How to Take Shrooms: 7 Methods to Try for Newbies

Have you ever wondered how to take shrooms? This guide navigates beginner-friendly methods for using mushrooms safely and intentionally. Whether you're interested in the psychoactive effects or want to better understand how mushrooms can cause shifts in perception and the sense of time, it’s important to start in a safe and supportive environment.

Since different species of magic mushrooms can vary in potency and side effects, this article is meant to help you feel the effects with awareness—so you can reduce risks, recognize the physical effects, and learn more about substance use before you ingest your first dose.

How to Take Shrooms

• Eating raw or dried mushrooms
• Making mushroom tea
• Taking psilocybin capsules
• Mixing with food (e.g., peanut butter, chocolate)
• Lemon tek method
• Mushroom microdosing
• Combining with other substances (not recommended for beginners)

Eating Raw or Dried Mushrooms

One of the most straightforward ways to use magic mushrooms is by eating them raw or dried. Dried mushrooms are often preferred because they contain psilocybin in a more stable form, making them more potent and easier to store long-term.

When you ingest dried mushrooms, chewing them thoroughly helps release psilocybin and psilocin—two hallucinogenic compounds that cause hallucinations and affect both the body and mind. This method may start to feel effective within 30 to 60 minutes and can last three to six hours.

While simple, eating mushrooms can cause nausea and other physical effects due to their tough texture and earthy flavor. It's essential to remember that some mushrooms look similar to poisonous mushrooms, so accurate identification is crucial.

Making Mushroom Tea

Brewing shrooms in hot water is a popular way to reduce nausea and ease the ingestion process, especially for beginners. This method involves steeping chopped or ground dried mushrooms in hot (but not boiling) water for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Adding ingredients like lemon, ginger, or honey can improve the taste and further reduce discomfort. Because psilocybin and psilocin are water-soluble, this method allows users to start to feel the effects more quickly—typically within 20 to 40 minutes.

Mushroom tea may also result in a more manageable onset of the hallucinogenic effects, making it easier to maintain a safe and supportive environment. However, the strength of the trip can still vary depending on several factors, including the types of magic mushrooms used and how regularly one consumes them.

Taking Psilocybin Capsules

Capsules with ground psilocybin mushrooms offer a discreet, taste-free way to ingest shrooms. They're ideal for consistent dosing and are often used for microdosing or regular use. While effects may take 45 minutes to start, they help avoid nausea and allow better control over psychoactive and physical effects.

Mixing with Food

Mixing magic mushrooms with food—like chocolate, nut butter, or smoothies—is a simple way to mask the taste and reduce nausea. While this method may slightly delay when you start to feel the effects, it doesn’t reduce the hallucinogenic impact. Since mushrooms can cause strong psychoactive responses, be mindful of the dose, especially when using appealing foods that make overconsumption easier.

Lemon Tek Method

The lemon tek method involves soaking crushed mushrooms in lemon or lime juice for 20 minutes before ingestion. The citric acid breaks down psilocybin into psilocin, which is the compound directly responsible for hallucination and euphoria. This leads to a faster, more intense onset—often within 15 to 30 minutes—and a shorter, more powerful trip. It's best to start with a low dose using this method due to its potency.

Mushroom Microdosing

Microdosing involves taking very small amounts of psilocybin or magic mushrooms regularly—typically every few days—without experiencing full hallucinations. Though not meant to cause you to see or hear things, microdosing may subtly enhance mood, focus, and creativity.

Psilocybin may offer long-term effects that support mental clarity and emotional stability. However, because the use of psilocybin remains illegal in many areas and mushrooms can lead to varied responses, this method should be approached with caution and awareness of potential risks, especially if combined with alcohol or other drugs.

Combining with Other Substances

Some experienced users combine shrooms with substances like cannabis or MDMA to modulate the effects. However, combining mushrooms with other drugs or alcohol increases the risk of adverse reactions, including intensified hallucinations, anxiety, or a bad trip. This method is not recommended for new users, as it complicates the experience and may lead to unpredictable outcomes. 

How Consumption Methods Affect Shroom Effects

The way you consume psilocybin mushrooms can influence how quickly the effects begin, how intense they are, and how long they last. Here’s a quick comparison of common methods:

How Does a Shroom ‘High’ Feel Like?

A shroom "high" can be a deeply transformative and intensely sensory experience, often marked by altered perception, emotional shifts, and introspective thoughts. The effects of psilocybin and psilocin begin to surface within 20 to 60 minutes after ingestion, depending on the method and dose.

As the substance activates serotonin receptors in the brain, users may experience vivid visual and auditory hallucinations, changes in the perception of time and space, and a heightened sense of interconnectedness with people or nature. This altered state can range from euphoric and enlightening to overwhelming and disorienting, particularly in high doses or unsupportive environments.

A safe and calm setting is key, especially for those trying magic mushrooms for the first time. The trip typically lasts between 4 to 6 hours, with aftereffects lingering for up to 12 to 24 hours in some cases. Many users describe the experience as dreamlike, where reality feels fluid and enhanced. 

Benefits of Magic Shrooms

Magic mushrooms have been used for centuries for their mind-altering and spiritual properties. Recent studies and anecdotal reports suggest several potential benefits tied to psilocybin and psilocin, particularly in mental health and personal growth.

Mental Health Support

Psilocybin use has shown promise in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Clinical trials suggest that even a single guided dose may lead to long-lasting mood improvements and reduced emotional distress.

Addiction Treatment

Magic mushrooms may help break the cycle of drug addiction and alcoholism by promoting introspection and altering ingrained patterns of thought. Psilocybin therapy is being considered as a supportive treatment for those struggling with substance use.

Enhanced Creativity and Openness

Many users report increased creativity, open-mindedness, and emotional flexibility after taking mushrooms. This shift in perspective can support personal and professional growth, especially for those in creative fields.

Improved Emotional Processing

Shrooms can bring buried thoughts and emotions to the surface, allowing users to confront and process them in a supportive setting. This emotional release may contribute to improved mental resilience and well-being.

Spiritual and Existential Insights

Taking magic mushrooms often leads to a profound sense of connection, purpose, or spiritual awakening. For some, this altered state of consciousness brings lasting clarity about their life, values, or relationships. 

How Long Do Mushroom Effects Last?

The effects of magic mushrooms typically begin within 20 to 60 minutes after ingestion and can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, depending on the dose, method of consumption, and individual metabolism.

Peak effects usually occur around the 2 to 3-hour mark, followed by a gradual decline. While the core psychedelic experience may subside after this period, subtle aftereffects—such as enhanced emotional sensitivity, fatigue, or a reflective mindset—can linger for 12 to 24 hours. The duration can also vary depending on the type of mushroom used and whether it's taken with other substances. 

Tips for Consuming Magic Mushrooms Safely

To minimize risks and enhance your experience, it's important to approach psilocybin mushrooms with preparation and care. Here are key safety tips for beginners:

• Start with a low dose: Begin with a small amount to gauge your body’s response, especially if it's your first time.
• Know your mushrooms: Make sure the mushrooms are correctly identified and not a poisonous species.
• Use in a safe, familiar environment: Choose a calm, supportive space where you feel comfortable and secure.
• Have a trusted trip sitter: A sober, experienced friend can help guide you if the experience becomes overwhelming.
• Avoid mixing with other drugs: Combining mushrooms with alcohol or other substances can lead to unpredictable effects.
• Stay hydrated, but don’t overdrink: Sip water to stay comfortable without flushing your system too rapidly.
• Be mindful of mental health: Avoid use if you have a history of serious mental health disorders or are in emotional distress.
• Prepare for the duration: Set aside several hours—ideally a full day—for the experience and the recovery.
• Don't drive or operate machinery: Psychedelic effects impair coordination and perception of time.
• Respect the substance: Treat the experience with intention and awareness to reduce the risk of a bad trip. 

Final Thoughts

Trying magic mushrooms for the first time can be both exciting and transformative when approached with knowledge and care. By choosing the right method, starting with a low dose, and creating a safe environment, you can increase the chances of a positive and insightful experience. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, healing, or curiosity, understanding how to take shrooms responsibly is key to making the most of your journey.