Psilocybin mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms," are a type of mushroom that contains the naturally occurring compound psilocybin. When consumed, psilocybin can produce various psychological and physiological effects, including altered states of consciousness and changes in perception.
While psilocybin mushrooms are typically consumed by ingesting them, some users find that the taste of these mushrooms is unpleasant and seek out alternative methods of consumption, such as brewing them into tea, making shroom chocolate, or adding them to smoothies or shakes.
Nevertheless, some people may be interested in exploring other options, such as snorting shrooms.
It is important to note that the following text is only intended for education and harm reduction purposes. We do not advocate the use or purchase of illegal drugs, nor do we provide medical advice.
In this post, we'll explore whether snorting shrooms is a good idea and whether it carries any risks or dangers.
Can You Snort Shrooms: Yes or No?
Short and straightforward, the answer is NO, don't snort shrooms. While it is possible to grind them into shroom powder and snort them, it can be incredibly dangerous and might not even give you the desired results.
Read on to learn everything you need to know about snorting magic mushrooms.
Why Do People Snort Shrooms?
Simply put, most people don't even consider snorting shrooms a possibility.
Some people may think that snorting shrooms will enhance their psychedelic experience and prevent it from going through their digestive system. This argument is somewhat true for some other substances but not for psilocybin shrooms.
In most cases, users take shrooms by eating them in their natural dry or fresh form or by creating edibles.
So the answer is very simple, people don't snort shrooms. Nevertheless, there are psychedelic users out there that may raise questions regarding other ways of consuming shrooms or other relevant substances. For example, some people were wondering if they could smoke shrooms, and the answer was that it might be dangerous since the user might end up with spores inside of his body, which can lead to mold or spore infarction.
Snorting Vs. Eating Shrooms
In order to understand the psychedelic effects associated with shrooms, it is necessary to understand how Psilocin and Psilocybin work.
The psychedelic effect of shrooms comes from psilocin, which is a compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of magic mushrooms. Psilocin is structurally similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin, and it activates serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered perception, mood changes, and changes in thinking and behavior that are characteristic of magic mushroom use.
Psilocin is formed in the body when psilocybin, a compound found in magic mushrooms, is metabolized. Psilocybin is a prodrug, which means that it is converted to another compound (in this case, psilocin) when it is metabolized by the body. Psilocybin is converted to psilocin in the liver, and the metabolized psilocin is then circulated through the bloodstream and reaches the brain, where it produces the psychoactive effects of magic mushrooms.
Oral psilocybin consumption results in a metabolization of it primarily in the liver. This conversion to psilocin initiates a first-pass reaction in the body in which its concentration is greatly reduced before it gets to systemic circulation.
Regarding snorting shrooms, until there is some real research on this specific consumption method, we can't be sure if the psilocybin-to-psilocin conversion process remains intact. But considering the dangers associated with inhaling mushroom spores, the easy answer will be, "Just don't do it."
Also, practically speaking, a middle-size dose of shrooms will be around 2-3 grams, so let's say you wish to snort less of it since you think you will get a stronger effect, you will still need to snort at least more than a gram of shrooms. That is quite a lot to snort, so please don't.
Does Snorting Shrooms Produce a Psychedelic Effect?
Our answer is not conclusive; we are not sure, as you will see in the next section, but the dangers associated with snorting shrooms are real.
From the small amounts of online testimonials we were able to gather on this topic, it seems inconclusive, so further research is needed to be sure if snorting shrooms will create a stronger effect or any effect whatsoever.
Some say that probably yes, but the risks are too much, and it is just not logical to snort it if you can digest it. Most comments online ended up with people telling the person to eat the shrooms in their natural form and respect mother nature. In contrast, others said they did experience a psychedelic effect, and some also added that they felt sick after it.
Dangers of Snorting Psilocybin Shrooms
Before we dive into the dangers of snorting shrooms, we need to mention the general dangers and side effects that can result from taking magic mushrooms, such as developing HPPD, having a really bad trip, experiencing nausea, and other unwanted side effects, and in addition, some believe that in certain cases shrooms may even lead into going into psychosis, especially for those with a family history of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.
Find out more about Magic Mushrooms' potential dangers and side effects.
Despite the lack of real research on this specific question, we have gathered the main dangers associated with snorting shroom powder, which include:
Damage to the Nasal Passages
Snorting any substance can potentially lead to damage to the nasal passages, sinuses, and throat. This can cause inflammation, irritation, and even bleeding.
Risk of Infection
Snorting drugs can increase the risk of infection, as the nasal passages are lined with delicate tissues that can be easily damaged. This can lead to sinus infections and other respiratory problems.
You May End Up Inhaling Mold Spores
When you snort mushrooms, you may inhale mold spores. Mold can grow on various plants and fungi, including tobacco, cannabis, and mushrooms, so it can pose a serious health risk. Those with mold allergies, preexisting lung conditions, or weakened immune systems may experience serious health consequences when inhaling certain mold varieties.
However, as you will see in the next part, things can get even worse.
You May End Up With Mushrooms Growing in Your Bloodstream
While this sounds almost unthinkable, unfortunately, it is somewhat of a possibility. For example, it was reported on Live Science that a 30-year-old man infected himself with a magic mushroom tea concoction in his vein, resulting in a serious condition in which multiple organs, including the liver and kidneys, began to fail, and the man was transferred to an intensive care unit. He was found to have Brevibacillus and Psilocybe cubensis in his blood - meaning the magic mushroom he injected was now growing inside of him.
What About Psilocybin Nasal Spray?
Several commercial companies around the world are currently working on developing nasal sprays based on psilocybin to treat a variety of conditions.
Madrigal Mental Care Developed a Nasal Spray for PTSD
Madrigal Mental Care, an Israeli-based biopharmaceutical company, has developed a nasal spray nanotechnology that utilizes organic nanoparticles to deliver precise doses of psychedelic substances directly to the brain.
The technology, which was developed by Professor Amnon Sintov at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and licensed from BGN Technologies, includes biodegradable nanoparticles that encapsulate molecules such as psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) and ketamine, mescaline, and MDMA.
In vitro studies have shown that the psilocybin doses used in the nanoparticles have a beneficial effect on inflamed brain cells. The technology has the potential to revolutionize the field of psychedelic-based treatments for mental disorders such as PTSD and depression and is currently undergoing testing with the aim of achieving efficacy and safety approvals for clinical use.
Silo Wellness is Developing a Psilocybin Nasal Spray
Silo Wellness has developed a psilocybin nasal spray that allows for the administration of the psychedelic compound through the nasal membranes, bypassing the digestive system. It is intended to be used as part of a psilocybin-assisted therapy program.
Silo Wellness has filed patent applications for the psilocybin nasal spray, including a provisional application in July 2019 and a nonprovisional utility patent application in July 2020. The company has announced the development of the nasal spray in Jamaica, where such psychedelic compounds are legal. In November 2020, the state of Oregon passed Measure 109, which allows for the use of psilocybin in therapy and directs the Oregon Health Authority to create a state-licensed psilocybin-assisted therapy program. Silo Wellness plans to offer psilocybin retreats in Oregon and potentially incorporate the nasal spray into clinical counseling sessions once the therapy program is implemented.
The development and availability of this psilocybin nasal spray depend on regulatory approval. The Oregon Health Authority will be responsible for creating the regulatory regime for the use of psilocybin in therapy, and it is unclear at this time what the approval process will involve or when the therapy program will be implemented. It is also important to note that the psilocybin nasal spray will not be available for purchase in stores and can only be obtained only through the therapy program at state-licensed psilocybin service centers.
Alternatives to Snorting Shrooms
As we've mentioned several times in this post, snorting shrooms is a very bad idea. There are plenty of other ways to consume shrooms that are less dangerous and follow basic harm reduction purposes.
Eating Shrooms in the Natural Way
Although it may seem obvious to some people, there's a reason something remains classic and mainstream. Shrooms are taken orally, in both their dry and fresh forms. If you don't mind how they taste, you can take them in their natural form by chewing them and swallowing them.
Lemon Tek: The Actual Way to Make Your Trip Stronger
The "lemon tek" is a method of preparing magic mushrooms for ingestion. It requires soaking dried magic psilocybin mushrooms in lemon juice (fresh is better) for a period of time before consuming them. It is believed that lemon juice helps break down the mushroom's cell walls, making its active compounds more readily available to the body. Additionally, lemon tek is widely believed to produce a somewhat shorter but more intense trip with fewer nausea symptoms.
To perform the lemon tek, you will need the following:
-
- Dried magic mushrooms
- Lemon juice
- Water
- A glass or ceramic bowl
- A strainer
Here's a simple recipe for making lemon tek:
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- Grind the dried mushrooms into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle.
- Place the ground mushrooms in a glass or ceramic bowl.
- Pour enough lemon juice over the mushrooms to cover them fully.
- Stir the mixture for a few minutes to ensure that the acid comes into contact with all of the mushroom particles.
- Let the mixture sit for at least 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Strain the mixture through a strainer to separate the liquid from the solids. Discard the solids.
- Add enough water to the strained liquid to make it easier to drink.
- Drink the liquid, and then follow it with the remaining solids (if desired).
It's important to note that the effectiveness of the lemon tek method is not supported by scientific evidence, and there is no consensus on the optimal soaking time or the best type of acid to use.
Making Edible Psilocybin Treats From Shrooms
It's no secret that many people who use psychedelics can't stand the natural taste of shrooms. That's why there are a variety of recipes for making edible psilocybin products. The list can go on forever, but the main edibles are blue honey, psilocybin chocolate, psilocybin shakes or smoothies, magic mushroom tea, and even psilocybin gummies.
Please note that in spite of the fact that all of these recipes seem very friendly, they are, in fact, very potent. So please make sure you follow the proper harm reduction techniques and stay safe.
Snorting Psilocybin Shrooms: Conclusion
In conclusion, it is not recommended to snort psilocybin mushrooms due to the potential risks and dangers associated with this method of consumption. For now, it is unclear whether snorting shrooms produces the same psychoactive effects as consuming them orally, but it does seem like a very bad idea.
The method of consumption is just as important as the substance itself when it comes to minimizing potential risks and negative consequences. It is important for individuals to educate themselves about the various methods of consumption and choose the one that is safest and most appropriate for their needs. In the case of psilocybin mushrooms, consuming them orally through methods such as eating them or brewing them into tea is a safer option than snorting them. Remember to always consider the potential risks and consequences of substance use and choose a method of consumption that is safe and responsible.
