If you are trying to lose (and keep off) excess weight, one of the most important things that you need to learn and master is creating a calorie deficit. Essentially, that means that you need to burn off more calories than you eat.
One important component of that is calorie counting or tracking. This helps you become more aware of how many calories you take in. Calories aren't exactly bad. However, you need to be mindful of your food consumption and energy expenditure if your goal is to lose excess weight.
And if you ingest magic mushrooms regularly while trying to lose weight, it can be helpful to know how many carbs are there in this type of fungi.
Carbs in Psilocybin Mushrooms
Not much is known about psilocybin mushrooms, in part due to the lack of research. Fortunately, more researchers are taking interest in shrooms as well as their potential benefits.
With regards to the number of carbohydrates in magic mushrooms, there is a dearth of information that you can find online.
According to an entry on MyFitnessPal.com, one serving of magic mushrooms equivalent to 0.125 ounces contains one gram of carbs or eight calories.
Magic mushrooms also contain a gram of dietary fiber, two grams of protein, 250 milligrams of potassium, and 20% iron. All of these figures are based on a diet of 2000 calories per day.
Essentially, this means that psychedelic mushrooms do not contribute much to your daily caloric intake.
Nutritional Content of Mushrooms
Although mushrooms have been used by many civilizations both as food and medicine, there are still plenty of people who are aware of the value of this type of fungi.
The truth is that edible mushrooms are under-appreciated despite their nutritional value and the health benefits they offer. All types of edible mushrooms, including magic mushrooms, contain a minimal amount of fat and calories, making them perfect for people who wish to manage their weight.
But aside from that, mushrooms also contain a moderate amount of fiber and nutrients like niacin, folate, zinc, selenium, potassium, vitamins B1 and B2, copper, and iron.
Researchers also say that edible mushrooms contain substances that offer a few interesting health benefits like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Non-nutritive substances like carotenoids, polysaccharides, indoles, and polyphenols found in edible mushrooms provide these benefits.
Although most people categorize mushrooms as fungi, they are not plants. They are actually a type of fungus. Mushrooms produce ergosterol which is roughly the equivalent of cholesterol in animals. When ergosterol is exposed to ultraviolet light, it transforms into vitamin D.
And finally, mushrooms can imbue dishes with an umami flavor because of their glutamate content. This is why many chefs use them in their dishes. Glutamate is a type of amino acid that can also be found in a variety of food products like fish, meats, and cheeses.
Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Various types of edible mushrooms like shiitake and maitake have been used in some countries as medicines. Some mushroom species that may not be fit for consumption because of their toughness are used as medicine.
The various substances present in mushrooms offer health benefits but researchers are still baffled how they do that.
Brain function
Researchers have discovered adding more mushrooms to your diet can help protect the brains of older adults. According to studies, some of the substances found in the edible variety of mushrooms like ergothioneine have the potential to prevent diseases like dementia.
But how many edible mushrooms do you need to eat to reap this benefit? According to a study conducted on Chinese participants 60 years old and above, you need to eat more than two servings of mushrooms a week.
Stomach health
The edible variety of mushrooms contains a substance known as a polysaccharide. Polysaccharides function as a prebiotic, providing food for the good bacteria found in your gut. Eating mushrooms stimulates the growth of good bacteria while protecting them.
Heart health, cancer, and diabetes
Some studies say that eating mushrooms regularly does not contribute to the risks of heart problems, certain types of cancers, and type 2 diabetes.
However, it is worthwhile to point out that due to the limited consumption of mushrooms, these studies may not paint an accurate picture of the effects of mushrooms on these diseases.
Are some mushrooms healthier?
There are thousands of mushroom varieties, including magic mushrooms. As for the edible varieties, their nutritional values may differ slightly.
In many countries, white mushrooms are the most widely consumed. These mushrooms are rich in potassium. Mushroom varieties like portabella mushrooms are rich in ergothioneine.
If you want to add more fiber to your diet, your best bets are shiitake and oyster mushrooms as these contain about two grams of fiber for each serving. Additionally, when you expose portabella and maitake mushrooms to ultraviolet light, their vitamin D content increases.
Edible Varieties of Mushrooms vs. Poisonous Mushrooms
Foraging mushrooms, whether you are on the hunt for psychedelic mushrooms or edible varieties, is an enjoyable activity, especially if you live in an area where these fungi typically grow.
However, foraging mushrooms is not without risks. In particular, there is a high risk that you can end up getting and eating poisonous mushrooms.
If you are planning on foraging edible or magic mushrooms, you have to learn to distinguish them from the poisonous ones.
Here are a few important things to bear in mind.
Dispelling a few myths
Some foragers subscribe to the idea that if you can peel off the cap of the mushrooms you found, then eating them should be safe. However, that is not always true for all mushrooms. In fact, a poisonous mushroom known as the Death Cap has a cap that can be easily peeled off.
Another prevalent myth about edible mushrooms is that if you find some growing on wood, then they are fit for human consumption. Again, that is not always true. One good example of that is the Funeral Bell Mushroom.
Finally, it is not true that if you see wildlife eating mushrooms then they are okay to eat. You have to know that some animals are immune to the poison contained in some mushrooms.
General rules to follow
Now that you are aware of some of the myths about foraging for mushrooms, there are a few basic guidelines that you need to know.
First, stay away from mushrooms that have white gills that look like a ring. These gills are found on the stem. Another feature to watch out for is the volva. The volva is a sac that is located at the base of some mushrooms. The presence of these does not necessarily mean that the mushrooms you found are poisonous. However, some members of poisonous Amanita mushroom species have these features.
Avoid mushrooms that have stems or caps that have a red color. Having these features doesn't necessarily mean that the mushrooms you found are poisonous. However, it is better to err on the side of caution.
One final thing to remember is that if you are unsure if the mushrooms you found are really edible and not poisonous, it is best to get the help of a mycologist before picking and eating them.
The aforementioned rules do not necessarily indicate that the mushrooms you may find are poisonous. However, the risk of picking and eating poisonous mushrooms is incredibly high. And as such, it is a good idea to exercise caution and restraint when foraging mushrooms.
Observing mushrooms
When foraging for mushrooms, it is a good idea to note a few observations you make about them. Using that information, you can compare these with the information on a mushroom field guide.
Specifically, take note of the following:
- Area where the mushrooms are growing
- Aroma
- Groupings (single, in a ring)
- Changes in color when cut
- Size, shape, texture, color of cap
- Size, shape, texture of stem
- Presence of gills, spikes, and spores on caps
- Flesh texture.
Creating a spore print
Spore prints are useful in confirming whether the mushrooms you found belong to one of the edible varieties or not.
To create a spore print, all you have to do is remove the mushroom stem and put the gills on top of a piece of paper. After that, leave the paper overnight.
How to Enjoy Magic Mushrooms
One great thing about magic mushrooms is that you can consume them in a variety of ways, depending on your personal preferences. And if you are conscious about the calories you consume, you can find a way to enjoy magic mushrooms that work best for you.
Eating magic mushrooms raw
The simplest and probably the most common way to consume magic mushrooms is to eat them raw. To get the most out of the experience, you should carefully chew the magic mushrooms. This will ensure that more psilocybin is released from the shrooms and get mixed with your blood.
With this consumption method, it can take 30 to 45 minutes for the magic mushrooms to take effect. Some researchers say that having an empty stomach makes it easier for the effects to kick in.
One drawback of using magic mushrooms this way is that chewing can become tedious. To avoid this, you can use a truffle grinder and then create a paste.
Brewing magic mushrooms into tea
Another drawback of eating magic mushrooms is that they have a bitter taste. One way to overcome that is to brew magic mushrooms into tea. This helps eliminate the bitter taste.
Brewing magic mushroom tea is relatively straightforward. All you have to do is to crush the magic mushrooms and then throw them into boiling water. Allow the concoction to simmer but do not boil the shrooms. Too much heat destroys the psilocybin in magic mushrooms.
Drink lemon tek
Lemon tek is a refreshing concoction that is the result of combining fresh lemon juice with magic mushrooms.
Aside from eliminating the unpleasant taste of magic mushrooms, lemons can help the effects of shrooms set in faster.
The drink is easy to prepare. All you have to do is to soak cut or ground-up magic mushrooms in freshly-squeezed lemon for a few minutes. Afterward, use a piece of cheesecloth or filter paper to filter the juice into a glass.
You can enjoy this concoction as is or add water or tea. Adding water or tea can help change the taste of the concoction and allow you to drink it longer. And instead of lemon, you can substitute it with lemon.
If you are trying this brew, it is a good idea to use fewer magic mushrooms than you usually do. Lemon tek tends to be more potent.
Microdose magic mushrooms with capsules
Although magic mushrooms first gained popularity because of their psychedelic properties, there is a growing segment of users who use them to gain more focus and creativity through microdosing.
Microdosing magic mushrooms can be done in a variety of ways. But the easiest one is to use an empty capsule filled with ground magic mushrooms.
Microdosing with capsules is a discreet and convenient way to consume magic mushrooms. You do not have to deal with elaborate preparations and you can easily hide your capsules from prying eyes. Plus you do not have to deal with the taste of magic mushrooms.
Adding magic mushrooms to food
You can add magic mushrooms to regular food. Doing so can help add a new dimension of flavor to your dishes. Plus, it is an easy way to consume magic mushrooms.
If you are going to add mushrooms to a dish, it is best to avoid cooking them. Instead, add the psilocybin mushrooms to the food once you are done cooking. This will help preserve the psilocybin. Otherwise, if you expose the magic mushrooms to excessive heat, you may be underwhelmed with the experience.
Keeping Your Magic Mushrooms Fresh with Proper Storage
Magic mushrooms can go bad. And it is not a great idea to use them when they have gone past their viability. You will know that your magic mushrooms have gone bad when they are filled with mold, have changed color, and emit a bad smell.
If you consume magic mushrooms that have gone bad, especially if they contain mold, you are likely to suffer from an allergic reaction or some respiratory issue. Plus, expired psilocybin mushrooms have little to no potency. Simply put, do not consume expired magic mushrooms.
When stored properly, dried magic mushrooms can last up to a year. Fresh mushrooms, on the other hand, can only last for a few days inside the fridge.
So how do you properly store magic mushrooms?
Use airtight containers
The best way to store magic mushrooms is to use airtight containers. When exposed to the air, especially oxygen, magic mushrooms begin to degrade and dry out faster. In turn, this can cause your shrooms to lose potency.
If you are using an airtight container for storing magic mushrooms, keep the container in a dark place.
Refrigerate your magic mushrooms
Do not store your dried magic mushrooms inside the refrigerator. They can end up getting damaged by the cold.
Fresh magic mushrooms, on the other hand, can be stored inside the fridge for up to a week. Anything longer than that can your magic mushrooms can go bad.
Drying Magic Mushrooms
Excess moisture can hasten the expiration of magic mushrooms. As such, you either have to eat freshly picked magic mushrooms or dry them at once. Magic mushrooms can last longer when they are dried. If you happen to find or buy fresh magic mushrooms, it is a good idea to dry and cure them so you can enjoy them for a longer time instead of trying to use them in one go before they expire.
Air drying
The simplest way to dry magic mushrooms is to air dry them for one to three days. To do this, you will need to find an area that is moderately warm, about 15 C, and a humidity of around 55% to 65%. During this time, your magic mushrooms shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight.
You will also need a wire rack so that your mushrooms can dry evenly. Alternatively, you can use a clean piece of cloth. Just remember to turn your magic mushrooms from time to time.
Your magic mushrooms are completely dry when you can snap the stem without any resistance.
Using a dehydrator
If you have a dehydrator at home, you can use it to dry your magic mushrooms.
If you opt for this route, be sure to start with a low temperature. You should also monitor your mushrooms to prevent them from being overdone. When you see that your magic mushrooms are just about to be done, monitor them every few minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do shrooms stay in the body?
On average, magic mushrooms stay in the body for 24 hours. The actual length of time shrooms stay in your body is influenced by factors like your dosage, method of ingestion, mushroom species, and metabolism.
Can drug tests detect magic mushrooms?
Magic mushrooms can show up on specialized drug tests. However, most drug tests do not look for magic mushrooms and it is possible to go undetected.
Additionally, the human body metabolizes the magic mushroom compounds quicker than the compounds of other substances.
Is it possible to flush magic mushrooms from your body faster?
Drinking lots of fluids can help the kidney flush out magic mushroom compounds much quicker. However, the difference is barely noticeable because psilocybin is quickly excreted by the body.
How do you store magic mushrooms?
That depends on whether you bought fresh or dried mushrooms.
Fresh mushrooms can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Do not store your shrooms in the freezer. The combination of cold temperature and moisture can hasten the build-up of mold and bacterial infestation.
Dried mushrooms are best stored in an airtight container. Inside an airtight container, your shrooms can last up to a year.
Learn About Magic Mushrooms and More
Want to learn more about magic mushrooms or even other products like CBD, THC, Kratom, and more? Check out our other blog entries.
