Growing Magic Mushrooms at Home: A Beginner’s Guide for Mindful Healing
Magic mushrooms are no longer just the domain of festival-goers and counterculture enthusiasts. Today, people from all walks of life—busy moms, corporate climbers, and healthcare professionals alike are discovering the benefits of psilocybin containing mushrooms.
In today’s wellness landscape, more people are turning to magic mushrooms as a natural alternative for mental health, creativity, and spiritual growth. But with the unregulated market, buying mushrooms online can feel risky and is often unnecessarily expensive.
Growing your own mushrooms inside your home is a simple, cost-effective way to ensure you’re getting exactly what you need—pure, potent, and safe.
This guide will show you how easy it is to start your own mushroom cultivation journey, right from the comfort of your home.
The Benefits of Magic Mushrooms
Why Should I Take Mushrooms?
Mental Health Benefits
Research shows that psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, can have profound positive effects on mental health. Here are some key benefits:
Reduction in Depression
Studies have shown that psilocybin can lead to significant and sustained improvements in mood and life satisfaction. The compound's ability to induce profound, positive psychological experiences has positioned it as a potential alternative treatment for those who have not found relief through traditional therapies.
One study compared conventional antidepressants to psilocybin and evaluated the impact on the reduction of symptoms of depression, what they found was quite interesting:
Significant Symptom Reduction: Patients treated with psilocybin experienced a greater reduction in depression symptoms compared to those taking prescription antidepressants.
Faster Improvement: Psilocybin led to quicker improvements in mood and overall well-being.
Greater Life Satisfaction: Participants on psilocybin reported higher life satisfaction and feelings of well-being than those on the conventional antidepressant.
Potential Alternative Treatment: Studies suggest psilocybin could be an effective alternative to traditional antidepressants for treating depression.
Alleviation of Anxiety
Anxiety is a pervasive mental health issue that affects millions, often leading to chronic stress and other related disorders. Recent research into psilocybin has shown promising results in alleviating anxiety. Participants in studies have reported significant improvements in mood, life satisfaction, and overall mental well-being, making psilocybin a potential therapeutic option for those struggling with anxiety disorders.
Key findings on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for anxiety:
Induced Mystical Experiences: Psilocybin has been found to induce profound mystical-type experiences, which are associated with long-term positive changes in behavior and attitudes.
Lasting Psychological Benefits: Participants report sustained improvements in mood, life satisfaction, and a reduction in anxiety and depression.
Potential for Addiction Treatment: Psilocybin shows promise in treating addiction, particularly alcoholism and smoking cessation.
Low Risk of Adverse Effects: Psilocybin has a favorable safety profile with minimal adverse effects when used in “controlled settings” (this statement is based on the scientific process and clinical evidence, in the real world, most of us know this based on experience).
PTSD Relief: Research suggests that psilocybin may help alleviate symptoms of PTSD by enabling patients to process traumatic memories with reduced fear and emotional distress.
One study found that psilocybin significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, with effects lasting up to six months.
Positive Emotional Effects: Psilocybin led to sustained positive changes in mood and behavior, including increased well-being and life satisfaction.
Reduction in Anxiety and Depression: Participants experienced significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety and depression, with effects lasting up to six months.
Spiritual Significance: Many participants reported mystical-type experiences that were deeply meaningful and contributed to long-term psychological benefits.
Safety Profile: Psilocybin was well-tolerated with few adverse effects in controlled settings (again, we have to state this because we are covering research, in the real world most people know this once they experience the effects of magic mushrooms).
Spiritual Benefits
Mushrooms have been used for centuries in spiritual practices, known for their ability to:
Enhance Meditation: Psilocybin can deepen meditation practices by helping individuals achieve a heightened state of consciousness and self-awareness.
Promote Mindfulness: Regular microdosing can enhance your ability to stay present, promoting a more mindful approach to daily life.
Facilitate Personal Growth: Mushrooms can open up new pathways for personal development, allowing you to explore aspects of your psyche that may be otherwise inaccessible.
For a detailed guide on how to incorporate mushrooms into your spiritual practices, check out our article on microdosing for spiritual growth.
Comparison to Alcohol
Unlike alcohol, which is widely accepted by society but often linked to negative health effects and dependency, psilocybin mushrooms offer a more positive, healing experience.
Safe and Non-Addictive: Psilocybin is non-addictive and has a low potential for abuse, making it a safer alternative to alcohol for those seeking relief from stress or seeking a spiritual experience.
Promotes Positive Mental Health: While alcohol can exacerbate anxiety and depression, mushrooms are known to have the opposite effect, promoting mental clarity and emotional well-being.
If you’re curious about the benefits of choosing mushrooms over alcohol, you might find our article on switching from wine to weed insightful.
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal?
Current Legal Status of Mushrooms
The legality of growing and consuming psilocybin mushrooms varies by location. Some regions have decriminalized personal use and cultivation, while others have strict prohibitions. It’s essential to research and understand the laws in your area before starting your grow.
How do psilocybin mushrooms compare to pharmaceutical drugs?
Nature vs. Pharmaceuticals
Many pharmaceuticals are derived from natural plant compounds, showing that nature has always been a source of healing. Psilocybin mushrooms are no different—they are natural, effective, and have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties. However, it’s important to remember that choosing to use mushrooms as medicine is a personal decision. While these natural remedies can be powerful, pharmaceutical drugs also have their time and place in treatment. Each individual should decide what’s right for them, based on their unique needs and circumstances.
Ready to explore the benefits of microdosing? Discover how to incorporate mushrooms with our Guide to Microdosing Mushrooms for Spiritual Practices for mindful healing.
How to Grow Mushrooms at Home for Beginners
Growing mushrooms at home indoors provides you with control over quality, cost efficiency, and the opportunity to grow your own supply of this powerful natural medicine.
What is the Easiest Way to Grow Mushrooms at Home?
There are many methods, but the simplest way for a beginner is to use a grow kit. These pre-packaged kits come with everything you need, including the substrate and container, making it easy to cultivate mushrooms without any prior experience.
What Do I Need to Buy to Grow Mushrooms at Home?
Grow Kit: Pre-packaged kits that contain everything you need to cultivate mushrooms at home, including the substrate and container.
Magic Bag offers easy-to-use grow kits.
Spores: The reproductive cells of mushrooms that you inoculate into a substrate to begin cultivation.
Reliable spores can be found at SporesMD.
Microdose materials (optional): To get started with microdosing, you'll need a few essential supplies, most of which can be found on Amazon. These include mason jars for airtight storage of your dried mushrooms, a coffee grinder to finely grind the mushrooms into powder, and empty gelatin or vegetable capsules for microdosing. A capsule machine will help you efficiently fill the capsules with the mushroom powder, while a digital scale ensures accurate measurement for consistent dosing.
Introduction to Growing Mushrooms at Home: Don’t Worry, It’s Easy!
Growing mushrooms at home might sound complicated, but don’t worry—it’s actually quite simple and forgiving. Mushrooms are resilient and don’t require constant attention. It’s important that you start by doing your own research to find the right method and supplies that fit your needs—don’t just take anyone’s word for it, including this guide - it’s your journey after all.
Once you’ve made informed choices, follow a few basic steps—buy a grow kit, purchase spores, inoculate the bag, and store it in a dark place. If something goes wrong, like contamination, just start over with a new bag. With a little patience, you’ll be enjoying your own homegrown mushrooms in no time!
How Long Does It Take to Grow Mushrooms?
Growing mushrooms at home is a process that typically takes between 3 to 6 weeks from start to harvest. After inoculating your grow bag with spores, you'll need to wait about 2 to 4 weeks for the mycelium to fully colonize the substrate. Once colonized, it usually takes another 1 to 2 weeks for the mushrooms to begin fruiting. Harvesting occurs when the mushroom caps are fully open and start to curl, with each flush taking about 1 to 2 weeks to mature.
Quick Overview of Steps
Buy a Grow Bag
Purchase Spores
Inoculate the Bag with Spores (Day 1)
Place the Bag in a Cool, Dark Place (Day 1)
Check on the Bag After One Week (Expect mycelium (white weblike substance) in 2-4 weeks)
Harvest When Mushrooms are Ready (Caps are open and starting to curl, 1-2 weeks after mycelium is visibly present)
Dehydrate the Mushrooms
Store in an Airtight Container
Here’s a detailed guide to getting started:
Step 1: Buy a Grow Bag
Choose a grow kit that includes everything you need to get started, such as the substrate (the material mushrooms grow in) and a container. A popular option is the Magic Bag kit, which is beginner-friendly and easy to use.
Step 2: Purchase Spores
Once you order your kit, you need to purchase high-quality spores from a reputable source like SporesMD. Be sure to check the legality of spores in your region before purchasing.
Step 3: Inoculate the Bag with Spores
Once your equipment arrives, it’s time to inoculate the grow bag with spores! This involves injecting the spores into the substrate using a sterile syringe, which typically comes with the spore purchase.
Step 4: Place the Bag in a Cool, Dark Place
Set up a dedicated space for your grow kit. Ensure the area is out of reach of small children and pets, and avoid high-traffic areas to prevent contamination. The ideal environment is a clean, dark area with a consistent temperature of around 70-75°F. A closet or cabinet can work well. You don’t need to manually monitor temperature or humidity, as the bag is designed to maintain the right conditions. Simply check on the bag daily to see if the white, web-like mycelium (the network of fungal threads) is spreading inside—this is a sign that your mushrooms are growing well.
Step 5: Check on the Bag After a Few Weeks
After about 2-4 weeks, check the bag for white, web-like mycelium growth. This means your mushrooms are developing well. Watch for signs of contamination, healthy growth looks like white, cottony or web-like mycelium spreading throughout the substrate. If you see colors like green, black, or pink, this is a sign of mold or bacterial contamination.
Healthy growth. White substance, mycelium. Pencil eraser sized dots, pinning. Fruiting, growth of mushrooms.
What to Look for When Growing Mushrooms
As you grow mushrooms, there are several key stages and signs to monitor to ensure a successful harvest:
Colonization Time: After inoculation, the substrate should be fully colonized by white, web-like mycelium within 2-4 weeks. This indicates that the mycelium is healthy and spreading as expected.
Pinning: Pinning occurs when small, pin-sized mushrooms (pins) begin to form on the surface of the substrate. This typically happens 1-2 weeks after full colonization and signals the start of the fruiting phase.
Fruiting: After pinning, mushrooms will continue to grow until they reach maturity, which is when the caps open and start to curl. This is the stage where they are ready to harvest.
Signs of Contamination: Throughout the process, watch for any unusual colors like green, black, or pink, or a slimy texture, as these indicate contamination. Contaminated bags should be discarded.
Step 6: Harvest the Mushrooms
When the mushrooms are fully grown, the caps are fully open and just starting to curl upwards, they’re ready to be harvested. Gently twist and pull the mushrooms from the substrate or use a sterilized knife. Keep in mind that not all mushrooms will be ready at the same time, so you’ll need to check and harvest them over several days as they mature. This staggered harvesting allows you to pick each mushroom at its peak.
Step 7: Dehydrate the Mushrooms
Proper dehydration is crucial to preserving the potency and longevity of your mushrooms. Here are different methods you can use:
Food Dehydrator
Temperature & Timing: Set the dehydrator to a low temperature (around 95°F or 35°C). Dry the mushrooms for 6-12 hours until they are cracker-dry, meaning they snap rather than bend.
Oven
Temperature & Timing: Preheat your oven to the lowest possible setting (around 150°F or 65°C). Place the mushrooms on a baking sheet and leave the oven door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. Dry for 2-4 hours, checking frequently to prevent over-drying.
Under a Window
Environment & Timing: If you don’t have a dehydrator or oven, place the mushrooms on a screen or rack in a well-ventilated area under direct sunlight or near a window. This method may take 2-4 days depending on the humidity and airflow.
Fan Drying
Setup & Timing: Lay the mushrooms out on a mesh surface or a rack with a fan blowing directly over them. This method can take 1-3 days and works best in a dry environment.
How Do I Know When the Mushrooms are Dry Enough?
No matter which method you use, the mushrooms should be completely dry and brittle (cracker-dry) to the touch. This ensures that they are fully dehydrated and ready for long-term storage.
Step 8: Store in an Airtight Container
Store the dried mushrooms in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. For microdosing, consider investing in a capsule machine to create consistent doses. We’ll expand on this process in the next section.
What to Do with Your Mushrooms Post-Harvest
How to Store Magic Mushrooms
Dehydration: Dehydrating your mushrooms is crucial to preserving their potency. After drying, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Airtight Storage: After drying, store the mushrooms in airtight containers, such as mason jars or vacuum-sealed bags, to keep them fresh.
Cool, Dark Place: Keep the stored mushrooms in a cool, dark place to maintain their quality over time.
Long-Term Storage: For extended preservation, consider vacuum sealing or freezing the mushrooms.
Moisture Control: You can also add desiccant packs to your containers to absorb any remaining moisture and ensure dryness.
How to Capsule Mushrooms for Microdosing
Equipment Needed for Microdosing Mushrooms
Empty Capsules: For filling with ground mushrooms.
Choose the Right Capsule Size: For a microdose of 0.1 to 0.3 grams, Size 0 or Size 00 capsules work well. Size 0 capsules hold about 0.5 grams of powder, and Size 00 capsules hold about 0.75 grams, so they allow room for varying dose amounts.
Spice Grinder/Coffee Grinder: To finely grind the dried mushrooms into powder.
Bowls: Useful for holding the ground mushrooms while filling capsules by hand.
Capsule Machine: Available online, this tool helps fill capsules more efficiently.
Scale: Essential for accurately measuring the mushroom powder to ensure consistent dosing.
How to Make Microdoses
Grind the Mushrooms: Use a spice or coffee grinder to grind the dried mushrooms into a fine powder.
Fill the Capsules: Fill the capsules by hand or use a capsule machine to ensure consistent and efficient filling.
Weigh the Microdoses: Use a digital scale to measure out the desired amount of mushroom powder for each dose. A typical microdose is between 0.1 to 0.3 grams.
Store the Capsules: Place the filled capsules in an airtight container with a desiccant pack, for storage in a cool, dark place.
Guide to Microdosing: Microdosing involves taking small, sub-perceptual doses. Start with the lower end of the dosage range and observe how your body responds. Common protocols include dosing every other day or following a "one day on, two days off" schedule. Users often report increased focus, creativity, and emotional balance.
Growing mushrooms is not just about cultivating a crop; it's about honoring the sacred medicine that nature provides. Unlike pharmaceuticals, which are often mass-produced, mushrooms have been revered for centuries as powerful tools for healing. During the growing process, it's important to treat the mushrooms with respect—scientific studies have shown that plants and fungi respond positively to kind words and intentions. Before consuming, take a moment to connect with the medicine, express gratitude for its healing properties, and set a positive intention for its work within your body.
Resources for Growing
For growing mushrooms at home, it's helpful to tap into the broader community for advice and support. Joining online forums like shroomery.org allows you to connect with other mushroom cultivators, where you can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from those who have been through the process. Engaging with this community can be a valuable resource as you navigate the challenges and successes of mushroom cultivation.
Glossary of Terms
Substrate: The material on which mushrooms grow, often a mix of organic matter like grain or compost.
Sterile Technique: Practices used to prevent contamination during the inoculation and growth processes, like purchasing a kit-in-a-bag.
Inoculation: The process of introducing spores into the substrate to start mushroom growth.
Contamination: The unwanted presence of bacteria, mold, or other fungi that can harm or halt mushroom growth.
Mycelium: The network of fungal threads that develop from spores and colonize the substrate.
Colonization Time: The period during which the mycelium spreads throughout the substrate before fruiting begins.
Pinning: The stage in mushroom cultivation when small mushroom pins (tiny mushrooms) first appear.
Fruiting: The stage in mushroom cultivation when the mycelium starts producing mature mushrooms.
Flush: A cycle of mushroom growth, with multiple flushes possible from one grow bag.
Cracker-Dry: A term used to describe mushrooms that are fully dried and brittle, snapping rather than bending.
Capsule Machine: A device used to fill capsules with powdered mushroom for microdosing.
Digital Scale: A precise scale used to measure small quantities of mushroom powder for accurate dosing.
Spore Syringe: A syringe filled with mushroom spores suspended in a liquid, used for inoculating the substrate.
Top Questions from Beginner Mushroom Cultivators
How do I know if my growing space is suitable?
Your space should be clean, dark, and maintain a stable temperature around 70-75°F. A closet or cupboard works well.
How long does it take from inoculation to harvest?
The entire process usually takes 3-6 weeks, with 2-4 weeks for mycelium growth and another 1-2 weeks for fruiting.
What does healthy mycelium look like?
Healthy mycelium appears white and web-like, spreading evenly throughout the substrate.
What are the signs of contamination?
Contamination is indicated by unusual colors like green, black, or pink, or by a slimy texture inside the bag.
What should I do if my grow bag gets contaminated?
If contamination occurs, it’s best to discard the entire bag and start over with a new one.
How often should I check on the grow bag?
Check the bag daily for signs of healthy mycelium growth and potential contamination.
How do I know when the mushrooms are ready to harvest?
Mushrooms are ready when the caps are fully open and start to curl upward.
Can I grow mushrooms in a space shared with kids or pets?
It’s safe, but keep the grow bag out of reach to avoid contamination or accidental tampering.
Do I need any special equipment to monitor the environment?
No special equipment is needed. The grow bag is designed to maintain the right conditions on its own.
How should I store the dried mushrooms?
Store them in an airtight container, like a glass jar, in a cool, dark place to maintain their potency.
What if my mushrooms grow unevenly or stop growing?
Uneven growth can happen due to inconsistent conditions. Ensure stable temperature and humidity.
Can I grow multiple bags in the same space?
Yes, as long as the space has enough room and airflow for all the bags.
What is the best way to sterilize tools before use?
Use rubbing alcohol or a flame to sterilize needles and cutting tools.
How much yield should I expect from one bag?
Yields vary but typically range from several grams to an ounce per flush.
What are "flushes," and how many can I expect?
A flush is a cycle of mushroom growth. You can usually get 2-3 flushes per bag.
Is it safe to touch the mushrooms or mycelium?
Yes, but always wash your hands before handling to prevent contamination.
Can I reuse the grow bag after harvesting?
Typically, bags are discarded after the final flush due to the risk of contamination.
What should I do if I see mushrooms growing inside the bag but none outside?
Mushrooms should only grow inside the bag. If they seem to grow improperly, check the environment and consider starting over if needed.
Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. The cultivation and use of psilocybin mushrooms may be illegal in your area, and it is your responsibility to check the legal status in your jurisdiction before proceeding. Additionally, any decisions regarding the use of mushrooms as a natural remedy should be made after careful consideration and, if necessary, consultation with a healthcare professional. Always prioritize safety and legality in your practices.References
Carhart-Harris, Robin et al. “Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression.” The New England journal of medicine vol. 384,15 (2021): 1402-1411.Feulner, Leah et al. “Efficacy and Safety of Psychedelics in Treating Anxiety Disorders.” Ochsner journal vol. 23,4 (2023): 315-328.Zaretsky, Tamar Glatman et al. “The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment.” Current neuropharmacology vol. 22,4 (2024): 636-735.