that definitely work.

Thank you, R310!

I’m curious to know about microdosing for anxiety and depression. I’ve read where terminal cancer patients are being approved to use psilocybin in Canada to treat end-of-life anxiety.

R312, do you have specific questions? Psychedelic-guided therapies are emerging (and being approved) all the time. Without a doubt, psilocybin reduces and relieves anxiety and depression, but happy to answer any deeper questions you have.

I guess my curiosity is what feeling you get, or how it affects you. Also, if you only dose a couple days a week, then how long do the affects last? Some of what I read led me to believe the effects were permanent, but I don’t know if that’s the case. I’ve been on celexa in the past, and all it really did was make me flat. You could have told me I won a million dollars or that a baby just died, and my reaction to each would have been the same.

R314, the effects of psilocybin definitely aren't "flat". I so understand what you're saying . . . I did SSRIs and therapy for decades and nothing ever really seemed to change. The feeling is introspection and mindfulness. That's the best way I can describe it. It's very gradual and then sudden, meaning there are subperceptual changes going on all the time with microdosing and then you realize you've been feeling much lighter, and happier, or just less cranky, or not drinking and eating as much, and more engaged with yourself and those around you. Perhaps you're a little more creative and productive and that thing that used to irk the hell out of you just doesn't seem to matter any longer.

I've turned probably two hundred people onto microdosing now and the most frequent complaint I hear is "I didn't feel anything so I stopped." That's the entire point! Slow and steady. And eventually, when you're feeling the effects of the microdosing, you can try a larger dose and really do some deep work. Old patterns, fears, self-destructive behavior, your parents--all that good traumatic stuff becomes very clear during macrodosing. You see why you've done what you've done, and why you feel what you do, and how to let it all go. Or you can use it for specific creative work. Or simply for a "let's just see where this dose takes me" and go along for the ride. If you set your intentions around the trip, and have someone with you to guide you out of a dip (these happen often with new folks with a lot of anxiety and depression), it's hard to go wrong.

And as I've written out several times in this thread, titrate your way up. Baby step your way to the dose that feels right for you, for the experience you want to set.

I've found I can go weeks without microdosing and feel roughly the same. But new issues and problems and questions come up constantly, so I'll begin a new cycle. Some folks microdose for a month and feel that's right for them . . . others cycle 5 days on/2 off for years.

I will say that you have to be open to it, open to its gifts and effects. Super anal retentive folks, and people who want overnight miracles, aren't going to reap the benefits.

Hope this all helps.

Thanks so much, Mushie. I’m not the one who asked, but that was a very nice encapsulation (pun intended) of the experience.

I just placed an order.

Shoot, I sometimes forget to sign my name to my posts. That "macrodosing at the cabin" post above was me.

Anyhow, I wanted to share . . . I retired from clinical work and academia two years ago and have spent time volunteering, working for various campaigns during the election cycle, lots of long hikes. But the pandemic really gave me time and space to think about my next steps as far as service to others.

I've decided to start training and working toward certification to become a psilocybin guide therapist. It's a bit of a labrynthine underground support network here for now, but Oregon is paving the way.

This thread has been a big inspiration to me, and I wanted to thank you all for being here.

R312 R314 ‘This Is Life’ with Lisa Ling on CNN interviewed a guy who grows his own and microdoses. He described it as like being in an airplane climbing up through the clouds then suddenly emerging into blue skies and sunshine. He said he’d tried every antidepressant known to man over the years and this is the only thing that’s helped.

This stuff really should be legal. It really helps people for whom everything else has failed.

Mushie, you have your first client right here. I love the way you convey this exciting information, and based on my foray into microdosing, I know this works for me better than other approaches. (I'm the "factory reset" poster way upthread.)

I always thought that traditional talk therapy isn't really for me, but if it could be paired with some physical activity, it would work. Microdosing fits the bill. I like a process, an activity, setting an intention. Experiences, in other words, and this is certainly one! Thank you for all of your thoughtful words in this thread.

I've been microdosing for about 2 months to counteract the effects of pregabalin withdrawal. I think it's worked. I'm now 5 days free of pregablin and I'm not feeling half the withdrawal effects that I was informed was going to happen.

I've also experienced a block on 'background noise' in my head. And an increase in deeper attachment feelings to loved ones. I prepared by quitting FB and going non or low contact with people that upset me.

My IBS is reduced, TMI, I'm making some great daily poos instead of stomach pains and going 5 times a day.

My waking nightmares have been worse, super realistic and more visual, but I know what they are so I'm not too bothered.

Appetite is greatly reduced and much more enjoyment of daily walking and gym exercise. Still loving the ciggies so that part didn't work out but C'est la vie.

Last time I did mushrooms was 20 years ago, we used to get high as shit. This is different.

I recommend! Good luck everybody <3

So, can you go about doing normal activities like working or driving when first taking it? I guess what I don’t understand is the fact that it’s a hallucinogenic, but what it sounds like you’re getting is a sort of euphoria without the hallucinations? Is that an apt description?

Yes, at a microdose you do not experience the hallucinogenic effects at all. The vendor for the capsules/powder actually indicates in the description whether you need to set aside “responsibilities” to try a certain dosage or not.

[quote] My waking nightmares have been worse, super realistic and more visual, but I know what they are so I'm not too bothered

Wow. Tell us more about these waking nightmares, if you feel like it.

[R323] Honestly? I can.. however they make me sound bananas!

It's a known thing, connected with sleep paralysis, it's not just me.

Okay.. so, you think you are awake but you aren't. You are still dreaming so crazy things happen. My most recent was I thought there was a big bird trying to get into my bedroom window, it was partially open (in real life) so as the bird flapped, black feathers were falling into the room. I thought i was awake so i tried to get up, sleep paralysis, couldnt, and then the bird turned into a demon and slid through the gap, with his long nasty fingers, dropping big dirty feathers everywhere and coming towards me. I was trying to move and scream but obviously couldnt because I was asleep. I've had this for years so after a couple of seconds/ minutes of pure terror I'm just thinking, meh sleep paralysis relax, my little dog jumps on me and I'm back in reality.

It upset me as a child but I've got used to it, plus, sometimes I can control my dreams and fly and stuff which is fun lol. My favourite dreams are the ones where I go to the world's greatest department store and shop all night. Or I go skiing for hours.

Hope that satisfied your interest. Have you had any unusual dream experiences?

Been microdosing for about five weeks now and I feel kinder toward myself and others. A huge difference. Other people have commented. Also not hitting the booze it just doesn't appeal to me. For the poster above looking to quit smoking--if you put some thought and effort into it, it'll happen for you.

[R325]

Agreed.

I think I actually just love smoking. I quit for 8 years previously and now I just think it's a bad aspect to an otherwise healthy character. I work out every day. I eat right. I just love puffing those nasty things.

Ah, so like night terrors / sleep paralysis, R324. Got it. I honestly had no idea what you meant by ‘waking nightmare’; I just didn’t know that term. I haven’t had any of those myself since I was a pre-teen.

Nightmares aside, glad the microdosing has been helpful. Can’t wait til I get my order.

Holy cow R324, that's intense. I experienced some sleep paralysis when I was younger but nothing like yours.

R328

Oh I've had some crazy ones. Groups of evil nuns surrounding me, crocodiles, the devil (like big red guy with horns lol) trying to drag my quilt off me!

I've also never got over car sickness, I've even chucked up over myself whilst driving on bendy roads. Maybe I'm just an eternal child. Or a bit special.

I must say I'm a good cook, professional job and generally the friend that you go to for sensible counsel but I am somewhat sensitive!

Anyway, the topic is mushrooms. Mushrooms are a revelation to me and we need to value them.

I’d love to get my hands on some capsules. I can’t be bothered to grow ‘shrooms.

Ya'll are too much. A friend and coworker took some LSD, invaded multiple college classes, got arrested, and thrown in the crazy house.

You could just mediate.

R332

Mediate between whom?

R332

Mediate between whom?

“Let them eat cake.”

I love it when friends like R331 and R332 stumble into this thread. Makes me genuinely giggle.

I had R331 and R332 both(?) blocked already, for what that’s worth.

Says more about you than me r337. And I forgot to add that the fella had mental issues in the first place. He seemed perfectly fine and got triggered on that trip. Not against it but you ever know.

We should come up with handles for this thread only.

I hate to keep introducing myself as the snacker with thyroid disease who has had a rough decade.

But anyway, I'm the snacker with thyroid disease who has had a rough decade. I haven't been maintaining a proper 3 day schedule. I have had this crazy ass foster dog who is half clown half goat and she has had a detrimental impact on both my free time and quality of sleep this week. Her adoption is tomorrow. One day I said fuck it and took 150, then 100 a couple hours later. That was nice. I hope that wasn't too wrong-- I keep feeling like every bad character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory who doesn't listen and ruins it.

I love you, snacker.

I love you, R339, for fostering a dog. Bless you!

Snacker, you're still well within microdose range. If you feel like you're ready to titrate up, go ahead and do so. You'll hit your right dose and know when you do. There's no right or wrong, just listen to your body and it'll tell you what to do.

I will be the “closet farmer” because I’m the one with my rice bags in the closet. Tomorrow I am going to open them and move them to the shoeboxes! I think one bag may be spoiled but the other 11 look pretty well colonized.

I do have a question: the Medium article says they should be 100% colonized before you add them to the growing medium, but how can you really tell without opening the bag? Is there any real downside if you end up doing it slightly too soon? I am definitely a little uncertain about that part...

Closet Farmer, remind me again when you did your shake and break? Do you feel some nice hard "knots" in the bags? If so, you're most likely ready for the transfer.

I wanted to provide here a new resource on the Uncle Ben's method. Another friend who grows via this method turned me on to this Reddit thread that has fantastic directions. It's in several parts, so you can find your way back to the beginning (the setup and inoculation phase), but I'm specifically posting here the "spawn to fruit" steps. I've read through and watched the videos for all three parts of the post, and everything I would tell you to do is all covered here.

But, as always, come back with any specific questions after you've read/watched!

And now with resource/video.

Mushie!!! 😊😊😊

I did the shake/break at day 7, it’s been five days since then and the bags are definitely lumpy and all white from what I can see via the unprinted bottom of the bag, see photo at link.

I’m a little concerned because I am starting to see a little more condensation now and don’t want them to get mouldy. All 12 have mycelium and the rice looks white (it’s brown rice) but one bag has gotten mouldy, it seems. I’m thinking they need a change of scenery...what do you think?

R346, it's time! I think I'm as excited as you are.

Mushie there at R347. That's exactly what you want, Closet Farmer, and timing is right since shake and break.

So glad those latest spores worked out for you!!

Omg, Mushie, you are making my day, as usual! When you get certified, I will be first on line! For now, I will need to settle for being a disciple. 😊

The spores were day and night from the originals. I also have a little left in the fridge that I’m going to try to make additional bags with.

I’ll move them tonight. THANK YOU!!! ♥️

Okay, me again...so sorry. But I just went through all the bags. The first eight were PERFECT...they were almost all the mushroom cake (I get it now!) and they were white and smelled like mushrooms.

Two I never opened because they looked moldy. The last two each had a few off-color pieces...one smelled bad, so I threw it out.

The other one had slight bluish/green markings but smelled like the good bags. I remember reading about the bruising so since they smelled good, I planted them in a box by itself.

My question is: is there any danger to trying to grow this last group with the bluish/green areas? I don’t want to throw out anything viable but also don’t want to imperil the others, or worse yet, grow some deadly mold (as is commonly discussed on Reddit 😂)...thoughts? I will gladly toss them if you think it’s safer, curious to hear what you think. And thank you, again, for everything to everyone here on this thread!

Green is bad, blue is just bruising and the blue will subside... according to the Medium article linked way upthread. Is it green or blue, Closet Farmer?

Yes, it was based on the Medium article that I kept it. The other moldy bags had darker green or brown areas and smelled funky. If I had to say, the last bag looked more blue than green, and it had the same mushroomy smell as the bags with pristine white cakes. Thank you for your help! 😊😊😊

Totally agree with R351.

Keep us posted on the progress, Closet Farmer!

Anyone else who’s already microdosing, please keep us posted on your progress. How you’re feeling, how you felt before, etc

The energy in this thread is wonderful. Lots of people here who have not been helped by Western medicine are feeling hopeful and excited. The mushrooms are working and they aren't even grown yet.

After a couple of weeks of not dosing I did 100mg yesterday, early. I closed my eyes, listened to music and had a specific intention in mind. Woke up, wrote down a few things I'm really happy about. I helped myself. yesterday.

The day was typical of my last few months in that I have ordinary and extraordinary things to attend to: work (two jobs) and my parents' health crises. Swinging between both of those parts of the day, I had a throughline of, "This is what's happening, I'm me and I can do what needs to be done, the feelings and fears and love are mine to experience." As if I'm more focused in my life and yet at some remove.

I wish I had a better way to describe it.

I want to say that I don't take any medication so I don't know anything about possible interactions.

If you're considering this, I would say the tail end of this shit year is a fine time to do this.

Yes, I know what you mean, R356...it’s not like all your problems go away, obviously, but you just feel more prepared to accept and deal with them in the most positive way possible. After a long, bumpy several years that really made me upset, I feel a lot more grounded and like myself.

And yes, R355...the supportive, helpful and genuine responses in this thread have helped as much as anything else. I’m the eternal optimist normally — some would say that’s the problem with me 😃 — but the last few years have really made me wonder if I was truly too idealistic as everyone says. This thread tells me no. I think people are better than they get credit for a lot of the time and the world is not devoid of goodness, no matter how much it sometimes looks that way.

Thank you to everyone here, and I hope we all have a fantastic 2021! 😊😊😊

I feel like microdosing took away my ruminating and pessimism. Everything just feels easier and less worrisome and I just have a brighter, lighter outlook. Things don't feel so damn hard anymore, and I don't wake up worried and anxious anymore.

Yes! My seemingly nonstop chatter, rumination, replaying, preparing what to say. I shut up inside my head.

Snacker here, thanks for the love.

I have been able to have and partly-remember vivid dreams for over a week now. I didn't make the connection between microdosing and dreaming until yesterday.

I bought a grow kit and spores almost two years ago but never started it. This thread was an inspiration to inoculate the grow jars today. Meanwhile, ordered extra jars and spores in case these don't grow mycelium.

Fingers crossed!

I had my first harvest! The larger veils started to break, so I cut them all and dehydrated. I soaked the cake overnight, and new pins started up this morning. I don’t really need more, but I suppose that I should maximize production. My friends , and 80 year old mom, want some. Apparently it works well for rheumatoid arthritis.

R362! Look at all that medicine! Not too shabby for your first harvest. Love seeing real pictures from this group.

Very cool, R362. Have you been microdosing all along, or will this be your first? Or are you a seasoned shroomer?

I wonder if I could give some powder capsules to my mom. She’s also 80 (actually 81 next month), alone, and very very bored.

R362. I want a play by play of your mom taking it.

Omg, R362...look at you go! WOW! I’m so excited for you.

I took a look at mine last night and saw some white fluff scattered across the surface but so far that’s it. Hope it’s normal. It was three days after I put them in the shoeboxes and I didn’t must because there was light condensation on the box covers.

That’s supposed to be “I didn’t MIST,” ugh!

R360, I too have had and remember dreams, loopy ones. I hadn't realized how seldom I remembered dreams before this dosing experience.

r362 congratulations, beautiful!

How many weeks did it take for your cakes to grow mycelium completely, then after transferring, how long did it take for them to fruit to the day of your picture?

Huzzah, R362!

Baby, take a bow.

looks like a month

R364, I have only microdosed 5-6 times so far (I bought the capsules from the Canadian seller). I have really enjoyed the experience so far. I feel so much more self aware and connected to other people. My partner and I are going to try a larger dose now that these are dehydrated and ready to go. R369, it took about a month for the bag to fully colonize. The process went really quick once I started fruiting. It took maybe 10 days to get to harvest. This has been so fun!

My capsules are getting closer to me (I’ve been tracking them). Do you remember how long yours took to arrive, R372?

My depression has been unbearable the past few days (mostly fatigue and GI tract issues). Trying various breathing techniques and meditation to get myself “in shape” to start MD’ing when the capsules arrive.

Where would one order capsules?

R374, look up thread! All the answers are there.

R373, they got to me in the east coast of the USA in just over a week.

Thanks R375. My expected delivery date is 10 days away, but considering how far the package has traveled in just a few days—a time span that included New Year’s Day—I can’t see it really taking another 10 to get to me. It’s just 2 states away from me now.

So excited about this—like I haven’t been this excited to get a package since I was 12, waiting for my VHS copy of ‘Elvira, Mistress of the Dark’ to get delivered to me (LOL). I’m at a very, very low point, not just in my life generally but with the worst case of seasonal affective disorder I’ve had in years, and I’m so ready to turn everything around for myself.

If these capsules do the trick, I’m going to become a closet farmer myself in February.

Yeah, I’ve ordered a few times now and they have arrived about a week prior to the estimated date each time. You might even get them tomorrow if they are that nearby. I can’t wait to hear what you think! It IS exciting, definitely rivals Elvira. 😊

Anyone else here a fan of The Good Fight? The main protagonist (world weary/idealistic lawyer played by Christine Baranski) started microdosing last season to deal with our Trumpian political insanity. Great running subplot.

Any updates, shroomers?

I opened the shoebox lids slightly for mine to give them some air, then misted them and put the lids back on but didn’t lock them down. In most cases, the entire surface is covered with white, fluffy stuff.

I don’t see anything identifiable as a mushroom just yet, but I don’t think it’s mold because the boxes just smell vaguely mushroomy. I’ll try to post some photos later! 😊

Snacker here, today is my d-day. I noticed I am listening more attentively when people speak, rather than switching to Datalounge Narration Mode in my head. Snacking less is going well. My then-foster dog got me hooked on Dots two weeks ago, and I know there's half a box on top of the refrigerator (out of sight, out of mind) but I am not obsessing over them. I am able to tell myself that I won't feel good after rating them and I actually FORGET about them.

I'm definitely more empathetic with people.

After EATING* them^

Yesterday was certainly the day to have a supply of mushrooms on hand. If you got through yesterday... you'll do beautifully when Biden takes over.

My capsules arrived today. I’m guessing it’s too late to take one now—and I just want to have an evening nap anyway; it was a late night last night here on DL for me. I have to go in to work briefly tomorrow early afternoon, so I don’t want to take a capsule in the morning, just in case—though it’s doubtful I’ll perceive any effects, as I’m on an SSRI to begin with.

Would mid afternoon be an okay time to try it? I know most recommendations say to take your microdose in the morning, but if I took it early/mid afternoon, is it a distinction without a difference?

Snacker here, glad your capsules arrived safely. What dose are you planning to take?

R384, mid-afternoon is perfectly fine.

100mg, but I’m also on 100mg of sertraline, which means I’ll probably have to increase my dose. The capsules are 100mg cubensis doses. I have a scale so I can open them to separate and weigh the powder if necessary.

Snacker here, I took a 250 yesterday. I must have gotten anxious, as I became a bit snappy at first, but the snappiness quickly wore off and I had a good day. Today, the day after, I felt fantastic. Happy, funny, accommodating, etc.

I had a 3/4 of a Belgian waffle yesterday, maybe that's what made me cranky for a minute-- the self loathing. Oh, fuck, it was good though. It had leftover batter so I made another one and put butter and syrup on it and tossed it out to the crows who come to my door everyday, before I had a chance to eat it. I really enjoyed seeing the crows fly away with their quarters of waffle. I loved it.

There was one day I had 200, then went for a drive (I didn't drive). We ended up parked facing a lake at sunset, and the shimmering light on the water took on a life of its own-- not in a trippy way, or maybe it did, I don't know, but I got emotional. I listened to Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens and I started thinking about people I knew who had died, dogs I loved who had died, and then I started thinking of all the people who I don't know who died this year and the pain everyone has gone through and I did cry. And every time a duck or other waterfowl silhouette passed through thr shimmering light on the water, then I would really snort and cry, like the Cowardly Lion. I don't know why but seeing the birds at sunset just killed me.

I don't know whether it was the mushrooms or mental illness.

Snacker here, the 'mental illness' was tongue in cheek. I'm fine! I mean I'm doing as well as anyone right now. Probably a little better thanks to this thread.

My capsules make me really tired. I feel like I’ve smoked pot, starting about 45 minutes after ingesting it, and it lasts for several hours.

I didn’t feel worse for the wear after the first two days, but yesterday was the 3rd consecutive day, and today I woke up feeling not rested at all. I feel like I can’t quite wake up, and like my depression is returning.

My mood isn’t any worse, but the fatigue—the one symptom of my major depressive episodes that I cannot fucking deal with—feels like it’s coming back, after having gone away a week and a half ago.

Let’s just say I’m going to enjoy my “off” days, starting today, when I don’t microdose.

R390, how many mgs is your microdose? That tired feeling is often brought on with very low doses. If you don't mind, can I ask your general height/weight?

Thanks for asking, Mushie!

It’s 100mg. Last night I tried 50mg — barely any difference. I’m also taking Sertraline, 100mg daily. So I was surprised that an average dose (100mg psilocybin) and even half that dose left me feeling so tired.

I’m 5’8” and weigh ~145 lbs. I also felt some anxiety when I took the capsules, which was alleviated once I ate a meal and drank a full glass of water. Same occurrence all 3 days. The anxiety is what makes me reluctant to increase dosage. But do you think it would at least not make me tired if I did increase?

R392, anything up to 500 mgs is considered a microdose, and purely subhallucinogenic, so you're safe to up the dose a bit. It's a fairly common complaint that low doses (50-100mgs) bring on fatigue. I've personally experienced that myself--about a month ago, I'd forgotten to pack my capsules for a camping trip and had just one 100mg and took it in the morning with a bunch of coffee but was in my tent by noon dozing and reading, in and out all afternoon which is atypical for me. But I've also heard from several people that those low doses bring awful fatigue and have been a showstopper for some. Every brain is different and it's all about finding your "sweet spot."

Are you comfortable taking 200mgs? That would be my recommendation, and see how that goes for you.

You could also dose just before bed with the lower doses and still get the overall benefits, but prepare for some wickedly vivid dreaming.

Come back and let us know!

Also, R392, can you explain the anxiety you're experiencing? How soon after the dose do you feel it? How does it feel in your body; how long does it last; what's on your mind when you feel the anxiety?

SSRIs do blunt psilocybin, but it isn't a dangerous or ineffective combo by any means. Looking forward to hearing more from you and offering up some more knowledgable advice.

Hi everyone!

Okay, my mushrooms seem caught in a holding pattern. Most look like the ones on the bottom, but the box on the top looks different. And none of them have changed much in a week or so. Are these likely to come to anything? What am I doing wrong? I have them in a dark closet that is steadily around 72 degrees, have the lids on but unlocked, and spray them every day or two. Help!

Hey all. I’ve been on here the whole time.

Mushie, I’m taking this for chronic depression/anxiety. One thing I noticed this past week. When I microdosed, my anxiety got really really high. This was during all the rioting which OBVIOUSLY is why.....but here’s my question. If I’m feeling high anxiety while dosing, should I take a little more? Or just leave it alone? I have it in three different dosage levels to give me the freedom to tweak it while on it. I feel like finding the right dosage and schedule is going to take me a while, I have had breakthroughs already for sure — but I’m also just guessing about dosage and frequency, so I think I just got lucky.

Also, Mushie, if you’re seriously pursuing certification, will you let us know how to reach you? I would actually LOVE to pay a professional to help me find the right system for my body, and someone who can guide me on how to set myself up for more breakthroughs. I realize your certification may take a long time, but I would love to connect with you or someone like you down the road.

Will we create DL’s first spiritual retreat in the woods of OR? I say yes! Carefully screening out lunatics of course lololol.

Hey Closet Farmer at R395, you're looking good. At this point, I'd be misting the bins around four times a day to keep the humidity up, but take care not to soak your cakes with water. Fan with the lid up to six times a day, especially after misting, to increase airflow. That should speed up your pins. Report back in about three days, please!.

R396, I have a great lead on certification in California. The good news is I already have a Master's in psychology, although never practiced, so that speeds up my process. The whole process of just finding seasoned practitioners to talk with me has been labyrinthine and laborious but I'm pushing ahead. And of course I'll keep you all updated on my progress!

Re your anxiety. Over time, my hope is that the anxiety feels farther away. It's still there, but it isn't as close and sharp as it once was. I'd recommend, and easier said that done right now, really setting an intention with each dose AND doing your best to stay away from anxiety-provoking activities for about three hours. This must sound like "no shit" advice but it really does help.

Psilocybin follows your lead. If you're brimming with anxiety, it will follow. If you do your best to breathe and go into the experience with an allowance for peace, quiet and acceptance, it follows. This said, it isn't a cure-all, magic bullet miracle. You have to give it a little time and work with it, roll with it, titrate a bit.

Stay where you are for a couple of days with dosing. See if turning off the tv and putting on some music helps. A walk instead of the radio. And cut down on any caffeine (not totally, but a little if possible) before dosing. There is an almost imperceptible "lift" when the psilocybin gently kicks in, and that can be uncomfortable for some folks.

Come back and let us know how that does for you.

Hi Mushie, I have innoculated my commercially purchased sterile jars containing substrate and am incubating them in the dark, temperature controlled at 75-80 degrees F. Am I supposed to open the lids and remove the foil and mist while the mycelium becomes confluent?! Or, wait until it is confluent before doing the fruiting stage? Thanks for any advice!

Hey mushroom peeps. Don't do this!

The general rule I followed when I was tripping a lot, was no big excursions unless everything in my life was going well. It didn't have to be perfect, but there couldn't be anything really bad going on with job, school, friends,family, etc..

I was micro-dosing in the nineties. One summer when I was in college, a friend at another school hooked me up with 10 sheets of blotter acid. I was at a party school and hallucinogens were pretty common, but were hard to come by that summer. I have told this story before, so sorry if its a repeat.

Actually, it was hard to come by anything that summer, including weed. So once the acid showed up, we all started doing it frequently. There were weeks that I did it every day. But I was doing what is now considered micro-dosing. Anyway, after I picked up the the sheets, my friend and I returned to my apartment and commenced to trip. He was kind of an uptight churchy sowing his oats and I was practically an excommunicated heretic. When the shit really started to hit, he started calling me the devil and attempted to choke me. He was smaller than me and no threat, but I couldn't calm him down and he took off on foot.

I gathered all the drugs and stashed them at an apartment complex I used to live at and then went looking for him. I never did find him. But at one point, I turned a corner in my car at around 3am and this couple that was out fucking in the side yard jumped up and ran inside. It was pretty funny. - Next day, knock at the door around 10am. It was his dad come to pick up his car and possessions. He had flagged down a cruiser, told them he was losing his mind and ended up in the psych ward. I always suspected he was gay and had trouble dealing with it. But I never got to find out. I reached out a few times, but never heard anything back.

Yes, you guys with mental issues do need to be careful. And what works for one may not work for another.

But some guy on here has a fungi thumb. A new money stream!

Lotion man at R398, can you give me more info on timing and visuals? When did you inoculate and are you seeing a good spread of mycelium?

I’ll get right back to you w a little more info from you!

[quote] Also, [R392], can you explain the anxiety you're experiencing? How soon after the dose do you feel it? How does it feel in your body; how long does it last; what's on your mind when you feel the anxiety?

Hi, Mushie, 392 here. My anxiety comes on in sort of 3 stages: first, when I notice the effects of the microdose—the fatigue, namely—I start to worry about that, because fatigue is definitely not something I need more of, after the numerous depressive episodes I’ve had since last March; second, when I start to feel like maybe I should eat or drink something, and I walk to the kitchen to do that, I notice how light-headed and tired I feel, almost like the “out of it” feeling I get when I take a Xanax or smoke some dank indica (which I stopped doing several weeks ago because of my depression; I figured the extra lethargy was the opposite of what I wanted), and third, I have actually felt like it was making me hypoglycemic. I have had countless episodes in my life where the sensation of low blood sugar (weakness, confusion, hunger) has made me panic. Each time I took my microdose (100mg on days 1 & 2, and 50 on day 3), I have experienced these sensations.

After eating and drinking and lying down, the anxiety fades, but the fatigue sticks around for several hours.

Now, all the above notwithstanding, I am elated to report than on my ‘off’ days (the past 3 days this week), I have had more energy and more ambition than I’ve felt IN YEARS. Oh my god. My boyfriend said my voice sounds different, less constricted and quiet. I have suddenly taken up at least a half dozen projects around the house that I’ve been putting off for 6 months or longer. I walked farther in the city than I’ve wanted to do since last spring (my general lack of ambition and anxiety/depression since then had kept me confined to a very small area, both in my neighborhood and in the neighborhood where I work in Manhattan).

The other night I walked to a huge supermarket that I had deemed “too far away” and would always make my boyfriend go to instead. I had a blast! What a great selection! I went to the optometrist in Chinatown (ugh!) and got a new Rx for contact lenses. It was a breeze! And I can see again!

I also had the most intense orgasm I’ve had in months yesterday.

And this is just after 3 days of microdosing. I’m not sure what regimen I’m following, since I didn’t make it to day 4 (as part of the 4 days on, 3 days off plan), but I guess I could resume tomorrow early evening, after work. I can see myself maybe wanting/needing to do it 2 days/wk maximum, but that depends on how I respond to 200mg, which I think I’ll wait to try until I have a day off from work.

Thanks, Mushie! Any other suggestions you have, I’m all ears.

R392/403, thanks so much for the thoughtful response. I’m getting a better picture. I have a couple more invasive questions. Along with your chronic depression and anxiety, have you dealt with any OCD? And any substance issues currently or in your past?

Seems you’re definitely reaping the post-dosage benefits and I’m hopeful you can get to a level, anxiety-free, and pleasant dosing experience.

I’m assuming you have 50mg capsules?

Let’s keep working this out together.

Noted, Mushie dear...I started the accelerated misting/fanning schedule today. I will let you know what happens, but I have another question...

I noticed one of my 7 boxes had some green mold in the corner...my instinct was to scoop it and the area around it out and throw it away, which I did. But given the hysteria on Reddit about mold (black mold being the one that they go nuts over), I’m wondering if this was the right thing to do, if I should throw the whole box out, etc...thoughts?

Mushie, R392/403 here again. No OCD, but I have been trying to kick a daily kratom habit lately. Got it down to a small dose, 3x daily.

Mushie, does alcoholism affect things? One of the reasons that I started microdosing was to cut down on my alcohol intake. I have actually been doing quite a bit better with my drinking recently. I feel so much happier and more focused in general, actually. On the negative side, I used to have mild Trypophobia (fear of holes and patterns) and it is way worse now. I was on antidepressants for most of my adult life, so I suppose that may have ‘muted’ my Trypophobia. Also, thank you so much for helping us. You are an angel.

R405, Closet Farmer, just keep an eye on it. A little trichoderma (the green stuff) is okay. If you see it creeping around in the mycelium at all, you'll need to cut out a larger chunk of the spawn. But a little bit is fairly normal and if you got to it quickly, which it sounds like you did, the contamination won't spread. Let me know what you're seeing tomorrow.

R406, aha. I don't know enough about Kratom but I know someone who does. Let me talk with an old colleague/professor friend and get back to you.

R407, yeah, booze can really curtail the psilocybin from doing its thing. And I've seen dozens of folks with compulsive behaviors--drinking, eating, chewing nails til they bleed, binge shopping, you name it--genuinely helped by microdosing. But you have to dedicate some time to letting it do its thing.

When in a microdosing cycle, I advise no more than one drink a night if you're dosing the next morning. The alcohol depresses and blunts the effects. Over time, most people realize they don't even want that one drink.

I'm all for a few cocktails now and again, but a microdose is largely wasted the next morning.

Also, R407, set a strong intention around your trypophobia before your dose. If you're comfortable, dedicate several sessions to it. Perhaps write about it, let your mind really explore it and its origins. What's at the root? As you go, I'll bet the moon that you start to see some old patterns and connections around this specific fear. Just breathe and see what comes up when you really let your mind sit with it. If you're not ready to do that yet, just keep it in the back of your mind for something to explore in future sessions.

Microdosing can work miracles on specific fears and traumas but you have to allow yourself to wander a little.

Hi Mushie, I inoculated the spores, which were in liquid medium in a sterile syringe into sterile plastic jars containing slightly damp growth media with a plastic lid covered over a layer of foil. The cover has a rubber stopper (the injection port) and a hole that is covered with tape that looks like it's probably a filter mesh.

I injected the jars with the spore formula a week ago, and did not remove the foil. My question is: Should I remove the foil? I do not see any white mycelium growth at all yet.

Okay 411, pardon the delay. You'll want to see a network of filaments/mycelium that will underpin your mushroom growth. That fluffy-looking whiteness will spread outward from your inoculation sites, and it appears anywhere from 7-14 days. You don't want to do anything with your jars. You don't unscrew anything until you're ready to transfer the fully-baked cakes to your growing bins/chambers, and you're still a few weeks out from that. You want your mycelium good and strong before that occurs.

Your jars are perfect little incubators for them for several weeks, sometimes up to six.

Watch for any contamination--any strange colors or smells? If not, you're moving right along.

Remind me what substrate you used? Any vermiculite added?

Thanks for your response, Mushie. Exactly what I needed to know. Yes, the substrate is vermiculite.

Mushie, I brought up your retreats to my partner (he is in finance and skeptical) but he was even excited for you and wants me to visit. I was a RN in oncology at OHSU. I believe that conventional medicine has its place, but am completely aware that non conventional medicine doesn’t get enough research (obviously no one is going to spend millions into researching anything that can be grown at home). We are on our own with this.

I am a long time sufferer of severe, treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. I am determined to grow and microdose with shrooms after reading through this thread.

However, part of me is worried that I'll be getting my hopes up just to be letdown by yet another thing that won't work for me, is this my depression talking or is it just healthy skepticism? It really does sound a little too good to be true.

OMG, YOU GUYS...

I see some pins!!!!!

I’m so excited! I think Mushie’s upgraded misting/fanning protocol did the trick! I have seven boxes total with various phases of growth happening but this was the one that always looked the furthest along. I hope the rest come along. But right now I have about four recognizable mushroom growing!

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! I will definitely do this again, I feel I have a much better grasp on the situation now. 😊😊😊

I, too, want to attend the retreat!

R415, it changed my outlook on life and my feelings of ambition after 3 doses. It’s even made me feel more loving toward my boyfriend, with whom I’d not been getting along with for months while I was severely depressed and anxious.

I even climbed onto the sofa and cuddled with him yesterday morning while he was napping. Which is INSANE.

[quote] with whom I’d not been getting along with

Oooooof. Please excuse the redundant ‘with’.

If you haven't been getting along with your boyfriend for months, perhaps this is the cause of your depression.

R415, it’s hard to explain its effects until you try it for yourself. I stumbled into this thread and ordered capsules based off a recommendation here. I’ve ordered twice more, and six weeks of microdosing has helped me more than 30 years of therapy, antidepressants, EMDR and every retreat under the sun combined.

I just feel happier and lighter and more loving and grateful toward myself and everyone. The whole things has been unbelievable to me.

Wooooo Closet Farmer!!! This whole thread has been so fun to follow, and I’m not even microdosing. Yet.

R406, I meant to get back to you re the kratom and psilocybin interaction. My professorial botanist/chemist friend gave me a long, erudite explanation which I won’t pretend to fully understand, but the gist: try 200 mgs of psilocybin without kratom if you’re comfortable doing so. Kratom acts on opioid receptors, psilocybin on sedation in receptors, so you’re doing a little combat (although nothing dangerous) when ingesting both.

Are you comfortable just giving the shrooms a chance for a cycle?

And closet Farmer, you’ve made my weekend! Isn’t it fun the first time you see them?

Mushie again, typo above. That should read: psilocybin acts on seratonin receptors. Time for bed.

Yes, Mushie, I’ll try a dose without kratom tomorrow.

I went with a 150mg microdose last night, slept like a log, though it was late and I was very tired to begin with. Too weary to try 200mg late tonight, so I went with a 100mg capsule.

Sounds good, R242. We're here for you, so come back and let us know how you're doing. I'm very interested in your case and your progress.

And thank you, all, for your support around my "future endeavors." After a lot of sleuthing and talking with current practitioners, I found a program in California and have officially applied. Here in Washington state, there are two new pieces of legislation on the table to legalize psilocybin. As others here have stated, it's just a matter of time so hopefully MY timing is right.

In my conversations, a surprising thing I learned: the Chinese are quietly behind much of the funding for these new psilocybin studies and budding therapy programs. With a soaring suicide rate, they're trying to introduce new transpersonal, non-Western therapies and their own government won't publicly allow such funding/research/teaching so they're looking to us (and less so, Canada).

Anyhow, I'll keep you all posted on my program, and in the meantime, let's keep learning from each other. This thread has been a true salve in an otherwise brutal time. Good energy and love to you all.

Okay, below is a photo of my babies. 😂

This is only happening in one of seven boxes right now but I have hope the others will catch up...they are already showing signs.

At what point do I take the lid off/turn on the lights? Probably by tomorrow that one box will need the lid removed so they don’t hit their heads. 😊 How does this impact the watering schedule?

Thank you all, once again! Like everyone, I’m on board with whatever Mushie ends up doing!

Ok, Closet Farmer, you're almost ready to harvest! This next part happens very fast.

The goal is to harvest your shrooms right before the pin develops into a fruiting body, which happens in a matter of about 72 hours. By "fruiting body", I mean that's when the mushroom's veil breaks and spores are distributed. You don't want that as it interferes with further production. So be checking on your pins pretty often in the next 24-48 hours. You want a nice little closed cap on them--you don't want them to open. Examine each pin as it develops.

Here's exactly what you're looking for:

1. Most importantly, you should see the cap of the mushroom change from a rounded, globular shape to a more convex shape that protrudes over the stem. The color of the mushroom, which starts as a deep and dark reddish-brown color, will gradually become lighter as the cap matures and starts to change in shape.

2. When the convex shaped cap becomes apparent and the color starts to lighten, your shrooms are about ready to harvest. One area of the cap to keep a close eye on is the veil. You want to see the underside of the cap start to stretch, but not fully open up into an umbonate, flattened shape.

Now, the harvesting.

I personally use a mushroom knife, but I'm betting you don't have one of those peculiar little devices. So let's do it by hand.

1. Put on rubber gloves that are completely sterile, eliminating any chance of contamination by bacteria or mold. You should also wash your hands with soap and water before starting. Additionally, any tools or containers used during the harvesting process should also be sterilized prior to coming in contact with "your babies."

2. Place two of your fingers at the base of the mushroom, gently twisting and pulling the bottom of the stem in a counter-clockwise direction. Gently break the strands that are holding the stump in place without damaging the mycelium network below the stem.

3. For any shorter or hard-to-reach mushrooms leftover in the bin, you can use tweezers to carefully pick them.

4. Use a brush to remove any remaining substrate clinging to the stem.

And then, get them into the dehydrator stat. Somewhere upthread, I outlined dehydrator options/heat settings but let me know if you need that again.

And just continue to do what you're doing with the light and misting as they grow a bit more. You'll want to harvest them in the same environment in which they grew, as you'll most likely get other thrushes from the same bin that you'll want to harvest. Once that bin has stopped producing, you'll sterilize and begin again.

I'm checking in a lot today/tomorrow so feel free to ask away!

This is truly the best thread on DL right now. r415, I’m like you, I am the person who had anxiety while riding and asked Mushie how to handle that (Mushie, thank you, it worked!). I too have battled for decades and tried everything else, so I don’t want to hit yet one more deadend. I haven’t yet had a total breakthrough, but here is what has happened. I think I started maybe end of November? I’ve been taking it a couple times per week. I made the mistake of having on the tv during the riots while doing this lolol. So I’m being more intentional now, and what I am noticing is that my lows aren’t as low, and I can feel a little more emotion. I feel a little brighter. I would encourage you to at least consider it, after all, what do you have to lose, right?

*anxiety while dosing

And for some inspiration, here's what a little patience plus trial and error can produce. There were a few times I wanted to give up completely but out of necessity (this was pre-internet), I kept at it. After about 6-8 months, something just clicked, and I got the timing and visuals down--and it's still a little different every single time, but now I know exactly when to do what, and that's made all the difference. They're finicky little beasts and need lots of tending but once you build a little confidence and have the process down, they generously follow your lead. And everyone's process is just a little different, so don't be afraid to experiment a little as you go along.

Now I have half a dozen bins of various varietals going at all times. These are a white golden teacher. Time to harvest!

Another benefit I've noticed is that I can remember how to focus and approach a task with curiosity and interest instead of doom and doubt. I took a dose yesterday and today is a skip day. Today, I sat down to write something and I remembered what it felt like to be absorbed (on days I dose), and I clicked into that headspace.

I had developed a bit of a sweet tooth from about summer to October, when I started, and now I don't have cravings. I see what I was after and I deal instead with those feelings (anxiety, loneliness, sorrow, desire, boredom).

OMG, that photo is so beautiful, Mushie! Goals! :)

So the biggest of the mushrooms is now about two inches high and almost about to hit the lid of the shoebox. The stem is probably about half the diameter of a pencil...in other words, it’s still pretty small. Overnight, it developed a tiny white “fringe” around the head. It’s obviously a Penis Envy - I planted those and some B+, and so far it looks like the Penis Envy is what I am getting in the boxes that have pins (yes, there are several now!).

You gave excellent directions above, I guess what I’m asking is, how big do they need to be physically to cut them? I don’t want to do it to early, but now I know I REALLY don’t want to do it too late.

There is only one at that size, so far. The others look to be several days behind, including the others in that same box.

Eagerly awaiting your reply! :) :) :)

Good morning, R432, what are you seeing under the cap? You want a closed veil. Don't worry if you don't get the timing just right--if they've developed a healthy cap, they'll be potent.

They're going to fruit in all different heights, so you just have to keep checking every one. I do this with a gentle gloved hand, tweezers and flashlight. PE and cubensis both go tall and will push against the lids. Now that you're seeing some annulus (the ring) and veils, go ahead and shift your lid to give the big guy some space. The bin is stable enough now for some airflow.

Took a look at the second image here . . . that's what you're looking for. (I didn't read this article so can't vouch for its accuracy, I was just looking for an accurate photo.)

Aaaaand the photo.

Also wanted to check in with Lotionman today. Seeing anything in your jars? We're still a little on the early side, but let us know if you have any visuals.

And for our mushroom + kratom friend, just checking in in general. If today is your 200mg day, let us know how it goes for you. I'm hopeful for a gentle easing for you.

Thank you so much for the advice and visuals, so helpful!

Here is a close up of the biggest one. It’s grown quite a bit since this AM and is about to hit its head on the lid. It’s not quite as thick as a pencil and the head is a little bigger than a Q-Tip. I’m putting the photo up so you can see what is going on with the head...sounds like it needs to flange out a little and lighten in color?

Kratom f(r)iend here. Took 200mg last night actually. No anxiety whatsoever, but I definitely felt as though I shouldn’t be operating any heavy machinery, ha ha. Took it without kratom. I also didn’t get any feelings of extreme fatigue or low blood sugar, like I had the first 2 or 3 times when I started with 100mg (my first dose was 10 days ago).

I’m wondering if it’s advisable to take 100mg (instead of 200) later this evening and see how I feel? I was definitely already feeling a VAST improvement in mood, energy level, ambition, etc., on my 3 or 4 ‘off’ days last week, so the 100/50/150mg doses were absolutely effective, despite the (useless) Zoloft I take daily.

Or do you think I should continue at 200mg and see if I get used to that dose? I felt similar to how I felt when I first took 100mg—sort of like I’d smoked pot—but without the anxiety, heavy fatigue, etc. It felt appropriate for nighttime but definitely not daytime.

Closet Farmer, you’re right, you want a little bigger cap. You’ll see the veil start to stretch and pull away. She’ll be ready 24 hours, max. Amazing how fast they grow, isn’t it?

And R437, sure, try the 100. Now that the anxiety seems to have subsided, I’m interested in the fatigue. Some people do feel a little sleepy in the beginning but I’d expect it to have passed now for you. Remind me which strain your capsules are?

Thanks, Mushie. They’re the common ‘Psilocybe Cubensis’—not sure if there’s another name (colloquial) for them. They seem to be the only variety available from the source mentioned way back in this thread.

Ok, R439. I’m going to do a little more sleuthing around the fatigue. To be continued ...

Mushie, so true! I can’t believe how fast they grow, you can practically see them changing before your eyes! I will have my dehydrator ready to go tomorrow, even though I might literally be doing one at a time.

To be continued, obviously... 😊😊😊

Snacker here. I have untreated OCD and I notice I am not obsessing nearly as much. It's so nice to see a thought come and then actually GO.

How much does one have to take to get the reset benefits? Is 100 as good as 250? I'm trying to decide which dosage to go with going forward. 200 seems right, but I'll be running low soon and I don't want to be excessive if it isn't necessary.

I await Mushie's more informed recommendation about dosage but for me, 100mg is just right. I tried 200mg, 250mg, 350mg, and I didn't notice an appreciable difference in terms of controlling my intrusive thoughts and ruminations and general anxiety (which I'd set my intentions on helping before dosing).

For both R442 and R443: this is all about finding the right dosage for yourself. I always adhere to "start low, go slow". Try the 100mg for a few days and see how that fits you. Sometimes that's all it takes to crack open the window to let in some fresh air. You can always take more if you feel the 100mg is falling flat. Might want to try taking your capsule (if taking in the morning) with some orange juice or citrus; that usually enhances the experience a little.

Snacker, specifically for you, go with 100 and try to write out your experience of the day, and the very next day, do the same with 200. Come back and let us know what you see/experience.

Hi everyone!

Last night I left the lid ajar on the box with the very tall mushroom and this morning I noticed that on the two largest ones, the stem near the head had darkened a little overnight. I immediately cut them and put them in the dehydrator...after 3 hours at 120 degrees, they are desiccated for sure but not really to “cracker” texture (more like...dried out jerky?) so I put them in for another hour.

You’re right, of course, Mushie...I don’t have a mushroom knife, although I ordered one just now. The original Medium article suggested a curved scissor, which I did have. I wiped it with alcohol and cut the stem just where it met the substrate...I hope this was right?

I think I will have to cut and dry more tonight or tomorrow AM...they are small and I am thinking I need a taller box for Penis Envy next time. The other spores were B+ but so far I don’t see any of those growing at all, although all the boxes are filling up with white growth so I am hopeful! I’m also hoping they are not too tall. I feel like maintaining the correct humidity with the box open is a problem.

I’m so excited and feel I have already learned so much that next time will be much easier because I understand what is supposed to happen, exactly!

First time cultivator here. I followed the Uncle Ben's TEK to spawn them and then migrated the mycelium cake to a coconut coir and vermiculite substrate for the fruiting stage. I harvested 7 grams (after drying) of B+ and filled 72 capsules.

I've been dosing with the Stamets stack and following Fadiman dosing schedule. I've also been journaling and participating in a micro-dosing study.

I've only taken three doses and feel less anxious and I've been more productive.

At the very least it's interesting to dabble in mycology. I've got a second flush going on and I'm trying to correct some mistakes from my first growth, e.g. not keeping the plant chamber's humidity and temperature up and consistent.

Thanks for all the posts on this thread guys!

Hey R446! Question: you said you learned NOT to keep the temperature/airflow consistent. Am I reading that correctly or am I lost in translation?

Pretty great that you were able to harvest on your first try!!

Hey R446, sorry I was unclear.

I meant I did NOT keep the mushrooms at a consistent humidity and temperature during my first flush. I allowed the mushrooms to become too dry and get too cold.

I'm now trying to keep the temperature and humidity around 75F and 75%, respectively using a seedling heating mat and a thermometer/hydrometer that reports to my phone via bluetooth.

I finally figured out how to keep the temperature consistent and I agree that this helped to move things along. I’ve been keeping them around 72 but now think I will up it to 75 and see what happens.

I plan on tripping today...hope it goes well!

Have a great day guys!

I’m with you r450!!!! It’s been about an hour and a half since I took mine.

Blast off, R450 and R451!

Have a great trip. Be sure to write!

Just checking in, mushroom people!

My mushrooms are growing so fast now! I get around 10-12 every day and I’m dehydrating them and saving them up. I hope to eventually grow my own supply and want to try different kinds...it’s been so much fun growing them!

I’m also using capsules from from Canada to microdose and feel SO much happier than I have been. It took a month or so to start really feeling the effects but it’s a marked change.

Closet Farmer, congratulations on your grow!

Can you tell us some more about your experiences with the microdose capsules? I’m halfway through my 3rd week of MDing. Enjoying a couple days off from it now. (The days off tend to be when I feel best.)

R453 - what kind of capsules are you getting from Canada, and from where in Canada?

R455, R140 has the name of the site (we are a little protective of them on this thread for obvious reasons and don't want to type in links). It works perfectly, I have done it several times now, very fast and professional. The entire thread is worth reading as it covers pretty much any question you might have about how to go about both growing or otherwise obtaining everything. All the specifics are actually here and it's also a very nice, sincere and supportive thread.

R454 - listening to Mushie, and also reading around, I have adopted the recommended three day on/three day off cycle. I started with 100mg capsules, but read that anything below 500mg is technically considered a micro dose, and since there you need to mix it up to keep your body from becoming inured to the effects, I have started sometimes taking 100mg, sometime 250mg (I have both size capsules). I will also probably go to a 5/2 schedule eventually. I am generally a pretty happy person, but the last several years have really kicked my ass and I have been as bummed out as I can ever remember being as an adult...the pandemic really interfered with any kind of positive momentum I had been making and this has really helped. I am still a bit in shock that I happened upon this thread and it proved to be so providential. :)

As far as specifically what I am feeling: I think the main thing is that instead of ruminating about where I might have gone wrong somewhere in dealing with different things in the past (that I can't do anything about anyway), I have gained some objectivity, enough to see that not everything bad that happens is my fault somehow. I am quick to look for my own errors, but it is actually pretty silly to presume I control everything that happens. And as someone conditioned always to examine their own part in things, this has made a huge difference, a life changing one, even. I also have a lot more energy and enthusiasm for getting out of bed in the morning, something that the pandemic has made slightly less necessary now that I am working at home. Just generally feel more positive and more myself than I have in quite a while.

I go through about three cycles a year of going 500mgs a day for 3-4 days. You definitely start to faintly "feel the colors and smell the textures" at that dose AND DON'T DO IT UNLESS YOU TITRATE UP TO IT but it's a great palate cleanser when I'm feeling a little stuck. You'll start to notice that different strains have slightly different energies as well.

This isn't a "one size fits all" recipe, so I'm happy to see folks are hitting their strides.

Closet Farmer, I'm so damn happy for you. Feeling like a proud papa.

[post redacted because linking to dailymail.co.uk clearly indicates that the poster is either a troll or an idiot (probably both, honestly.) Our advice is that you just ignore this poster but whatever you do, don't click on any link to this putrid rag.]

R458 You don’t need to go to “the dark web” to buy these capsules, luckily.

Growers, do you dry the entire mushroom including the stem? I read the active ingredient (psilocybin) is mostly in the cap but the stem has other compounds that enhance the experience.

Thank you for the thoughtful reply, Closet Farmer.

That Daily Fail headline is so ridiculous. “drug users”...

R459, you absolute dry out the entire mushroom, including its stem. There's an ongoing debate in psychonaut circles about which is stronger, the cap or stem. Both are potent and either will get you feeling very good. The cap does have more psilocybin/psilocin but the stems have plenty as well.

Wondering how the macrodosers are doing? Any experiences to share?

Mushie - you are without a doubt the spiritual godfather of my babies! :) I would never have figured any of this out without you, and you have the kind of quiet, humble authority that actually means something to a person like me. I know you genuinely want to help and share your experience and wisdom, and I know I cannot be the only one on this thread who deeply and sincerely appreciates everything. Had I not happened upon this thread, I would still know nothing despite having always been quite curious. So I really can’t say thank you enough!

I have been drying the entire mushroom. I just weighed them...dry, I have almost 10g! And there are still plenty of babies still coming up. When I fill the jar, I will take a photo.

In the past, I always felt like my life was part of a bigger picture, but hard times kind of made me feel alienated from everything. This morning, I realized everything was, indeed, quite connected. Everything, good and bad, is tied together again, just like I remembered it being. And I actually got the feeling, that I kind of forgot I used to have all the time, that the universe was actually not entirely random but was actually making a point to me...oh, listen to me rambling! But that is what I feel. :)

I want to hear from the trippers too!

I got my capsules about a month ago and have done a 4 on, 3 off with 200mg of cubensis. Never in my life had I thought about mushrooms. I fell into this thread like three months ago, rolled my eyes, but sporadically kept checking back in.

I think part of what intrigued me was how generous and kind the thread has been. No bullshit. People helping out with information and data. If you read this thread from start to now, it's pretty inspiring. Back to me, I got capsules from Canada and took one one morning without much thought.

Weeks later, feels like my blockages and insecurities sifted slowly out of my brain. I haven't felt this "normal" since I was in college.

Hoping someone can fire up another thread when we start to run out of this one. I just ordered spores and picked up bins and coco coir etc to grow my own.

Can we keep this going?

IF THERE WAS NO BAD, YOU WOULD NOT NNOW WAS GOOD IS!)

It's beginning to look a lot like mycelium!

After 20 days, the jars look about 30% confluent with white fuzz. There's quite a bit of condensation inside, which concerns me. I am assuming that the jars should become completely colonized prior to fruiting them in the terrarium.

In about three weeks I'll need to leave town for a week, presenting a dilemma: let the mycelia keep growing, or start the fruiting at some point before leaving. Unless the jars suddenly become solid white very soon, I'll err on waiting until I return since it sounds like the fruiting happens quickly and the mushrooms need attention (spraying) although the terrarium kit I have has a temperature regulator and a water pump, apparently to maintain humidity.

If I screw this first batch up, still have another set of jars and a syringe of inoculum; "don't put all your magic shroom spores in one box" as Mother used to say. Speaking of whom, I remember using her pressure cooker and all of her mason jars during my first (and last) attempt to grow while in high school in the 1970's. The cultures became contaminated and we lived in a hot, dry climate where is was hard to maintain temperature, anyway. Plus, I didn't know what the fuck I was doing, not that I do now -- despite that I'm a laboratory scientist (Immunology). I have books on growing shrooms but there's nothing better than learning from others' experiences, so this thread has already been a blast for me, thanks to Dr. Shroomie!

Went away to an ultra-liberal university where psilocybin was so plentiful that we had "hall shroom-outs" in the dorms, where even the "Good Catholic Girls" tripped away all night. Except for once, I haven't tripped since the 1980's and am so looking forward to having the experience so much later in life.

It's beginning to look a lot like mycelium!

After 20 days, the jars look about 30% confluent with white fuzz. There's quite a bit of condensation inside, which concerns me. I am assuming that the jars should become completely colonized prior to fruiting them in the terrarium.

In about three weeks I'll need to leave town for a week, presenting a dilemma: let the mycelia keep growing, or start the fruiting at some point before leaving. Unless the jars suddenly become solid white very soon, I'll err on waiting until I return since it sounds like the fruiting happens quickly and the mushrooms need attention (spraying) although the terrarium kit I have has a temperature regulator and a water pump, apparently to maintain humidity.

If I screw this first batch up, still have another set of jars and a syringe of inoculum; "don't put all your magic shroom spores in one box" as Mother used to say. Speaking of whom, I remember using her pressure cooker and all of her mason jars during my first (and last) attempt to grow while in high school in the 1970's. The cultures became contaminated and we lived in a hot, dry climate where is was hard to maintain temperature, anyway. Plus, I didn't know what the fuck I was doing, not that I do now -- despite that I'm a laboratory scientist (Immunology). I have books on growing shrooms but there's nothing better than learning from others' experiences, so this thread has already been a blast for me, thanks to Dr. Shroomie!

Went away to an ultra-liberal university where psilocybin was so plentiful that we had "hall shroom-outs" in the dorms, where even the "Good Catholic Girls" tripped away all night. Except for once, I haven't tripped since the 1980's and am so looking forward to having the experience so much later in life.

It's beginning to look a lot like mycelium!

After 20 days, the jars look about 30% confluent with white fuzz. There's quite a bit of condensation inside, which concerns me. I am assuming that the jars should become completely colonized prior to fruiting them in the terrarium.

In about three weeks I'll need to leave town for a week, presenting a dilemma: let the mycelia keep growing, or start the fruiting at some point before leaving. Unless the jars suddenly become solid white very soon, I'll err on waiting until I return since it sounds like the fruiting happens quickly and the mushrooms need attention (spraying) although the terrarium kit I have has a temperature regulator and a water pump, apparently to maintain humidity.

If I screw this first batch up, still have another set of jars and a syringe of inoculum; "don't put all your magic shroom spores in one box" as Mother used to say. Speaking of whom, I remember using her pressure cooker and all of her mason jars during my first (and last) attempt to grow while in high school in the 1970's. The cultures became contaminated and we lived in a hot, dry climate where is was hard to maintain temperature, anyway. Plus, I didn't know what the fuck I was doing, not that I do now -- despite that I'm a laboratory scientist (Immunology). I have books on growing shrooms but there's nothing better than learning from others' experiences, so this thread has already been a blast for me, thanks to Dr. Shroomie!

Went away to an ultra-liberal university where psilocybin was so plentiful that we had "hall shroom-outs" in the dorms, where even the "Good Catholic Girls" tripped away all night. Except for once, I haven't tripped since the 1980's and am so looking forward to having the experience so much later in life.

Wow, R445, R446, R447. I think maybe you're already tripping on psilocybin, perhaps just from handling them as you tend your bounty???

Any tips on storing the capsules I got? Should I keep them in the freezer?

Thanks!

R469, put them in a glass jar with a silica packet to keep them dry. Store them in a dark place.

Thank you, R470

Hi everyone!

Just saw these two in one of my boxes that was slower to populate with mycelium...so far they were the only two in there. They were wedged in a corner and sort of stuck.

But they are odd looking. I grew B+ and Penis Envy (which are similar to each other in appearance) but they both had longer, thinner stems and pointier heads.

I looked around and think the box might be too wet, so I will water less for a bit, but are these one of those two strains, do you think? Could it be an unrelated spore that got mixed in somehow? And are they safe to consume? Always so much talk of poison toadstools and dangerous mold that I wanted to be sure first.

Closet, in my experience, I get little fatties like that when I moved the cakes to the bins too soon. They needed a little more time in their incubators. The timing is hard to get right for moving each bag or jar to its bin, especially when you’re moving several.

They’re still fine to ingest!

[quote] I get little fatties like that when I moved the cakes to the bins too soon.

I’m picturing short, trollish, obese homeless people rummaging through your garbage bins for cake.

Haha, little fatties! That’s exactly what they are! I dried them just the same, glad to know they are operational. 😄

R473, I definitely think I could have waited a bit to move them...next time, I will know! I’m still harvesting from my original boxes (one of which looked completely inactive for a month but is now filled with more pins than the others put together), but when they are done, I am going right back for new spores!

Man, I’ve really gotta order this equipment and the spores and get my shit together. I have about 3 weeks of capsules left, and I’d rather just cultivate my own instead of spending $40+ every two months or whatever.

Closet, have you tried any of your harvest yet?

Mushie, I am not closet farmer, but I have been afraid of trying out my own mushrooms. I bought capsules and chocolate online from Canada and Colorado (the ones from Colorado seem MUCH stronger even though they claim the same dose) and have been using those 1-2 times weekly. I microdose and hike...it has been life changing. I dehydrated my own, and made them into capsules. I am just paranoid about the strength of them. I don’t know if mine are closer to Colorado strength or Canada strength. I guess I need to start out slow? It’s so odd. I am 49, and haven’t felt this positive and loving (accepting) towards others since I was a teenager. Sometimes when I hike, I think of all of the people that have hurt me over the years. It hit me that they were hurt themselves, and did the best that they could. It was a defense mechanism. I don’t want/need them in my life, but I don’t need to harbor anger.

R478, how long have you been microdosing?

R479, it has been almost two months now.

R476, you should do it! If you’re interested in continuing, it seems like the best way. Plus, it’s so fun and rewarding seeing them grow. I had no idea how enjoyable it would be. One thing I would suggest is that you buy a decent dehydrator. I went cheap and regretted it, and ended up getting a better one a few weeks ago.

Mushie! 😊 I have definitely sampled my own, but I have the opposite problem from R478 in that I don’t want to consume the ones I’ve grown too fast, I feel almost as if growing them myself has imbued them with some special power. 😂 I have capsules I’m using up first, but now that I can grow my own supply, I’ve decided to share them with a couple of friends who might benefit but are too scared to order them. I have, though, eaten both dried mushrooms and raw ones from my own boxes. I plan on ordering new spores when I near the end with these and starting again, and hope to be like you and always have something going! And, R478, I do not notice them being a lower potency at all. I totally feel them, in the best way. 😊😊😊

How will I know when to stop expecting more from the boxes I have? Any way to tell? For practical reasons I want to time the rice bags so they are ready to plant as the others are finishing but have no clue when that will be!

Closet Farmer, would you mind sharing a link to the second, better dehydrator you bought?

Oy, this site makes it hard to post a link...hope this works but will only know after I click “post”...

There are even more expensive ones that might be even more efficient, but this one is pretty good. Don’t get the cheap plastic-y ones, you’ll be drying one mushroom for DAYS. 😂 These take a few hours but they are DRY when they’re done. You may literally be doing just a few at a time and harvesting through the day after a while, so you don’t want it running 24/7. I chose a cheap one that I already gave away because it was a little ridiculous.

I also experiment with drying them in a convection oven but the temperature could not be set quite low enough and they ended up kinda toasted! 😂😂😂

It worked! Thank you, CF. It’s affordable, too.

Yeah, not bad pricewise and more than worth it because you know they are adequately dry. Definitely a good investment if you plan on doing it regularly. It can be used for other food which given our current circumstances actually feels potentially useful!

This is one the reasons I slum this hellhole of pointless bitchery!

Great advice y’all.

I think my proper microdose is 250mg and I think I should take it at bedtime with a little melatonin. Is that OK? It took me awhile to get to that dosage. I started out with 100mg when I began microdosing, and I stayed around there for quite awhile. Does a higher dosage mean more or faster benefits? I've asked that before but I don't remember seeing an answer. I may have missed it.

I get a little anxious on it, which for me means being irritable. I feel it's best that I'm asleep while the dose works it's magic.

Hi Snacker, yes, a higher dosage will reap more benefits. And it's absolutely okay to take it at night w melatonin. Titrate up a little until you hit 250 and see how that feels for you.

Once these capsules run out for you, I'd be interested in having you try a new strain. That anxiety/irritability piece should have lifted for you by now. How has your overall depression/anxiety been lately on a whole? Are you feeling the microdoses weaving into your days?

Yikes! My jars of beautiful mycelium are fully confluent now after 5 weeks, but I have to leave town for 14 days. What to do? Can they be kept at a lower themperature, or should I let them fruit without care for the next two weeks? I have a temperature-controlled terrarium with a humidifier, but am concerned about the need to spray and pick them. Any suggestions, Dear Shroomers??

Oh no, I completely missed your message, Lotion at R489. I take you've left town? What did you end up doing with your jars?

Leaving tomorrow morning. I unplugged the aquarium heater in the drum where they were kept. They're 85% confluent now == perfect for fruiting! But I'll be gone for 9 days.

Okay, R491. I suspect you'll come home to a nursery of little ones! Let us know!

Meant to say that I was leaving the mycelium as is because I thought I needed to be around to spray the fruiting bodies everyday. If there's any sign of life when I get home in a week, I will transfer them to the fruiting stage. Fingers crossed!

Good, R493, I'm glad I misread you. It's much better to have them in their little incubators until you return, but I didn't want to be negative or dismissive if you'd already transferred them.

So, they should be just fine and ready for their substrate when you get back!

Hi Mushie, I'm good at 250. I probably had 250 about ten times. Taking it at night and sleeping on it works great for me. I wake up feeling good.

What is the next strain you suggest, or does it still apply since I have a routine down?

I think I have OCD. I don't remember if I disclosed that. This is something I discovered thanks to microdosing.

I know I have composed many replies in my mind that I didn't find the time to sit down and post here. My anxiety was/is coming largely from the OCD which I never suspected I had. I always associated OCD with people who became obsessed with counting steps or washing hands (cliché, I know). Now I realize that this anxiety comes from obsessive thoughts I have (negativity loops and avoidant hypochondria which I've had since adolescence).

I have years--a lifetime's worth-- of material on loop mode, and it plays constantly-- when I'm cleaning house, when I'm cooking, when I'm driving, when I'm in the shower, when I'm trying to fall asleep, when I wake up in the night. It's like a TV that's always on. Sometimes it's childhood trauma, sometimes it's going back a decade to when my dog (one of the 'Great Ones') was dying of cancer, some other very big things, and lots and lots of little things that probably only I remember from school, from work, from relationships, just always playing over and over.

I noticed after microdosing that I can ignore the TV. That has lowered my anxiety and irritability; the not being caught in webs of past all the time.

I'm not Mushie but I can report a similar experience with microdosing. I realize I've had a nonstop chatter, a loop of one sentence (whether heard or intending to speak), replaying a scene in my head. And now, that shitty channel has been turned off.

I have creative projects again. I have way more work, but minus the usual anxiety surrounding it.

Do you write down the repetitive thoughts? I found that when I can write down one concise expression of it—rather than a long-winded detailed account—I can stop focusing on it, as if the rumination has been trying to pin it down all along.

My favorite thread in a long time. Thank you all.

For microdosers, what is your schedule? (I know amt is personal/variable). Some posters have included this info, but I'm curious about the range. I've been playing around with intervals, but haven't noticed changes in effect yet.

Microdosers, what are your thoughts on this article?

The side effects listed in the article aren't side effects of microdosing. The article isn't credible.

The article is bullshit, R498, and it’s not about microdosing, it’s about taking major trips—and it emphasizes only the scary stuff that can happen if you have a bad trip. There are lots of reports of psilocybin curing depression, either through microdoses or “heroic” doses.

It sounds like that doctor wants to keep prescribing SSRIs that are barely more effective than placebos and become ineffective after several years and cause dependence.

So... fuck him.

Christ, it sounds like something my Just-Say-No mother would write.

I’m not even worried about that article...sounds like scare tactics to discourage people from trying any kind of alternative approach.

In other news, I have filled one pint mason jar with dried B+ and Penis Envy mushrooms and filled a second halfway. I am still harvesting them, some very large ones and other smaller ones, but I’ve ordered spores from a few other strains to start new bags/boxes because I feel as if these will soon be over.

Thank you R496. I haven't written the thoughts down. I will try to do that.

I am glad you are getting some relief, too. It is absolutely draining to go through life preoccupied that way.

Muskie, I bought a sterile spawn bag from Etsy (with rye on the bottom and soil on top) and inoculated it with spore solution 2 weeks ago.

I see mycelium in the rye but it doesn't seem to be in the soil. My question is, how do I know if the bag is ready to start fruiting? Do I wait until it starts pinning before I open it and start misting?

Meant to type Mushie, not Muskie. Lol

R504, that was a perfect opportunity for you to show us some dong, too, and YA BLEW IT

Hi Mushie and All Growers,

Would like to update that my mycelium jars were very happy without me for 10 days and are growing vigorously, with little pinheads starting to show! Going to start the "dunk and roll" tonight. It took 7 weeks to get to this point from inoculation. I think that the spores in liquid that I bought online must have been very dilute because some have seen full growth in two weeks. Hope to have shrooms to try in a few weeks.

Thanks for holding my hand!

Yay, r507! I am the OP. I finally found the balls to try my own capsules, and they are pretty much the same strength as the ones that I bought online. I can’t even put into words how much my life had changed. I have let go of anger. Thank you Mushie!

Tell us more about how your life has changed, if you don’t mind OP/508.

I find myself less and less angry daily, too—I notice if I start to react harshly (even just silently, in my mind) to something irritating, it only takes me a few seconds before I think, “Now, wait a minute. Maybe it’s not like that...” and I can see the other side of a situation, the other person’s viewpoint, etc.

I can’t wait until I’ve completely stopped my kratom use to see how the capsules help with that (I’m expecting some post-acute withdrawal syndrome when I’m completely kratom-free).

OP, I’m so excited for you and SO GLAD to hear your own capsules are the same...I was SURE they would be! Congratulations! 😊

I also have to say my life has been changed by this thread. What a godsend during such difficult times. I’m so grateful to everyone for being here. 😊😊😊

I love all of you on this thread. I was so excited to find it just as I had the thought to try mushrooms. I've now been taking them (three days on, at least two off) since October and I feel as if my steering wheel got unstuck. There's another path, and I know that I can find my happiness if I stick to wanting what is actually in my control. And it's plenty!

I've only ordered my capsules, so I wonder if growing my own is something I ought to try? Aside from the wonder of growing my own transformative mushrooms, any other reason to grow?

R511! YES! Growing them is actually a lot of fun! It seems complicated but once you get going it’s not too difficult. Something about seeing them grow is oddly moving, and I don’t even know why but I feel very attached to them. Maybe it’s just that know how much they will help me?

You should TOTALLY try it, It’s also less expensive than buying the capsules, once you invest in the basic supplies. And buying the spores is completely legal.

I agree, everyone in this thread has been amazing. Very caring and compassionate, and encouraging of each other. It truly has been a game changer, at least for me. ♥️

Thank you, farmer. I will do it!

Look what I had in my boxes today! I can’t get over how HUGE they are now...

I know there is some reason we are not supposed to let them open/release spores, but what is it? I didn’t expect them to open yet but overnight they did

Wow, Closet Farmer!

Mushie here. I wasn't checking in as often, apologies. My beloved dog had an emergency surgery and I've been at her side and rehabbing her for past 15 days or so but we're in the clear now! So happy to see everyone is growing and doing so well!

Lotion and Closet, sounds like everything is moving right along! Closet, you asked about harvesting soon after your veils break. The reason is simply for potency. There's some argument over this in the community--let them grow a few more days after the veils break, pick them as soon as you can after the veil breaks--shrooms do lose potency as they age, but the way we're growing in such sterile environs, they'd have to sit there for quite awhile to totally lose their potency. What you show in your photo will give you PLENTY of psilocybin. You may see over time that as your veils release spores into the bin, lots of tiny mushrooms will grow. Some growers don't want to deal with that as they're harder to harvest and don't pack the punch as their larger big sisters.

Some of you asked about dosage. Rule of thumb: ALWAYS TITRATE UP, and not during the trip, but trip to trip. So if you begin with 1.8 grams, stick with that for your first trip. Move up to 2 for your second trip if you want a more expansive experience. But don't eat another shroom during your first trip because "I'm not feeling anything." Golden teachers, penis envy, the usual B cubensis suspects, I always recommend 1.6 to just under 2 grams of dry shrooms for a nice, mellow trip. Two grams and you'll have a pretty long, vibrant experience. Get really comfortable with that 2 to 2.3ish amount before you move up.

I do have a friend who is part Sherman tank and takes close to 4 grams every trip and that's what works for her. So, to each his own. Just dedicate some time to your particular wellbeing and sweet spot.

And hopefully this goes without saying: you need to be in a positive mental and emotional space. And hopefully you have a trip guide or buddy to help you along the way just in case things take a little turn. The titrations should alleviate that, but going in openminded, accepting, and with great gratitude is where you want to be.

R504, what are you seeing now? You definitely want to see more mycelium but perhaps you are now. Have a new photo to share?

Hi Mushie! I’m so glad you’re back and your dog is okay! 😊

I cut the open mushrooms as soon as I saw them, it could not have happened more than a few hours before. I noticed that the boxes are less active now but there are more really big ones. There are also a lot of very small ones, just as you described. I have new rice bags going and think these boxes will be over soon.

I love your guidance about dosage and want to plan a “trip trip” soon but also wondered about the daily microdose. I started at 100mg and now alternate between 100-250mg in a three on, three off schedule. 250mg is more clearly perceptible and very pleasant. 😊 I know you said that it’s okay to go to a five on, two off schedule but is it okay to do that at 250mg? And will my body become too accustomed? Very interested in your thoughts. 😊

I’ve been taking 200mg at night and REALLY enjoying it, know what I mean?

I’m right there with you, R518. 😉

I have never taken them at night. Wouldn’t they keep you awake? I have also noticed, like r518, that 200mg works better for me than 100mg. It may be because of the Wellbutrin/Prozac combo that I am on.

R504 here.

Here's a timeline of my mushroom bag:

I inoculated it with a syringe of B+ spores on February 13th. On March 3rd (3 days after I made my post in this thread), I mixed the bag up so that the rye and the soil were mixed together (distributing the mycelium throughout the substrate) because that's what I was told to do. I'm afraid I may have done this prematurely, and caused the growth of my mycelium to slow down.

Here's what the bag looks like now:

How does it look to you, Mushie? Do you think in a week or so it'll be ready to fruit in the bag?

Hi, Closet. Yup, you're perfectly in the clear to go with that 5/2 schedule at 250mgs. In fact, if you're thinking of a "trip trip", moving up a little is a good idea. Anything under 500mgs in considered subhallucinogenic. Come back and let us know what you feel with that titration. I think it will be beneficial and the timing is right. As far as tolerance, it doesn't much apply to hallucinogens in my experience. You don't seem like the kind of guy to trip every day--that's where you run into tolerance issues. Being a mellow recreation user, you'll have pronounced effects at both sub- and hallucinogenic levels. I do take breaks from microdosing when I travel, or I'll sometimes do a cleanse, and find the benefits of microdosing to last long beyond ingestion. I did have a surgery a couple of years ago and was off all meds/vitamins for about six weeks and felt that old familiar reptilian brain kick in with its endless ruminations and anxieties and useless chatter . . . went back to 250mgs a day and all was right again after a few doses.

Non sequitur: There are ways to make your "brews" and trips more potent (ie quicker bio-available and highly soluble for quicker results), but that seems like info for our next thread.

Re taking your dose at night: by all means, go for it. Worst case scenario is you have some vividly spectacular dreams. No, a microdose will not keep you awake, especially if you set your intention around deep, restful sleep.

Question for group: has anyone noticed a difference in their sleep hygiene?

R521, you're looking good! You most likely did retard your growth a little, but that's no big deal at all. You're looking healthy and the mycelium is growing without contamination and that's what matters--as long as it's growing a little each day, you're on your way.

I've had a couple of bags and jars take nearly 11 weeks, some as little as 2.5. And they all grow like little weeds once I get them into the bins. (Well, I did have a few casualties early on, which is to be expected because I didn't know what the hell I was doing.)

From your photo, I'd say you're looking at next Wednesday-ish. Always happy to weigh in again if you want to post another photo.

Mushie, re: sleep hygiene, I’ve noticed since I started MDing—and I take the capsules at night, sometimes 100mg but usually 200—my dreams are extremely vivid, often annoying, but not remotely “bad” or nightmarish, and always in the hours just before waking. I feel that I don’t get restful sleep at all during those hours, so I might need to consider dosing much earlier in the evening. I “feel” the effects a bit too much for use during the day, I’m afraid. At least at 200mg.

I’ll add that I feel best after a night where I don’t dose. My mood is very, very good today, after a decent night’s sleep last night, with just a little bit of cannabis, no microdosing. I had taken 200mg each night the 2 nights before last. That seems to be how it goes, I always feel my best on my ‘off’ days.

I am still tapering off kratom, and yesterday (after a MD night) I was able to go all day without taking my tiny dose of kratom. But that may have something to do with the tiny bit of cannabis I had at about 5pm, as well.

Kratom at R624, are you still experiencing any of the anxiety that’s remedy to come with your earlier doses? This might be a moot question as you now dose before bed, but any news on that front?

Hmm, Mushie again. “Any of the anxiety that came with your earlier doses” was what I intended to ask, R524. Sheesh.

Thanks for asking, Mushie. No anxiety now whatsoever upon dosing. Whatever that was, it’s over and done with. I look forward to every dosing night.

I think I killed my mycelium by letting the containers become over colonized when I left home for 10 days. I used the "dunk and roll" method, put them in the terrarium with wet porous rocks, in indirect sunlight, sprayed them every day, but after almost two weeks, not a sign of fruiting.

I have another set of containers and another syringe of spores. Going to give this one last try.

Sorry to hear it, Lotion at R528. I was hoping they'd pull through and wanted to remain positive. It's okay, live and learn, and hopefully no unexpected trips thwart your grow this time. It's not like asking the neighbor to come over and feed the cat. Fortunately, I have a few friends now who can step in and mist/transfer/harvest when I have to travel, but I lost a few thrushes over the years before I had those people to help out.

I am working on getting more conventional mushrooms into my community garden, and this thread has been enormously helpful.

I may try more exotic varieties on my own now.

Thanks so much.

I've tried various methods of growing gourmet mushrooms outdoors over the years (oysters, chanterelles, shitake, porcini). I'll link a video below showing a tried-and-true outdoor "dowel and log" tek. They take awhile to get going but are self-regulating once established and harvested regularly. Once I got the gourmet varietals growing well, I tried some medicinal thrushes as well. They also grow well this way.

Obviously, you need some outdoor space and patience to make this work, but thought you'd all enjoy seeing another method.

Mushie, is that you in the video?!

No, sorry, I should have said so. It's a buddy of mine up outside of Ontario.

Great video, thanks!

Fantastic video! I’m actually intrigued and I’m tempted to try it...would it work in a place like NYC where there are cold winters and broiling hot summers? I saw there was snow on the ground and it made me think maybe...

I adjusted my dose and it’s been about a week...I’m loving it. You’re right, I’m not the type to trip 24/7 (and in fact don’t drink or use drugs other than MJ occasionally), but I am definitely curious about the psychedelic experience and always knew I would find a way to have one. I’m figuring maybe when the weather is better and things have, I hope, improved. In the meantime, should I be experimenting with the range between 250-500mg?

I think my original boxes may be nearing their end, but I got more that one quart of dried B+ and Penis Envy out of them! I have three new batches of different spores in bags and looks like they are basically ready to be transferred so the timing is perfect.

And yes, we should make sure we start a new thread before this one gets closed at 600. I definitely want to hear about bioavailability and everything else the fantastic posters on this thread have to offer!

Isn’t 500mg considered a “museum” dose? (I don’t know why it’s called that, exactly, but my understanding is it’s quite a bit closer to an actual trip than a microdose is.)

I’m very happy with my 200mg dose. That’s with my 100mg daily sertraline “getting in the way”, so to speak. It’s working great. The only thing is I’m experiencing a bit of push and pull with the MD because I’m still tapering off kratom and with each drop, my mood and energy waver quite a bit. But I’m otherwise doing fine. Smoking pot every night, too, and having a blast!

That's exactly right, a 500mg is considered a museum dose (your mileage may vary at this dosage, so be willing to practice a little patience and titration here at this level.) Alex Shulgin coined "museum level" and it basically means you can feel the effects but no one notices you feeling the effects. You're blending in and enjoying the art along with everyone else.

Anyhow, 500mg is the typical threshold between sub- and hallucinogenic effects. Some folks tip higher, some a little lower, but that's the baseline to begin experimenting with a mellow hallucinogenic journey.

Yes, R535, mushrooms go dormant but don't die in the winters, hence mushroom hunters return to their favorite secret spots year after year. NY springs and autumns are heaven for mushrooms. The dowel and log method is so great, too, because the wax sealant keeps out contaminants that take down most wild thrushes. And it's cheap and no-fuss.

Hope you all have a relaxing, peaceful weekend.

Oh, and yes, Closet, titrate up a little each week or two until you get up to 500 if you're preparing for a trip. I wouldn't microdose for long at over 400mgs, just because you don't get many added benefits at that level other than making sure you don't feel strange (trippy or your stomach hurts) at that level. If close to 500 feels good to you, let me know when you hit that level and how you feel and I'm happy to prep you for a good, safe, first trip.

In my experience, spring is the perfect time for it. Renewal, hope, growth, and new life to sit and look at for hours in your yard or patio.

Would some kind soul help a first timer? My depression is very bad Would this one be the right kind for a first time? Cubensis Active Psylocybin Thank you.

Yes, that is what people use to microdose for depression. If you read from the top you will see a lot of genuinely useful info and people willing to help. 😊

@R540- Thanks, dear. Here is to hope. I have been plagued with depression most of life and gave had no success with antidepressants, just nasty side effects. I love you bitches so much! 😆

Do it, R541! It worked for us. Let us know how it goes for you.

I will! I'm just told my husband. He looks a bit fearful about the possibility of me freaking out, but he knows what I have been through with this, and he said " I will be right by your side , honey." Mary!

Yeah, this thread has been life changing for me and is by far my favorite thread on DL, ever. Everyone here is sincere and willing to share what they know. I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon it. 😊

My partner has zero interest in this, R543, but like your husband he supports me. And I know he would agree that it has been good for me. You will not regret trying and people here will have helpful info to help you along.

Growing the spores sounds really complicated. Can anyone who is new at it weigh in?

R545, I have done it for the first time ever based on what I read here. I was ambivalent but it was really not that bad! I learned a lot and in fact I have my second batches ready to be sent to fruiting tomorrow. I ended up with close to half a gallon of dried mushrooms (and counting, my original spores are still producing months later).

Growing them has been almost as meaningful to me as taking them, I think. I highly recommend it. 😊

R546- If the pills I ordered work, I want to grow my own as well. Much like you , for the therapeutic value of watching them grow and tending to them. It is strange, I feel an enormous relief all ready, as if I have finally found a solution and relief is on the way. This darkness is soul crushing. I can't wait!

R547, I just placed my third order. I couldn’t be happier with the capsules, and don’t worry, you won’t freak out on them at all.

Mushie,

I inoculated 6 BRF jars on 3/11. So far, 4 jars still have no sign of growth, one has very slight growth, and for some reason this jar (inoculated with Blue Meanies) just EXPLODED. The way it colonized so much quicker than the other jars makes me suspicious. Do you think it's myc or contam? Why do you think it colonized so much quicker than the others?

R546, the sterile environment is what scares me. I don't know if I am able to have such a sterile space to make sure nothing goes awry.

R550- Same . We have a floor safe. I wonder if that would be a good environment for them. This website has very good info.

You know, I think the most important period is the inoculation when it comes to the spores and keeping a sterile environment. Once you have the mycelium cake and plant it, it seems like just washing your hands and basic precautions is enough.

I used the Uncle Ben’s method up above in the Medium article because then I didn’t have to stress over sterilizing the jars and I just threw away the empty bags at the end.

For the fruiting environment I used those plastic shoeboxes with coco coir as the planting medium. I prepared it per the directions and rinsed the cakes in water first. I keep them in my closet with a plant light on a timer and keep the closet around 75 degrees.

Thanks, R552. I have already decided to try and grow them, and will buy everything I need when my stim check arrives- thanks President Biden! - it is a an investment in my mental health. I just hope I can do it, as I unfortunately have no luck or experience at growing things.

Which company will ship low dose caps to the US?

I'd love to try microdosing but I wouldn't know where or how to buy. Instead I bought some Kava to try. Hopefully it doesn't destroy my liver.

The company is upthread. We avoid typing it out to protect them. It’s a completely professional operation and I’ve ordered several times now.

There are also two companies that sell spores up above.

Don’t worry R553...I am horrible with plants usually and have even killed those “air plants” 😂 but for some reason this hasn’t been too hard once I figured it out. It helps that people here have coached me but if I can do it, I know you can too!

Thanks R556, dumb question do you guys use your real names? I doubt it matters but you can tell I'm naïve here.

Yes, because as you will find out they have created a clever way to keep what they are selling a secret. I’ve done it several times now and although I was nervous at first, I don’t even think about that anymore. 😊

Have any of you heard of Microdosing. Com? I am thinking of using them.

The company up thread did not have an option to ship in the US.

The one I use for capsules is microdose nature . dot com😊

For spores, premium spores dot com

R561- Thank you! You are doing the Lord's work! 😘

Anyone have a source in Colorado?

Thank the posters here who showed me how. ♥️ This is a supportive group and generous with what they know. 😊

I thought Colorado legalized mushrooms? Or did they just decriminalize them? Anyway, should be easy to Google. They come fast from Canada, much faster than their estimated shipping time and I’m all the way across the continent in NYC. Takes under a week, usually.

R564, I'm not in Colorado just close. Less time in transit was my thinking.

How long does it usually take to get them, I ask anxiously.

To the east coast, generally under a week. They are on the west coast of Canada. So if you are further west, likely even sooner. If you pay for tracking (cheap and worth it), you will know when it crosses the border and can see when it’s out for delivery locally.

R567- Thanks so much, and yes, I did pay for tracking. I wish it were here today. Can't wait to get some relief from this depression. My mother suffered from depression as well. I truly feel it is inherited in some cases. Fingers crossed🤞

R549, yeah, that timing is a little suspect and I'm not seeing the webs we want. Although, I'm also not seeing a slight green/brown color that comes with contamination. Hold on to that blue meanies jar a few more days and check back in with another photo by Wednesday or Thursday, okay? I've had a few inoculations take off within 10 days, so it's not out of the question, but you usually don't see the full "fluff" so close together so fast.

Just hold tight and update us soon. I should be able to tell in a few more days, and if possible, get really close up on the growth.

Love all the other back and forth going on! Closet Farmer, look at you spreading your knowledge! So great to see.

I started up another thread for us as this one is quickly filling up!

R565, where are you in CO and how far are you willing to travel? I may have a few recommendations.

I've been lurking here awhile. I quietly ordered from the Canadian site about six weeks ago thinking "this sounds too good to be true" and was fully prepared for nothing to happen. I just ordered my second round. And now seriously looking into growing my own.

For the first week, I figured it was a placebo effect. Something CHANGED. Noticeably. Other people noticed.

I gained a lot of weight after a terrible breakup, death of my dad, and a bad car accident just before COVID, and that exacerbated everything. Just started eating my feelings, gained about 50 lbs in 2.5 years.

I've lost 18 pounds since I started the microdosing. The compulsivity is gone. The loneliness, the boredom, is there, and I acknowledge it, but it doesn't feel so damn hard anymore. I just have this "this is all okay, I'm all right, just get up and get get started and keep going" every day now. Someone here said to set an intention with each microdose, and my intention is to be healthier, and better to my own body.

Y'all have really helped me more than anyone knows.

R572, I completely relate. It doesn’t change reality but makes it much easier to accept somehow. It’s made a huge difference especially in these very difficult times just to be able to accept things and keep on going. I’m so happy for you and for all of us! ♥️

Mushie, I’d know nothing if it wasn’t for this thread and especially you! 😊 I really appreciate the opportunity to talk to someone who knows so much about something that I always wanted to know. ♥️

Yesterday I cut open most of my rice bags and a few had brown mold at the top of the bag where the mycelium failed to populate. I ended up throwing away the moldy part but keeping the very bottom where there was a solid white cake...think that’s okay? They didn’t smell bad or anything like some bags in the past. Everything smelled like mushrooms.

I segregated those in a box by themselves and made sure I cut way down, but is there any danger to this, apart from maybe the mushrooms failing to thrive? I’ve marked the boxes and can always throw them out.

Closet, I would have done/have done the exact same thing. You already know this, but just keep an eye out for discoloration in your bins. It's almost always a faint green or dark brown--you'll know it when you see it. The inoculation is so finicky about sterility, sometimes an interloping particle joins the party and is harmless. Mycelium will also reject trace contaminants and keep themselves healthy. You'll know soon enough.

Is this your second harvest you're into now? And you said you had about half a gallon from your first thrushes? That's fantastic for a beginner, truly, give yourself some praise!

And some news: You may recall I've been researching mycology programs. Turns out, there are none, not accredited. But after digging and sleuthing and conversations that led to other conversations that led to more conversations, I've found a very reputable practitioner and policy leader willing to train me this summer and fall. They (not using pronouns on purpose) already have a practice going in Oregon, not too far from me, and with permission from each patient and practitioner, I'll be sitting in on various client sessions, workshops and conferences. It's not quite academically what I had in mind but this is where the journey has led me, so I'm embracing it. I'm grateful to this thread and to each of you for reminding me of what's important: kindness and transformation.

R572, that’s so great to hear.

I'm going to sell legit logs and some...lol

Oh, new place and raked the leaves, blew them but no swallow. Anyway, there was mycelium naturally occurring under the leaves. Sell inoculated legal logs. My friend's landlord does this. And have a couple hidden.

I live in Colorado, and ordered from a company in Colorado that I found online. They took credit cards, which I found suspect. They sent me a chocolate bar that was really strong (in a good way). Everything turned out fine.

Mushie, that’s FANTASTIC! I’m so excited for you and can’t wait to see what you learn! I’m glad you are getting something out of this thread because you are really contributing to it in a major way. 😊😊😊

Yes, second group of spores but still getting some from the old boxes. My entire closet is becoming a terrarium. There’s too much activity in the old boxes to empty them out, though. I’m glad to hear I handled the brown mold okay, very excited to see what comes of these new ones. This has been the most entertained I’ve been for quite some time.

R579, do they ship outside if CO?

Yes, r581.

Thanks, R579! Now if only I could figure out which retailer in CO that is...

Kratom quitter, Buy magic mushrooms usa. They were slow in shipping (took almost two weeks even though I’m in the same city) but the product is great.

Reminder to move to next thread as this one creeps toward 600